I have to play the devil's advocate here...

Of Course, that's because more responsibilities are placed on their shoulders. A good Owner Operator will operate their truck like it's their own "Business".

Uncommon Belief, I don't know what type of equipment you have and running,, but can't you find your own customers? You'll get the 2 dollars and more, operating that way.

It's easy to find customers with products that are heavy moving for this season.,, Plants, charcoal, etc..

Finding loads off the internet is only good for bringing your trucks back, if need be. Some loads through your own customers, pay enough to run the trucks back empty.,, You'll make out better that way. Money and Time wise.


You're in Ohio, don't know which way you move, but operating your trucks in a regional area, like the east coast,or south east, or midwest and so forth, works better that way, when the time comes in finding your own customers.

One of our owner operators leased on with us years back, stole one of our customers under our nose. He ended up contracting with them hauling their bird seeds. We didn't care, because that customer was the least paying, and we really didn't have the time for them.

I just found a customer,a Great Big Tree Farm, even though I wasn't searching for one, needing a carrier to haul their trees here out of PA. If interested let me know.

The Adrenalin is rising,
I need to get back into this again., But I have something else up my sleeve and cooking, that I want to do.

 

I kinda jumped in on this "conversation" in the middle and didn't see how many trucks you have... If you can tell me that, I may be able to tell you why you aren't getting any bites on your sales calls.

 

I drove for an OTR for two years. It was a starter company, with low pay, but I got two years of experience. What really caused me to quit, is my dispatcher threatened me if I didn't continue to run even though I was out of hours. Since I was about 20 miles from home, I told him I would only drive home to clean out my truck. Which I did. He was pretty nasty about it, and stupid too. Because he not only talked to me on the phone, but he sent me Qualcomm messages saying he wanted me to continue driving even though I didn't have any hours. He wasn't the only one with that company that tried that. But, one dispatcher that I had for a long time was great. She never caused me a problem. She was fair, and we got along great.
After that, I drove for a local company for the last 6 years. That company just folded. So, now I'm looking again.
Some people always think the grass is greener on the other side. In the 6 years with my last company, I also worked as a fill in supervisor. I was amazed at what some drivers expected, or demanded. Some drivers would quit within a week. But, we tried to work with all of our drivers. We gave one driver three chances to keep from damaging the buildings she was delivering to. Third time was not the charm, and she was dismissed.
I absolutlely hate looking for another job, because I liked the company and would have stayed there until retirement. But, through no fault of my own, I am searching.
So, from my view point, I'm sure that sometimes it is the drivers who have issues. And, sometimes it is the company.
It's amazing that at the last company, there were drivers who had been there up to 20 years, and a few drivers come along and quit saying the company isn't worth it.
So, who is at fault? There are always two sides. And, both never seem to agree.

 

Hey CurtWayne! How's it going over there in Little Rock?? I hear the trucking industry is booming in that part of the country, over in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Is that true? I'm going to get me over there in Little Rock one of these days , to take care of some business.
You're correct about the drivers with attitudes. That's why I said earlier about going with the flow of knowing their personalities. And some people you'll just never please in this life. That's a red flag and be cautious. Those are the ones that will take your business down with them.
And then again you're correct about the companies not treating drivers fairly. I know of one here in this area hauling produce and expect you to drive 1,000 miles from point A to point B by the next morning. And then turn around and go from point B back to point A the very next day. And the third day the same. And if anyone complains ?
They'll tell you to take a hike.
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Hello UncommonBelief.
We got on hauling for Motts, but it was through Richfoods/Supervalue that we got the contract. Their work was steady, five days a week, that we placed three of our trucks on with. But it paid Less than the smaller businesses that we developed a contract with. Thats because of the middle man/Richfoods getting a cut out of the rate.

I believe Heinz is just as big, and trying to get a direct contract from them is not easy , unless your hauling tomatoes through a produce broker.

You ought to stay away from these larger firms that are accepting bids.
Find a mediocum company in which you don't need to place a bid, rather, just your business card, a copy of your authority and then a contract that they will give you.
A smaller company likes to see you face to face., One that you are able to develop a business relationship with. They'll even pay more to have a dedicated carrier, rather than having to fuss with brokers. I know through experience. They love it! To have someone that they can count on, whenever they need it. It's that much easier with the smaller firms.

How bout putting the KW on Local work? We did the Motts, that was around 150 miles back and forth from there to Richfoods Yard.
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How's it going , LuvtheRoad ??? Hope you made it through on your end.

 

That produce outfit sounds like most companies used to be. Before getting back out there, I'd hoped and from reading this forum, thought that things were much better due to electronics and the law cracking down.
Evidently, some still fall through the cracks.
Sad to hear that. It's why I quit trucking.

 

I second this!
I am also a good driver (that was laid off) and being told these same things except I don't have any accidents.
If companies like yours would give us good drivers a chance after being local maybe just maybe you would get yourself some good drivers!
I see it both ways since I myself am a former fleet manager and driver. On the fleet manager side I feel for you seen this a bunch. But the driver in me doesn't feel for you at all. Start giving those of us that have been driving local after being OTR a chance. There are many of us good drivers out here it's just companies choose not to hire us due to some policy some guy that's never even been behind the wheel of a truck makes up. Sorry I am so sensitive about this subject, but me and a bunch of other #### good drivers are on our knees begging for a chance to get back behind the wheel and being told no sorry i'ts policy....ya know i'ts like being kicked in the gut for us good drivers when you hear this over and over and over. Honestly the companies that say no to us don't deserve us and keep having issues with the bad apples....
anyway....yes if what you posted is completly true which only you know if it is....then yes you did the right thing by letting them go!

 

It all comes down to requirements to being hired and benefits. But if your standards are low, because your a bottom feeding company with low pay, micro manging, idle controling, favor seeking, unobtainable bonus, dispatchers who never drove.. Your going to be more of a baby sitter then a manager.. I would suggest looking at what attracts these drivers.. Remove that attraction and replace with higher standards...
Including office personel.. Best always to have a driver manage a driver.