I'm glad you are. That is one reason I quit trucking back in 2004. Got lie to many times with Digby, USA Truck, SuperService. and I went too West Memphis, AR with CFI and they told me lie to. I waste one month on the phone with this sorry company and the recruiter. So next time I will go out and by truck if I dont start out as Freight broker. still thinking on it.

I think,...........................

Objectivity Is The Objective.
To those who've posted before now and mentioned how important an OPEN MIND is, I remove my well worn NASCAR designer cap an offer up my most snappy, and sincere

An open mind works best when one KNOWS their mind, knows what they WANT to do, and makes a PLAN(s) on how to achieve said want.
Call it the Pre-Trip Of (Your) Life,........ if you will. Or won't.
Your choice.

Or, you could make the choice to make NO choice --- in which case, life will make those choices FOR you. Usually not to one's liking.
And, in the words of a somewhat upset gas station attendant, who walked out in the rain to give me directions to the Grand Canyon, --- which was in the OPPOSITE direction,
"You're the Captain of the ship,....... but first you gotta know WHERE the _ _ _ _ you're going!!"

How rude he was!
&
How right he was!
Color me stupid.
That was 1973.
And I STILL ask directions from time to time, but NOW I KNOW how to read a map.
Life is no different.
Same with Big truck truckin'.
TRIP-PLAN !

That being said, and I'm still hangin' on here,.......... y'all might wanna grab a snack,........................................ I'll wait.

OH!
You're back.
***Not to be confused with "Baack"***

When digesting information gleaned from whatever source, consider the source.
One Big truck driver's floor (load?)
Is another Big truck driver's ceiling.

Example: ............................ Me........... For want of a better subject. And the only source available to me at the moment.

If another driver told me that the company they drive a Big truck for is GREAT because they get him/her home every two weeks, for two days off --- delivering product to grocery store warehouses on a dedicated route, -----
I'd .

On the other hand, if I told another driver that the company I drive a Big truck for LET'S me stay out OTR for 7 to 9 WEEKS at a time, then take the tractor home for ten days to two weeks --- delivering product to some of the most interesting and out of the way places, doing things that are fun, including being dedicated enough to drive the Big truck pulling the transporter for a major winning Super Bike Factory Sponsored Race Team, for weeks at a time to the major tracks, -----
They'd and fit me for a straight-jacket.
Which, in and of itself probably ain't a bad idea.

Neither Big truck driver would be interested in trading jobs.
And the BEST part is,.......... they're BOTH right.
Some Big truck drivers drive Big trucks for a living, while other Big truck drivers do it for an adventure.
Still others do it for both.

For some Big truck drivers, two weeks OTR drags by slowly.
While other Big truck drivers think two weeks flies by before they know it.

From MY experience, the more (unreasonable) a Big truck driver's expectations of what the LIFESTYLE is, and the more (unreasonable) demands a Big truck driver expects to be fulfilled by any Big truck truckin' company, the LESS likely that Big truck driver will be happy with ANY company.

From MY experience, it's pays dividends to put a face with the name and voice. Go meet your dispatcher(s) and send 'em a post card from time to time.
Be pleasant when you talk to them. They have good and not so good days too.
A dispatcher can make or break a Big truck driver.
Doncha know.
And if y'all don't --- chances are good that y'all WILL.

Some may color that brown-nosing,
Others may color that sunny-bright.
I color it green --- the same color as money.

Imagine this,...............
You're a Big truck dispatcher.
You have two loads
One is a dream load.
One is a dawg load.

Two Big truck drivers available to take both loads.
One Big truck driver seldom complains and gets 'er done without having someone hold their hand(s).
And is pleasant to converse with.

The other Big truck driver (steering wheel holder?) would complain if they were hanged with a new rope. NOTHING ever goes right. Rescheduling pick-ups and deliveries is a common necessity.
And most folks would rather slide down razor blades into alcohol than to have to listen to them.

Decision time for the dispatcher.
That's YOU.
Which Big truck driver gets which load?

YeAH, that's what I was thinkin', too.

And while you're at it, get to know the mechanics.
Same reason(s).

What it all boils down to is, know whatcha want, whatchur willing to do to achieve whatcha want, and the sense to separate the truth from the good and not so good comments as it relates to YOUR wants and/or needs.
Keep an open mind and a GOOD ATTITUDE.

And if you decide to leave the employ of a company, and even if you have to bite your tongue, leave on GOOD TERMS.
Your Big truck driving and employment records are your ticket to the top, or, at least the upper rungs of the ladder.
Keep that record clean. Spotless and pristine, even better.
EVEN IN YOUR PERSONAL VEHICLE(S).

I'll leave this for y'all to consider,.......................
on another trucking related web site I haunt, there is a particular poster who, against the advice of experienced and seasoned Big truck drivers, jumps into an empty swimming pool and hires on with the shabbier companies.

Every time, and I think, at last count, said poster has changed jobs to other companies no better than the first dud company, and immediately posts comments about the NEW company being the PERFECT company --- and how wrong everyone is about them. Encouraging others to jump ship and join up with the NEW company. This, with about a months experience with the new company.
Then,.......................
Within six months to a year, those praises change to complaining and whining.and how NObody shoud EVER even CONSIDER that terrible company.
Four times now, same results.
What is they say about one who would repeat the same mistake over and over again,........... and expect different results............?
I forget --- but y'all shouldn't.

~~~~~ 10-4? ~~~~~~~~ Over & Out.

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Pontificating Dogmatist

Cud I get..the Reader's Digest version of this?? ha ha Good post, Shakey! All true!

Thank you, sir!

Actually, I do offer a Condensed Version of my more lengthy posts, ...... upon request, ---- which will be promptly denied.

Would you believe I was vaccinated with a phonograph needle?

__________________
Pontificating Dogmatist

That mean you're immune to 'Rap music?!"

YO!

NO!

I'm more into Tex-Mex Country Western Rap.

__________________
Pontificating Dogmatist

isn't it funny how companies can't stand forums like this. they all know they suck and are full of lies. but they are good at butter coating it annd telling people what they want to hear.

O WISE ONE...Just to let you know. I had an experience at SWIFT..Was recruited and lied to as far as the comfort zones...When I finally got to the point of them issuing my truck ..needless to say that took 3 days I then got my (DM) driver manager . He then explained where I would run and when I ask about the comfort zone that I had been promised he said that was not available..Needless to say I was not to happy...my truck was in shop and would not be out till friday so being tuesday I figured on going home for Thanksgiving...Well here I sit still at home and I guess they let me go or I didn't go back ....whichever it was...I still haven't been paid for two bus tickets...of course I was never dispatched through Swift so what can it hurt....I lose money on bus tickets but am wiser through the experience...was told by recruiter that I would make .36cpm but in TRUTH they were going to pay .34cpm...is what the DM said I was hired at....OH BOY WHAT AN EXPERIENCE....

I just looked at a job posting for home every night and weekends hauling containers, big money, so I called, turns out it's JB Hunt, and they have no local jobs right now, they were all filled, but they have some road jobs open that I can have, I said No, I'm calling about the local runs, Oh you have to start out OTR, and work your way in, there a waiting list from with in, so Why do you have a add for local run then, I told him Never would I lower myself to run for them or any of them big companys, NEVER

It probably is not over yet. Better check your DAC!

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A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: