New Owner-Operator Questions

Pay them well and give them good equipment. Don't dink them around about stupid minor issues. Listen to them. They often have friends who also drive. Over time, figure out how each driver likes to run and get him in a groove that works for the both of you. Some like dedicated 5 days a week then home for 2, others want to run long stuff home less often, some want to run wild all over the place.

 

Like gokiddogo said, treat them good, and everything else that was said. Don't try and grow to fast, it is better to grow at a level you can manage with good equipment, and good drivers. Don't be afraid to let a driver go if they are not meeting your expectations, or your customers as well. It is cheaper to park a truck than have a driver screw it up. Good drivers remain loyal to those that are loyal to them. Bad drivers jump from company to company on a regular basis. I have seen guys that have driven for twenty different companies in 10 - 12 years. Now when I am interviewing, I won't even entertain the thought of hiring one on that has not at least given his current employer one year. I am banking on a least wise getting one year out of them, trust me this is very accurate. The longer a guy has been with a company the more apt he is to stay, don't waste your time trying to convince somebody that has been with a company 4 years or longer to join you. The only time they come is when their boss just screwed them out of home time, or pay. You may get lucky from time to time there but often times they, like most truckers are just griping to be griping. Stay away from those that all they have is negative things to say about their previous employer, just remember that will be you one of these days.

That makes it really had for you as an owner operator to find a good quality hand. They are rare, I am used to replacing guys on the average one a year. Started with four trucks got up to seven and am now back to three. The drivers make all the difference in the world.

Good Luck

 

One more thing only hire drivers that you like. Sounds trivial but, if you don't like them they won't like you. You are not a big corporation and contrary to what people say you can hire people based upon whether you like them or not, as long as it is not for discriminatory reasons. Sometimes personalities just don't click, and they never will. I tried to hire drivers that I did not like, but they were qualified. Each time it was the most miserable three months for the two of us.

Hope that helps

 

That's what usually happens with my girlfriends

 

You say you plan to do this ethically then in the next breath you say you plan on stealing other o/o drivers?

Last I checked stealing is not ethical.

 

It was probably a typo. God knows I have enough of them.

Op, the first thing you should do is look at the contract with fed ex. If they are paying you under two bucks a mile, I'd be taking my trucks to a different company. Better revenue means you can pay drivers more. And it's a while lit easier to get and keep the better drivers when you pay them well.

 

No matter what business your in remember this.... A happy worker is a good worker.