Question about finding quality people

Billerd · Sep 2, 2015

MJ1657 said: ↑

I despised hiring people. I'd run an ad and the apps started pouring in. I finally made my life a little easier when I went to the pile system.
This pile of apps is the felon pile, this pile is the no drivers license pile, this pile is the possible candidates. The last was usually quite small!

What would possess someone without a license to apply for a job at a CAR dealership?
Click to expand...

We run into the same issue. Our ads read that you must have two years experience with flatbed/stepdeck. We always get a ton of calls from the guys just out of school. I am not opposed to giving someone a chance, but our insurance requires two years.

Almost like that should be the first warning sign when the applicant did not even take the time to read and decide if he/she met all the requirements.

DoubleO7 · Sep 2, 2015

Billerd said: ↑

Yes, yes and yes! We do all of the above already. Everyone knows what is expected of them when they hire on. We are too small to offer benefits, but the pay is definitely up to par and even above industry standards. We have a bonus program as well. I don't think that is the issue. People can totally check out, have great references etc. and still have issues with being honest, keeping the truck clean and maintained etc.

We have had a couple great drivers who are still with us from the beginning, duplicating the process is tough!
Click to expand...

The benefits issue is going to be a no go with most drivers I would imagine. It looks like you need a driver with a spouse who has a good job with benefits. If a guy has a wife who is a school teacher or a nurse, he doesn't need health insurance. But, he also will have a wife who will miss him, maybe. An owner op might be used to buying his own insurance, or gets it through his wife's job. That may really be the key, is to find an owner op who loves the lifestyle and is tired of the other headaches.

AModelCat · Sep 2, 2015

Billerd said: ↑

Our expectations are extremely clear and not out of the ordinary. We have them in the form of an employee handbook that must be read and signed before hire. The accountability issue is a problem. The short answer would be yes, we hold our drivers accountable. The downside to that is if I ask the driver if he is keeping the truck clean etc. and I'm in Colorado and he's in Georgia, are they telling the truth? Do I have to stoop so low as to micromanage and ask for pictures to prove that what they are saying is true or not?

Forced dispatch? Well, we have loads that have to be moved. We expect to see the trucks rolling when the hours are there to run. We never have and never will ask our drivers to run illegally. We run Qualcomm in our trucks so there is no messing with the logs. We are just basically asking our drivers to drive the 11 hours (as needed), take care of the trucks/trailers and present themselves in a clean professional manor.
Click to expand...

And those are not unreasonable expectations. I just find it perplexing that people anywhere these days can't manage to do the job they are paid to do.

Billerd · Sep 2, 2015

Jokingypsy said: ↑

Here is a different perspective. I quit driving this past December after thirteen years safe driving experience. Always local or regional, no OTR, and always home weekends. I love driving but just got tired of the BS. $1500.00 per week sounds like huge money, but factor in sleeping in a truck for three weeks, eating scarf and barf truckstop food, non compensated layovers and now with all these new and improved trucks breakdown time, doing laundry on the road, being away from family and friends, and when you finally get a few days off by the time you catch up on chores and honey do's its time to climb back in and go again. It is not a very rewarding JOB anymore, if you take it as a lifestyle its ok. I just think the list of people that want the life style is dwindling, they would rather have a good paying job. I miss driving, but being in the northeast if I start to miss it too much I just put on the traffic reports. I got tired of driving junk, tired of guys sitting in cold offices telling me I don't need A/C, just knock out a couple more loads and we will get to it, tired of fearing the next physical because my blood pressure may be a tick too high or I need a sleep apnea test. I got tired of working for people who worked business hours and were off weekends but they felt you never give them enough. You sound like one of the good guys to work for. But for a guy who just got tired of the BS, I would be a lousy hire. I took a job at a dealer, I work Monday through Friday, 7-5 no early mornings or late evenings. I could make more trucking, but going from 48 hours a week and home everyday to 70 hours a week and home once every two to three weeks for maybe another two or three hundred a week is just not worth it. Good luck in your search, but I think it is going to steadily keep getting worse until there is a revolutionary change in the industry.

Adam
Click to expand...

Nice to hear your perspective as a driver. This is the reason we put the APU's on our trucks and the Fridge/microwave etc. We hope that our drivers are comfortable all the time. Glad you found the job that makes you happy!

