Shock and Awe (talking to recruits in Atlanta)

I was sitting in the lobby of the hotel we use in Atlanta the other day (Monday) and a group of seven came in and plopped down in the lobby couches around where I was sitting...

They were very excited and gung-ho about their orientation starting that day with "Super Service".. (an OTR company based out of Ky.).

One of them asked me if I was going to orientation too....

I said - "no, I am going to work in a few minutes..."


he then asked where - and who I worked for - I told him and of course had questions...

This is where the conflict in my head comes in -

do I tell them what they want to know - or do I just say "they are ok I guess - treat me ok.." (generic truck driver response)

I would hate to get their minds thinking that they are making a mistake - but the fact is I feel they are - most of them had worked for another large OTR carrier - and I did ask if "by trading one job for another - of equal pay and expectations" "do you gain anything?"

of course they all agreed that things would be different at SS trucking...

*sigh*

So many drivers trade one crappy situation for another crappy situation without ever looking into all the other ops out there.

One of the happiest drivers I know drives a trash truck - 10 hours a day - 5 days a week - home every night and weekend etc etc - and he does not touch any trash - all done remote with a front hook (dumpsters)

all this and 16 bucks an hour plus overtime.

he stated that for many years he would have never considered that job because he assumed it would be dirty and stinky and paid low...

options guys - keep your eyes open. and do not believe the hype OTR companies are pumping out there.