What are some of the traits that make a good trucking company.

**shaun33319** · 07.10.2012

I am currently working for a small trucking company. I wanted to have some input on what are some of the main traits and features that make a good trucking company to work for. I also want to know what are some of the best features that make a good truck driver also. I am looking to further my career and wanted to know what I would be the best things to look for in a trucking company and what I would need to grow as a driver to make them someone that would want to higher me.

**dptrucker** · 07.10.2012

whats wrong with the company you,re at now?. i think the most important thing you can do as a driver is to have a excellent driving record.

**jeep383s** · 07.10.2012

For a company trait to look for I would say employee retention. If they don't hire a new shift every week I would say its a good thing. For an employee I would say honesty. I would hire an honest decent driver over a dishonest super trucker any day

**shaun33319** · 07.10.2012

Theirs nothing wrong with the company that I work for at this time. The company does only local runs and since I am planning on moving in the next year I am looking for find another company to work for. I am trying to understand some of the traits and features that make a good trucking company and some things to stay away form when I go looking to join a company. By the time I move I will have my own Truck and refrigerated trailer so before I just go leasing to some company I wanted to know what to look out for.

**tomkatrose** · 07.11.2012

Every company is different in what they value in a driver. For us, in this order:
1. Very independent and self sufficient - We're here to support our guys but the ones that can think on their own and handle the little things that come up, we REALLY value that. Nothing more annoying than a driver that constantly calls to ask how to slide his tandems to make weight, ask how many hours a route will take him or my favorite, how to get the truck to start because the battery is dead (after spending the night watching TV, microwaving popcorn and drinking cokes from the fridge without running the APU).
2. REALLY care about the truck and trailer and treat it like it was their own. Trucking is not a high margin business so when a driver doesn't take care of the truck and the extra repair costs out weigh what the truck makes, it's a real loss.
3. Responsive and timely - Easy enough, we rarely call but when we do, its for a reason. Answer unless the situation won't let you and then respond when you can. Equally important, be on time for pick ups and deliveries. I know, things happen, traffic, etc. We have one guy who drives his tail off and gets within striking distance of his deliveries early and then chills there. Yes, he drives hard the first days of his loads but he usually has time to kill near his drop. We love it because he always delivers on time.

Like I said, every company is different. I'm so sick of the above that we sold most of our trucks and are going to an o/o model. Those companies that like to be more controlling may value things completely different.

**tomkatrose** · 07.11.2012

If you do go the route of o/o, then being on time, guarding your CSA score, and communicating well are valued.
- Being on time - enough said
- Guarding your CSA score - enough said
- Communicating well - If the company is counting on you to take a load and last minute, you tell them you are not available, that impacts the company's relationships so communicate well in advance with them. Equally, they should be communicating with you the same.