"Explain Being Treated Like A Number?"...

I'm new to trucking but not to the working world. Although it's more common in large companies I've worked for small companies where I felt like a number and I've worked for large companies that have treated me great. Being treated like a number means just that. People aren't numbers though and any smart company, big or small, understands that. Treat your employees well and they will respond in kind for the most part. Treat them like nothing other than a number in an equation and you'll have high turn over.

 

OR call them... A LOT. worked for me. they had my name down inside of 14 days.

 

heheh that works for me too!

 

I'm 1106. I'm not even a number, I'm my truck's number... But as long as I'm rolling, you can call me Mary friggin Poppins for all I care...

 

I've worked for both, and let me tell ya, small is better! I've said it before,my job is not perfect. I do not intend it to be but it's good for ME. that's what all drivers should do, find the job thats right for them. it dosn't matter if it's swift or J.B. or who. as long as your happy, who cares, don't cut your neck out worring about it. get the job you need at the time you need it. Worry about the rest of it later,find a place , stay there a yr or 2 then decide what you want to do. DO NOT JUMP JOBS. worst thing you can do.

 

I worked for a local company for two years. They knew my name, in fact I was a trainer, but when it came to dispatching I was a truck. The dispatcher admitted it outright. It didn't matter who was behind the wheel as long as the truck was rolling. Don't get me wrong, he was an ex-driver and later became a safety officer, he was also a great dispatcher that would work with us drivers. The problem is that when dispatch looks at a screen filled with loads and available trucks they are only concerned with getting those loads delivered with the fewest deadhead miles possible. Just remember whether it's a small company or large one business fact remains- If the wheels aren't rolling, that truck isn't making money.

Don't jump jobs unless your situation is unbearable. After that, figure out what you are looking for in life and your driving career. When you know what you want look for a company that does business in a way that fulfills what you are looking for.

In my case I needed to go back to otr to make more money. I still needed quality time at home. I was duped to drive for a smaller company and as soon as I found out that they had lied I went to Roehl. I chose their 7/4-7/3 hometime + fleet. This works because three drivers share two trucks. I am guarenteed home for three days after being out seven, then home four days and then out another seven. The advantage for the company is that their truck is always rolling. The downside is the slipseating, the upside is I am home 9 full days every month.

 

Miles are way down right now. Like everyone they have their share of jerks for dsrs in my case Marj and Brandon are pretty good and try to find a balance between the needs of the driver and the needs of the company. Evidently Marj was a driver for 20 years so she at least understands what we go through out here. You will be expected to run completely legal even if that means relaying or rescheduling your load. Overall they are not bad to work for.

 

A little sarcasm I can't believe this post made it this far, just on the question posted in the title ROFL!!!