I have not heard complaints about Lewiston. My DM was in Troutdale when I was OTR and he took good care of me. But I did everything I could to make him look good, too. It's a two way street. If I ever get tired of running Wally wagons, I know I can go right back to his fleet. This does not apply to everyone, though. He runs the family plan and noobie fleet. Very few drivers get to remain on his fleet. But check Lewiston out. Their drivers all seem pretty happy.
Back before it became a POD, then a DM would try and work with you. Now with the POD, it is just not working. My POD is one exp and three that just finished training not long ago. Get a message every now and then, they are there to help us be successfull, and then say that they are not planners, and do not control our loads, but to take everything that they offer because these are the loads with the best intentions. Yeah right. I get these messages and I think that they are just trying to tell me that I do not know what I am doing out here. I have more years driving than all four of them together have in this industry, and they know better then me. try and send me to an area that have way more trucks then freight, and say that it is in my best interest. Go on Safety Hold on a thursday for DOT, hand deliver the paperwork to Rapid Response Friday morning. Friday afternoon, try and leave the yard, told that still on Safety Hold. Call the DM, will be taken care of by 3PM, try and leave the yard again, still on safety hold, and the DM's are gone for the weekend. Yeah, they really help. End up on Saftey hold all weekend.
By Friday afternoon the POD is already thinking about going home while leaving us out here stuck in places they'd have to call home and cry to momma about. DM's are good for putting blame on everyone else we don't have the opportunity to talk to. Most don't have a clue what truck driving is and the ones that do are quickly converted over to being a desk jockey. SAD!
And tonight I sent a msg to the ECT DM's, let the planners know that I do not have chains so that I can not go to WA, OR or CO, and they send me back a msg, it is a DOT requirement that we carry chain all the time for all over. First that I have ever heard about this. The last that I heard, during certain times of the year, we are only required to have them for the above states, and that is their laws, not DOT. Also, Donner in CA. Tells me that he knows alot.
I have lot's of complaints, mostly about the 'new' plus one. Getting sick to death of the computer running me like a robot. But my DM? Guess I'm lucky. He's really pretty darn good. Always quick to pick up the phone, reply to a QC, and has followed through with things nearly every time, and puts in breakdown pay etc before I even ask. He used to be a driver so I think that helps *A LOT*
DM there are good one and bad ones some are on power trips- they think they are in charge of everything you do even giving you time to shower - because they set your appt time at some companies- my werner dm bad- my us xpress dm clueless- my smith transport dm good but not great - my current company does not have them- outbound dispatcher and inbound dispatcher ( not the same person )
