Who's The Worst Of Them ALL to work for?

I can understand how one could draw that conclusion after extensively readin' the various posts contained within this website, as well as other truckin' related websites. Depending on how one defines "greed", it does seem to be a contributing factor and is displayed by the truckin' companies as well as those who are employed by them or are under a lease arrangement.

What is the main contributing factor behind a decision to lease/purchase a Big truck and strike out on what is believed to be their own? I think the lure of a better earning potential must rate right up there near, or at, the top of that list. The desire to bring home healthier paychecks is a common motivator that keeps us striving to do better. I can't recall ever hearing anyone say that they're makin' too much money, nor can I recall anyone say that they wouldn't prefer to make more money than they presently do. There are those, especially the ones on the outside, lookin' in, who would define a desire to increase one's profits (grow), as "greed", or at least some form of "greed".

The large Big truck truckin' companies that are publicly traded have not only the company's survival to be concerned about, but also the investors who don't want to see red on the bottom line. A major goal for such companies is to keep the customer(s) happy while satisfying the investors. In that regard, would the investor's satisfaction also be defined as "greed"? And, if not for the "greed" of the investors, the truckin' companies would be under less pressure to make the bottom line numbers larger?

I think we're over simplifying the situation by placing all the blame on greed alone. It's said that the devil haunt's a hungry man. Survival can come at many costs. In part, due to the tanked economy, many major companies and corporations are finding themselves sailing in un-charted waters. With no maps to guide them, or examples to follow, they're inventing new ways to stay afloat. Never before tried methods to remain profitable are being invented on the run. Any company's main objective now is to keep their doors open. If their boat hits a reef, or runs aground, it could rip the bottom of the boat out, and everyone aboard stands to lose something.

With those aboard now drifting with the current in life boats filled to the point of overflowing, and not enough supplies to keep all of their heads above water, those unable to contribute to the group as a whole could be considered dead weight who consume supplies necessary to those who are able to row and bail water. With no help in sight from overextended rescuers, they're on a long, and growing longer, waiting list to receive help. The questions then become, how long is the waiting line, and, can we afford to wait that long? To increase those chances while in wait, any unnecessary drains on the resources need to be reduced, or eliminated, or more resources to sustain them needs to be located.

If the decision is made to hope for additional supplies and resources to appear in a sea of emptiness, all aboard the lifeboats are at a higher risk of goin' under before their needs are fulfilled.

If the decision is made to cast away anything/anyone who is unable to assist in bettering the odds of survival, knowing that means those cast away will certainly go under, can it be said, or assumed that that decision is made due to "greed"? Or desperation? Survival of the fittest? Fear? A combination of any or all of the above, and perhaps even other influence(s)?

Sometimes, situations are such that decisions that ordinarily wouldn't even be considered are made out of a desperation to survive at any cost. I think that's what we're seeing and experiencing now-a-daze.

Necessity is the mother of invention. The truckin' industry, among others, are finding it necessary to invent different, and sometimes unusual, and even unethical, ways to continue existing another day.
It will be interesting to see how many truckin' companies remain operational once the economy improves. And of those that make it through the hard times by utilizing questionable methods, how many will continue doing so.
My hunch is that they'll find it necessary to do a one-eighty by offering incentives to convince their drivers to remain, and to recruit new drivers to replace those who became drivers out of desperation to survive and feed their families, who never had a real desire to be Big truck truck drivers to begin with, and who probably can't wait to go back to doin' whatever they were doin' before.
A mass exodus of drivers wouldn't surprise me, and I doubt it'll come as a surprise to the truckin' companies either.
And, again, it will come to the survival of the fittest. Those companies able to make the proper adjustments in a timely manner will fare better than those that seem satisfied with doin' dirty business, or are slow to change their un-ethical means of turning a profit by using and abusing their employees, drivers and office staff, alike.

The truckin' industry, in general, has the worst reputation now than I can ever remember as a result of the ways some have invented to stay in business. Those with the worst reputations for doin' their drivers wrong will have a tough sell, even if they offer the best incentives. It goes to trust. Once trust is lost, can trust be regained? And if it can, how long does it take?
I think it's possible that, when the economy improves, some truckin' companies will struggle in a different way for other reasons associated with their recent past history.
What goes around --- comes around?
Karma?

That you're thinkin' thoughts is a good sign, DC10. There are those who don't know and don't know why they don't know, but they know they know something about that which they know nothing about. Facts tend to confuse them, so they're content with fiction, usually based in rumors and/or misinformation.
Good chance they'd go for a lease/purchase plan so they could become their own boss, thinkin' that then, they would avoid the hassles they think are caused by bosses. By the time they realize that they're the worst boss they've ever worked for before, it may be too late to quit thinkin' and start learnin'.
Thinking is good, --- knowing is better.

