Decision,Decisions

I don't doubt the fact that at some point more companies will have DFC's, but I do feel that they way they are utilized is the main problem, not necessarily the fact that they're in there, and from what I'm hearing first hand and reading, SAIA is doing it all wrong. But at the end of the day, it's their equipment, their company, their policies, so they can do as they see fit, even if it's going against the grain of what "makes sense" to your everyday driver.

I also have the utmost respect for LTL guys, especially P&D. I have a couple of buddies that do it and they love it and are pretty upbeat and happy individuals (one works at ODFL and the other works at SMT.) But I'll tell you this, whenever I had a load going to a warehouse, or I was just shuttling trailers locally between warehouses, which is something I'd do from time to time for my previous employer I can tell you right now, there's different attitudes at different companies, and it's usually for a reason.

Just about all of the ODFL guys were up beat, same with UPS brown and FedEx freight, SMT, as well as most Estes guys I came across. However, just about every Central Transport, FedEx ground, XPO etc were always disgruntled looking (never saw any SAIA drivers.) I stated in a post in a different thread that I myself am not a morning person, and a lot of folks aren't, but I can walk in the workplace and put my best foot forward regardless and be friendly. I've had my fair share of gripes in the past, but my logic is, we've all go to be here, so why not make the best of it.

But to have 12 men sitting in the same room (the other 2 hadn't arrived yet), all of which looking pissed off at the world and complaining about various aspects of the job sets off red flags for me. There's always going to be that guy, or a couple of guys that ##### and moan, but it shouldn't be the MAJORITY. All of this is just based off what I have seen. You're also right in saying it's a tough job, I do feel the food service guys get the ####tier end of the stick in terms of manual labor, but you're right it's not easy, and I'd never pawn it off as such. But the job itself shouldn't cause every guy in the room to be blatantly unhappy. Hard work is hard work, and I'm not shy of it. But to say it's common enough to see unhappy P&D drivers becasue the job is tough, is like cutting LEO's a break when they fly off the handle and do something stupid, or treat a civilian like #### and the excuse is always the same "the job is tough" well, you signed up for it, voluntarily, and yes I have a few buddies that are cops and they love it. At the end of the day, some people just aren't happy either way, or maybe, and I'm just taking a shot in the dark here, that particular department, terminal, or company they work for, just sucks. But alas, it very well could have been a bad decision on my part.

Yep, same here but it is, what it is unfortunately.

Dave

 

The fact he came back a day later, still trying to get me to come in really sent off alarm bells. On one hand, it almost made me go through with it just to work, but then I immediately thought "can it really be that bad? are there really not any other guys he could move on to?" It's not as if I was some LTL ###### with several years of relevant experience doing said job. You can't tell me every guy that applied around the same time had a bad record. Half of the companies I applied to would of moved on without having a second thought had I declined their offers. Makes you wonder.

It also makes sense when I think back to the interview. I was straight up and let him know I had other offers on the table and he immediately said " you can forget about those guys, I want you working for me. Just leave them alone." Kind of threw me off a bit, and surprised me when it literally took 3 days to get me fully hired not counting the couple of days it took for my drug test to come back.

From what I've heard and read, it's not a quick process getting hired on at "most" LTL's, and SAIA is supposedly very thorough. I literally clicked submit on my app, got a call not even 30 minutes later from the TM, interviewed, paperwork was green lighted by safety by the time I got back to the house (30 minutes), went in the next morning, took my drug test, physical, driving test. By the time I got back from doing the driving test, he explained that my background and everything had been cleared. All I needed to do was wait for my drug test results. They didn't even call my previous employer. I could of went in there and said I had 5+ years of experience, and probably got offered an even higher stating wage. That, plus his apparent desperation even after I decline the position, really makes you wonder.

He was a nice guy though. I'm pretty diligent in researching any prospective employer, but the process went so fast, I didn't even get a chance to do so until last weekend, which was after I already went through the process, which is when I discovered everything that made me iffy. Had I reasearched before applying, I doubt I would have applied in the first place. Not to mention what I witnessed during my orientation with all of the disgruntled drivers. I also took a 2nd driving test on the day of orientation which was a "smith system driving test." It was literally the TM hopping in the truck with me, and we bob-tailed about 2 miles up the road and came back. We just chatted the whole time. There was no mention of the smith system, or anything of that nature which didn't really fit in with how "thorough" they're supposed to be. It was as if we were bob-tailing around the block taking a joy ride, just so he could check it off on the paperwork as being done. Strange

Dave