Do these companies honor time-off requests?

Speaking as a human being, not as a truck driver here. Any company worth working for should be reasonable in accommodating time off requests. Assuming the request is reasonable, the reason for the request is just and legitimate, and they are given plenty of notice (I think a year is more than adequate.), then no company or boss with morality and a basic understanding of life could deny a request like that.

If I asked my current job for a week off (be it paid vacation or not) any more than 2 or 3 months in advance for the same reasons, and they denied it, I'd be looking for another job the same day.

 

You best be working for a fairly decent trucking company.

Many appointments are missed in this business.

And in trucking, a years notice means nothing, a month notice-with twice weekly

reminders will help.

 

Just to add to Allowme, because he pretty much summed it all up, if you absolutely need to be there on a certain date then take the week off that surrounds the day. This is going to be your only certainty in being home that day. So give yourself a good 3-4 days before that day. Still not 100% but in the most likely category. I've missed doctors appointments, weddings, funerals, birthdays etc... This is just one of the jobs where you need to tell family and such and be prepared for not being there.

 

I've been with Schneider for a bit more than three years, so I'll add this.

My normal home time is three or four days. My driver manager, the only one I've had my whole time with SNI, knows that unless I specifically tell her, my arrival date is flexible. But there have been several other times when I've had to be home by a certain date, and it's never been missed. Close on a few occasions, but never missed. I should add that the closest shaves, if you will, have been due to weekend shift and their apparent inability to take charge on behalf of a driver and make a decision. (You're liable to find that in most places on the weekend, I would say.)

I generally schedule doctors appts and the like on Monday. This way I have all weekend to get home. I also know that if I get home earlier or later than my requested time, my return day will be adjusted accordingly. I always get the number of days off that are coming to me.

But remember: submitting your home time request three months in advance is not sufficient. If it's one of those "gotta be there" times, be sure to stay on your dispatcher/driver manager about it. Don't submit it 12 weeks out and then just expect it to work out.

Good luck!

 

Those types of requests get filed that round filing cabinet next to the desk.

 

I can tell u d&d will not hire u unless u have at leadt 1yr otr