No to cheap freight!

Some of the trucks Ive driven fresh out of school were coming apart. They rather furnish the lobby with fine Colonial Era furnishings and environment than replace trucks that are breaking for lack of a better word. One employer with containers I totaled one mack, destroyed two others and went through about 4 more in less than 3 months. Never has I had a tractor that had zero defects under DVIR. I decided enough is quite enough and resigned. The owner pulled me in one day and asked me a question "Are you independantly wealthy?"

HA. If I was I would have bought a good Pete or freightliner sleeper truck and signed on as a O/O rather than endure the #### equiptment as a Company driver. I wrote out a 5 page note on ledger pad detailing the problems in the company. Two of which is important. First the shop is business hours so If you had a tractor that needs work there is no place to do with it until 8 am. The load is not going to be on time to the Norfolk Ship for Europe from Baltimore that day.

And when you did get it there, you stand around 12 hours calling back every hour on the hour. And you wonder why I decided to leave than rather to stay on and kill someone. And that I think was the smartest move I made that year in the 80's especially when you understand your pay for the day is 44 dollars. for Balto Nflk. boxes. If I had a load back it would be another 44 dollars. It's not worth it. Not when they are paying Md to Fla runs for 350 to 450/load twice a week then. Those went to senior drivers with sleepers.

 

I say yes to cheap dates, though.

 

If you're pulling loads for little more than fuel money you won't be in business for long. All you are doing is pulling down rates for everyone.