Handling a skittish driver?

Yea, fire Him! He reminds me of Nino! A Driver that was an outstanding Driver but wrote the truck for Repairs three times a week and then he would complain why he is not making enough Money? One thing he was doing, he was writing everything down in a sheet of paper and said, if i get hurt, i will sue! They found a way of getting rid of him and end of the story. If your driver spends most of the time finding problems? how's that truck going to bring in a profit?

 

I would tell him straight up to just drive the truck and ONLY report something that is important to the shop. I would also tell him that each time he reports something to the shop and nothing can be found that you are going to dock him $20 per time for wasting the mechanics time.

 

Tell him that you have no problem with him reporting problems, but from now on, he is going to have to pay the mechanic's labor costs everytime he goes in, and tell the mechanic, to charge him $110 an hour and take 3 hours the first time. That will end in a hurry.

You are right, you don't want to tell the guy not to report for that off chance that one time there is something wrong, but if you make him fiscally responsible for the mechanic, he will only go when it's serious as it's hitting in the pocketbook.

To offset what he might think is a unneccessary cost to him, offer him the bonus that it can be taken out of etc,

 

Agreed, those types are everywhere too. Had one in the pvt. fleet. Wrote up everything just so he could sit around and draw hourly, total pain in the butt.

He's not a driver, he's a whiner, give him a slice of cheese and a boot in the butt.

But here, do this. Next time this comes up ask him if it's a DOT item...no ? roll on bud. DOT ? pull him off the unit and put him another or send him home for the day. A short check will open his eyes quick and close the mouth too.

Good driver checks his stuff and gets what he needs, oil, lights etc. and gets fixed and gets going........

JMO

 

Does he listen to music, perhaps it would be cheaper to put a Sirius radio in his truck and pay for a subscription. Music on he sure can't be hearing as many noises I would imagine.

 

There's part of the problem, you have empowered him to order parts @ his will.

I'd have a heart to heart with him and if that doesn't correct the problem show him the door.

 

i would think twice about this...... he is an employee not an owner!!! he has no risk of liability of profit or loss.... you could get yourself in a labor lawsuit in a hurry...... if you dont believe me, go and ask any labor laws lawyer...

 

Before you talk with him.. you need to sit down with the mechanics and put together an itemized list of his complaints vs. found problems. Have the list at your meeting... "You said A. B. C. D.E. F. was wrong with this truck and that truck and nothing was found" .. Then remind him that trucking and mechanical experience don't begin and end with him ... Remind him how long you've been in the industry, how long the mechanics have been wrenching, Tell him you put him in the newer truck to help end the complaints and they've continued. You need to get it straightened out He could be piledriving you with BS problems because he wants his truck to be in better shape than the other drivers.. problem being it is at your expense. Ask him this "Are you getting in my pocketbook because you want a better truck than the others? Is that fair? "
I worked with a driver once who thought his gauges and idiot lights never gave false readings or had unexplainable readings. He complained for 6 months that his air bags were out of adjustment because the pressure showed a differentiation during turns. He saw himself as on top of things but he was not a bright one...
I've driven several Detroits that had mismarked dipsticks .. you put in a gallon that got it into the normal range and by the next fuel stop it had been spit out of the exhaust pipes.. leave the level on the "add" setting and it ran burning no oil all month long ... things like that are hell for someone without common sense.
A little pushback his way might also be in order.. next time he complains ask him "is this a real problem? .. or one of your phantom problems?" .. might make him think about being more astute in his problem reporting.

 

I like your bonus idea. But.you might have to spread that one around if word got out.