Truckers "Time" means nothing

Discussion in 'Shippers & Receivers - Good or Bad' started by 6 Speed, Sep 28, 2014.

  1. 6 Speed

    6 Speed Heavy Load Member

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    Had and oversized load Friday morning and was to meet and employee of GP at 0800 and he was to follow us out to job site and show me exactly where to set the product off.10 after 20 after 30 after no GP rep has arrived. Called dispatcher and he is able to get reps boss on cellphone and informs us GP rep had a meeting at 0800 and would be late. This delivery was verified thursday afternoon and no mention of any meeting. This type behavior is both routine and reflective of the value that shippers/receivers put on the value of truckers time. Oh I'm sure my boss will throw me a few bucks just to shut me up,but it can't erase the common misconception that a truckers time is so irrelevant even meaningless.And no this isn't anything new.This pattern has developed and even been perfected over the last 20 something years and even though I am payed on a percentage type basis,CPM would be even worse and why this is the preferred methods of compensation for anyone other than those working under contract.
    Happy Trails!!
     
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  3. ampm wayne

    ampm wayne Heavy Load Member

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    I totally agree with your post.

    I deliver to the same customer three to five times a week.

    Almost,every delivery they have an excuse why there is a delay in the un-loading process.

    I do get detention but, I would be much happier if I was unloaded on time.

    I am in agreement with the poster. I wish there was more consideration to a drivers time.
     
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  4. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    We sell our weekly allotment of 70 hours to whoever we work for. Set a rate for each hour, and stick to it. If you feel that you're not getting paid enough for those hours, then re-negotiate or find another employer.
     
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  5. chalupa

    chalupa Road Train Member

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    Paying a driver hourly plus overtime would eliminate the problem completely and immediately.
     
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  6. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    When trucking companies talk about efficiencies and costs they can tell you all about fuel mileage, idling costs, tire life costs, maintenance costs and on and on..........but I have yet to hear any trucking company talk about the value of a driver's time. Never a mention of what an hour is worth, or what a log book hour is worth. And they are 2 very different values.
     
  7. ampm wayne

    ampm wayne Heavy Load Member

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    In my situation it is more of a lack of respect for my time.

    I think that is also the point of the first poster.

    You are correct in your point that a driver can quit and move on.

    I think that the lack of concideration toward a drivers time is an industry wide problem.
     
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  8. 6 Speed

    6 Speed Heavy Load Member

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    Yes,thats what I was trying too say. Believe me I would have no trouble turning in a 2 week notice and moving on but unfortunately the state I reside now leads the nation in unemployment and the only ones hiring are bottom feeders with a known history of high turnover.
     
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  9. joplinlocal

    joplinlocal Light Load Member

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    Sep 25, 2010
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    Kind of works both ways.

    I agree... there's no excuse for not unloading a driver at an agreed upon appointment time set in advance. That's just common courtesy. I'll always go the "extra mile" in getting the job done when a driver shows at their scheduled time. I've also scheduled my time accordingly... so we're good.

    But... I've had many drivers arrive hours after their appointment times and totally fail to understand why I cant just drop all of my daily duties to get them unloaded immediately.

    As a shipper/receiver... my job involves considerably more than loading and unloading trucks. That's actually just a small part of my job... and I also have folks to answer to for every single duty I'm responsible for. All of those duties WILL get done daily regardless of late drivers.

    Just because you're "there" doesn't mean everything else necessary in conducting business grinds to a halt.

    Be on time and I'll get you "out" on time... but definitely no guarantees otherwise.
     
  10. born&raisedintheusa

    born&raisedintheusa Road Train Member

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    What state are you currently residing in?
     
  11. born&raisedintheusa

    born&raisedintheusa Road Train Member

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    Sadly & Unfortunately, the trucking companies will resist paying hourly wages plus overtime to an OTR driver receiving mileage pay.
     
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