Good questions to know

I stole this from another company, but though it would work for all companys.

Here's a list of questions that companydrivers will want to ask recruiters before they decide to accept the job:


1. Will I be:
Hired employee___
Contract driver___
(A contract driver is usually paid on a percentage basis and taxes are the responsibilityof the contract driver. There also must be a contract between the company andthe driver. This contract is for the IRS audits and must meet theirrequirements. A good way to tell is to refer to form S S0 8


2. As an employee, how is my pay figured?
Hourly____ Rate____
By the mile____ Rate____

3. If paid by the mile, how is mileage calculated?
Hub miles____
Computer program such as PCMiler, HHG, etc.____
Dispatched miles____
Loaded miles____
Is pay figured Per-diem? or non-Per-Diem?
4. Does the company hold back the first paycheck?
Yes____ No____
If so, how long?
One week____ Two weeks____
5. Is the driver responsible for loading and unloading?
Yes____ No____

6. If not, how is the lumper issue handled?
Company contract with lumpers____
Advances for lumpers (deduct from paycheck)____
Reimbursement for lumper with receipts____
7. If driver unloads, how is payment made?
Flat rate___
Hourly____
Piece____
By weight____
8. What is the company policy on fueling?
Driver choice of supplier____
Company choice of supplier____
Fuel Card supplied____
Driver pays & company reimburses___

Ask the company about their fuel network. How extensive is it, etc.? Also dothey used forced routing including fuel stops? One company I spoke with had abad reputation of calculating their paid mileage but not adding in the forcedrouting out of route just to fuel at a particular station. Same company isknown to route drivers 100 miles out, unpaid, to save this money. Also ask ifthe companies contract with the fuel supplier precludes the driver fromcollecting in the "Perks" programs offered by the fuel supplier.Can't remember which carrier has done this but it has been reported. Thoseperks can really help you save some money.
9. Does the company pay for:
Layovers____
Detention time____
Canceled loads____
Multiple drops and picks____
Tolls____
Truck washes____
Trailer wash-outs____
Scale tickets____
Minor road repairs to equipment such as clearance lights, wiring, etc.____
Denied Loads______
Breakdown pay______

Ask the company if their shipping contracts have penalties written into themfor detentions, etc., caused by consignee or shipper. The company may advertisethese but so many have been reported not to pay for it. When you hit a dock,and the trucks are lined up waiting for unload, it is nice knowing that even ifyour company is bad about paying you then hopefully they have a clause thatallows them to collect as an incentive to shipper/consignee to make sure youare not last in line.
10. How many miles per week can I expect to run? ______
11. How many days/weeks will a driver be kept out? ______
12. What is the policy on home time?__________________________________________________ ____
13. What benefits does the company offer?
Paid vacation ____ After how long ____ How much vacation time ____
Sick days____ After how long ____ How many sick days ____
Health/dental care ____Is family included? Yes___ No ____
Safety awards ____
Retirement plans/401K ____
Rider policy ____Company paid? Yes___ No ___ What are the age requirements?____ Is it limited to family members only? Yes ____ No ____
Safety bonuses____ Based on: no violations/accidents ____; Customer Service____; Feedback/complaints from general public____; On-time ____; SO&D ____;Idle time ____; On time ____ ; Fuel Mileage ____
On the subject of bonuses ask them specifically how they are determined,calculated and paid. Most I have spoken with based theirs on mileage amountsdriven and one or two provided unattainable or unrealistically attainablemileage. Do a little math and be realistic about it to see if you could attainthose mileage levels. Also ask if they pay bonuses monthly, quarterly,semiannually or annually.
14. Do you have forced dispatch? Yes____ No____
15. What regions does the company expect you to run?_______________________________________________; Does the company run in areasthat you do not want go, such as Canada, Mexico, or NY? Yes____ No____
16. Does the company offer dedicated runs? Yes____ No ____; If yes, how do Iget one? ______________________
17. Does driver work directly with brokers (hand-offs)? Yes____ No ____
18. What is the company policy on check calls (status for the day)?_______________________________________
19. Does the company allow pets in the truck? Yes ____ No ____ If so, aredamage deposits required? Yes ____ No____; If so, how much? _____ Depositreturn policy? ____________________________________________
20. Does company provide cell phones? Yes____ No ____
21. What kind of truck will I be driving? Year____ Make_____ Model_____
22. Can driver take the truck home? Yes ____ No ____
23. What kind of transmission? _________________________________________
24. What kind of engine? _____________________________________________
25. What kind of sleeper? _____________________________________________
26. Can I put my own chrome and lights on the truck? Yes ____ No ____
27. Are speeds governed? Yes ____ No ____ If so, governed at what speed?____________________________

