They all suck!

Large amount of pay?

 

There is absolutely no reason why the large trucking companies should not treat their drivers as well as Walmart treats their drivers.

 

Except they know "they" can get away with it.What they "don't" seem to understand is: If they would treat Drivers better-a better caliber of people would apply;and even if it would cost them a couple more cents per mile-it would both save and make them money in the long run.

These so called "companies" along with our so-called lawmakers remind me of a Junior High School bully in my class who just assumed he could do whatever he wanted at will. The bully got the living #### beat out of him one day and woke up..Sadly I doubt the other two I mentioned will.

 

I don't think that they all suck. 99% maybe, but not all. I am very happy where I work as a company driver. I know I am not the norm.

However, I am looking for an answer to this question. I here so much of how driver's need to pay their dues before getting on with a good company. After a driver has "paid their dues" what do you think is a good company to work for? The way I see it, there really doesn't seem to be a difference except the color of the trucks? What am I missing?


Again, what is a good company to work for after paying your dues?

 

You don't open your doors until:

A) they are ready to unload you
B) their warehouse is the same temp as your reefer.

Anything else and yes it is your fault. You are responsible for that load until it gets unloaded. Bumping a dock doesn't count. I pulled reefer 5 years and haven't lost one load and dealt with all kinds of crap. Keep them doors closed on a warm dock and the reefer running until they knock on your door.
One reason you pulp your load is to adjust your reefer temp. Someone telling you to run at 60 means keep your load at 60. In the hot summer sun you are running at 60 and your load pulps 62 then you run at 58. Capish?
Load temperatures don't rapidly change either when you have big pallets. It takes a few hours for a minor adjustment. I've picked up warm loads in the field that took 36 hours to chill.

But yes there is a lot of room for improvement in the industry.

They've tried that in the late 90's/ early 00's. The turnover rate didn't change much. Many can't take life on the road. So if it doesn't make much of a difference with the turnover rate they figure they might as well pay peanuts because they get a better result.

 

Well for me I like Freerksen Trucking out of Dodge Center,MN. Small company and when problems pop up they get resolved quickly with an explanation on why the decision was made on an "issue". Mostly I like the GREAT maintenance on their Trucks and Trailers. And no I'm not on a Recruiting Blitz going for the bonus.I'm just answering the question.

 

I started at Superior Carriers as a newbie straight out of tech school a year ago. Been with them a year now. Good pay and benefits, home every weekend and sometimes during the middle of the week as well. It is a good place to start and finish (retire) if you like. There are some good companies out there. You just have to look and ask a lot of questions.

I am happy where I am at and don't plan on going anywhere else.

 

compared to other industries, yep.

 

It didn't used to be this way say...20-30 years ago and earlier. Truckers used to be respected on the road and made good money for the times, and they called the shots, not the dispach and companies. Back then, you would often hear a driver tell a company where they could find their truck if they didn't get him/her home. Drivers didn't have to take the crap that there is today from many (not all) companies. Somewhere things when down-hill, and I think it was the change from being a driver on your own, to the advent of trucking schools who produced drivers like a mill that warranted no respect. All you have to do to see how respected drivers are is to go into a Loves travel stop (notice I did not say truckstop) and see drivers standing about 6 deep waiting on a scale ticket whilst this and that person are buying lottery tickets or kids buying T-shirts ahead of you. Then, you notice that truckers do not have their own restrooms anymore, and that there are no 'reserved' tables for drivers anymore. Most drivers were not around when we had these things, but it shows how the respect for a driver and his/her time is out the window.

So many schools led to the companies that became mega-and pushed many of the ma and pa companies out, thus they could haul more freight cheaper and pay lower wages. I have researched the facts, and since the late 1980's, fast food worker wages have tripled whilst trucker wages have incresased less than half..what is wrong here? In 1992 I was making 30 cents a mile all miles for Carretta out of Paraumus, NJ., and if you look on the internet (craigslist) today you will see ads for new drivers by mega companies starting new drivers at 22 cents a mile! Back then there was none of this 'newbie' terminology that automatically spelled low wages for newer drivers; if you were driving a truck you WERE a truck driver, not an excuse for low wages. Furthermore, once you get a CDL it verifies that you are capable of driving a truck, but now the excuse is no 'recent' which means they can pay you less or not even hire you. This is the case for thousands of new drivers who finish a trucking school or get a CDL and are told to get experience then call the company.

Some of this extended training with a trainer is just a way for companies to move freight cheaply via team operation, and they all cry for drivers yet they don't want to pay enough. If you are not making at least 40 cents a mile for all miles today you are underpaid-period. When I was about 10-12 years old, our neighbor supported a family of 6 being a trucker, and they lived on a farm with only horses. He did this driving a jimmy crackerbox back in the early 60's, and they had everything they needed. How could you possibly do this today even with new and faster trucks being paid current wages?

As mentioned on here, I have companies call me and offer me this and that, but when I tell them I need 42-45 cents a mile, then they suddenly can't use me. Agreed, some companies are ok, but as mentioned 99% are paying below what they need to in wages, and they still treat drivers like dirt. Its a two way road, but companies like to think its going their way all the way. As I mentioned somewhere on here before, I personally don't take anything or any lip off a company. When I was in a small orientation some time ago, a red-necked safety man got up and was talking to us like we were kids, then he said the company would place us on a 30 day probation. I spoke up and said "thank you, because I am only giving you guys 2 weeks and if your no good I'm going to fire you as my employer". This guy didn't know what to say! This point is, give it right back to them and don't take any crap from day one. Its about the best I can suggest from my experience.

I also agree with someone who wrote about the way some drivers dress today. How can you expect respect dressed in shorts that are falling off you and long greasy hair with tattoos around your neck and all over your arms wearing sandals? Needless to say, 30 years ago you would never be hired looking like some do today. If you want respect and good wages, you have to at least look like you deserve it.

 

What is a "good company"? It all depends on what one considers good. I have been trying to find "my good" company for a very loooooong time... small, big, medium... But so far, haven't found what I want. Heck, I have been working for a mega company for over 5 yrs now and I can't say they are bad... Have met very nice folks there, love my dispatcher, got a lot of support, got great equipment, brand new... But some things have changed and so did my requirements... And now, after having paid my so dues, have great driving record, no accidents, etc... where do I go? Where is the so called "good company"? Couldn't find yet... I am not the "norm" either. I don't want home time, heck, I don't have a home. Money is not my motivation either. And it seems that most of the so called "good companies" out there, the small, the big, etc, that have great equipment, "respect" their drivers, pay them well, send them home on time, etc... these "good companies" don't have what I want.... they are not set up for someone like me.

I know, I know... maybe I should buy my own truck and make my own company... Then, all I would have to deal with would be the freaking rules, HOS, DOT, brokers, customers, paperwork, insurance, equipment, etc, etc...