Billerd · Sep 2, 2015

pattyj said: ↑

Surely there's at least 1 driver at your company your proud to have as part of your team is'nt there?Anymore drivers just don't care.Trucking is just a job to them and explains the high turnover rate.Even the companies that have a strict hireing process has bad drivers only they don't find that out till later.How many miles are you running your drivers a week? How long do you want your drivers to stay out before they go home?Bottom line is drivers just don't wanna work but ecspect to get paid for work not performed.I don't know if there is anything you can do to get the best of the best drivers.What are your requirements?
Click to expand...

Yes! We have some of the original drivers still with us. We are very happy with them. It just seems that we are having issues as we grow finding the quality people that we would like to work with. Our requirements are not out of line either. I won't go into them here though...

DoubleO7 · Sep 2, 2015

Billerd said: ↑

Nice to hear your perspective as a driver. This is the reason we put the APU's on our trucks and the Fridge/microwave etc. We hope that our drivers are comfortable all the time. Glad you found the job that makes you happy!
Click to expand...

Do you know the service manager at your Peterbuilt dealership?? Maybe he might be able to steer a suitable candidate you way?? Instead of advertising and sifting through a pile of resumes, then picking a driver who does not perform as he says he will, find the suitable driver first and approach him or her directly????

Billerd · Sep 2, 2015

DoubleO7 said: ↑

Another thought is, do you ever hire O/O's to cover some of your loads?? Maybe there is an opportunity to vett a candidate without them even knowing??? Route them to your location and check them and their truck out in person. You might find one who loves to drive but does not like running a business anymore.

With that many miles/wk , maybe you could find drivers who would like to be out two weeks and home two weeks. Two drivers per truck and slip seat. The problem with that, of course is that there may be less pride in a shared truck and less accountability.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the slip seat thing is rough...

Billerd · Sep 2, 2015

DoubleO7 said: ↑

Do you know the service manager at your Peterbuilt dealership?? Maybe he might be able to steer a suitable candidate you way?? Instead of advertising and sifting through a pile of resumes, then picking a driver who does not perform as he says he will, find the suitable driver first and approach him or her directly????
Click to expand...

Never thought of that one. Great idea!

DoubleO7 · Sep 2, 2015

Billerd said: ↑

Yes! We have some of the original drivers still with us. We are very happy with them. It just seems that we are having issues as we grow finding the quality people that we would like to work with. Our requirements are not out of line either. I won't go into them here though...
Click to expand...

You could ask your drivers to help do a little networking for you. They meet other drivers at shippers and receivers.

Billerd · Sep 2, 2015

KANSAS TRANSIT said: ↑

All good point/suggestions E, but here is the thing, EVERYBODY out there wants the most money per mile they can get, so if you put out a decent number that you hope gets the "right" kind of people in the door, you are left with little reserve in which to "reward" people with.

I would love to be able to pay 13,14,1500.00 per week and then still be able to reward the people that do the better job, but the extra money just isn't there.

On the other hand, you tell someone that you can only pay 1000.00 a week and you have this bonus and that bonus, I have to wonder who replies to that ad?

Also as mentioned here before, it's becoming more apparent that money and a nice truck just doesn't seem to be enough anymore, I'm just not sure what else there is if you are a true OTR long haul company?
Click to expand...

You are exactly right my friend, for some reason everyone thinks that the trucks are making tons of money per mile, when actually the margins are super tight and the simple act of a tire needing replaced can suck all of the profit out of the load.

Log in or Sign up

Forums

Find Trucking Jobs

Question about finding quality people

Billerd Light Load Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

DoubleO7 Road Train Member

AModelCat Road Train Member

Billerd Light Load Member

Billerd Light Load Member

DoubleO7 Road Train Member

Billerd Light Load Member

Billerd Light Load Member

DoubleO7 Road Train Member

Billerd Light Load Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Find Trucking Jobs

Question about finding quality people

Billerd Light Load Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!

DoubleO7 Road Train Member

AModelCat Road Train Member

Billerd Light Load Member

Billerd Light Load Member

DoubleO7 Road Train Member

Billerd Light Load Member

Billerd Light Load Member

DoubleO7 Road Train Member

Billerd Light Load Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!