Advice for the Noobs...

I got me one of them blog thingies like that there, and my latest post was sparked by a recent conversation with a 1-yr driver who was telling me how he was getting to be an expert at 'creative logging,' and was certain his company would back him up in the event of trouble. I think some of the newer drivers might want to read this.

Looking Out For Number One

So you just got out of trucking school a little while ago. You're conscientious. You're a hard worker. You want to make a good impression and show your employer that you can get the job done. You'll take that load, whether you have the hours or not...whether you're tired or not...whether it's legally possible or not. Ain't no harm in backlogging, forelogging, running two or three logbooks. All the other drivers do it. It's only illegal if they catch you, right?

Meanwhile, dispatch loves you. They say you're one of the best drivers they've ever had. They complement you on your ability, perserverence and "go-getter" attitude. You're making money for you and them, and you're confident that they've got your back since you're such an asset to the company. Does that about sum it up?

Well, let me tell you how it really works, Driver.

One day, you'll get popped for this. Maybe you'll get pulled around at the scale or lit up on the road, and hand them the wrong logbook. Maybe you'll fall asleep at the wheel and wreck. Maybe some ####### in a rusted-out junkpile will drop his crack pipe and run into you. Maybe your company will get one of those hardcore we're-gonna-find-something audits. Sooner or later, you'll get nailed. And when that happens, you will be absolutely screwed.

You see, that's the main thing you have to understand about trucking companies: They don't care. They don't care if you get a ticket. They don't care if you get fined. They don't care if you lose your license or go to prison. They don't care if you kill yourself or someone else. The only thing they care about is that no matter what happens, they won't get blamed for it.

That same company who's been blowing tons of sunshine up your ### and telling you how valuable you are, will now go all Mission Impossible on you and deny any knowledge of your actions. "No, Sir, we never told that driver to run illegal. It's company policy not to falsify a log and not to accept any load that they can't legally run. They're all told about this." They will not send their Company Dream Team of lawyers to defend you for trying to get that hot load of toilet paper from Seattle to New York in two days--they'll fire you on the spot and leave you to twist in the wind.

They're looking out for Number One, and you should be doing the same. Why put your career, finances and freedom at risk for them? There are people in this world that I would risk my life for--because they'd do the same for me. But I'm not putting my life on the line for any person or company that I know will abandon me at the first sign of trouble. That's not being a good employee. That's being a sucker.

There's nothing wrong with doing a good job. But don't go to the mat for people who won't--no matter what their reassurances--back you up. If you're sent a load you can't do, refuse it. If you're told to do it anyway, ask for some documentation of that fact, via Qualcomm, and watch how fast they suddenly find another way to move that freight. Above all, be as safe and legal as possible. After all, it's your butt on the line.

Look out for Number One. Because they #### sure are.

 

...but more advice for the N00bs on my blog.

How to run for maximum profit and minimum hassle

"Whatever your or my thoughts on the matter, the HOS are what they are, and we have to deal with 'em. And with that stupid 14-hour clock breathing down our necks, it's more important than ever to 'run smarter, not harder.' Let's proceed with an example that shows the right way and the wrong way to do things.

"Let's say both you and Sammy Supertrucker have the same assignment. You're to pick up a preloaded trailer in Lincoln NE at 2100 Monday, and deliver to Ogden UT for a live unload at 0900 Thursday. That's a distance of roughly 1000 miles, through 75mph states. Let us further assume, for simplicity's sake, that you and Sammy are both coming off your 34, so you start out totally 'fresh' as far as hours are concerned. You have 60 hours to go 1000 miles. What should you do? How should you run it?..."