Please help a wannabe LTL driver out

Reddeway does hire students "from an approved school" it lists that in the careers listings.

The terminal manager I spoke with said turn over is low and many of the drivers have been there 7-15 Years. That's a good thing.

Cleary there is hard work involved with LTL or P&D however when you have a family at home this means nothing compared to actually going home at the end of the day. Even if the end of the day is between 9-12 at night.

 

It is great to take pride in your work. But something that really needs to be stressed here. . .

As an LTL driver, particularly if you are in the P & D end, most of your deliveries and picks will be from people who have NO IDEA AT ALL about trucking, and more over, they COULD CARE LESS! They have their own business to run.

And as stupid as it sounds, they do not realize that without trucks, they don't have products to sell, or they can't sell the ones that they do have. What I'm trying to say here, is that you hold about as much importance to an awful lot of your stops, as an auto parts delivery boy does to an automotive shop.

You are a necessary evil that they have to put up with. Mostly you are an interruption to what they consider to be their primary work. . .

Not everyone is this way of course. But there are enough of them out there to grate on you, if you are the type to let it. The beauty of it is, you will be getting in your truck and leaving shortly. Of course the irritant is, that you will be right back again tomorrow, or possibly later today, having to put up with their crap again.

I have seen a number of drivers actually lose their jobs, simply because they forgot a basic rule of business. That guy being such a jerk, is STILL your customer. And if you get enough customers who actually take the time to call your company and complain about you, you will be history.

 

The terminal manager I spoke with wasn't shy about letting me know people love to vent on the drivers. I've found that a great attitude and a ear to yell at will defuse the situation. It's about customer service and empathy goes a long way. I've always followed the rule of thumb that any position I hold is merely a role. When someone is yelling or mad it's not about me and just the role I play. Don't take it personal.

 

No idea. I'm just waiting on a call for a start date.

I've seen a couple posts about it but they run all the way back to 2009. It's all rumors and I don't put much faith in those. Seems like there's a lot of politics involved but I'm just looking to work not listen and spread gossip. I'll be happy to just do my job and do it well anything else is just noise.

 

Got the call and I start tomorrow! Keep hope alive rookies!!