Some questions to ask the Recruiter? For New & Veteran Drivers!

1. I first came across a similar topic in 2010/2011. I would like to give credit to then post(er) maxwelltie: For drivers interested in questions to ask for those wishing to go into Training, or being an Trainer I recommend referencing maxwelltie's post titled- "Check list for company drivers"...
2. This topic is a continuation of my 10/11/2013 post titled- "Why you MUST question the Company Recruiter prior to submitting your job application"! New Drivers please reference this post because it alerts you to tactics used by Recruiters to take over your interview and immediately start from their watered down questions and then on to their online Job Application / Release of Information Forms... Remember the only dumb question is the question not asked!
3. Last but not least: THIS IS BY NO MEANS A COMPLETE QUESTIONNAIRE! ADD TO IT AS MANY QUESTIONS AS YOU DEEM NECESSARY (PLEASE POST YOUR ADDITIONS SO THAT WE CAN ALSO USE THEM IN THE FUTURE!).... I will now get right down to the questionnaire. It is not in any particular order!
FEEL FREE TO MAKE AS MANY COPIES AS YOU LIKE! and aimhigh (your gun or your ambitions!)



RECRUITER'S NAME: ___________________________TELEPHONE/extension:_____________________ COMPANY Name:__________________________

1. How many days is Orientation, and is it paid?______________ Where is it held?________________________________________ Hotel room provided and is it Single room? Meals (B,L & D)? ____________________ or Will Drivers be required to stay in Terminals?

2. What documents do I need to bring?_________________________________________________________________________________
3. Will Transportation be provided? Air - Greyhound Bus or can I bring a Rental Car? Insure rental car company has drop location there!

4. Base on ____years exp: What can I expect for pay?________ Is my first pay check withheld or will I be paid upon completion of 1st weeks loads?

5. Is there a Per Diem option? ______Can I elect to OPT-OUT of Per Diem? ________Will I be charged a admin-fee for Opting Out?______________

6. How many miles can I expect to average per week O.T.R _____________________Regional _________________ or Dedicated________________
7. Is mileage pay based on HUB - P.C. Miler - Household Goods (HHG) or Practical miles? circle
8. Will I be pulling combination of Dry Van, Reefer Unit, Tanker, Step deck or other Trailers? circle choices:
9. Will I be performing many Multi-Stop and or Full Truckload freight?______________________________ Frequent Graveyard loads/runs?__________
10. Are Loaded & Empty Miles paid the same? Yes or No Empty going home (deadhead)? Backhauls?_____________
11. What is the percentage (%) of Drop & Hook Loads vs Live Loads?_______________________________________
12. Other incentives or safety awards/bonus? ___________________________(also see ?21) Does your company use a Sliding Pay Scale? Yes or No

13. Is the Driver required to Load or Unload Freight? Yes or No If so, How often?__________________________________
14. What Load/ Unloading time allocation does your Company allow the Customer before Detention/Delay pay begins? Amount($)?________

15. What is the Home Time policy?_____________________________________________________
16. Will I be required to purchase any Equipment? If so, When will this be deducted from my pay?___________________________________

17. Are there Uniform requirements? Is it issued free or does Driver pay? When will Uniform cost be deducted from my pay?

18. Is there a forced Dispatch to New York City (incl boroughs), or into Canada?
19. What are the Companies Primary Running lanes? Are S.E. Regional or Mid West lanes available? Dedicated?

20. Are your running lanes into areas where Chaining is Required/ Mandatory (Nov- Mar)?____________________
21. Upon completing Orientation, will my Truck be assigned immediately? Will it be already detailed (ex & interior-see ? 40) and have a clean bed?

22. What is the Company Truck/ Trailer Wash Policy and where (at Blue Beacon or other)? Trucks primarily serviced at terminals or Speedco's etc?

23. How many trucks and trailers are in your fleet? What is the average age of your oldest trucks/trailers in fleet?

24. Make, model, year and transmissions (9, 10, Super 10, 13 etc.) of truck I can expect to receive? Mid roof or 73-78 inch condo's(double bunk)?

25. Does your Company use Super singles (see ?17) or conventional duals on drives? circle
26. At what speed are your trucks governed (Pedal vs Cruise)?___________________________________________________
27. Are APU's on all of your trucks? Yes or No Can I install my own Power Inverter, Mobile Amateur(HAM) Radio or Professional CB Radio?

