CSA 2010: How will the Driver Rating System affect you?

OK....You are making my point!

These guys that "need an extra kick" for simply doing the job that they were hired and are being paid to do deserve to be treated like morons....Because they don't show that they're worth anything more.

 

You're aggravating, you know that! Maybe that's why you've made it 37 years in this industry (I'm laughing my aas off as I'm typing this). Would you at least give me this one teensy little concession: Borderline good drivers, wait, wait let finish...."borderline good" drivers might, just might, cross the line and become solid good drivers if putting forth that little bit of extra effort resulted in a greater reward on payday or in job security. Ok, I'm ready, go for it!

 

It still lowers the standards that any true professional driver ought to have. If you require extra rewards just to perform as you were expected to when you were hired, You're not worth your pay.


Now I'll concede that in todays world, There are a lot of people that feel like they are going above and beyond when they do barely passable work. They seem to feel that in doing so they deserve a "pat on the back" for perfomance so poor that in years passed they would have been fired for it!

We have turned into a nation of whiners that have no work ethic!
I will not ever lower my standards or expectations just because the sorry few have lowered theirs.

 

Items given for rewards like atlases , watches , etc aren't really that motivating . The expense is written off and they aren't that exceptional . The real motivating rewards and personal things management does that show concern for the employee . Examples ...One of our drivers died after was admitted to the hospital for a stroke and found to have cancer . Our employer had shippers adjust loads as much as possible to allow as many drivers as possible to attend the funeral . I wasn't scheduled to work the day of my stepson's funeral or the day after but I got 2 days bereavement pay without requesting it . All members of management and office staff make a maximum effort to let drivers know they are appreciated .

 

The point I was trying to make and apparently failed was everyone like to be appreciated and "rewarded" for doing a good job. Whether that reward is monetary or just a pat on the back or a tip on top of the bill. From the lowly waitress to the CEO, everyone likes to be thanked for a good job. Does that mean you shouldnt do a good job unless you are "rewarded"??? THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID OR EVEN IMPLIED! I do the job right b/c It's the right thing to do TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITIES OR RESOURCES. It's called integrity. I dont try and twist people's words around or try to interpet what they are saying. Now stop trying to put words in my mouth that I didnt say. Just b/c I didnt have the financial luxury to turn down the unsafe equipment of r illegal load does not make me a lower class of person and frankly I am tired of you implying that! I know right and wrong but I also I have 4 kids that need fed, clothed, and sheltered. The problem isnt all on me, part of the problem belongs to the people that created and continue to allow the current system of ONLY PUNISHING DRIVERS. which I had nothing to do with. If I were independently wealthy like you seem to be, and I could pick and choose when I needed to work or not, well, things would be different! You seem to think I am the only driver that is in this boat, but I submit to you, that you, if required, would do whatever was needed to take care of your obligations also, assuming you are a REAL MAN!

 

There are companies like that out there...Lots of them! Fortunately for these companies the "lowest common denominator" drivers are too lazy or stupid to get employment anywhere that is not advertised on the back of a trailer or in the "bottom feeder" recruiting magazines at the truckstops.

The sad thing is that when one of these losers does eventually get hired at your company, He/She could very well start the process of screwing it up for the rest of you!

 

A REAL MAN doesn't consider "doing whatever was needed to do " include pulling trailer with known defects .
A carrier wouldn't let a REAL MAN sit for 15 days . REAL MEN are out there running and getting the job done .
REAL MEN know "to take care of their obligations " is to make sure they protect the public by doing a proper pre-trip and checking the previous DVIR to make sure there are no uncorrected defects .
Anyone admitting to running faulty equipment is not a REAL MAN .
Rules forbid me from saying what they are but they are definitely not truck drivers . Turning down unsafe equipment and complying with HOS is not a "financial luxury " . It's professionalism .

 

You're preachin' to the choir, my friend! When I was a kid (about 11 years old) my dad bought me a brand new lawnmower. He told me, "Son, you know I'm not going to give you any money. Even if I had it to give you, I wouldn't. Take this lawnmower with you, go around the neighborhood, knock on doors, ask for work. If you get work and get paid for it, put the money in your pocket. You better do a good job too! All I'm asking you to do for me in return for this mower is......keep our yard mowed and looking good.........the gas money comes out of your pocket though." I worked my skinny, 11 year old butt off but, ya know, I still love mowing grass. Thanks for helping those of us still in the choir to keep the song alive!

 

I'm not necessarily pointing the finger at you Dave...Assuming that the previous post was directed at me.

I am however saying that these new 2010 rules are going to weed out drivers that don't do the job right for whatever reason!
You are no longer going to have the luxury of being able to do it halfassed regardless. You'll get away with it in the short run but in the long run, You will get weeded out! I understand that you have a family to feed! I understand that a man has to do what needs to be done to get the family fed...BUT! That does not negate the fact that there are many out here that have just scoffed a the rules and "done whatever needed to be done" for the sheer sake of doing it.
Now...We are all faced with dealing with the consequences of the actions of the few.

Part of the "dumbing down" of this industry has been the tendency of companies that feed from the bottom of the trough to reward mediocre drivers for mediocre performance.

I have had a problem with it since I first heard of it being done.

I have read many of your posts in the past...Some of what you've said, I sympathize with but many times I've sat back and shook my head and thought..." He's bringing this all on himself" You know that what I'm saying is true! You have alluded to it more than once with regard to you temper.

Like it or not...If you don't figure out how to fix your issues, You will be one of the ones weeded out!
If that makes you mad...Oh well.

You are not the only one...You are just the one that I'm having this conversation with today, But every day I read posts on this board that scream...."I'll be gone in a few months" from new and old alike!

 

When my wife's father passed away back in the summer I was at the yard hooking up my trailer getting ready to leave for Nashville when she got the call. She immediately called me and I went back into dispatch office and told them what happened. I was told go be with your wife we'll take care of the load getting there. I reassured them that I could go ahead and take it even though my wife was in need of me because I knew I could be back home the next day. However they basically made me leave and go home. I ended up being off for 2 weeks because my wife was extremely devastated at the sudden unexpected loss of her father. I was never pressured to hurry up and get back and was told take as much time as you need and let us know when your planning on being back to work. I was also paid for the entire time I was off. Yes there are good companies out there that show their appreciation and gratitude for our hardwork we do and the time we go above and beyond without being "rewarded". My reward comes in pride of a job well done.

Exactly why we pretty much "self govern" ourselves among the drivers where I work. We don't want some shmuck coming in a ##### up what we have. If someone see's you doing something stupid they won't hesitate to call you on it, and you better heed the advice or your employment will be short lived.