mesilla valley trucking

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=382.301

 

Then someone that seems to accept it so easily such as you do....you are part of the problem, not the solution.
I don't know what "the" solution is....but I would rather have MY outlook and attitude than yours, because I feel MINE is a step in the right direction. Yours is stagnate (meaning; too many have felt this way for too long, and it has done nothing to help the industry for the driver).

Also....the argument could be made, that the "driver" doesn't necessarily "do it to themselves" by leaving for greener pastures...because, if the companies would stop lying, cheating, stealing, and starving a driver---they wouldn't be looking for greener pastures.

So; if "this is trucking", the way I see it, is the TRUCKING COMPANIES are a hell of a lot more liable for how the industry is now...and the direction the industry could go if THEY wanted it to.

 

He always comes down on the side of the carrier. I suspect he is very company orientated-- Probably very anti- union too.

"Here driver, put this "ball and chain" around your ankle, you are my slave now, you will do what I say"

I DON'T THINK SO!!!!

 

Ah yes. The us vs them attitude that has done so we'll for us in the past.

 

How many times do we hear of drivers quitting because they got home on a Sunday and they wanted to be home that Friday. Too many drivers have made themselves disposable by doing things like that, them turn around and complain.

The only drivers I know who are starving are doing so because of their own choices. Refusing to take a load to the north east and such. Or drivers who want to take 2-3 days off after working 4-5. Them gripe that they don't get miles. Um hello!!!

I'm going to have a suck week for miles but it's no ones fault but the fuel injector that's gone bad on my truck, forcing me to give up a choice run from Layoverado to Philadelphia and drag a trailer home to El Paso so my truck can get fixed.

 

Of course we are going to have examples such as that PackRatTDI.....I wasn't by any means putting 100% of the blame on the companies; kinda why I worded it like this:

That is why (an experienced driver atleast) should make their demands, and intentions completely clear to the perspective employer during an interview.....and put everything out on the table.

Example:
I won't go to the northeast for ANYONE---I have no problem telling a company that, and THEY can decide if they want to put up with me by accepting my proposal and hiring me, or telling me it's not gonna work and dismissing me.
But DON"T tell me "no problem", hire me....then try to send me there. It ain't gonna work.

My last OTR company (small company) had absolutely no problem sending me out Monday morning, and getting me back Friday afternoon with 2,400 to 2,800 miles for the 5 day week, and kept me out of the Northeast and the Rockies....WHY CAN'T EVERYONE? There are people willing to run those areas, and willing to stay out longer...so freight is still getting moved; and everyone's happy.

 

Remember, a truck company invests in getting you hired, from transportation to orientation, hotel, food, physicals etc, then a few months down the road, the driver's gone to greener pastures.

To which my answer is-
If the trucking co.s started listening to their drivers a little more than some bean counter
sitting behind a desk thats never seen the inside of a truck let alone driven one , and started treating drivers with an ounce of respect , then the co.s mite be able to keep a driver for more than 6 months , and " orientation " would become a thing of the past.

 

They had one guy at orientation here at prime in Pittston pa, they send him to the clinic, he was A seat experienced like I was. They tossed him because of a super high bmi, Parkinson's, and blood pressure. And a bunch of horror stories front the orientation staff of guys coming in with felonies, DUI, released form nuthouse, all kinds of stuff. Basically the recruiters at the big companies are nothing but glorified sales people, and don't think of really checking people out before sending the bus ticket.

 

Kind of hard to drive a truck when you can't sit still. Not knocking anyone who has it but showing up some where and the customer thinks your drunk because of this disease is not a good look for a company.

Also when I was hired on with Knight back in 09', they also did background checks while I was in orientation. They had a "driver development manager", who helped the recruiter, would do the drug test. Collection and all that and have it sent out. Just a cheaper way to get things done than to have to pay a clinic to do it.

When I applied to Wal~mart, it took 3 months from the time I received the call for an interview, had the face to face, road test, drug screen and all that to get to the orientation date. 3 MONTHS! That is what I call taking your time and triple checking your applicants on background, MVR, and verification. This is how all companies should do their hiring but for them its not worth all that time. As stated above, not everyone is truthful or they just don't show up.

So what say you OP? Or is this another one hit wonder?