It amazes me when I read posts from folks asking us, perfect strangers, ----
Which Big truck truckin' company should I hire on with?
Often followed with, ----
And how much money will I make a year?

When it's suggested that they do some research, they explain, ---
I don't have time to research. I graduate from truckin' school in three days and I need a job now because I'm flat broke and my girlfriend got pregnant so I'll have another kid to feed in a couple of months. Besides that, the new car payment is overdue and our second car is over 5-years old. If the new car gets repossessed, I'd have to ride one of my motorcycles, or drive the motor home that's parked in storage. So, it's not like I have any options. I'm desperate.

To make matters even worse, my girlfriend's mother is nagging me for money just because we live at her house, which makes it easier on her because she doesn't have to drive anywhere daily when she babysits her grandkids. She's a total witch, especially first thing in the morning when she gets home from work.
I can't wait to make the big bucks drivin' Big trucks so I can evict her and have a place of my own.
If she's so hard up for money all the time, why doesn't she get a second job and quit raggin' on me? She's the one with the problems, not me. Why should I help her, anyway?
What has she ever done to help me?

Well, gotta go. The witch just yelled dinners ready. It's about time, too. She's been in that kitchen, cookin' all day. But do you think she cares if I'm hungry all day? I've never met anyone so self-centered before. I can't wait to be drivin' over the road so I can get away from her. I'll be glad to stay out for months at a time. They need to learn to take care of themselves for a change. I'm sick and tired of hearin' her ask for my help. I'm screwin' her daughter and her mother keeps tryin' to screw me for money. Has she no shame?

 

i don't think there is a major company that has argosy's maybe a century,columbia or cascadia

 

I did a search on lawsuits against Swift after I was told about a current Lawsuit against Swift which alleges that Swift was brokering out trips to independants rather than giving the trips to owner operators- I wanted to find information on that lawsuit.I couldn't find any info on that suit,but there were several others-kinda' sad.
DC10 YOU WROTE:
"I realy dont know why the feds dont get involved, these companys and the peons that work for them dont think twice before ruining a drivers livelyhood, apparently just because they can! Companys arent held accountable for anything they put on a DAC report and most use it as a fear tool as CR England who threatens You with it almost from day one! Was a good company back in the day but it appears that new management has brought Greed into focus and made it a priority"

I am going through something along these lines,an incident which Swift labeled an "preventable accident"(It wasn't an accident,and it was NOT preventable) and I would guess that It will affect me when I leave this company.I agree with you and I think that you are correct-the feds should get involved.This(and similar companys) company holds its drivers hostage through this type of #########.They try and keep you down,rather than encouraging you for the positive stuff-maybe they think that by doing this,that the drivers will feel grateful to be employed by the company,after having had "an accident".Swift sends you a report every week on your rating and this is the only way that I found out that this incident had been labeled an accident-by the Swift safety department-a collection of cop wannabes who are ignorant and who make decisions that will make the company look faultless and the driver look like a screw-up.-I questioned the one who made the decision on my incident and he asked me a few questions which made me realize that he had not really understood anything about but had only made a decision-based on that mentality of blaming the driver-he was ignorant of so many facts that I finally flat out asked him-HOW DO YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS DECISION,WITHOUT KNOWING ALL OF THE FACTS???WHY are you asking me these questions-NOW!?!?!?

I am STILL pissed about my decision to work for this company.

 

Left some out of the poll

 

Yellow/Roadway, without a doubt the worst ever. It always amazed me how that many bad managers could congregate under one roof. Is it any wonder they'll be toast in a few short years?

 

Sometimes it's just a mother.......

 

Has anyone looked at this from another angle.. I mean maybe it's not all us drivers that are screwed up as are the people at the other end. I always wondered what
qualifications need to be met to be a driver/fleet manager. Cause I've come across some who, in my mind, could'nt cross the street without...I'll stop that right here.
Perhaps if you can breath and type, hold down a chair, and ignore people.( but only on a basic level) Well then you must be able to manage truck drivers. Maybe we should have a thread titiled Rate Your Driver/Fleet Manager. Because I think that these same companies that hire drivers to fill a seat also hire managers to fill a seat as well. Just my opioion...

 

My daughter started with cr england had problems with inst wanting her to go out with him after classes i made a single call to the corp and explained what was going she got her cdl quit cre and came to work where i work at southern cal trans with her boyfriend best move either did

 

