how to refuse a load?

You can do it.

 

if you think it's tough living in a mays truck wait till you start living in a day cab

 

I've given snippets of this advice before, but I will try to put it all together here.

First, "Think outside the box". That's a pretty useless catch phrase that became popular in business in the '80's, but in trucking it has a specific and important meaning. "The Box" in trucking is dry van and to a lesser degree reefer. Start looking around at truck stops and while driving and look at the WIDE VARIETY of semi trailers being pulled by semi trucks. I guarantee that on average anything BUT a dry van is generating more revenue per mile than dry van. The more revenue the truck earns the more the owner can afford to pay.

Second, be willing to do a job that involves ALL of the "Three D's": Dirty, Difficult, and Dangerous. If you don't have ALL your endorsements, especially Hazmat, get them. Get your TWIC card while you are at it, and get your FAST card for entering Canada. All those make YOU more valuable.

Third, never develop the habits of a quitter. Always COMMIT to AT LEAST a year at any job you take. You have already put in a year with ONE company, and that says a LOT about YOUR level of commitment. The best jobs out there will disqualify applicants that show a habit of quitting frequently.

When I got back into trucking I put in two years pulling dry van for Swift. My only regret there was I didn't get into their flatbed division right off the bat. By the time I realized I REALLY wanted to go open deck, it was too late. I couldn't afford to go back through training with a flatbed trainer and do a week of securement training at minimum wage. BUT I parlayed my two years experience to get hired on with my current outfit (two years OTR experience required).

My current gig is pulling flatbed out of OKC, running to the oil field. I came in with ZERO securement experience, got three loads with a trainer, and then got thrown to the wolves. I cringe looking back on some of my mistakes. But I had plenty of help from fellow drivers and on this forum.

Here's the thing, it's a RARE day to NOT be greeted as "Sir" or "Boss" in this line of work. Drivers are given RESPECT. They WANT what's on your deck, sometimes to the point that roughnecks are helping take straps and chains off before I can open my door.

Then there's the pay. It's far better than dry van OTR.

Then there's the FUN. I have "mud in my blood" now. The idea of taking a heavy load through mud, snow, ice, flash floods, or ice storms gives me a woodie.

It's a far cry from swinging doors and banging docks. I no longer have to deal with minimum wage clerks with a bad attitude at a warehouse. Every day is an adventure.

Widen your search. Tankers might be a good gig, especially Hazmat. But that's something I wouldn't consider because it would become a routine. Open deck always makes me THINK.

 

Trucking.....
It is a "Two way street"......and Moral attitude is part of the bussiness. Sometimes is best to "bend over" a little....and then let them do the same. Maybe they'll see your Loyalty in your Actions. Direct communication by E-mail or Certified Letter with the "Top Executives" is a good avenue to pursue. Let them know How you feel. Trucking Industry is the same...anywhere You go. The Key persons there are, the Load Planners and dispatchers. But You..!! as an important Asset of the Company, should be able to motivate a change in the people that You understand that are jeoperdizing the Company's Future. Think about that....and how to change it....before you turn into a ""Company hopper"".
Happy Trails......!!

 

http://www.carlile.biz

Now you are talking...