Does owning a "tricked out truck" land you better gigs?

I had the big shiney pete.. everything you could imagine chrome. 8" stacks, chicken lights out the ###. Kept her as clean as I could. Even ran it through a wash during rain and storms. Now then... I have a good friend with a 1995 Flat top 379... that looks like a 1970 379 thats never been washed waxed or polished. There were weeks he brought home way way more than I did. No one asks for the best looking truck to haul their freight. They ask for someone who can get it there on time for the lowest dollar. Thats how it works chief. I like to have the best looking truck possible for my own personal benefit. It makes me feel good. Thats as far as it gets me.

 

There is a reason trucks pull up at the back door, so they can't be seen. When I worked at WM (store, not warehouse). The only time I knew a truck was there was when they buzzed the door bell letting us know they were already backed up and waiting. Id open the bay door, and lookey there, I saw a trailer full of product. as soon as I was done unloading, Id close their door, close my door and thats that.

As far as a customer wanting a nice shiney truck. I don't know. I guess it depends. If your product is inside a cargo van...it doesnt really matter because nobody going down the road is going to see that product. If your product is on a flat bed...maayyyyybe. But at the same time...if I look at Joe Bobs product on a flat bed...how am I going to know its Joe Bobs product or whatever?

In reality, most of the time, the only people who know their product is on/ in your shiney rigs trailer is you the driver and the customer. Nobody else. And when that fact hits home...then its up to the driver who can get it there cheaper, safer, faster and if all the ties...their personality and attitude.

 

Whats that bub?

 

Just a word. Like bubba, brother, etc.

 

I 2nd that Brother Driver !!!
Don't get me wrong but, I work in the shipping office two or three days a week & sometimes we have drivers show up to pick up a load that SMELL so bad that we have to spray LYSOL & deodorizer to cover up the smell. It embarasses me for their sake & how do drivers expect to be treated with respect when they don't care about their own hygiene !! Respect starts with one's SELF !

 

I personally feel that a Clean Polished Chromed-Up truck is mainly for the driver's own self-satisfaction. I have been in the transportation business for 31 years and neat , courteous drivers who don't have a vulgar mouthor who "run-off" at the mouth too much leave the best impression on our shipping personel.
Years ago we had one particular driver who made a deep impression to all our shipping personnel: He wasn't dressed fancy, he had a great sense of humor and wrote a "Thank You" note to every customer on the bill of lading . It was just a short note saying ," Thanks for giving _________ Transport the opportunity to deliver your load" the guys here still talk about his humility & gratitude. He made a very positive impression ! And his company reaped benefits from more business !

 

Haha thats cause it will beat you to death

I just like em though. I have back probs from a mix of the petes and a bad accident I had involving a drunk driver while I was bobtailing in a KW.