Also ask if the company has a policy on what average speed you are allowed tolog at? One company I spoke with slipped and allow the trucks are governed at70, they do not allow logging higher than 60 MPH. Not a problem most times butif you hit a long run, with 65 MPH legal average speed limit, then governing at70 MPH means nothing. Also ask if the company limits their cruise control to amax speed? Have been reading where this is fairly common practice also to savefuel.
28. CB equipped? Yes ____ No ____
29. AM/FM radio/TV? Yes _____ No ____
30. Refrigerator? Yes ____ No ____
31. Qualcom? Yes ____ No ____
32. Air Ride seats? Yes ____ No _____
33. Engine Brakes? Yes ____ No ____
34. Opti-Idle? Yes ____ No ____
APU’s? Yes____ No_____
Inverters? Yes____ No____
Ask what the company's idle policy is. Do they use APU's, opti-idle, etc. Isidle time tied into anything other than bonus'? Is your performance reportbased in any part on meeting the idle policy limits? If you continually do notmeet the idle policy what is the company's policy for handling that situation?
35. How often does company purchase new equipment?_______________________________________
36. Can I purchase my truck through the company? Yes ____ No ____Lease/purchase plan? Yes ____ No ____ Success rate on lease/purchase?__________________________________________________ __________
37. Does the company provide training? Yes ____ No ____
38. Is training paid by company? Yes ____ No ____
39. If company paid, is there a penalty if I leave the company before aspecified period of time? Yes ____ No ____; If penalty, how is it calculated?__________________________________________________ ______________
40. What are trainer requirements?__________________________________________________ ____________
41. Does the trainer receive extra pay? Yes ____ No ____
42. As a trainer, will I be able to refuse to train a potential driver? Yes____ No ____
43. Is trainer responsible for actions of trainees? Yes ____ No ____
44. What is the length of training period?__________________________________________________ _______
45. Will I be assigned solo after the training period? Yes ____ No ____
46. Are female trainers provided for female trainees upon request? Yes

____ No ____
47. Is there a smoking/non-smoking policy? Yes ____ No ____
48. Is an escrow, security deposit, performance bond, or any type of money heldback by the company? Yes ____ No ____; If so, what is the required amount, andwhat is the return policy? ___________________________________
49. Is transportation provided to orientation? Yes ____ No ____
50. Motel/Food paid by company? Yes ____ No ____
51. Does the company pay for orientation? Yes ____ No ____
52. If I am disqualified or if I choose not to sign on, does the company payfor my transportation back home? Yes____ No ____
Additional questions to ask:

Where is the company orientation held? Remember, if something occurs atorientation you are going to have to make your own way back. I have not spokento one company yet that will pay your way back.

How often are orientations scheduled and when is the next one?

How long is orientation?

What does the orientation cover?

Most companies will want to have their own physical and background checksperformed. Ask if they will perform these, and fully complete them, prior toyou attending orientation? Does not matter how squeeky clean and healthy youthink you are. If they perform them at orientation and dislike something youget to find your own way home. This is one area I am surprised at withcompanies. I have not found a company yet that would not describe theirphysical and background check process with their requirements for washouts.

Do you need DOT Physical before you go?