Need information and input from all

I'll throw in my 2 cents...

1) Don't ever lie to me, I may not like to hear what you have to say but honesty is priority #1

2) I used to work for Jevic and every driver there had Jevic money which was $100 given to them for extra expenses.(bribes) Used when there was confusion at a customer or waiting in a several truck line for 2 pallets or being a little late or they were going home( you get the idea). I would call dispatch they would talk to the gentleman and then dispatch would talk to me and say give the guy $40 bucks and he will get you gone. Blah..blah Well 40 50 bucks always cured the problem and Jevic would reimburse no questions asked. Worked there 5 years used it maybe six times when I left I paid them back there Jevic Money.

3) When a lease operator does something out of the normal. Throw him a Free truck wash.

4)As a company driver I want to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Within reason The fuel mileage and spec of the truck is your problem but don't expect me to put money in your pocket freezing my tail off.
I could go on but I'm sure you get the idea, it's all about mutual respect and being a team and don't expect miracles without a pat on the back.

 

southern pride are you by chance looking to hire on drivers?
I would be most interested if you are in your expanding company.
email me and i can send you my info and then go from there...

cowboydave009@gmail.com


as for suggestions, beyond what all else has been listed, I as a driver would like to be treated as such, being a professional at what I am and not some guy that is coxed into driving for pennies on the dollar then tossed around the barrel only to be spit out with a blackball to my name after all said and done.
An honest wage for an honest days work. (ie running legal by the book, keeping the equipment clean and in good shape, etc)

As you have indicated, I am willing to learn and take the practical tools and be able to use them and even make them better with time and use in a manner that is safe and reliable.

Thanks.

 

Sure did enjoy your yor post. sounds like you got a real plan. I am like you the companies out there really are not my cup of tea and i for one will no longer put up with the lies, the pressure to run unsafe, and the general b/s. I am at present looking to get a truck and get on with someone that has a plan and someone who will show respect and appreciate a good job. Being just a number you generally recieve neither. I would like to corespond with you on employment with your company. i have flatbed, dry van, reefer, tanker etc. etc. exp. P.S. i live Mo. near springfield just of I-44 exit 113. sounds like that might be a good spot for your deal. Thanks and Good luck.

 

southernpride,

checking if you got my email reply.
Hope that we can work something out. thanks

 

Hey all... Hope your Holidays were festive...
Southern, I will be getting in contact with you. Right now I am running with a very experienced OO and learning a lot. We are running flatbed... I love it. I only just started running with him and doing flatbed, but I am getting a good baptism, with all this snow and wind in the midwest.
I am actually on cloud 9 right now. I am doing good with my tarping, chaining, strapping and all. Also, he has a long nosed pete and I adapted well to driving it. In school I only drove volvos and freightliners, so I was wondering about the longer wheel base and being able to maneuver it.... But, I am doing well. I also think the long nosed pete just looks cool... LOL ... He got me a Peterbilt belt buckle for christmas which I think is awesome..
Anyway, it has been incredible running flatbed... just have a deeper sense of accomplishment, it sure isn't all fun and games... but I prefer to be strapping and tarping to waiting at a grocery store or what not...

So, I am learning and getting a little experience under my belt... and my Peterbilt buckle.. LOL

Will be in touch with you...

 

SP, Iassume you are running retail freight out of your domicile (FL). Good job if you are considering the mass surplus of open deck freight out of there.
One of the many things I would consider:
You've obviously have been in business awhile and have a well rounded knowledge base in this industry. You mentioned paying on hub miles. I would caution against this as you become larger. You can choose to pay zip to zip or address to address, both of which are easier to determine with software. Paying hub may incorporate too much out of route. Zip to zip truck practical can work for or against a driver and address to address is not always available. Whatever you do don't go HHG.

As a previous poster stated regarding tips:
Great plan. When I was an O/O I would often times tip the loaders where I picked up often. I used to pick up at ADS in Winter Garden down in your neck of the woods. I always tipped the forklift guy $10 every time I was there. Now that's not a huge tip but the way their yard is laid out the fork driver doesn't necessarily have to load the first in line if he doesn't want to. Most all of our drivers tipped so they always knew to look out for us. I often could get my pipe, strapped, and outta there in 30 to 45 minutes.

 

If your going to do heavy haul, you'll need more than just a stepdeck.