Small Fleet Owner Seeking Advice

as it is post #1.

I did fail to comprehend it as a response, to a post not readily visible.

 

I own a small fleet on the opposite end of the state. I don't understand your concept. are they employees are O/O? if your using company drivers then you have to be responsible for all costs, period. if you don't want to pay tolls then don't let your drivers run the pike etc... if they are O/O then good luck your going to need it because remember it is their truck not yours and they have to do what works for them not you. Driver retention is an ongoing issue regardless of your size. I took us about 4 years to figure a lot of it out. Be consistent with pay, discipline, benefits etc...treat your employees with respect. never ask them to do anything you personally can't. it is how you earn respect. Be a boss not a friend. Hire slow, fire quick. don't buy the sob stories they are BS for the most part. Have clear cut goals and policies and be sure that they apply to everyone and that everyone understands that when you profit they profit and visa versa. my guys have no issues with 3k/week. to be honest I think it take about 6/7 hires to get one truly good driver. but good depends on your perception. what is acceptable to you is not to me and so on. there are a lot of tools at your finger tips for checking on drivers. Hire right is a good source. check the PSP and criminal back round. check references. drive by their homes see what their hobbies are. get to know your potential employee before the 2nd and 3rd interview. and yes I do 3 interviews.do drug tests RIGHT NOW the day they interview. do group interviews. your office staff may see thing you don't good and bad. and trust your gut. if something doesn't feel right about a person walk away no matter how bad you need drivers it will always burn you if you can't trust your gut. I understand it costs a lot to hire it costs a lot more to hire badly. one final thing. Hire with your Head not your heart. good luck

 

Are you paying them on dh miles? What' s your idle policy? What about detention? Are you running paper lig

 

That was one of the best pieces of advise i have ever read. For me its do you homework and at the same time learn as you go, however I will never forget what you just stated. From deep down, thanks. We are looking to get a small fleet rolling within a few months and will definetly keep this in mind.

 

Also, would 30c/mile for a company team be in the average ballpark? Its about 5,800 miles a week. I tried calling the "bigger companies" out there and tgey always seem to exagerate to pull in drivers..I would be about 850$ a week per driver. 5 day week

 

So $1,300 a week each is what you getting at?

 

kw600. thank you for the kind words. when I opened my company one of the best pcs of advise I ever received was as follows. "stop thinking like a truck driver"