Paying my Dues? Or Slave Labor? *Venting*

Sheesh...Trainers in this company don't get paid diddley. What do you expect them to do? So did you whine the whole time or did you learn something about driving? You only have 20 hours left then you can do it however you want.

OK, that was my vent. It really frosts me that people whine about having to do a little work for a few weeks. "Slave labor" is when you work for nothing and they beat you to make you work harder.

 

The other side, i was trained on family dollar also, lots of stuff i did not learn that i would need OTR. My trainer did not make me unload but i enjoyed the workout so we usually did it together. In your position, i would refuse to unload, i would do all the driving and backing and anything that was driving related. I would also post this story on the USX drivers facebook page on Monday morning. Upper management reads it every weekday

 

I'm curious. What happens OTR that doesn't happen on these accounts? I covered some dedicated runs with my last company and it wasn't much different. They weren't hand unloads though. I didn't like them because they were short miles (for a team) then you had to wait for the next load out.

 

One main difference in doing one of the dedicated accounts is that there may be multiple stops and you may need to tailgate your load. Some can really give you a workout. I once met a guy who loved to unload his truck. He said he liked the workout. He was in great shape. Years ago it was not all that uncommon for drivers to help unload.

 

You never back into a loading dock, do not deal with shippers or consignees, do not use the same macros, lack of terrain change such as mountains and you do not really have any communication with FM/Dispatch. I have filled in on other dedicated runs but that is not anything like Family Dollar

 

Where do I sign up...LOL

 

Good Luck Driver !!

 

I'm 4 months in and never had any training on mountains or snow. Did a run to Colorado last week and ran into snow, chaining up and mountains. Just like every other day so far- I learned something new. I survived and learned what no classroom or trainer could have taught me. Another step to becoming a driver.
Take every opportunity you can and add the experience .

 

See, you made it through.

I think many trainees have your complaint. They think there should be some sort of magical thing they are taught that makes them a trucker in a month.

I was trained in the winter and hardly saw any snow because my trainer would route himself around it. I was a little bummed about that. The next winter I found that I was comfortable enough with driving that I had no problems.