The journey begins - purchased a truck.

He’d probably be unemployed about 10 minutes after he reported for duty. But, I’m out of touch with reality. There is an old saying “dress for the job you want, not the one you have”. That’s not to say you should wear an Armani suit, but you can dress like your homeless or you can dress like your #### is squared away. Guess who’s gonna be screwed with by dot. Guess who gonna get passed over for that primo job.

 

Every time I show up to a pick up or delivery and I am wearing my long pants and vest, hard hat etc (if needed) and the guy in front of me is wearing shorts and a tshirt or flippy flops I feel like I win that day. I feel like if 1 out of 100 shippers or receivers take notice and are small scale they will call you back or let the broker know they like you or perhaps get a direct customer out of it. I try to at least match what the fork lift driver has to wear or better. Of course if the fork lift driver is wearing shorts and flip flops he still won’t treat you poorly for dressing the part. I’m am a big goofy dude and I need all the help I can get looking better. I just don’t see how someone feels flip flops are a good idea while doing open deck and working. Otherwise I don’t really care what someone wears. I do my own thing.
I wear shorts and tshirt and tennis shoes all the time in transit. Unless I can deliver on the same day I’m changing first chance I get.

 

Every once in a while they do. I think it is mainly on Sundays but most of the time they do wear the uniform. I always picture Walmart truckers with uniform when someone brings it up.

 

In an industry where 98% of your peers do not answer the phone, or speak English like a native when they do, the bar on appearance and work attire is already set low enough that it doesn't take much effort to rise to the top.

Working, I normally wear a clean dry-fit teeshirt, long durable work pants, and steel toe boots, many because I'm an old guy. When I entered the workforce 40 years ago, my Dad set the example: this is how men who work outdoors get dressed. I'm just not comfortable in anything more casual such as open toe shoes, shorts, and the like. My next door neighbor is the greatest dude ever, but I still cringe every time I see him mowing his lawn wearing shorts and sandals. I just can't.

That said, I don't judge others on this. I don't have to.

 

Who was is that asked if a broker or customer ever asked about the drivers attire?

 

I see lots of loads that say PPE required.
I have see 2 drivers with shorts and flip flops denied a load. GE And BNSF.

 

Would you be a pal and open the doors, you can finish up tarping first, no rush.
Kinda got his hands full here.

 

One of the funniest occurrences on a load from Medley, Fl to Texas. The Russian guy in the Volvo loading in front of me (wearing those long baggy shorts and a muscle shirt and Jesus sandals) started ranting and raving about how slow the loaders were and waving his arms and pacing around like a Jack ### that they basically left him and came back to me and asked me to pull around ahead and they were going to put a near empty container on my trailer and one pallet and get me out ahead of him. Lolol. Man he was pissed. They were going to split the load between us but his attitude they decided to pack his whole trailer with junk (one of those crane repair outfits). I had hopped out to helped him tie his stuff down but his attitude made me retreat back to my truck. I just hate bad attitude towards others who are working hard. I waved at him as I left the yard and he gave me the shrug like with. Lol

We were going to the same place in Texas and I arrived, unchained my container and pallet and he pulled up… I saw him walking across their yard in the same outfit and go into the office… he comes out all angry looking and high steppin out of the yard and got into his truck. He emerged 5-10 minutes later wearing long pants, long sleeve shirt, vest and hard hat heading back to office. Fork Lift driver told me they ran his ### out of the office. Who wants to see a dudes toes in the dirt if you ain’t at the beach? Lolol