I will take my chances because I will not be locked into one company, if they don't want me cause I look out for myself as far as the best opportunity then to hell with them. I don't have that beggar mentality. Yes they can go with another driver but I don't want what's not for me so if they do they weren't for me. Screw'em. I got into this cause it's a career, not a job. You folks are taking things to extreme's with 20 jobs etc.. I would also like to have stability but these companies aren't loyal to us so why should we be loyal to them. I will try to stay with this company but I will not be held hostage. If it comes to it I will take my talents elsewhere, to Swift or maybe Werner if I don't go with Swift. If my 15 yr history doesn't say enough then no amount of time will.
Don't mean to burst your bubble, but this attitude is exactly why the industry is the way it is, and why it will never change. Rather than take the advice from a couple of experienced drivers you opt to follow your brothers advice, who likely has no experience in this industry. We are our own worst enemy.
Well he was never a truck driver true but he was a great man and 4 years after his death companies were still calling to offer him jobs, he made a great name for himself. So yes I will take his advice. I will never be locked into any company/situation again. As long as the company deals square with me I will stay, if they start and continue to be any other shape but square. I will get along little doggie.
Whatever you decision don't go to Swift! Your chances of success are going to be substantially higher at a smaller carrier!
Don't mean to burst your bubble but your attitude is precisely why the industry is the way it is... driver's who are too afraid to stand up for themselves and always be looking to improve their levels of compensation. jaiart, you've got it right... consider yourself at all times to be a free agent whose services are in demand for a price that you determine and that they need you more than you need them
I wouldn't say "more then I need them", I just realize it's all interdependent. The fact is I don't like moving from company to company but I will if I have to, if my needs are better served elsewhere then I will be elsewhere. I am a good solid worker but I am not a slave to any company.
Your chances of success are going to be substantially higher at a smaller company. Not that the mega-carriers are evil. They really try though to just keep their seats warm. Its called "cheap labor"! Why pay an experienced driver good money to haul the same product as they could with a cheap inexperienced driver. The more they keep recycling drivers the cheaper it is for them! Also the biggest reason is going to be your dispatcher. At a smaller company its going to be much easier to develop a good personal working relationship then at a mega-carrier where the dispatchers are responsible for hundreds of drivers. Your dispatcher is going to be your key to your success!
Not that I am advising being a job hopper, but over the years I have made many, many, many moves when the situation has warranted it. I won't stay at a place that treats drivers like garbage, let's the equipment fall apart around me, or where I'm not making any money. Keeping your license clean and relatively blemish free is more important than the number of jobs you may have had. I personally have never had a problem finding something when the time came. There is always going to be someone that needs your service.
That's all I am saying. My current job seems great but if they turn out not to be and remain that way for a while I will not hesitate to look elsewhere. I don't understand how people get so terrified of exploring new opportunities. The companies won't hesitate to show you the door if they can save .01 so don't fool yourselves into thinking they have any loyalty to you. The loyalty is to your family and paycheck.
