Attention all company drivers!!!

Probably because those companies aren't as bad as some random driver made them out to be. Well attempted to in a post, but probably just ended up making himself looking like a guy with an anger issue who shouldn't be behind the wheel of any vehicle.

 

Sounds like Joe would be a good candidate for Undercover Boss.

Your last sentence says it all. There are many Big truck truckin' companies that don't hesitate a moment to screw their drivers over to kiss big brother's buttox. And that's on top of the ways said companies do end runs around government rules and regulations to fatten their own bank account, --- of which their drivers see none of. It's a sad state of affairs when only the companies in bed with what the government calls "organized crime" treat their employees with the respect they deserve. If the government managed to be "organized" there'd be no difference betwixt the two, --- aside from their treatment of those who trade their labor for a paycheck.

I will never forget one dispatch I received to pick up a load in Lost Wages, Nevada going to New Jersey. My dispatcher with around 30 years Big truck truckin' experience cautioned me to be careful because he was pretty sure that the person I was to meet there (at a storage facility) was "connected". He told me the guy was a "little gruff", but that was just his nature, --- nothing personal, explaining he gave me the load because I tend to be rather mellow and not a hot head like some of the other drivers.
GulP!
What 'e get me into?

I met the man and he was what I was told, gruff. I am what my dispatcher said I was, mellow.
The load consisted of stainless steel restaurant fixtures, two big freezers, a big gas stove, tables, chairs, huge plastic bags of knives, forks and spoons, electric fans, etc. ..... nothing cheap and nothing that wasn't heavy. All had to be loaded by three of us, him, myself and his son-in-law, --- who, about half way into loading, he motioned me aside to comment that his son-in-law was a worthless son-of-a- you know what. As far as helping load, I had to agree. He asked if I had any ideas on how to accomplish the task at hand.
Hmmmmm -----

I noticed three fellows several storage units from us and suggested we ask them to lend a hand. He thought that was a good idea so he walked down to ask them. They agreed and they cheerfully worked their buttoxes off. While loading they mentioned that their storage unit contained things they were collecting to open a soup kitchen for the homeless and poor. I saw a light bulb light up over the shipper's head, but he said nothing until we were almost finished loading, at which time he growled for them to "commere" (come here) and placed a fifty in each of their shirt pockets, then pointed to what still remained inside the storage unit. "You guys know where to get rid of that stuff in there for me"? "That stuff" consisted of those huge plastic bags of knives, forks and spoons, tables, chairs, electric fans, napkins, --- stuff like that. Those three guys looked at each other, then six eyes met the eyes of the man who was offering exactly what they needed. "Are you serious, sir"?
Indeed he was.

Before I headed east, he stuck a fifty in my shirt pocket, and I was instructed to check in with his brother if he himself wasn't there when I got to his Jersey deli, and "tell him to feed you lunch". I remember thinkin' ask would be better. Fortunately he was there when I arrived to find the parking lot was under construction leaving me nowhere to park 73 feet of Big truck and trailer. I set the 4-ways and hurried inside for further instructions, explaining my situation.
"You can park ANYwhere you like. Park over there, make it easy", pointing to an empty lot with parked cars and plenty of room. But sir, I began, if I park there I'll be blocking those cars parked there. He then put his massive arm around my shoulders and we walked out to the sidewalk. He pointed east, --- "see all that"? he asked. I did and said so. "Now look that way", pointing south, then, "look that way, see all that"?, as he pointed north. I sure do, I told him.
"It ALL mine. I own it all, and if I say you can park there my friend, believe me, you can park there, --- or ANYwhere I say is OK, .... OK"?
Ok.!

Once unloaded and all signed for, I started to head for the Big truck, --- when a Big hand grabbed my shoulder. "You haven't eaten yet. Go in there and tell my brother to feed you, --- whatever you want --- on the house". I followed his instructions except for the "tell" his brother part. I asked, but his brother was already aware, --- pointed to the menu and just said, "Anything you want. If it isn't on the menu, I'll make it."
The business that Big man was in was makin' sausage, --- had a meat plant over in Philly, so I asked for an Italian sausage special, ..... delicious, and it was huge! I could barely finish it, but I did. On my way out I said good-bye to all of them, but was stopped by a nice lady I learned was their mother. She handed me a goodies bag containing apples, oranges, peanuts, and some candy, and napkins --- "for your trip home", and planted a kiss on my cheek with a hug.

Who ARE these nice people?!!!
Obviously very well "connected".

As I was leaving, head still spinning, that gruff guy motioned for me to stop. I did. He told me, "I have trucks too. A lot of 'em. All kinds. You ever want a job, you got one here". And with that he waved good-bye. I was flabbergasted. And my stomach was still too full to eat dinner later that evening. But by morning I was hungry --- and tempted to return to his deli. However, I was very content with the gig I had, otherwise I'd be writing this from my home in New Jersey instead of here in California. I sure can't imagine being treated any better than that "well connected" family bestowed upon me, a stranger. I very much appreciated that, and wonder what might have been .............................

Side bar, ...... Mr. Hammer-Rhoid, if I may, I'd like to offer you a suggestion, --- that being to break up your posts into paragraphs, especially the longer ones. It would make it much easier to read and follow that way. Just hit the "Enter" key twice to put space between changing paragraphs. I enjoy reading your posts and I don't want to miss even one word.
ThanX!

By the way, I well remember those Carretta Big trucks. I could never catch 'em out thar on the highway. And by the time I was assigned a triple-digit Big truck, they were gone.
Bummers!

 

Actually, I think there are three sides to most stories. Somewhere in the middle is usually where the truth lies.
Hmmmmm --- truth lies?
That didn't come out right.
How 'bout where the truth is found?

If you were to tell me that you're a recruiter, ---
I'd believe you.

 

And this remark is from someone from the state of North Carolina whose Charlotte Bobcats are the laughing stock of the NBA....Just saying

 

Seems from many of the threads on this site that the majority of the companies would have no drivers. I don't even know where to start anymore. Simply frustrated, I suppose. And not driving is certainly an option. It is a choice.

 

Let's face it, these companies aren't all that bad. there were reasons why the people that are complaining about them chose to go there in the first place. It's not companies are going out there holding guns to drivers heads and saying "sign with us, or i'll shoot". Everyone is prone to exaggeration, if you have concerns about a company but you think that they're your best bet raise your concerns with them before you sign.

 

Let's face it, some of those offering opinions and/or giving advice haven't a clue as to what the Big truck truckin' industry is all about, --- but that doesn't stop them..

And, in your opinion, what might those reasons be?

They don't have to do that now-a-daze. All they need to do is run ads with misleading and outright false claims and information, highlighted with smoke & mirrors and bait & switch tactics. Much less violent than using the gun-to-head method.

That's true.
What's important is when they choose to exaggerate, and how far they'll go with their exaggeration.

Yeah, you can trust what recruiters tell you.
Especially when they're aware of what y'all wanna hear.
Ask for it in writing, and make a note of the excuses why they won't do that.

 

Mostly that they believes the lies they are told. Let's be totally fair, if you believe a "sales" person 100% you deserve to get screwed. They are being payed to sell you something. Do you research, not all of these big companies sucks. I know a lot of folks like to bash Schneider, Swift, and Roehl. I'll stop with those 3. The guys that we get that worked at these companies and got their training to start their careers are typically excellent drivers.

 

Your front office perspective comes threw loud and clear.

 

Double, maybe more