Whats the trick ???

x#1 · Aug 14, 2013

NewbiusErectus said: ↑

i would definitely choose better pay & reliability over flash n pizazz. Cruise, AC and reliability is all I care about. The way I see it, the extra chrome, paint, graphics just means someone else is getting the extra caysh !
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or more lights to replace.i agree that the pay is tranferred to the driver that drives a nice looking and well kept truck that does that darn job.

deskdriver · Aug 14, 2013

Allow Me. said: ↑

First off, truck drivers are a very finicky group. Listen in to any truck driver conversation at any truck stop/driver's lounge and the main topic will be "complaining".......from everything to dispatch/equipment/running too hard to not running hard enough/to not getting home enough/to shippers/consignees etc etc etc. You will never please all your drivers and have 100% retention. It's a nomadic lifestyle to begin with, right ? So, there's really nothing to hold a driver from up and quitting and bounce from co to co.

In my 32 yrs out there, I've probably worked for 15 companies. A couple stood out from the others. One was a now defunct co Cherokee lines out of Cushing, Ok. with 60 trucks. The owner was very much involved with the day-to-day operation, and was out of his office more than in his office. He was like one of the drivers and he had never driven a truck in his life. Another company, American Eagle, out of Lancaster Tx. (a sister co of FFE), I remember one time the "bossman" gave me $50 and said take that guy over there and yourself to lunch. No special reason. Did not have to bring a receipt back either.

One thing that impresses me is organization and how a company is run. Nice equipment, organized office people, pay on time. I mean, I'll drive your truck and do what I'm suppose to do. I'll represent your company, won't get tickets, have good interaction with your customers etc. but YOU have to play fair and pay me on time, fix your equipment when it breaks, respect my available working hours and treat me as an equal in your operation, because you can have all the freight in Michigan to haul, but, without drivers to haul it, you're dead in the water.
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I personally handle and oversee the dispatching and try to do the best i can to keep drivers in their nitch, some are happy at 2200 miles a week some want 3200 which is much harder since july 1st (but that is a different topic) some want to go south, some west, very few want east, as stated above we have a shop on site and fix anything that needs fixed from large to small. We pay all drivers every friday via Direct deposit and treat them very fair and I feel that is why we have drivers with up to 13 years with us and a small turnover rate. Thank you for your input, it is greatly appreciated.

deskdriver · Aug 14, 2013

x#1 said: ↑

75 is a very fair speed for most drivers. equipment age,unless 20 years old,is a moot point when maintained and able to do the job comfortably.you should have no problem attracting desirable drivers.please don't 1099 them as that is a detriment to longevity.

i'm not much on drivers w/less than a few years behind them but with that said,we all had to start new.my point is that more experienced drivers tend to handle the less restrictive atmosphere that you have better than a newb w/1 year experience.

However,you truly check their credentials and if they are mature for the experience they bring,give them an opportunity.pay them on time and get them home and all that inclusive should build a great working enviroment for you both.

best of luck,you read as if you are sincere-
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no 1099. We pay PC miler practical miles, all paperwork turned in by friday is paid the fallowing friday via direct deposit, we offer paid vacation and health ins and all employee's are w-2. Thank you for your insight.

spyder7723 · Aug 14, 2013

buy a pos dry box for 500 bucks. paint it up like a billboard. go for a drive, and find some farmer that has land on the interstate, give him a thousand dollars a year to park that trailer where it will be seen.
also do up your rear doors on your road trailers. they are rolling billboards!!
have a very easy to remember 800 number or web address in big easy to read font.

deskdriver · Aug 14, 2013

x#1 said: ↑

translation- you and your business are doing something correctly and providing SERVICE.the mega fleets know nothing of that concept w/their less than speed limit trucks,hand holding qualcom/elogs,and falsehood mouthing of what their 6 month experience drivers can do.

KUDOS.
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Thank You X#1

deskdriver · Aug 14, 2013

spyder7723 said: ↑

buy a pos dry box for 500 bucks. paint it up like a billboard. go for a drive, and find some farmer that has land on the interstate, give him a thousand dollars a year to park that trailer where it will be seen.
also do up your rear doors on your road trailers. they are rolling billboards!!
have a very easy to remember 800 number or web address in big easy to read font.
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good idea Currently the rear of our trailers only have the company logo and unit#

stevenkouw · Aug 14, 2013

What is your companies name or how can i get info about it. I am from the zeeland area and know a few good drivers looking for otr.

deskdriver · Aug 14, 2013

deskdriver said: ↑

good idea Currently the rear of our trailers only have the company logo and unit#
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...........

deskdriver · Aug 14, 2013

stevenkouw said: ↑

What is your companies name or how can i get info about it. I am from the zeeland area and know a few good drivers looking for otr.
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I dont think we are allowed to advertise on this forum, i will send you a PM shortly

x#1 · Aug 14, 2013

spyder7723 said: ↑

buy a pos dry box for 500 bucks. paint it up like a billboard. go for a drive, and find some farmer that has land on the interstate, give him a thousand dollars a year to park that trailer where it will be seen.
also do up your rear doors on your road trailers. they are rolling billboards!!
have a very easy to remember 800 number or web address in big easy to read font.
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rolling around w/your phone numbers can also be a hassle and time consuming ordeal from heck.people from all walks of life,as in drivers to 4 wheelers,will call in on the driver pulling pure sheeit from the air and accusing them or your truck of all kinds of made up junk.

it happens.their already chipped/cracked windshield all of a sudden has been chipped/cracked from one of your trucks.never mind them following too close.you'll get all kinds-

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