What?! 1.5 days off for 5 weeks out

You do need to speak up on miles. I have seen many times a driver saying that they need two days to drive 500 miles, or that 36 hours is not enough time to go from Ecru, MS to Houston, TX. So if the DM's have 50% of their drivers that are just slow-playing like that, they might not pay attention to the ones that really want to work..

And keep in mind this is just speculation on my part. I am not now, nor have I ever been, a DM... but I hope it gets better.

 

I was in the office Friday. Talking with Tony. I saw Bryant Glass. He seemed like an alright guy.

Are you the bald headed guy back by a column?

 

I've been found out!

You shoulda said hi man.

Wait... if it was on a Friday, it wasnt me. I am here Sunday through Thursday

 

It's easy to say that but harder to do in some circumstances. Newbies haven't got much choice in the matter and those that got out of truck driving (for more than 2 years) don't have an option. They have to go to a company that can provide 'training' or a 'refresher course with a trainer' until they have 6 months to 1 year recent experience. THEN they can move on to smaller companies that offer better home time, benefits, or lanes closer to home.

 

Don't bet on the E-Logs to help the planners either. That has been a huge selling point to the drivers at many companies; Planners will always have up to date hours on every driver to better utilize your time and maximize your miles. They still will plan as they always did, screwed up and stupid.

 

Piss on this attitude, dude! You are not "making waves" when you're trying to work.

Alright, here's my personal take on the whole driver/dm situation, so pay attention. My DM/FM/Dispatcher/whatever the hell they're called this week works for me! Not the other way around! Most dispatchers in this industry get paid a commission based on how many miles the trucks on their boards run, or how many loads their drivers get delivered. Therefore, my dispatcher's pay depends upon my performance. So it is in the best interest of my dispatcher to keep me happy. The best way to do that is to keep me rolling, rather than waiting around twiddling my thumbs. If I'm waiting around, I'm on the phone or using the satellite digging for freight. And trust me, I have found my own loads, even when running for Werner. Not a good idea to let me sit around for too long, ya know!

Oh yeah, I can also run out my entire 70 hours in five days. And that ain't done sitting around, gang. Give me plenty of drop and hook freight, and keep the loads coming! I'll do my part, and drive the wheels off that truck! Why? Cause I like working, and I like MONEY! And if my dispatcher can't or won't run me the way I prefer to run, I will find another dispatcher. Even if I have to go to another company to do it!

Now, running as hard as I do when I'm out...hometime is sacrosanct! Woe to the idiot who attempts to interrupt my hometime! There will be blood in the scuppers. I don't bug my dispatcher when he/she is at home, and I demand (note: demand. Not request, not ask, demand!) the same courtesy. After all, I have the window-lickers of night/weekend desk for my emergencies. I'm sure my dispatcher has other drivers for his/her emergencies.

Some drivers will say that I have an attitude problem. And this may be true. However, I back my attitude up with being the best ###### driver I can be. I drive the truck to the best of my ability, I take care of my equipment, I pick-up and deliver on time (only late once in my career, due to weather), I apply every lesson learned in almost two years of hotel work in dealing with the customers be they the guard, the dock people, anybody my company is doing business with. I do my best to keep my logs nice and clean, and even compliant! I dress and behave as the professional I claim to be. Now, I ain't the bestest trucker out there by a long shot. But I do my damnedest, and I expect my dispatcher to do the same! And yes, I've had dispatchers refuse to work with me in the past. Hell, I've got a reputation with some of the companies I've worked with in the past. Outfits I haven't worked for in over a decade still remember me. And my work ethic (C'mon! One more load! It ain't officially the weekend until tomorrow! *Luv ya, Sarah!*)

So drivers, develop an attitude! Just make sure you can back it up with something positive.

 

Actually, that is mentioned in the blue drivers handbook.

 

All company drivers are not on the family plan, and there is no intent to do so.

 

How funny

Dispatchers, driver managers, whatever... they are not commission at Swift. Straight salary.

In fact, I do not know any company that pays dispatchers or driver managers a commission.