Calex Express....My New Home!

Well this is a total shame, but one I fully understand. The company lost one of the best drivers I have ever been associated with. Not just for your driving ability, but your professionalism and personality. We both know what the problem was and that it became a tiresome burden to deal with every week. I know for a fact they will not get another driver to fill your shoes on your dedicated run. You became and will always be a close friend, I don't see nothing changing as far as our friendship. In fact, I will still look forward to our 1am conversations on Thursday mornings. I know what you bring to the table, I know what Calex lost in having you leave here and I also know what your new company is getting, good luck my brother, don't change a thing. Like I always tell you, do good, get good in return.

 

I am really pissed this happened. Chris is a good dude, a one of a kind driver that takes his job seriously. It didn't have to come to this. When I started driving 33 years ago the same 2 problems we are talking about today were the same 2 problems back then, payroll and maitenance. You would think these companies would have perfected this by now. We are told that these are not an issue, but as what happened to Chris, 12 out of 14 weeks had major issues with payroll. Throw in the fact that the shop has it's share of major issues and you can see why a 2 year driver here left a dedicated run that got him home ever Friday morning, finally had enough and left for another job. I knew about this for a while, I know where he's going and I know it will be a big loss for us and a big plus for his new company. I will not over step my boundary and say who he's going to work for, not my place, Chris will when he sees fit.

I won't bad mouth anyone or any department here, but I will say that the corporate model has changed and all they need to do is look in the mirror to find out how to correct it. There's more drivers like Chris out there, but what or how are they going to attract those type of drivers? I do my job, very good I might add, what do I get? a dedicated run to the house every week, 2750 miles per week and thats it. The hometime is great and has been since the first day I started working here. After 4 years, no accidents, no tickets 100% on time p/u and delivery all equates to no raise. What keeps me here now is this run, thats it. I know the company and especially Louie and Jason appreciate what I bring to the table, no matter what I'm feeling, I will always do the same job today as I did yesterday. My payroll issue? I do the same thing every week, how hard can my pay be? My truck? I am just glad I drive this 12 year old KW with over 1.5 million on the clock. Outside of tires it never breaks down. Not like the 4 Volvo's I had, that could not pass a dealership without stopping in or getting towed at a cost of $850 to replace a $39 sensor, that took the dealer 1 hour to replace. Payroll and maitenance, the same 2 problems that I had 33 years ago, except now it cost this company an excellent driver.

 

You would think this would wake someone up, I highly doubt it though. We aren't a big company, something like 165 trucks on the road. I have seen the same issues here that has done in other companies over the years. If you want to attract and keep good experienced drivers, and not just seat warmers, it requires pay, benefits and a few other things like not advertising no slip seating and having some guys go through 3 or 4 trucks in a week. We had a new driver come on last month that was recommended by his buddy, the guy was put in and taken out of 5 trucks in 10 days and finally told them goodbye. We have a 2 year driver that had nothing but major payroll issues who never made it to Pittston because of his dedicated run, that started his day at midnight and ended at 10am all week long, then had to spend hours on the phone during normal business hours to chase down his money, then winds up on a conference call with all involved to be promised it will be straightened out, only to have payroll the following week not pay him at all, can we say the pervebial straw that broke the camels back? It's pretty bad when you do your job, make enough money during the week, but need to transfer money from your savings to your checking to cover you mortgage. My issues with the company are the same as anyones else, the difference being I am fortunate enough to be finacially secure to deal with payroll issues, not that it makes it right, but still, I and a few others that I work with are on the same runs week after week for over a year, you would think we would be the last ones needing to chase after our pay. In fact, I've had more issues in the 8 months doing this run then I have the 3 years before.

Fix these issues and I'm almost positive you'll be able to hire more qualified long term drivers and not just a seat warmer to keep one of your trucks on the road. I'm very vocal and outspoken when it comes to the job and the company. I want to see them be finacially secure and take care of their employees, which will in the long term cut down on the revolving door syndrome, which affects my income.

 

Feel better pal. I know you will have a good relaxing drive out to KCMO. I'll call you after I leave the house this afternoon. Be safe.