28. What is the Companies present Truck Idle Policy and what effect does it have on any fuel bonus programs if any? (see ? 12)


29. Are trucks equipped with E-Log, People Net, Qualcomm or other communication device? circle: other______________________________
30. Does your company use Optimized Fueling or can the Driver use TA-Petro, LOVES, HESS, Pilot-Flying J or other fuel stops? circle
31. Are your trucks equipped with DASH-Cams, ITERIS (beeping) Lane Change Sensors and or On Guard (braking) Safety Sensors? Is the number of recorded Braking used against the Driver by Safety?


32. Are B.O.L's (shipping bills) turned in by TRANS FLO, Trip PAK, FedEX or other? If using FedEX/other, does Company cover the expense?______________
33. Can the "new" Drive Axle photo scan Application be used to turn in B.O.L's? (much better than TransFlo or Trip Pak scanning!)________________

34. Will I be required to enter into a Lease Purchase at any time? Yes or No
35. What is the current/present PSP/ CSA 2013 Safety Rating/Score of this Company?

36. How much experience does your newest Driver Dispatcher(s) have?______________________________ Are Dispatchers available 24/7?________
37. Is this a Privately held Company? If no, who is your Parent Company?

38. Name a few of your Primary customers and do you also haul a high percentage of Primary customers freight? Other Broker source(s) used?


39. During 2day/48hr Home time, am I allowed to maintain physical possession of my truck/ trailer (In a secure & camera monitored area)?

40. What is the Rider Policy/cost?______________________________ Pet Policy/cost__________________________________ (see ?21)

Driver's Right to Know/ Freedom of Information Act: 41. Does the initial Company(Drug Testing) Urinalysis also include taking Blood and or Hair follicles? Require Physical Lifting of Objects?

42. Will Obstructive Sleep Apnea (O.S.A) Testing be conducted/ required during Orientation? If I am presently under prescription med's from my Physician (for OSA), will this be grounds for termination?

BENEFITS:
43. Will Medical, Vision and Dental Coverage be offered? Yes or No When does it begin?________________ How will OBAMACARE effect my Coverage?

44. What actions would cause your Company to withhold funds from my pay at any time during my employment with you?



Thank you,
Once complete please mail to:
email to:
or fax to:

I hope that this is a helpful survey/questionnaire and that most of you will add to the questions; Important thing's that I may have overlooked.

 

In response to Mr. BuckeyeCowboy63
In your haste to pass judgement upon my effort(s), it appears that you have absolutely missed my point! You begin with "most of the info can be found on website", okay but which website Sir? The Truckers Report has hundreds and thousandths of viewers; why not consolidate your "website" and re-post here(crediting the source(s) of course)?
As for me, I begin my topic crediting a similar Checklist done some 3-4 yrs ago, how did you miss that? I also make it clear that "this is by all means not a complete list" add to it, omit from it as you like.
The previous Checklist by maxwelltie at the time, had 52 questons;many drivers thanked him for that post. The point that I am trying to make is, to alert other drivers as to how important it is to ask questions before submitting that application let alone committing to participate in Orientations. Heck, reading post from many a driver here on the Truckers Report, most of the disgruntled drivers would have done themselves a huge favor by merely questioning the situation prior to joining it. Mr. BuckeyeCowboy63, we are in new times and new crossroads in this Industry. Policies unheard of 3 -5 years ago, now have direct impact to our livelihoods. ObamaCare, PSP Safety Scores, new Drug Testing Procedures, Elog, ITERIS, VORAD and a host of other relevant issues now effect your being hired or fired. I ask you, should not the Driver be responsible for finding out as much initial information as possible about a specific Company? Again, the only Dumb Question(s) is/are.............(well U Know the rest)! In closing Sir,
I would rather not get in a "back-n-forth bicker backer with you" per se; but "I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way" (credit Jack Nicholson). PLEASE STILL FEEL FREE TO ADD, OMIT OR CHANGE THE QUESTIONNAIRE BEST SUITED FOR YOUR EMPLOYMENT NEEDS!

 

It is all good BuckeyeCowboy63! Just remember different questions for different people. What is important for me may not be important for you and Vice Versa. Just trying to get some good info out there that could be of use. Take care!

 

Extensive questionnaires such as this will allow you to l find the inconsistencies in the Recruiter answers;and guess what? You can verify some of his/her answers by asking drivers of that particular company and by asking for clarity here on the Truckers Report. Anything is better than going to orientation with little/limited info. I usually go as far as asking to speak to the Safety personnel if I feel that I am not getting a satisfactory response. Thanks for your input. Remember, you can still add or omit to this list as you like. Take care!