Driver Perks

Reliable home time. I get angry when I send in a request for home time 4 weeks in advance and then there's a problem getting me home. Yes, I know, #### happens, but I get angry anyway, and immediately begin thinking about my exit plan.

 

To me, as a new driver, the feeling of being a person and not just a number is very important. Keeping your word regarding issues like hometime ranks pretty high also to me because a do have a family at home that I care about and who cares about me. Being new to the industry that is about all I can add... I hope it is helpful!

 

.....also, when my dispatcher has worked hard to get me home, I appreciate it very much. It gives me a good feeling about him/her, and the company. It increases my feelings of loyalty. 4 weeks on the road, and I am ready for some time off without any further delay

 

I would say being recognized for going above and beyond helps. I worked for a company that when you really pushed it together a tight load there, you would get a message saying thanks and giving a $20 bonus.

 

Good communication, if I send a message I need a response within 20 minutes, time is money in this industry, my absolute biggest frustration is losing time in communication. Not answering the phone, letting the mailbox get full so no message can be saved etc is a huge frustration for me.

So a good system of communication that is responsive would have me very happy. Likewise I think hometime requests are frequently hurt by poor communication as well.

 

Just take a more active interest in KNOWING your drivers. What do I mean?

What I mean is from any set number of veteran drivers, some will be great drivers and some will be great AND have very good ideas. Listen to them...don't discount them just because they're not sitting in some cubicle with an idiot screen in front of them.

Never discount the street-level experiences of those in the "trenches".

This is my biggest peeve, at least of my experiences.

 

Equipment. Need fleet trucks that look good for fleet trucks (not half the paint gone from 6 years of acid washes), somewhere between owner-operator specs and bare minimum fleet specs, spec'd with 70 MPH engine, and APU. With a reasonable truck wash reimbursement plan or company wash/vacuum facilities that work. Nothing worse than coming in as a new driver and getting shoved into a trashed out truck that should have been sold 2 years ago.

Also, don't focus exclusively on the better paying, "regional freight", try and keep some longer freight for the guys who appreciate them and aren't looking to stay close to home. I will not work anywhere where the fleetwide average length of haul turns out to be under 500 miles.

Allow drivers at least one fueling per week that doesn't match with the generated fuel plan to allow for issues and don't harass the driver because he spent 2 cents more per gallon one time last week during a widespread snow storm and fueled somewhere else. It's ok to have unauthorized fuel stops/states, but allow at least a little flexibility to vary from the fuel solution every so often.

 

The next company I drive for will have APU's.

If your company doesn't have them, then you need a reasonable idle policy. Freezing/sweating my bum off to save you a couple nickels isn't a good way to keep me around.