Input on What Makes a Good Driver Profile or Job Description

• Make sure the pay is clear and accurate. No "make/earn Up to" jargon, give them the base rate.
• Explain bonus pay and what needs to be done to be eligible for it.
• Don't advertise anything that you won't stand behind in writing
• Have someone from Operations explains the job description in full to a qualified candidate
• Be clear on the benefits and what they cost
• Be sure to explain home time
• Make sure qualified applicants receive a offer sheet that they must sign
• Hold your recruiters accountable
• Pay for all travel and lodging to get to orientation and the truck
• Make sure the driver has a clean and safe truck and a load once orientation is complete
• Make sure that the driver meets their assigned dispatcher and the ops supervisor in person at the completion of orientation

 

If you only work someplace where you know multiple drivers for a long time you have fewer problems. It's not the bad company's fault many many drivers do nothing but read a company web page & ask a recruiter if their truck will have a sauna & private chef before getting hired & discovering the truth.

Look before you leap or enjoy the rocks below. Act like you want a good outcome, not just shift blame for not looking where you leap.

 

I’m from the N. Side, North Avenue and Wood. Years ago I delivered to Cabrini Green before they tore it down. I have a friend that went to Robert Taylor Homes, too meet with someone.

 

I am a driver, and to answer your question, the one thing I like is honesty. No frills, straight to the point. That's how the company I work for won me over. There wasn't this big time display of why they're the best company. They told how they are, how they do business, and why they operate the way they do, which is to make sure drivers make good steady checks. There wasn't no promises of monstrous sign-on bonuses. They don't do that. We seldom get bonuses. There wasn't all this showing off of perks.

I drive trucks for one reason: to make money and to take care of my family and kids. I don't want to hear about perks. I only want to hear about whatever is in line with truck driving mission statement. So if you're wanting to get a driver like me, I only want to hear about pay, miles, lanes, freight, equipment, and anything in relation to that. If you talk about your loads, do you have customer freight or broker freight? Broker freight is fine, provided that you have good relationships with them. How many miles can you run me? I'm a road warrior, so I like big miles and big money. Also do you do all 48? For me, the more territory you travel, I think it gives me a great chance to make money. That's provided that you pay at least industry average on a W2. The company don't have to be the highest paying, or reset the market, you just gotta be in the industry average for an experienced driver, which is 55 to 65 cpm, I'd say 60 cpm is the most common number.

I'd want to know about your equipment. It doesn't really matter what type of truck I drive, just so long as it is maintained and maintenanced regularly. I don't want to have to deal with issues getting repairs.

Home time is something I don't require much of, but when I get burned out, I'll ask to be routed home for a weekend 34, I need to know that there won't be an issue. I don't really ask for much from a company so I expect to be met halfway on things. I'll always work with a company, just work with me back.

The eye rolling part: I can't stand it when companies have these cliches: "We know you by your name, not your truck number." "Come find your home with us" "We are a family here." I can't stand that nonsense. I don't like when recruiters try to over flatter me, boost my ego, and try to make me feel like they really want my services when I'm experienced enough to know it's all about putting butts to seats. I don't like over-promising. Just be upfront about what your capabilities and abilities are, because it won't take me long to figure it out. I don't want to hear about sign on bonuses or other perks. Those things can be taken at any moment. I don't want to hear about direct TV or perks along those lines. I don't want to hear about a terminal that has a gym, merch store, cafeteria. Now if you say, you got showers and laundry, now you're speaking my language. Those are necessary amenities to help me be more productive on the job.

Now here's a disclaimer....the way I view the industry is not like other drivers view it. Most other drivers want to be coveted like free agents in professional sports. They want to be flattered, and they want all the other perks. They want "appears" pretty as opposed to what is actually pretty. They want the company to pander to them, because these truckers have massive egos. They think they don't have to meet a company halfway, and those types, constantly switch jobs.

 

Gym at facility AKA broom closet with treadmill at the back of our dirt lot

 

I been a big cubs fan my whole life, blame it on my dad. I was in town when they won it all back in 2016. Good times watched the whole series with the old man.

 

I was promised a personal trainer and private chef! My chiropractor appointments only been pushed back 6 months, I might be able to turn my neck by then anyways. I still can’t find my in cab sauna, they said it’s installed next to the blinker fluid reservoir.

 

oh cmon!!! He’s just cousin eddy….

 

I may not be the best person to add my opinion, I've been at this job for 15 years last month , job before that 20 years and that company closed after 56 years in business. I was a Owner/ Operator before that , so I've been on both sides of the fence. But here's a couple of things I'd add to the list .
What brand of truck would I be driving? This matters to some of us . Maybe add pictures of your equipment trucks and trailers. Above all just be honest and it seems you're trying to do this , good for you. Because if something sounds too good to be true I wouldn't waste my time calling.

 

I want straight talk and relevant data. IDGAF what your top driver made last year, I want to know what your average 1st year drivers made last year. And be specific about the pay plan and the bonus structure. Don't give me this "up to 70cpm" BS, tell me that you're paying 55cpm base and then lay out the specifics of the premiums and bonuses, and what it takes to achieve those.