Have I lost touch with this industry?

I expect a brand new truck. Fully loaded. At least .50 a mile, and I don't do appointment times. I get there when I get there. And don't expect me to work real hard. I'm delicate. Plus I refuse to do a hair test. And can you advance me pay before I start? Alcohol in the truck is ok too, right? And I'm sure you won't mind if I bring my brainless girlfriend and her 700 pound piss machine with.

 

NO you have no lost touch with the industry at all.

The trucking industry has lost touch with the driver and it's self many years ago.

The industry keeps putting people in charge of the trucking industry that have no idea what the trucking industry is all about and they no idea what a glad hand is or the difference between an automatic or standard transmission.

I have seen many companies out there hire people to be management of their company in incharge of the transportation equipment (example class 1 tractor trailer, or class 3 dump truck)
And yet they do not have a licence to drive it or any knowledge of how it even works.

This is what's wrong with the industry and it's why drivers are giving up trucking all together.

To many idiots in charge that have no clue what they are doing.

Have some one from HR who only has a class 5 licence can tell you,
that you can not drive for them and you have class 1 and other licences to boot.

A manager phones you on the road and asks you when and how long are you going to be because he needs that automatic transmission truck for another delivery A.S.A.P.
You look down at the standard shift on the floor and ask when did this became an automatic.
The look of confusion on the managers face on the other end of the phone must be priceless.

 

Yes, you have lost touch with the industry. But not to worry, anyone who's been out here more than a year has lost touch as well...join the club, the water is warm!

While I nothing of the car hauling business, I've been driving 14 years now ( still a newbie), and it flat out disgusts me to read some of the posts on here and see what happpens on the road.

I believe your issue may not be limited to just your operation. It's my belief that after the economy crashed in 2008, and left many unemployed, suddenly everyone who ever had a thought of driving truck for a living crawled out of the woodwork. Can't really blame them, as there weren't too many other options. But they have little idea what they're getting themselves into. Hence the dumb questions and demands that Joe pointed out. Sadly, I can't see it getting better anytime soon.

How long are your drivers expected to stay out? Keeping them out for extended periods will definitely weed a bunch out. But that's a good thing, it eliminates the wannabes. Are you paying higher than your competition? If Joe Shmoe pays more than you, doing the same work, Sith better benefits, why should I work for you?
That saying, 'Kids these days', well, there's something to it. Many have no clue what loyalty is. If they have a decent job, with all the potential in the world to advance, but Joe Shmoe pays better instantly, well, the kid will jump ship. No loyalty....

I'm not trying to attack you or your company, and I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. But, when the way you were doing your hiring isn't working, maybe it's time to look at it from a different angle. Best of luck to you!

 

It's that dreaded 4 letter "W" word. It seems like people would use you as a stepping stone to larger car hauling companies or trucks. If I did not love what I do with flatbed and RGN then I would jump at the chance to drive one of your trucks. The other problem may be time away from home. Do you have certain areas that you run through all the time? If so is there a school near there? Maybe you can recruit from the school?

 

Can you post a picture of your equipment? I haven't looked into car hauling but it would appear that the day-to-day life differences would be significant from most OTR jobs with sleeper trucks. Can you give a thorough breakdown of a typical day? I'm guessing it starts and ends with a motel.

 

Been a long time since I heard the old school phrase appreciate the comeback. Goes to show trucking isn't dead yet. Some if us can still relate to each other. Relate to our replacements is another story

 

Is it a local labor situation? I've seen your trucks and that has to be the easiest car hauling out there. Throw some wheel straps on a couple vans and roll. I would think that would be very appealing to a flatbed driver used to throwing 8' tarps. Securing a vehicle on your trailers isn't very different than securing something on a flat or step. That might be where you want to look.