Do not drive for anyone

I have no complaints where I work.

 

Ive been doing this for a few years now (I should update my profile to match it); its once you think you know it all, that will let the dispatchers know what sort of driver you are, ####y or not-####y a risk; or not a risk.
I believe you should never have that mentality of thinking your better then the next guy, or you are never wrong, or that you dont need help.
Don't forget, we drive trucks that gross up-to 120tonns and we will need help, no matter what. (I still call myself a pup as ive only done 7years of trucking and im still learning here-and-there.
|What can be done?: If you see a driver that looks like his struggling with tarping a load or getting the attention of a dock hand, help out.
Give him/her a hand with strapping, tarping. And if you see a dock-hand thats sitting around, walk up to him/her and ask if they can help a fellow driver.
Or better yet if you see a trucker who has to unload his load with a pallet jack, just ask if theres a spare, and start moving his pallets out.
After all the quicker a truck is out, the quicker a truck gets in.

You may of had a ###### day, but a smile and a "g-day, hows it going?" maybe the difference between a good/quick unload/load to a bad one, as that person may of had a worse day.

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All in all, we learn something new every-day; the road changes, peoples driving are different, how each load is unloading is different(You may reverse into finger-docks to load up, but just straight park to unload... sweet)
And dont be scared to ask for help (sure you get your yobbo's over the CB when you do, but then again what comes around goes around)
Your attitude you have will some-what go into the other person, (A mental thing) If your in a good mood, and the other person isnt, your attitude may brighten their day up.

 

That's a very good post...I am always glad to help someone out. My point though, is what can drivers do, to get appreciation we deserve from companies? There are a few companies out there that truthfully treat there drivers good, pay good, and the drivers stay there, and are happy.They make it a goal to retire with said company. Then there are other companies that pay bad, and treat their drivers as a number. Most drivers there are looking for that other job, and can't wait to get out of said company. Then there are also drivers who stay there, even though they aren't happy with the treatment. Those are just lazy and gluttons for punishment and the treatment they get.

 

I call that buyers remorse. It happens all the time at USA. We all need a place to start and I guess the adage "get in where you fit in" applies here.

All these new drivers complain about their outfits, what's the outfit feel about having all these cry babies, whom find themselves at work, not on a sight seeing mission?
Makes it tough on the ones who wanna work, we're sometimes stuck waiting on the company to take care of the problem children instead of being able to focus on the business of support, dispatch and coordination.

I wish the companies would share their view, bet that would be a great thread!

 

Excellent point Harry. I do believe much could be gained by researching. I was all set to run off to any of the companies advertising free cdl training. Instead I did a google search and wound up here. That was nearly a year ago and I'm still researching. Well, not so much researching as trying to convince the wife to turn me loose, but the point is so many others believe the hype then get disappointed when they don't get what was advertised. I am going in expecting the worst and hoping for the best.

 

My problem was I didn't have a year to wait. I read through here as quick as I could and USA from what I viewed had the least complaints, and still does from what I can see. I would have been stuck at 2 consinees this weekend as USA said the appointment was Mon, and I'd have to sit on them. Saturday I got rid of that load and got another load that delivered on Mon. Same thing, and when I got there I was unloaded. I told a buddy of mine and he's been driving for 10+ years. He said that's what you got to do. They aren't going to help you out. Dispatch is going to do the least they can.

 

We just got our own authority, waiting on permits, let you know in a couple of weeks?

 

Yeah from what I've seen and heard to be successful you have to be pro-active. Good for you Wright! I'm glad you're making it work. Do you have a thread going on the USA board?

 

I did but I haven't updated it. But I post on it enough in the other threads that are at the top. My post are easy to find.

 

I have been working at a plant for many years. Started driving for them in 2003, they were the only company offering me a chance to drive solo. At the time solo women drivers weren't taken seriously and i almost gave up.

The pay is not the best but they treat me real good. We are only 3 company drivers and have treated me with respect since day one.

I have driven for one of the big companies out there for a brief period only to realize that don't give a rat arse about you or your concerns. I rather take a pay cut and be happy than make more money and be a miserable puppet.