questions a rookie should ask

A little extensive. I think a lot of your questions pertain to owner operator. I don't think any company drivers are allowed to choose their own route or fuel stop. Very rarely are you going to find a company that pays actual miles too. Are you really concerned with chains and super singles? Not trying to be a "Richard" but they may get annoyed with you asking these types of questions. Just about every company driver is going to be paid a flat mileage fee. Very, very rarely are you going to find a company that doesn't pay a driver the same for loaded or unloaded. There are companies that pay load percentage too. If they don't I wouldn't work for them. How about asking if they have any benefits like health, dental, 401k etc... Maybe where they typically run. Where their terminals are. How long their training period is. Probably going to want to ask what their qualifications are. I wouldn't hold your breath getting ANYTHING in writing from a recruiter. This will most likely pee them off!

Other than that you are on the right track! Good luck to you!

 

Depending on the type of driving job I was looking at I would use parts of this list.
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➢ DO I GET A COPY OF YOUR BILLING INVOICE? Y / N OR GET TO SEE IT? Y / N
➢ DO TUCKS HAVE APU? Y / N --- IF NOT, DO YOU PAY FOR IDLE AIR? Y / N
➢ DO YOU ALLOW INVERTERS AND WHAT SIZE? Y / N Size?
➢ DO YOU HAVE BONUS PROGRAMS (SAFETY, FUEL, ETC.)?
➢ Do you have a rider policy Y / N And is there a cost? ___ COST...PETS? Allowed_Y / N_
➢ What is your pay rate? ______How is that calculated? _________
➢ How are tolls paid?_______ How are expenses submitted?
➢ Is there a cash float or advance for running expenses? Y / N
➢ Cell phone or Other? Y / N
➢ What is your home time? How long do I need to be out before I can take days off? ________
➢ Do you provide insurance? Dental? Vision? What company is it with? How much does
insurance cost? $____ Does the company pay a percentage? Y / N When does it kick in?_____
Is family coverage available and how much does it cost? Y / N $______
➢ Do you offer a RRSP? Y / N When will I be eligible? ____________
➢ How long do reimbursements take? ________
➢ Truck Washes? Y / N How are they paid for?______________________________
➢ Is there forced dispatch? Y / N
➢ What is your layover pay policy? ______________________________________________
➢ What is your detention pay policy? _____________________________________________
➢ Do you offer vacation? Y / N How many days?____Is it paid? ____
➢ When will I be eligible? ____
➢ Are accidents and damaged freight charged to the driver?
➢ What about no touch freight?
➢ If the driver tarps the load, is it paid for? Y / N... If so how much? $______
➢ Is all maintenance done at the yard? Y / N. ---What about non-emergency maintenance?
➢ Are hotels paid for once a week or so? Y / N
➢ Are hotels and meals paid for when broken down?

 

How long will I typically have to wait for another dispatch.

For me with Pam it's anywhere from a couple hours to a couple days, and generally longer than shorter!

 

Dave, you should be asking your DM for a preplan while you are in route with your current load. This way you have no downtime.

 

"We don't preplan. No one even starts looking for load until you send your empty message."

I do have a number for a Lady who is supposed to make things better. My year is up 3-28 and that is but one of my concerns should I think of staying with Pam.

 

No preplan? That sucks! Tough to hustle that way!

 

You betcha! I rarely really bust my hump.

 

I created a nice Excel spreadsheet for this very question in another thread but the forum doesn't allow one to upload spreadsheets.
I did go ahead in put it in PDF, so if anyone wants it here you go.

Got most of the questions from the Check List For Company Drivers webpage.

-Steven