COVENANT -- From a wife's perspective

I will keep tuned in, anxiously awating another episode of: "As the Wheels Turn"

 

Like MGASSEL wrote, if Mr. RC believes they will be late for p/up or delivery, put on mac 45 as well as mac 2 that they will not be able to be there on time (like they say, "cover your) otherwise, they will give them a service failure.... Sometimes I also send a free form msg telling them why I can't be there on time and my new ETA. Some dsps are ok with that but others are a pain... About the unpaid miles (most cos. do that...) I was told that I can deduct them off my taxes. Will have to check on that with accountant. If dsp is giving them too much headache, it's time for another one. Contact team coordinator, if that doesn't help, go to his supervisor, if that doesn't work, go to director of operations. Before his dsp "forgets" about his hometime request, send him a msg reminding him about it Best wishes.

 

hello all I am new here but I have spent a great portion of the last 2 days reading this whole saga. I would first like to say congrats to RC for sticking it out!!! And a Big Bless you to RCW for being so strong and supportive. This threat has given me excelent insight into what to expect. I have just recently graduted from truck driving school and am scheduled to leave for chatt. on Jan.4th. I have recieved pre-hires from TMC, SWIFT, STEVENS, and KLLM. I have chosen covenant for the simple fact that on paper it appears to be where I can make the most money during my orientation and training. If any of you have better insight to TRUE facts i would apprieate the info.

 

Good grief man, have you not comprehended anything you have read in this thread. I'm not trying to be a smart ###, but please reread this with an open mind. Covenant is, and has been loosing money hand over fist for well over a year. They are charging drivers who idle their truck to stay warm, even though Covenant has no freight, and the driver must sit. Drivers are fired for any and all reasons, without notice. Many of the trucks and trailers are junk, and they can't afford to fix them.

RC is here because he had NOWHERE else to go, so was stuck with no other options. I would rather go with Swift than Covenant, and that says a lot. No, I have not driven for Covenant, but I also know a rattlesnake will bite you. I don't have to pick one up to see for myself.

This thread that has several current Covenant drivers is the TRUE facts. Just because you don't wan't to believe them does not make them any less true.

 

you can lead a horse to water.....

 

Orientation and training are a VERY small amount of time compared to the big picture of a driving career. Pay attention to what all of these people are telling you here about the BIG PICTURE and forget the quick cash fix you hope to get during training.

 

As you've probably already figured out, not all that is written about Covenant BY Covenant, or most other truckin' companies for that matter, is fact, --- especially these daze.

Most of the ads we see presented by the truckin' companies were placed by those companies before the economy went south, and things were better. They haven't updated thier ads to relfect what a newBee can REALLY expect now.
If they told the truth, who do you think would apply with them?

The fact is, now is about the worst time to be getting into the truckin' industry. Certainly the worst I've seen in the last 20 years. And from what I've been reading and hearing, it just might be the worst of all time. However, if you can afford to sit for days at a time waiting for a load during and after training, just about ANY of the larger training companies are about the same, except maybe how they treat their drivers.

There are newBee trainees and recent rookies who find the constant running to be stressful, and sitting could provide them a break to regroup, --- while others find sitting without pay to be stressful because they're financially stressed and saw truckin' as a quick way to a high paycheck, right out of the box. And instead, receive a reality check.

If your finances require that you make the most money possible to stay afloat, you may be disappointed. However, if you have a savings account and/or other means of support to suppliment your paycheck to tide you over during these slow times, you might be better able to stick it out until the freight picks up. After all, PART of Big truck truckin' IS sitting and waiting, and I think now-a-daze that's what you're likely to learn how to do --- first.

Those who have families to support at a home they're making payments on, be it a mortgage or rent --- maybe a car payment, or two, along with utilities, insurances, and putting food on the table, be prepared to do that on about $300 a week on average, whereas, in the past, that sum was closer to $500 a week for a newBee/rookie.

I suggest, if you find that you're doin' a lot of sitting, that you use that sitting time constructively. Whining and moaning seems to be the most popular pass-time, but doesn't really accomplish much if anything at all. Instead, use that time to bump elbows with other drivers from other truckin' companies --- especially those who aren't complaining. They might have valuable insights into better truckin' gigs which would be something to consider for your future once you've put in enough time with your present truckin' company to move on to greener ($) pastures.

Keeping your eyes, ears and mind open now, could lead you to a better company once you gather enough experience to satisfy another truckin' company's hiring requirements. By networking, you increase your chances to find the better gigs.

For example, there ARE owner/operators who are seeking a team driver to help them make ends meet by keeping their wheels turnin'. Now, imagine if you should be seated next to such a person in a truck stop while you're sitting, waiting for a load.
If you enagae them in conversation, whining and complaining about what a raw deal you're getting, how receptive do you think they'll be as they're trying to figure out how they're going to make their next Big truck BIG truck payment?

Now, imagine if you present yourself in a more professional manner, seeking advice, tips and pointers on how you can better succeed in the industry, and relate in a matter-of-fact manner what you're experiencing, along with your long term goals.

IF they're lookin' for a co-driver to help them run more miles to help them make ends meet, who do you think will perk their curiosity more? The whiner or the one who realizes things could be better and is trying to find a way to make things better?
That's what I'm thinkin', too.

