US Xpress's new driver policy is UNREASONABLE

I understand where you are coming from but there are 2 sides to this coin. What other industries have no sick days, no personal days, and only 2 holidays a year if youre lucky. There is room for a little give and take in the system. If I need a day or 2 off Im taking them, and if the output they get from me on the rest of the days a year isn't enough to justify that then Im happy to take my services elsewhere where people are more reasonable. In all honesty, I don't really want to work for a company that is that close to the brink anyway.

 

The original post was about a trainee in his 3rd week. I agree that drivers make a huge sacrifice when it come to hometime. Being said, there are proper channels to time off. I signed on to a 21 day fleet with 3-4 days off after 21 out. If at day 15 I decide to go home then I expect consequences. If I want certain days, I expect to stay out more. If a true family emergency arises then I am going home and I expect the companies understanding if not I go elsewhere. I am also one not to use the word family every time I poorly planned my life and expect the company to wait on me. I am serious about my job, during my training all of my family knows that unless someone is bleeding, don't expect me home for a month. When my time is up, I am leaving on time. I feel like I need a job so I tend to follow the rules. If I need something, I usually get it but I have reasonable expectations.

 

I feel bad for the OTR drivers out there on the job 24/7 and getting out of the truck after 3weeks of being on the job
They get to spend 3 whooping days home with family ,all for what? 47cmp? .....really ? And it's a good thing if they roll all week and weekend 3000 miles ? ....what? ,and how much is that for a pay check $1500 bucks before uncle sam gets his so now were talking $1200 take home ? Oh but wait they're not going home ,gotta send that $ home and figure out the rest on living on the road ....truth is most of these rookie OTR drivers will not make it OTR for 2yrs experience ,if they married ,they end up in devorce court paying child support ....."whamm" problem solved no reason to come home now
no reason to get a bachelor pad apt. ....just live in the truck ....now you're in hook & sinker ,no reason to for them worry about the truck rollin 3000 miles a week ,just do whatever they tell you for free or else now you lose your rolling highway hobo home and you will have to unplug your only friend now ,the CB radio.....wow "keep it "

 

What you've got there is the goal. Thing is reality is a little bit different some times. No offense but you really haven't been in the industry long enough to make a qualified opinion. Trucking is unlike any other industry out there. Especially when drivers are short and it looks like we are heading in that direction. What I think you are missing is that ultimately you are the one in control even though the company is going to swear up and down the opposite is true. When drivers are short youll see them going on benders for a week and the company begging them to come back. That's my experience. And the reason for that will be that it wont matter if they want to fill your seat, there wont be anyone out there to fill it with. Give it some time and you will see this for yourself. That being said though, you are right there is a proper way to handle things and you should do the right thing if you can. Sometimes itll be sorry bout your luck tho.

 

I agree with a lot of what you have said. But remember, US Xpress terminated the trainee for doing what he wanted. He wasn't valuable yet with a good track record. He didn't follow their rules and he got the boot. They didn't beg him to stay.

 

i ran a restaurant with 23 employees and 2 million a year in gross revenue(for seven years if you are wondering). I made every effort to accommodate my employees time off needs for doctors, family, etc. Guess what? They worked their ##### off for me. Respect, real respect, is only earned when it is given. I refuse to treat people or be treated as anything other then a fellow human being and my life is far richer because of it.

 

That is sooo True. Qualcomm that "request-in" and don't take it upon yourself to do anything but company business, until you get a response. if need be...send the message a second time, and be sure you know how to use your Qualcomm!
Peace.

 

Don't work for USX. I am a former recruiter and we were taught how to lie. Just don't work for them. Everything a recruiter tells you is a lie. You won't average that much money a week and you definitely won't be home everyday. The Dollar Store accounts are ran illegally and you won't be paid anything.

 

How are they run illegal ?

 

Students on the dollar accounts regularly are required by their trainers to help unload off the clock and then run nights. This happens pretty regularly at every company that covers those accounts. One of those problems that are just swept under the rug. Its not company policy but they aren't doing anything to stop it either. When I came back to driving in 08 I had to go through the training again and did it with Werner. Did DG and FD and it was the same on both accounts there, just gutted it out and went my own way after it was done.