covenant to start charging drivers for idleing??

I'm a company driver. I'll go, when I have to. LOL

I ran NYC area no less than 5 times a month for 5 years when I first started. Many weeks, I went twice a week.

I would rather do NYC/Long Island/Bronx than LA anyday. At least the NYC area insures I will move immediately when empty.

 

I'm close to someone who recently started with Covenant(don't ask) and learned they do tell you that OOR miles may be charged to the driver, but only if you go pretty well out. I'm thinking the rule was 100 miles or more.

As for charging for idling time... No word about that, so I suspect it isn't in their current plans. Even if they decided to go there, $5 and hour wouldn't happen. They're greedy, not stupid.

I'm still a bit irked about the idea any company who's "management" wears 3-piece suits to work and has little consideration for the "bread-n-butter" of their income. I watched a Covenant video tonight aimed at investors and customers. The background was the extra large face of their main office in Chatanooga, TN. Near the end of the video, the camera panned out to show the size of that building, no doubt to get customer attention(ie "LOOK HOW BIG THEY ARE! THEY CAN DO THE JOB WE NEED DONE!"). Let's just say it made the speaker look like an ant next to the dirt pile.

Upon reading here, I got to thinking, "Who do these people believe PAID for that fancy lookin' joint WITH AIR CONDITIONING, which they work inside of, for high wages and weekends off???

Btw, Covenant offers drivers time off too... 1 day home for each week on the road, minimum 2 weeks out... As to who paid... Any questions?

 

The long term issue is not just the cost of fuel. The other impact is the use of the engine itself for long running the engine does add wear that it not being used from going down the road.
Oil change at most places $100.00 add that to the 34,000 mile issue. Engines could last longer if the companies changed the oil based on hours of use instead of miles. This same premise is used on heavy equipment etc. they have hour meters.

Consider this driving in 10th gear # 65mph the engine avg.1400rpm in my truck x 60min= 84,000 RPM p/h. Now at idle it's about 600 RPM x 60 min. 36,000 RPM p/h Just some loose math.

Do you see how the cost is not all about fuel...................J

 

I agree with you tip. The industry is shifting to teams and the solo will only be able to survive by running cheaper which we all know how that will turn out to compensate for slower delivery.

The other thing is the industry really did not create this as much as the economy itself. If can explain. If a company can have delivery if merchandise sooner when needed then they do not need to keep excessive amounts of invetory on hand which keeps money in their pockets longer.

The other thing that would help and hurt is some changes to DOT times.

 

That's funny and completely true.
I drive teams now just starting with trucks this big now for over 7 months and it has been an adventure.

I have been through 5 codrivers because of the same reason and then some. Everything from the ones who can't shift, can't steer, can't back-up, can't drive forward, can't turn, can't stop slowly, can't find their way without getting lost for 30-40-50-60 miles.
Everything from the ones who can't shift, can't steer, can't back-up, can't drive forward, can't turn, can't stop slowly, can't find their way without getting lost for 30-40-50-60 miles. OH SAID THAT ALREADY LMAO

As soon as my contract is up will try to transfer to solo div. or find work somewhere else.

 

Saw this just wanted a funny..................

Is that any different then any other recruiter..............

 

I've been in this industry for 24yrs, and there will always be a need for teams and solo drivers. The assumtion that the industry is shifting to a "team operation" attitude is just plain false. Teams are generaly split into two catagories, 1)ligitamate, established, and usually well paid, that are driving for reputable companies, 2) training teams, where you may be teamed with a trainer that has as little as 6 months experience (the blind leading the blind), and not paid well at all, that are driving for the sweatshop/driver mill companies.

These two senerios have been with us since deregulation, and will continue to be untill the is an industry standard for driver training.

In reality, the industry is shifting to a more regional type of operation. JB Hunt, Werner, Swift, and others are offering these positions in their advertising and newspaper ads. There was a report, I think in Transportation Topics, that JB and Werener both cut their otr fleets by at least 7% last year.

I've also noticed that I can always find a parking spot on the weekends, and that even if I arrive after 6pm on the weekdays I can still find a spot. This was not the case even 6 months ago. I will agree that part of the reason is due to the shut down of some companies due to the fuel and low rates. However, the weekends I feel can be better explained by regional operations.

 

I agree with your assertion almost entirely. That said, Covenant pretty openly states they actually want teams, moreso than solos. They prefer teams for obvious reasons.

On the parking... Donno right now. Haven't been out in a month. G/F is though, and she did tell me she found a spot at 1:45am the other day.

 

Yeah, when I was in the military I had to put up with a lot of crap that I would not put up with as a civilian. But I'm NOT in the military anymore, and I expect to be treated with at least the dignity and compassion afforded to a dog.

Climate control in the cab is not a capricious expenditure of fuel.