Afraid to hire someone

I had a top hand for years. I would go all week and not hear from him. Took good care of the equipment, knew what to let ride and what to have fixed. When he retired I went thru 4 right fast before I said no more and parked the truck. 3 years later I have finally decided to give someone else a try. So far so good

 

If you really are terrified, I'd advise not bothering. Stress is a killer. Even if things are going good, you'll spend too much time worrying about when it won't be and why.

 

The key is patience to wait for the right driver to come along

 

Can't change the spots on a leopard.
It's not stressful now.
When the time comes the phone rings...you don't want to answer it because YOU know there's another bill to be paid from the driver not paying attention.
Make sure you have an employee hand book that covers all situations and who pays for what and when.
I had good experiences for the most part.
But still get the shivers about some memories.

Good luck.

 

I have to follow Mr Ed on this one.

Don't do it. If you havent bought a truck yet, don't do that either. Put the money in the safe and wait for a better day. Unless you yourself aim to get out there and run it.

I spent some happy years working with people who were one man owner of one or more trucks and trailers in my time. No trouble too much. However it was a real interesting run considering some of the customers we tried at least once and come out badly not to go back.

 

Nobody will take care of and care for your equipment or customers the way you do. I have been very lucky with mine even though I have to get in that a55 now and again. Take care of them, Pay them well and treat them well, the way you would like to be treated and hopefully they will take care of you. But some are just plane rotten. Same as some owners are rotten.
Try your best to feel them out before giving them the keys, run DAC reports and always check references. Make them account for any gap in their employment history. If they left a gap their is probably a reason.
It can be very stressful at time but rewarding if you find the right ones.
Good Luck whatever you decide.

 

Stop treating the truck as part of the family or a pet. It is a tool. You will never find anyone to treat the truck like you do.

 

It is a tool, but more of a precision tool that should be taken care of. Not like a cheap screwdriver.. Just one truck cost more than my first two houses combined.
I also expect them to take care of themselves and be clean and neat in appearance.

 

I think there are a few drivers out there that still take alot of pride in what they do. I try to treat my equipment like I own it. Because if I treated it like crap it's going to crap on me!

 

Nightgunner. Most won't take care a truck they don't own, like the owner would.
I had a driver take better care. I'm not a Polish guy.
I had a driver that was.
I paid for any shiny trinkets he wanted.
Every time home that cab got emptied and cleaned. Truck was always washed and shiny. His dime for washes and polish.
As far as I was concerned that truck was his. He took very good care of it.

I also had the extreme opposite. That's the guy you don't want.

You really don't know who you have until he's in the truck.

Look at it this way. You can always sell the equipment if it doesn't work.
If it does that's great.

Good luck