Terminal Rats

I can't believe a driver going to a safe and secure location to lay his or her head down and rest is considered a " Terminal Rat". Is their not something else bothering you? What are we supposed to do? Just sit in our trucks and and not speak to anybody? I must have missed something. Maybe something not spoken.

 

"Label me, Label You"

 

Klatu I am still trying to figure out how a driver driving a good truck and no other reason can get his/her FM and load planners to dispatch them to a terminal just so they can sit and run the company down in front of students. If you figure it out will you tell me how it's done?

 

Do I know a driver whom is in the shop for the 4th or 5th time over a chronic problem that will complain to anybody that will listen, yes I do. Do I know that drivers will exaggerate about things wrong with the company, yes I do. Drivers are in the terminals for many different reasons, and I agree with you most of these guys are full of hyperbole. The ones in Van Buren and Vandalia are especially bad because they can and do scare the students and upgrades (been there seen it done). However you will never convince me drivers just go to a terminal for no reason at all just to sit and scare people! Also a driver whom has been in and out of the shops and is upset at the company for valid reasons IS telling the truth when they state they are losing money. I have told students with my current company as well as USA Truck to just go hit the road and make up your own mind if these so called terminal rats are truthful or not!

 

For one thing, I pulled into terminals for safety. The second thing is, you wouldn't want to pull into a terminal if you didn't have to. Maintenance will be waking you up at 0600 wanting to do maintenance on either your trailer or tractor. So, what are we supposed to do? Sew our lips shut? What is he doing right now? He's arguing with truck drivers. I don't see his point.

 

You should not judge someone till you have walked a mile in their shoes. Do you have knowledge that this driver makes a habit of sitting at terminals? He might just have finished a crappy week and is blowing off some frustration. I have spoken to lots of drivers from different companies over the last few weeks. Most all the companies are experiencing reduced freight right now, so the lack of miles might well be a legit complaint. I have noticed my weekly miles is down a bit. I normally get anywhere from 2500 to 3100, over the last few weeks that's down to 2000 to 2700. I just finished a 1200 mile run, an am on a 105 mile run with a preplan of 550 for the weekend. That will be my week. Am I frustrated, yep I sure am.

 

Boy after reading all of this input from all the company drivers we might need to add some life back into this company, I am starting to see why there's a large turn over. It looks like people do have good reasons to complain, but they need to try to do it professional as possible and to track your complains, sometimes you get more done by giving then always taking. Help each other, work as a team. Dang we always don't get what we want! If anyone don't like what is going on go to another company! Ya you might have to pay back your contract money but sometimes is best to be happy for all. Just do your job the best you can.

Word from the Raven