What do you look for in a trucking company and what makes you stay?

I would have to say integrity. Most companies say one thing and do another on most issues.If the company I'm with now actually practiced everything they say I'd be extremely happy. unfortunately they don't want to hear it no matter how nice you are about it. Politics/favoritism/unfavoritism-sometimes it can be just as difficult to get the truth from other drivers about companies as well.
Dave

 

What do you look for in a trucking company and what makes you stay?

For me a lot of things really..

The first being how is the equiptment is it safe, well maintained, and do the trucks run ??

Second would be the freight lanes.

I'm at a point where I can pick and choose, there are places I just won't go anymore..If a companies main freight lanes are places like Cali or New England they won't be hearing from me...

Is it an old school company that will leave me alone and let me run or will I have a baby sitter looking over my shoulder all the time ??

pay scale
bennies
home time
vacation time

the list goes on and on..

In order for me to stay ??

Show me a little respect, pay me a decent wage, and let me do my job.....At this point in my driving career I don't need to be micro managed..

In short, I could not work for most of the companies on this site it just wouldn't work....I tend to sway towards the outlaw companies (or whats left of them) its just a better fit..

 

recruiters, politicians and used car salesmen

what do they have in common? they will lie to get their objective, they will hurt people to gain one more victim

i understand a recruiters job, it is not an easy one, nor is the used car salesmen, they have to feed their family, they just have a sucky job to do it

recruiters take advantage of the ignorant or desperate (them meaning their company)

JB hunt advertises 42cpm, and hides all of the details
crete says the most important person is their driver (not true at all for any company) and there are a host of other one-liners that are flatout lies.

I remember when i started out, not only did the recruiter lie to me, but every person in orientation lied, the entire company was one of nothing but lies, from the beginning to the end

the trucking industry is where the company actually makes money from the employees (look at how successful the lease purchase programs are in generating income)

trucking companies use drivers worse than pimps use prostitutes (the prostitute knows she is getting the shaft)

and what is a recruiter to do? get more victims for his company

its a sucky job, but somebody (not me) has got to do it

 

what would it take for me to stay at any company?

how about KNOW MY NAME, i dont care how many trucks there are in the fleet, look up my name like you look up the truck number

thats a good start

i could write a book on this subject, but i have to thank the trucking company for making want to get my own truck, otherwise, i would be eternally at their mercy

what else? treat a man like a man, and not like a child. trust his judgment, you have employed this person, the state has said he is qualified to drive your truck, treat him like an adult and not some moron who happens to deliver your freight

 

I'm not all that picky.

1) Let me work.

2) Pay me for the work I have performed.

3) If the truck is broken or unsafe, FIX THE DAM*ED TRUCK!

4) Finally, PAY ME FOR THE WORK I HAVE PERFORMED!

I do not ask for handouts, I expect to work and earn my paycheck. However, I have no interest in fighting with you on a weekly basis to ensure that I receive the pay we have agreed to. If you offer tarp pay, and I tarp a load, PAY ME THE TARP PAY! If you offer detention pay and I am detained (verified by whatever means you use to communicate), PAY ME THE DETENTION PAY!! If you pay based on mileage, PAY ME THE DISPATCHED MILEAGE!! If you pay percentage, PAY ME THE FAIR, PREVIOUSLY AGREED TO PERCENTAGE!! If we have agreed to the rates and incidentals, I shouldn't have to fight with you, your wife (for smaller outfits) or your payroll department (for larger outfits) to get the pay I have earned as per our agreement. Just as you would dismiss me as an employee for not fulfilling my end of our agreement (not doing my job), I WILL dismiss you as an employer for failing to hold up YOUR end of the agreement.

Furthermore, just as you as an employer would be happy to inform others of any poor performance I offered as your employer, do not be "surprised" if I inform others of your practices. Screw me, and you will get screwed in return. I am nothing of not vengeful against those who deliberately refuse to pay honest workers.

 

Recruiting in the Trucking industry is VERY competitive because it has a 90% turnover rate of drivers for various reasons - - one being that recruiters regularily deceive applicants, play 3 card Monte with the facts, etc., hook you, and then you're stuck - - which leads to recruiting in the trucking industry being VERY competitive.

Problem: Recruiters are paid on recruits, NOT retention. Once you're in orientation the recruiter gets paid and moves on to the next subject, and so on. If you don't think someone will be well suited for OTR, their concerns, needing hometime, etc. - - do them a favor and tell them. Have some integrity.

 

What, and lose 85-90% of their recruits through honesty? Never happen.