Prior commitment, A problem?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Infosaur, Nov 6, 2008.

  1. Infosaur

    Infosaur Road Train Member

    My father had invited the whole extended family down to Disney World in January for a week. My wife has never been and I've been planing for it for over a year.

    Unfortunately, my company let me go in July. (bye-bye acrued vacation time) and I'll be starting over with a new company probably between now and Thanksgiving.

    Frankly a week in a top notch timeshare in Orlando (paid in full) is worth a lot more than what I'd earn in a given week as a relatively new driver. Plus a rare chance to have some time with my extended family. So I don't mind if I don't get a PAID week off, just as long as I can take that time off.

    The question I have is, how do I tell this to a prospective new employer? And who would I speak to at the company to make arrangements? I'd even be willing to run a load into the Orlando area and take another load out at the end of that week. I'd really hate to have to, but I'd even do a local short haul durring the week as an act of good faith.

    Does anyone think this will be a problem?
     
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  3. msmspilot

    msmspilot Light Load Member

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    My wife (fiance at the time) had a similar situation. We had the wedding date set and she was trying to find a job. At every interview, she just told them, I have a wedding on this date, and I'll need these dates off. She was hired with the employer understanding the problem and it was no big deal.
     
  4. Kabar

    Kabar Road Train Member

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    1st off any deal you make with the recruiter will be a waste off time. His job is to get you in a truck. After that they have no say. Your DM will be the one to work with. Get on with someone ASAP. Work you butt off right up until the 1st off the year. You will have to work though x-mas but that the price you will need to pay to put in the time you will need. You work hard for 5-6 weeks and do a good job and most companies will not have a problem with you taking a week. Just make sure that they have a 6 for 1 plan and don't mind you taking more the 3-4 days off at once.
     
  5. Infosaur

    Infosaur Road Train Member

    What's a 6 for 1 plan?
     
  6. Lurchgs

    Lurchgs Road Train Member

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    six days on / one day off
     
  7. AfterShock

    AfterShock Road Train Member

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    Inland Empire, California
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    The problem I see with that is, when the wheels aren't turnin', you AND the Big truck aren't makin' any money. And whereas that might be acceptable to you as a driver, it may not be acceptable to the truckin' company operating on a shoestring and counting on their Big trucks to keep on truckin'.

    I suggest
    RIGHT UP FRONT.
    Probably their personell manager.
    And, if I were you, I'd get it in WRITING.
    Even that isn't a guarantee it'll actually happen.
    It would, most likely, depend on where and/or how the freight is moving.

    If the last load you take prior to your planned vacation puts you in Arizona, where not all that much freight comes out of, you might be dispatched to California, 3,000+ miles from where you want to be on a certain date. And THAT load might take you to a northern state and require yet another load, or more, to get'cha where you wanna be.
    Freight can be, and often is, unpredictable, at best.
    That might help make their decision.
    Would you consider arriving days BEFORE your planned vacation, and possibly remain there for days AFTER your vacation was over?
    Just don't plan on, or expect any lay-over pay.
    You never know until you present your proposal.


    Oh, absolutely it WILL pose a "problem".
    But not necessarily a problem that can't be overcome.
    All you can do as a prospective employee, is ask.
    Question is, will you be prepared for the answer you might get if it isn't what you WANT to hear?

    GOOD truckin' jobs are getting harder and harder to find these daze with so many folks out of work and seeking employment out of desperation, and truckin' companies having so many applicants to choose from.
    Are you willing to forgo your planned vacation if a GOOD truckin' company is willing to hire you, but not agree to your vacation time?
    They might ask you, which is MORE important, Fantasyland, or realityland?
    Decision time.

    Good luck. :biggrin_25519:
     
  8. Infosaur

    Infosaur Road Train Member

    Well maybe if I'm lucky and time this JUUUST right, I can get out of my Trainer's truck and into a Solo right around January. That should almost be 6 weeks.

    Cutting it mighty close though.
     
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