Great plains transport not so great

If you're new to this industry it is understandable that you take companies on merely their word. Please keep in mind that websites are literal advertisements. Nobody in the history of Ever has been 100% honest within their ads. After awhile inside this industry you will learn the common things that companies never tell you. So...

Ask questions. A lot of them. I do mean a LOT. If they cannot or do not answer all of the questions to your satisfaction, move to another prospective company. The "I don't know. I'll get back to you" line means they are going to ignore it. If they say "I don't know, let me check. Please hold on" then that's a good thing. In one case, for me, I was on such a recruitment call and the lady was sending my questions to someone else over live chat. We'd continue the call with other things and when she got an answer she'd let me know what it was. That company had 300+ drivers at the time. In another instance a major fleet did much the same thing. There are other instances when no answers were given, as if they thought I would forget by the end of an hour long call. I don't because I have a printed list and mark each question as answered or not. If they say they haven't received an answer and they'll get back to you, they likely won't. Once I hear that, I always tell them I'll wait for those answers before making a decision. One hundred percent of the time we never speak again. THAT is how I vet.

Two things are required to do this:

1. Not being desperate
2. Not being a wuss when they get insistent in tone

Additionally, read everything they give you. Even if it looks like a standard contract or agreement, it may not be. Read every word, boring as it is to do. If they require you to sign papers to work (and most do), ask to see blank copies before you travel there (unless you live close-by). Even the better companies will prefer you be so broke you can't just walk away when things are not as promised or expected. Hence, number 1 above.

Always do due diligence. Look into them. Reviews wherever you can find them, SAFER-Web scores, actually lay eyes via Google on their listed business address (better yet if you can drive by their address), ask other drivers (if you can find them), et cetera.

Lastly, how do they get you there if it's a long way off? Plane? Bus? Rental car? The last company I was at got me a rental, but I was only 90 miles away. Other drivers were flown in. One of your questions should be "if I leave you in good standing, will you get me home?" If they say yes, request it in writing...which leads into reading everything you sign in case what you sign overrides that previous promise.

 

I usually try to keep some cash in the bank or some credit open just in case. Most companies won’t care how or if the driver gets home. I think it’s a good rule of thumb to keep aside a card or cash for just in case regardless of what company you’re with.

 

Yes always have some emergency cash on you as you never know when you can be told to shut down its all over. Crazy times.

 

Has anyone heard if GPT is officially done? Feel bad for Bob, but it's no surprise this place ended up like this with him handing the keys to the kingdom over to his degenerate narcissistic son. The only blessing is that everyone who had to work with Mike will now get the last laugh. I have heard even his wife has left him.