Suggestions for Longevity Awards

Hi everybody, thank you so much for the helpful suggestions!

I should have specified that outside of the prize I'm hunting for, I have gotten a personalized jacket, model his direct manager says he prefers that's a little worn out. Embroidered with his name and CB handle, and listing/celebrating his accomplishments with the company. Along with an etched glass plaque. Obviously these aren't anything to write home about, but they're what I've been able to set a precedent for securing, so those are a given.

Unfortunately, I'm not able to get him any sort of alterations to his truck, though that is an awesome thought I hadn't considered looking into being able to offer. I know some drivers who would enjoy that, so I'll have to do some research into what I may be able to make happen there. So thank you all for putting that on my radar!

I also agree that just giving the $500, even if I could figure out a good work-around for compliance, really isn't sufficient to celebrate.

I actually do know this driver pretty well, I've gotten to work with him as both an owner operator, and now a company driver as he's nearing the time he'd like to retire, so "wanting to slow it down" after so long on the road. He's a great guy, but insists that he doesn't have any hobbies "beyond napping", and "wants for nothing". So he's being a difficult guy to shop for.

In the end, I called his son since he kept telling me he's fine, and found out there is a restaurant that's local to them that's a good 'special occasion' sort of place. So I was able to get him four meal vouchers for a really nice looking steakhouse. One now/whenever, one for drivers birthday in February, and one for each of his sons birthdays in July and September. Driver currently does not have a significant other, so doing something more that speed was off the table.

Trust me, if I could have gotten a big monetary award for him, I would. But that kind of pull is beyond my grasp, and currently the powers that be are crying about freight anyway, so I've got a little less leeway than normal.

Thank you all for the insight, I really do appreciate it. Fingers crossed I'll be able to push a bit harder as time goes on, and get to implement some of the awesome things other companies are able to have put in place.

 

Thank you for that, by the way. I've had the privilege of making some really great friends with some really great drivers in my time where I work. Some have since moved on to other companies, and have fallen out of touch. Some have moved on, and we still chat pretty regularly. I've been very lucky in that regard.

I've lurked a few forums before to try and get some insight on a few things, and it's been super helpful. When I ask drivers here, the responses tend to be a little skewed depending on:

1) If we're friends, then typically I'm less likely to get straight answers 'cause they know I can only do so much.
2) We are not friends/driver has had a negative experience with support staff, and it can be hard to really get across what all I can actually do.
3) It feels like a trap (lol) Which I get, if someone doesn't know me, and here I am in the office asking questions, it can feel like I'm up to something.

So coming in here and getting a good gauge from the masses is honestly super helpful. So thank you all for having such a great resource, it's a shame it's not better used from this side of things.

 

Well I am sorry to hear that your opinion of the company I'm at is based on incorrect assumptions.
Of course we have cameras/GPS/safety and assistance equipment standard in each rig. But of course, that is company property. A decent hunk of our fleet prefers to also have their own as back-up.

I'm also sorry to hear you've not had a decent steak, that is the real tragedy.