"Explain Being Treated Like A Number?"...

It basically refers to the fact that large companies don't know your name, they know you by your employee number and don't really care. That's the short explanation!

 

Well, it's relatively straight forward yet a little complex. When all you see is a computer screen with hundreds of trucks and freight that needs to get moved and only a 9hr window to plan it then it's crunch time. All those trucks listed on the need to be rolling section appear as numbers and the same is true with the freight. What winds up happening is the office goes from their freight that needs to go right now list and scans for the 1st truck that looks like it can make the run (sometimes multiple trucks) and doesn't necessarily have time to check the driver's stats (hours avail, zone, days out etc.). Sometimes in this rush the driver feels like they ain't nothin' but a number as a result because they either need to be going somewhere specific or because the load needs to be somewhere right now and the office doesn't want to hear about delays or other problems (though they know this happens at the most inconvenient times throwing their whole groove off and taking the whip to the driver).

 

Sometimes ya have to get your start with a big company just because they have more clout as far as insurance and money to train you but once you get some expirience under your belt you can move on to a nice smaller company where they know your name your needs and such and you have that at part of a family feeling but on the flip side small carriers are more susceptible to downturns in the economy and fuel prices as well as new enviromental regulations seen as their pockets are not as deep to cope so in that sense its up to you to figure out which situation suits you the best

 

[quote="LOST SOUL";633742]Sometimes ya have to get your start with a big company just because they have more clout as far as insurance and money to train you but once you get some expirience under your belt you can move on to a nice smaller company where they know your name your needs and such and you have that at part of a family feeling but on the flip side small carriers are more susceptible to downturns in the economy and fuel prices as well as new enviromental regulations seen as their pockets are not as deep to cope so in that sense its up to you to figure out which situation suits you the best[/quote]
Moving to a smaller company is getting more and more difficult as more companies go broke and there are more drivers with experience competing for jobs . Large companies have over 100% turnover . Good companies have less than 40% turnover . Figure it from there .

 

Youe explained it best in your title.

 

In the early 1970s, Key Line Freight was a smaller family-owned company as described by "Lost Soul". Most of the employees thought they had found a home at Key Line; then they sold their authority to Roadway.

At Key Line, we always signed a terminal board or the New Buffalo check point clipboard with our name and tractor number. Of course, the check point also required the trailer and bill of lading number. When unloaded at a field point not near a terminal, we phoned Central Control in Grand Rapids. I always identified myself by giving my name and tractor number. After a couple years of this, the head dispatcher replied on the phone, "You don't have to give your tractor number. We know who you are." It was difficult to break the habit. They were good people, but I never met them in person. I remember the head dispatcher's name like it was yesterday.

 

Large company's have so many trucks thats the fastest way to identify you. Your truck number punched into there computer brings up a screen that tells them everything they need to know about you. Including your name. Now alot of drivers are hung up on the "treat you like a number" because sometimes it is a little impersonal. If you want the company to know your voice when they answer the phone then a small company would be the best choice. If you want good benifits and job security, then a good large company would be a better choice. Personaly I have had both and prefer the personal relationship developed between the company and myself. Reality though forces me to have a job with good benifits and job security. Trucking company's are dropping like fly's. The economy is worse than alot of us may think. Choose who you work for wisely and just hang on for the ride. Things are gonna get worse befor they get better. Peace.

 

I agree. I dont care if they remember my name or not. I do care if they arent polite though.