detention pay

Why don't they just relay the load and get you on your way instead of sitting on it for so long?

 

Once again, what is good for you?

 

I asked if the original complainant is a company driver or an owner operator. It makes a difference. Who is paying for the fuel while the driver sits there idling the truck for those 3 hrs? If its a company truck do you think they are entitled to some sort of compensation for the usage of the equipment?


No one is asking anyone to work for free. But detention policies are something that should be checked out before accepting the job.

 

A medium rare steak and a glass of Jack Daniels. And a good friend-trucker to share it with when he passes through town.

 

I went to pick up my load today (Friday morning) 350 loaded miles. It wasn't ready so I retreated back to the truck stop to wait. The business closed for the weekend now, delivery is scheduled for Tuesday morning. I'm only entitled to 8 hours of detention on that load and may not even get it because I left the scene.I knew that, that's why I was working the phones/qualcomm all day to get the load off my truck. DM, CSR and Planners all went home without an answer for me. Looks like I will have to pick this load up Monday morning and sit on a little 7 hour load for 24 hours on top of 72 hours of sitting around. Detention pay at Swift is hit or miss, you never know for sure if you'll get it til a couple days after you empty out and check the pay miles for the load on the website. That's when the fruitless phone calls begin to waste your monthly minutes for no gain (if they chose not to pay detention, you will not get it if the almighty computer says No).

 

I guess you have no answer to my question. It's okay, I understand. It does speak volumes though. Thank you.

 

I'm not going to tell you something you want to hear. If you don't understand the concept of "whats good for you might not be good for me" or vice versa, then I pray you can drive your truck a little better than you can comprehend things written in an internet forum.

There are many MANY good companies out there to drive for. Do your homework, do the legwork. Find a job that suits your needs & personality.

I read these stories from driver after driver, and I can't help but wonder why they don't try to improve their situation. The turtle never got anywhere until he stuck his neck out.

 

There is technology and sensible ways to account for that, including average trip estimates spread across multiple drivers on the same route. Average time payments for pretrips, fuel, dock bumps, tire issues etc.

They track everything now - we may as well benefit from all of it.

 

i agree with 344. we get mileage and hourly pay and we log it, get done and go home
it would not take a high tech gizmo to stop theft here
it dont take an act of congress to get a year of experience and find a job with fair treatment

 

Maybe they could improve their situation if you helped them out by giving your opinion on what you think is a good company. Maybe it would be good for them, maybe not. But they will never know unless you help them.

What are you afraid of?