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Hiring a Driver

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by haider99, Apr 16, 2014.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Apr 16, 2014 #1
    haider99

    haider99 Medium Load Member

    685
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    Mar 19, 2014
    0
    Hello everyone,

    Many of you have read my other post called " unprofitable O/O" and know my situation and you helped me a lot with great replies. I have decided to start putting my trucks for U.S and looking for 1 driver to get it started. However, my issue is that this is the first time in the past 7 years of trucking that I am taking on a U.S contract and I am kind of worried if i will be able to retain drivers in the first few weeks. I don't want to hire a driver who works for a week and quits because he doesn't like the work... that leaves my truck parked for weeks. So my question is, how do you guys hire your drivers and keep them working for you besides giving them good pay and benefits? Do you sign some contract or hold there pay for longer?

    In the past, a few times this happened to me, when my drivers did not like the work and they left all of a sudden. Most of the drivers worked for years until they either purchased their equipment or got fired because of crashes.

    Thank you
     
    haider99, Apr 16, 2014
    haider99, Apr 16, 2014
    #1
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  3. Apr 16, 2014 #2
    cabwrecker

    cabwrecker The clutch wrecker

    1,614
    1,401
    Mar 23, 2012
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    What kind of work and where?
     
    cabwrecker, Apr 16, 2014
    cabwrecker, Apr 16, 2014
    #2
  4. Apr 16, 2014 #3
    Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

    7,162
    6,734
    Sep 25, 2007
    Rosamond, SoCal
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    Home time, pay, and benefits is the whole thing. If I could get them all, I would not leave.

    Be home 2 days, 3000 plus miles, 40 to 45 cpm, med, dental, optical, vacation, sick days, holidays. even then you have no guarentees. Look for seasoned driver. Track record, but this is when it gets expensive, you have to get them to leave a good employer. \

    The other is to start off with newb's and train them. either way its a crap shoot.

    Need more info. where, what the haul is, type of equipment, sleeper, day cab, local, regional, 48 states, dry, refer, flat, tanker.
     
    Powder Joints, Apr 16, 2014
    Powder Joints, Apr 16, 2014
    #3
  5. Apr 16, 2014 #4
    Freddy57

    Freddy57 Road Train Member

    1,731
    8,243
    Nov 29, 2013
    Mount Vernon, MO
    0
    There is no way to force someone to work for you if they don't want to. You have to have a competetive pay package and working conditions that makes a person want to work for you.
     
    Freddy57, Apr 16, 2014
    Freddy57, Apr 16, 2014
    #4
  7. Apr 17, 2014 #5
    thelushlarry

    thelushlarry Road Train Member

    3,023
    8,994
    Jan 9, 2012
    glasgow ky
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    You know you have heard the saying nothing is impossible? Well, it is a lie it is impossible to keep a truck driver happy!:biggrin_25525:
     
    thelushlarry, Apr 17, 2014
    thelushlarry, Apr 17, 2014
    #5
    281ric Thanks this.
  8. Apr 18, 2014 #6
    Gunner75

    Gunner75 Road Train Member

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    Mar 17, 2014
    Jackson Center Ohio
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    to take a chance or not its a ball game, are you ready to play?
     
    Gunner75, Apr 18, 2014
    Gunner75, Apr 18, 2014
    #6
  9. Apr 18, 2014 #7
    fencitup

    fencitup Light Load Member

    225
    113
    Jan 12, 2014
    Bronx, NY
    0
    So, what would be normal benefits for a one truck operation? Can the average owner with one truck and one driver afford to offer medical, dental, vision ?
     
    fencitup, Apr 18, 2014
    fencitup, Apr 18, 2014
    #7
  10. Apr 18, 2014 #8
    rank

    rank Road Train Member

    9,870
    113,177
    Feb 11, 2010
    50 miles north of Rochester, NY
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    He's Canadian so he probably can. Hospital bills are covered by the province. We have four employees on a drug, vision, dental plan. I think 4 was the minimum you need to start up.
     
    rank, Apr 18, 2014
    rank, Apr 18, 2014
    #8
    fencitup Thanks this.
  11. Apr 18, 2014 #9
    rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    Feb 11, 2010
    50 miles north of Rochester, NY
    0
    Yeah it's a crap shoot. I usually start them out with the hardest work I can give them and see how they handle it. Usually this will weed out the losers. If he sticks around then you've got a winner. Plus I give a mileage based bonus after 12 months and the bonus increases ever year. If you can figure a way to give bonuses every 6 months there is always something to look forward to.
     
    rank, Apr 18, 2014
    rank, Apr 18, 2014
    #9
    281ric and fencitup Thank this.
  12. Apr 18, 2014 #10
    haider99

    haider99 Medium Load Member

    685
    108
    Mar 19, 2014
    0
    Current drivers are very happy with the current work. Dedicated runs, nights home and weekend home. 2700 miles per week if they work 4 days. Container work with a well maintained sleeper.
    I know i will find a good drivers for this type of work, but I am switching over to U.S now. I never ran this line but have decent knowledge about the runs. There is a container triangle run which is dedicated and then a open board full load dry van which is not dedicated.

    I pay them per mile, + any waitings and border crossing. Few times drivers quit on me in the first few weeks which i am afraid off.
     
    haider99, Apr 18, 2014
    haider99, Apr 18, 2014
    #10
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