I don't get this about carriers:

Good point. On the flip side, my name will probably never be on Walmart's driver waiting list. Just never had any desire to apply and work for them. Though with my over 3 million miles accrued driving with only 2 tickets in almost 30 years and no preventable accidents, I could probably make the cut.

 

In my experience....and with most (if not all) the drivers I have ever talked to; there have been three top reasons why me (and them) have left any company (even fairly decent ones).

1)- Home Time
My LIFE is at home....my 'job' is at work. I don't think it's asking too much for a little home time.
I understand that the trucking industry is unpredictable, and as such, home time must be "flexable"---but it should also be routine as possible (shouldn't have to fight or beg for it).
And if you tell me you will get me home every weekend or every other weekend THEN DO IT, or don't tell me that, and I will not drive for you.

2)- Miles
It is the trucking companies (and the industry) that has decided to pay in this method. SO GIVE THEM TO ME! My pay check is the ONLY reason I work in the first place.
And if you tell me I will consistently get 2,500 to 2,800 miles per week, THEN DO IT, or don't tell me that, and I won't drive for you.

3)- Equipment
Put a little money in your equipment. With CSA2010...it is MY butt on the line now as well as yours.
Plus; nobody wants us to idle....yet nobody wants to spend a couple bucks on APU's.
We HAVE to be comfortable. You are comfortable in your office for eight hours a day....can we be comfortable in our trucks for 5 to 7 days and nights?
P.S.- any of the computer controled opti idle crap, or the idle at certain temperatures (hot or cold) technoligies have NEVER worked properly for ANYONE I have ever talked to. We need APU'S on EVERY truck, or let us idle.

If recruiters would stop lying to us just to fill seats, companies would have a MUCH greater chance of retaining the drivers that DO decide to work for them.
Home time, miles, and equipment are my ONLY critiria (personally) when "interviewing" a perspective employer---don't lie to me, give me what you promise me, or I will leave in a heart beat. THAT IS WHY YOU COMPANIES CAN'T HANG ONTO DRIVERS.
It's not that hard to figure out. We shouldn't have to accept poor treatment as an industry standard....we are no different in the working world than any other proffesion....respect us, and we will respect you back with longevity and loyalty....screw us, and you can have your truck back.

I have done "exit interviews" with a few companies....so I KNOW companies know of these issues, yet do very little to change things, and sit around wondering why they had to put that revolving door on the orientation room.

I would go back to OTR in a heartbeat if these issues were ever resolved. This LTL stuff is killing me.....working my butt off over here.....but I'm paid decent for EVERYTHING I do, and I'm home on a regular basis. My truck shuts off after five minutes of idle time, but guess what; I don't have to try and live in the darn thing.

If I was to throw a 'fourth' reason in; I would say DETENTION PAY; make shippers/consignees responsible for our precious time.
If I have an appointment time (and make it on time), they have one hour to get me loaded/unloaded and on my way, or they start getting charged BIG BUCKS as a penalty. THEY made the appointment, and I met their demands, now why am I being penilized with giving away hours and hours of MY TIME for absolutely nothing?!?
And should it be "first come/first serve", you have two hours---I brought the load YOU ordered, on the day YOU wanted it there, during YOUR business hours....now get it off my truck, or we charge BIG BUCKS.
That one would take Government involvment....because someone would have to police shippers/consignees to make sure they obey, and pay.

Sorry this is so long....but this has been a thorn in my shorts for years now. I like driving a truck over the road....just don't like the way trucking companies, the industry, shippers & consignees, law enforcement, rules and regulations etc... CONSTANTLY take advantage of us and expect us to stay loyal.

 

Yes, they look for a fix and it works for a year or two and then they go back to their old greedy ways.

A companies job is to take care of the stockholders, not the drivers. Give up my Mercedes? Hell no!

 

White Dog, the post was long, but on point. I have been OTR for almost 30 years, and I have not seen any reason that a driver could not be home every 7-10 days max. If they aren't, someone is not planning freight right. For the lat 11 years I have been home every holiday and virtually every weekend. And I make more than I ever did staying out for weeks at a time.

Capitol is tight, and equipment issues for fleets will always be a tightrope to walk. True, CSA should convince fleets to buy newer stuff, but they are also having to crank up maintenance and there is so much economic uncertainty, they do not want to risk everything buying up new equipment. Profits are mighty thin, on a per mile basis, and there has to be a reasonable return on investment. And you can thank the government for adding $20,000 - $30,000 to the cost of a new truck just in emissions equipment. Not to mention the added maintenance cost included in that.

But your most valid point... The carriers should be more honest with their comments to potential recruits. I know they need to fill trucks, but they would have less need to fill them if they would put effort into retention.