Look presentable, act and BE professional, and your chances WILL be better.
If all you receive is a business card, with the invatation to call me in a couple of months, I might have something for you, by golly, KEEP that card and give them a call. You never know what's out there if you don't ASK.

For example, a newBee --- still with his trainer, engaged another driver in conversation while sitting at a truck stop, and presented himself in a professional manner, --- which favorably impressed another experienced driver. During that conversation, the newBee was asked if he'd be interested in a gig hauling stage freight for musicians performing concerts on a regular basis. The driver's duties consisted MOSTLY of being where they're supposed to be ON TIME, and supervising OTHERS in the loading of the equipment --- then drive to the next venue.

They ususally only "sat" for a day, maybe two, at the MOST. And they were PAID for sitting, including perks like backstage passes and meeting the recording artists, who often knew the drivers by name.

When he asked why the other driver thought he was suited for a gig like that, he was told it was because of the way he presented himself, and his good ATTITUDE.
True story.
Imagine that.

Meanwhile, probably 98% of the other drivers sitting there were whining and complaining, and received no such offer.
Go figure.

Now-a-daze ESPECIALLY, the newBee who can, and DOES, think OUTside the box, rather than follow the herd, has a much better chance at success. Don't be a follower of losers. Think for yourSELF. "THINK" being the key word here. LEARN all that you can, as SOON as you can, about the truckin' industry, WHILE and WHENEVER you can.

Don't be the last one to arrive for orientation classes, and don't be the first one out the door at the end of classes. You'd be amazed at what you can learn by remaining after classes by picking the brains of your instructors AFTERhours (no relation to me ). And how willing, and anxious, some instructors will be to tell you more than your classmates ever hear while there. Ask if there's ANYthing you can do to assist your instructors, even if it doesn't seem to relate to the instruction, --- maybe just helping set up the classroom for the next day. If you demonstrate a SINCERE and earnest desire to learn ALL you can, from those who are in the right positions and speak from years of personal experience, you just might find more doors open sooner for you. Maybe not right then and there, ..... it may be in the future, based on the good impression(s) you leave and make at first.

Remember, you NEVER get a second chance to make a FIRST impression. There will be below average students and average students. Of those two, the ones most remembered are often the below average student, because the instructors will be sharing their horror stories about them, and laughing. What you WANT to be is the ABOVE average student because when they come up in conversation, it's because the instructors are bragging about how good they were, (which also makes the instructor(s) look good). They're more likely to be remembered in a positive light and they'll recomend the above average student(s) to folks in the front office when the better gigs come up that require a Big truck truck driver who is a cut ABOVE the rest, regardless of how long they've been driving in total, and/or with the company. (Again, making the instructor(s) look good)
Keeping in mind that SOME people learn more, quicker than others. And some don't seem to learn at all. Of the two, which do you reckon go farther, faster?

I personally know (myself) folks who were promoted by their ABILITIES and/or APPTITUDE, rather than actual time with a company. Others may wonder why some folks with less senority are promoted first, and may think a promoted driver is a brown-noser. But that's just their denial. Fact is, they aren't promoted based on their lackluster performance(s). Truckin' companies prefer the drivers who can, and do, git 'er done with minimal hand-holding. Those who constantly ask How we doo dat? aren't appreciated. The driver(s) who can, and do, figure it out for themselves, ARE (appreciated). That makes the job of those in the front offices easier, and more likely to make your's easier, and more enjoyable/profitable, too.
That's just somple human nature.

NEVER leave a bad taste in y'all's dispatcher's mouth. A dispatcher can make or break a driver. And dispatchers HAVE been known to do both.

Just a few thoughts I think I thunk.

Good luck, NewBtrker ---
and best of success.

 

..... but y'all cannot get him to smell the coffee brewin' on the greener side of the fence.

Is that how the sayin' goes?
I forget.
Memory,
second thang to go
doncha know.

 

if after all he's read here and maybe the other threads he is going to chatt for orientation...i have wasted my time and energy. there is a "hold" on hiring solos now, when you get there they force teaming on you like it or not, and you never know what yer gonna get!
heres the acurate list again:
1-there is a wait for trucks unless you go team.
2-if you go solo, the truck you may get will be crap.
3-the miles suck.
4-the DM'S suck
5-the pay scale sucks
6-lots of sitting in awfull places.
7-not so hot customer base
8-62 mph trucks w/ a 70+ mph del time?
9-you get charged and threatened if you idle to keep warm/cool.
10-you have to pay them for an inverter installed in a truck that may not be able to handle it.
11- one slip and your on the doo-doo list for a year...really.
12-mandatory shutdowns in bad weather, more sitting.
13-high miles during training at .14 cpm figure 6000 miles and then all the deductions you get bent over, then your lucky to see anything near 2000 miles unless you learn to kiss major DM booty.........i have talked to teams that are getting 1500-2000 per week,AWFULL. the trainer will make the money off your hide......hope yours is thick....

need i say more? i keep everyone upto date with whats going on. he can come to chatt and then we'll here from him here, especially when he sits at chatt for upto 6 days waiting on a load or getting his truck repaired, i tell you...swift may be seen as evil....but i would go there instead of this hellhole, but good luck,i am signing out
telling you that you make your bed, you have to sleep in it!
so stop choking your:smt117and listen up to what is said here.... there are alot of bad situations here, you may end up going :smt068and i don't want to see that ....
so best wishes always to those that read...
mcr&deb