Wow how much ignorance can you find in one paragraph?
First off.. Starry eyed newbie’s as you call them are people like any other..looking for a paycheck just like YOU to support their families.. so why criticize someone for choosing a driving career? Apparently you did..OMG hold the phone, you were even a newbie yourself?.. So stop criticizing NEWBES for choosing this industry, some may have a choice some may not.. And the last time I checked, we still had free will to choose a JOB over welfare!
Second of all please come down off your high horse for a moment would ya?.. As in any industry people get fired, people retire, people relocate, people die, people leave their jobs for whatever reasons there maybe.. But the fact is, these jobs STILL need to be refilled! And if the companies are making a profit off student loans from the newbie’s and pays them lower wages..That’s just good business sense. They are capitalizing on a market that is keeping their heads, body, legs afloat during a time when the economy is unstable..Thus my friend, in turn giving you a paycheck!! And obviously there IS a market because more are popping up!!
As far as the experienced, seasoned Big truck truck drivers.. I have no doubt some are frustrated with the changes in the industry.. Some are angry with the poor attitudes, lack of loads..lack of jobs..changes that they have seen over the years.. But that is life, which is with EVERY SINGLE COMPANY OUT THERE!! Companies can NOT afford to remain neutral they must be aggressive, competitive in order to insure the survival of their business.. It is basic business 101. Please do not stereotype experienced truck drivers? I have talked to soooo many nice ones out there that would do anything to help out a new driver. Not all harbor animosity towards new drivers!! I’m sorry but give me a break with the newbie bashing... Business is business.. and not everyone handles change. But it is inevitable.

 

WoW!
I just now started readin' your post.
Remind me to give you the count after I finish readin' it.

Hmmmmm
I think I detect a bit of an attitude.

Just a quick note here, ..... I think this paragraph might contain what you mentioned in your first sentence.

You tell me.

I did what, apparently?

The sheer profundity of that statement overwhelms me.
Who told you that?
OH!
WaiT!
Now I see the question mark, ....... you're askin' me,
"you were even a newbie yourself?
Hmmmmmmmmmm

Would you believe I was born with three years experience and all the endorsements, so, technically, I was never considered a newBee. Instead, I was penciled in on the experienced Big truck truck driver's list and ran with the Big dawgs from day one, while many starry-eyed wannaBee newBees stayed on the back porch lookin' like that --- wishin' they were really out here lookin' like this.

Do y'all realize the responsibility that goes with admiration?
I have an image to protect and a reputation to consider.
Don't'cha know..

SaY WhaT?
You're accusing me of "criticizing NEWBES"?
Please provide an example of my criticism of newBees

Horse is not high, ........ today.
He has, however, consumed a few shots of Old Grand Dad 100 Proof.
Horse is a horse, of course, of course.
But, stand aside and I'll dismount as per your request.

Can I put Horse in the stall next to the white horse that you
rode in on? Can your's take flyin' leaps through rollin' doughnuts?
Horse can't really do none of that stuff either. When a scene requires those action shots, Horse has a double stand in for him --- over at the nearest whiskey bar.

It's obvious to this million-miler that you poses a vast knowledge and a tremendous amount of experience in the intricate workings of the job market.
Create the reason seats are empty for the excuse to profit by trainin' replacements to re-fill 'em.
Total control.
What a concept.

No doubt.
That is, ....... if "good business sense" is defined as he who makes the most bucks, ANYway he can by using and exploiting employees ANYtime he can.
Unethical as HaiL, but ethics have no business bein' in big business if it stands in the way of increased profits.

Who's giving me a paycheck?
Our half-president?
Is my package stimulated?
When can I expect to receive said paycheck?

More what are popping up?
Zits?

So, basically, ..... what we have here is you repeating what I've already pointed out, repackaged it for delivery by yourself and presented as an original thought/idea/understanding/concept.

I'm still runnin' Introduction To Basic Business 98 1/2.
They're up to 101 now?
Hmmmmmmmmm
Ya reckon I oughta upgrade?

Is that another accusation?
You seem to be makin' it a habit of askin' me not to do what I'm not doin'. Fulfilling your request is so easy, .......
even a caveman could do it.

Who, besides you, even suggested they "all harbor animosity towards new drivers"?

While we're on the subject of "sorry", ....... I'm thinkin' it's the time to answer the question you asked at the very beginning of your post that prompted this post of mine in reply.

To be totally honest with you, I lost count of how much ignorance there is to be found in one paragraph. Adding to the difficulty, were the number of paragraphs to consider, most containing more ignorance than a human being should be allowed to have.

Fret not, though.
You're a relatively new(er) poster here.
Welcome to the forums. :smt006

Coming here to The Trucker's Report while in possession of ignorance is not held against a poster. However, after spending a fair amount of time here, readin' and askin' questions, ignorance should decrease substantially, and some have even reported a complete and total ignorance removal.

I highly recommend that you make yourself a snack, and settle in for some long hours of readin' and gettin' to know each of us a tad better before makin' unfounded accusations. Also, when reading posts, it's a good idea to read entire posts, not just skimming through a post or readin' a few paragraphs at random, then come away thinkin' you're up to speed on the message contained within.

You accuse me of "newbie bashing"?
Please define the word "bashing".
Also, ...............................
Could you present an example of my newBee "bashing"?
(Please include any suggestions on how to improve on bashin'.)
:smt104