New Drivers' Compensation

(Not picking on the new people...just making a statement)

Quite a few rookies start off wrong. They have the wrong ideas and the wrong expectations. They approach trucking as if they are going on vacation. They are worried about what they will eat, what they will drive, whether or not they will have to go to New York or have time to play some online video game or go to the zoo in every city they come to. So they go in to orientation in holiday mode. "I dont go here, I dont do that."

...and they cant drive. It's like being a high school athlete and trying to negotiate a shoe deal with Nike. And Nike is wondering, "Who the F are you?" Aren't you jumping the gun a bit, friend? Everyone knows that the vast majority of you are going to wash out in 12 months. The office jocks know this too. So, when you walk into the office making demands, and you're the 10th person whose done it that day, they're going to blow you off.

First, put yourself ahead of the pack. How? Most people are incredibly crappy listeners. They think they'e good listeners, but they aren't. From the CDL school to the orientation class, sit and watch. Frustration on both ends because students are not good listeners. If you show up to your trainer's truck with the ability to listen, you will progress faster than just about everyone else. While everyone else is mentally on vacation, your focus is learning the job. You will stand out.

WAIT! Dont demand a shoe deal just yet...that's the beginning. 50% of you are going to wash out before you're in the business a month. 90% of you within a year. It's a tougher job than you think. Doesn't matter if you go OTR or local...you'd better be tough. Ask these guys and girls what they do when they just aren't feeling well. Sick day? Ask them how many days they've taken off because of being under the weather. Some of these drivers can tough through just about anything. Flu? Didn't sleep well? Lot's of you think you can too.


Ignore for a moment the bad habits...the unneccesary jaking, the tall shifter, the seatbelts...do you see it?

"See what, Six?"

Despite all of his bad habits, this guy can be on his deathbed and drive a truck. All day every day. Yeah, he's your average A Hole dumptruck driver, but he can do the job. Look at his eyes. Scanning the mirrors without thinking about it. If his record is clear, he can negotiate. First thing they'd do is have him go for a test ride. They would know instantly that he can drive. Before you try to negotiate a shoe deal, show them that you're the real deal.

Luck in battle.

 

Driving without seat belt engaged, uh, no matter how cool on thinks they are, it still is better to come out at the end of the day alive or make it easier to find the body after the oops.

 

After 6 years, I finally landed a glove deal. One of my favorite parking spots in CA has this guy working the area selling work gloves and what-not out of his pick-up. He has all kinds of stuff, but I’ve only bought work gloves from him. If I haggle awhile, I get him down to $1 below Wal-Mart prices. Hey, but it’s a deal.

 

I am also a newb to trucking, though I've had some exposure. I held a job at a large telecom company for 22 years (right out of college until recently when I was downsized). That lack of job-hopping seems to account for nothing when looking for a driving job. It seems that only the mega companies will hire new CDL holders at what effectively works out to be sub-minimum wage rates and the better paying companies won't touch you without the experience. I wonder if there would be less turnover and washout if drivers were compensated better. They would probably get a better class of driver too if pay was better. All that said, I'm still glad to be here and hope to make a real go at it.

 

Put your application where you want to work. All they can do is say no.

 

Hard for a new driver to dicker with a company. Just keep looking till you find a company that offers a compensation package you can live with. A inexperienced employee is just that in any field.

 

Top left to start. Bottom right 90 daze later.