Who's The Worst Of Them ALL to work for?

I voted other for Hendrickson Trucking out of Sacramento, CA.

They are by far the absolute bottom of the barrel worst outfit that I have ever worked for!!!!!

And on that poll list above, I HAVE worked before for Swift AND Covenant. Hendrickson Trucking most definitely has them beat as the lousiest trucking outfit that I have ever had to deal with in my 12 year driving career!!!!!

 

Well since this thread is almost 3yrs old, why don't we just all trucking companies are the WORST OF THEM ALL. Becasue over time with all the different companies being listed, and the fact that NO one is every going to be happy, then that should be the final tally..

 

I have worked for 5 companies over 14 years, and I would vote Knight Transp. the worst. The executives with the last name of Knight, who own/run the company, learned the trucking biz as executives with Swift, and now take the "cheap out" tactics and "bait and switch recruiting" a bit farther than Swift. In almost 6 months of service, I had only one day of home time, and that I believe that was by accident. The 2 cents/mile raise after 3 months promised by recruiting didn't happen; it took a lot of chasing various depts/voice mails and finally a stand off at headquarters to find out why I didn't get the 2 cents raise, it turns out it's what I call a "Jesus Bonus", as only Jesus could fulfull the long list of requirements, some of which were impossible, such as getting 7.25mpg with a truck that would only get 6.25 (example, 6.25 from L.A. to Phoenix, no idling, only one stop for scale, and governed at 58 speedo/56 gps), and you must recruit at least one driver per year that stays with Knight for 6 months or more. But recruiting doesn't tell you all this of course. These people are among the worst of the worst for hustling you, don't let the fancy terminal and slick facade fool you. I drive for Marten Transp. hdqtr Mondovi, WI now, and this is the best I have ever had it, as they do the opposite of the Knight strategy, where Knight is always looking for more ways to cheap out, Marten has put a lot of thought into extras for the driver, for comfort and convenience. I liked May Trucking of Brooks, OR also, but it's been a long time since I worked for them. If you like to be hustled, and I know a lot of folks love to be hustled, then Knight will give you some of the best hustle you have ever had. Don't expect creature comforts such as arm rests (thought the Knight execs have chairs with arm rests at their desks), or home time unless you scream and threaten always.

 

Sorry had to vote covenant as the biggest s***hole company here, at least swift offers you choices as far as getting another truck when yours goes down, and not keep you locked up in a hotel for a week. And they don't preach christianity like those hipocrates at covenant.
Keep your religion to yourselves.

 

Great suggestions as to how to better the bottom line for the company. No argument here. But why not use your experience with a "no pay for waiting" company, to get an hourly union driving job. Your time is worth something! Why not give your charity (money or time) to a truly needy cause, rather than to millionaires who own trucking companies? Make no mistake, you do have value, and your time is worth something!

 

Most people have not clue as to the value of their time or the beauty of living in a country like the USA. Seems we have lost something.

I wrote about the trucking industry several years ago when I was an O/O. Reuters and OOIDA President both commented.

You can read my bi-monthly paper here: (see attached)

You will note that the President of OOIDA was in full agreement but stated nothing would change to protect drivers in the industry.

Anyway, I agree that everyone has value and almost everyone in the trucking industry will be used until they can no longer drive and when released most will be broke soon after.

 

Its good to see your article on trucking. I thought it ironic that one of the concerns back then was in regards to customers paying detention. Of course that did not improve until the new HOS regulations took affect and caused all the transportation companies to start billing for it. One thing that I agree needs to be changed, and I am betting it will change, but it may not benefit the drivers, is the HHG miles. Shippers will not pay more because the miles increased, and transportation companies will not pay more if they are not paid more. What would probably happen is you would see pay decrease to offset the higher miles, and now lower revenue per mile. Just a guess, but I do hope I am wrong on that.

Wes

 

Wes,
A question to you, if I might,...............................

How much of a savings do you estimate would be realistic if trucking companies didn't have the recruiting expenses and subsequent costs for replacing drivers who jump ship within a year or two?
With some of the companies experiencing a 100% turnover rate, or sometimes higher, I would think that would be considered unacceptable. Even a 50% turnover rate seems excessive to me. To remain a driver with a company for more than a year with turnover rates like that would mean that that driver wouldn't know a single driver who started at the same time they did, just a constant influx of newBees.

It seems to me that the savings would be enough to offer a higher wage to the drivers who remain beyond the usual year, or so, to repay their training. It almost seems as though the starter companies prefer the higher turnover rate as opposed to retaining more experienced drivers for years. I find that to be suspicious.

I've always recommended that newBees shoot for the better starter/training companies in order to remain with them for a longer period, rather than planning on leaving after a short time, thereby gaining additional experience and receiving longevity pay for sticking around.

I well understand that a starter/training company isn't going to offer top wages to those just starting their careers in the trucking industry. Dues must be paid as they learn a new trade. I also don't think the so called "better paying" companies are always the better companies to drive for.
And having been a driver trainer for a large trucking company, I KNOW that the wear and tear on the Big trucks is more than with seasoned drivers. To my way of thinking, and something I tried to stress to trainees, is/was to treat the Big truck as if it were their own. But I also realize it takes time to LEARN how to treat a Big truck properly.
Fewer repairs and less down time should result in a savings for the companies, --- SOME of which, I think, should be passed on to the better drivers who know how to avoid breakdowns. To my way of thinking, a driver in a newer Big truck, or one that has been well maintained, who knows the mechanics by name is doing SOMEthing wrong if they're spending THAT much time in the repair facilities.

Not to say that knowing the mechanics isn't a good thing, because I think it IS. I try to pick the brains of the mechanics to better understand how all the components in a Big truck function together, and the proper way to assure they're continuing to function that way. For that reason, I NEVER try to rush the mechanics, in fact, if asked when I need the Big truck, I tell them whenever THEY think it will be ready. They know what they're doing when it comes to maintenance and/or repairs, I hope. Who am I to dictate to them what I would prefer? They don't tell me when loads should pick up and/or deliver. THAT's MY job.

Personally, I think it'd be a hoot to be a successful driver for a company with a less than stellar reputation --- be that reputation deserved, or not.
But that's just me, and I doubt I would be considered "normal".

In my years as a Big truck truck driver I've noticed too few drivers actually operate as a "team player", but rather as an individual with a "me, myself & I" attitude. I've discovered that a little cooperation in that regards (to thinking more like a team) goes a l o n g way to a successful partnership with a company.

Your thoughts?

 

your exactly right,, attitude is everything in trucking,and in life

 

You are probably right Wes. It seems the greedy just will not let lose of a penny unless it is squeezed out of them. Amazing how the cost of everything has skyrocketed over the years but transportation costs have almost remained constant.

Hope you enjoy the booklet. I publish every two weeks to a world audience.

Best wishes.

Mike