other side of the fence

So.. I got I jured at work and put on light duty... I get to work at tne terminal so I can draw my average driver pay instead of only 66% on workmans com....

They nave me drivi g the shuttle.... whicj, is ironic, cause a few weeks back I posted about how I had to take the shuttle and how annoying I was... lol...

Itis actually a very interesting experience. ... for one, getting to see all that goes on at the terminal... working with the safety and administrative side... and also, meeting all the drivers, from new hires starting to orientation to drivers with many years with werner, met one driver who has been with werner for 18 years...

One interesting thing... is there is a big difference between new drivers and experienced drivers... I am nkw pretty good at being able to guess if they are new or experienced pretty quick...

When your at the terminal or especially the company's hotel there are mostly new hires, new drivers just off the trainers truck and drivers with maybe a year or two of driving... I did t realize until now, that is because the experienced drivers dont stay there.. they get their own rooms at a nicer hotel just down and across the street... with a pool and a lounge..

One thing that is very strikingly different between new and experienced drivers... is organization and time management. . It takes as long for on one newbie to put there stuff in the back of the van and get in So I can go as it does 5 experienced drivers... also, the experienced drivers are far more aware, considerate and respectful of my time then new drivers... even though, new drivers are the first to call and complain about the shuttle running late... go figure.

Some of the new drivers are really annoying and arrogant... had to put one young guy in his place.. I was talking to aanother new driver about werner... I said, that I had been with werner for 8 months and that I was happy with werner.. well, the other guy butts in and snidely says.. well, driving a truck is different than being a van driver, so you shouldnt act like you know what we have to deal with.. so, I actually pulled over, put the van in park and looked the little punk in the eye and told him that igot my CDL in 2009 when he was still in high school, werner is the 3rd company I have drove for, and I am driving the van because I tore my rotator cuff, and even with a bum shoulder I could knock his punk ### off his high horse... he was a bit more humble the rest of the trip..

On the otherside of it... all the administrative people have been very nice and fun to work with... they treat me nice and with respect which I appreciate.. and, I have seen examples of the Werner Cares in action.. one with a young man who was quitting cause the truck driving life was not for him... he asked if I could take him to the bus station.. well, I always have to let them know when the shuttle is taking someone to the bus station or airport.. they didnt know about this young man going.. so they had him sit and talk with them... well.. his bus didnt take off till later that evening, it was a 36 hour bus ride and he only had $10 till payday.. so, they gave him a voucher for him to eat at the cafeteria, told him to grab some apples, bananas or whatever to take for snacks on the bus and some bottles of water.. they had me take him to the bus station later about an hour before his bus..
Another example was with a driver they were terminating for valid reasons.. they also made sure he had a good meal before I took him to the bus station.. and they handled the situation very well..

Driving the shuttle is an interesting experience because I do shuttle all the drivers.. I drive the drivers that quit or are terminated... there was once, where the driver was very upset and so they had a security guard ride with me, they got another shjttle going to do my regular rounds... and I must say.. I do feel that the safety department and the security guard all handled it very well... they diffused the situation with being professional and polite..

We deal with drivers here on TTR who quit or got fired.. but it is different wben your face to face with the driver..


now, on a completely different note... there is a big parade this weekend and Werner has three trucks in it, one that is usually in the museum, a truck that CL drove, one of the show trucks and a brand new truck.. it is a big community service thing.. and I get to participate and help out with... well, CL will be there.. I may get to meet him..

 

Yeah.. I will make the most of it while I am doing it... but, I look forward getting back on my truck and running loads again.... it is a wierd transition... being alone in your truck all day to 12 hours of talking passengers... first day I had such a headache.... but, I do enjoy getting to meet at chat with the drivers.. I am just not use to being around and engaged in conversation all day long...

Also.. having to bite my tongue so much... sometimes, new drivers just dont know what they dont know yet.. I amsjre I was the same way...

Itis crazy the stuff you hear too... had a young know it all, fresh out of school telling a new driver who just finished training the secret to backing into any spot... when your landing gear is lined up to the middle off the spot next to the spot your pulling to.. just crank your wheel all the way to tne rignt count to 5 crank the wheel all the way left count to 3 and hour are perfectly set up for a 45 degree back.... lol.. I even asked if it works the same no matter where your tandems are.. or how many cups of coffee you had.. yup, it always works..