Why Did You Quit- Why Do Drivers Quit

I just quit a good job with good equipment and decent management, but it was a dedicated account and I hated the customer. The new job is LTL at a top notch company for better pay and benefits.

 

I think the "big turnover" comes from mega-companies, where simply, a better deal came along and as long as there's no contract binding the driver, it's adios. Smaller companies, like FLATBED describes, there is a much closer relationship with the drivers and differences can usually be worked out. I worked for a smaller type company, 20 trucks, and I hated the equipment and pay, but the boss was a sweetheart of a guy. He treated us like we were his sons, and I did that job for almost 4 years and felt terrible giving him my notice, but it was time to move on. I don't think high turnover is just limited to the trucking industry. All big companies deal with it. It seems with the driver shortage, big trucking companies are competing for the drivers that are available and it appears there is a high turnover.

 

Years agoI almost worked for an outfit that had TREATED LIKE FAMILY in their recruiting ads then 1 night in a restraunt I saw how the owner actually treated his family

 

Probably only a 10% turn over rate when you remove all those that were fired for little mishaps or paint scrapes.

 

The trucking industry jobs are a Dime a Dozen. i make 43 cents a mile, in 2005 i made 43 cents a mile...... i can find a half dozen others, and they would be the same. i can run more miles a little cheaper or i can run less miles for more money but have to tolerate operations personal that sit on their hands when the computer program does not tell them what to do, and they are not used to thinking on their feet, which is my current job i'll quit this month since they get holiday pay and i do not. But next job will

 

*snipped*

[QUOTE="semi" retired;4450557]I worked for a smaller type company, 20 trucks, and I hated the equipment and pay, but the boss was a sweetheart of a guy. He treated us like we were his sons, and I did that job for almost 4 years and felt terrible giving him my notice, but it was time to move on. [/QUOTE]

Same for me. Bigger company but there were only 20 trucks at my terminal. My terminal manager was a heck of a guy. I'd put up with a lot of crap just to have a boss that knows his business and treats his drivers well. I just couldn't pass on the increase in pay. We'll probably still go fishing though. He's got the bigger boat but I know where the best crappie holes are.

 

Ok bad joke time... Whats the difference between God and a dispatcher ? God does start thinking he's a dispatcher after awhile.

 

Unpaid local runs.

Sitting in docks for 25 hours a week for free while being forced to stand outside the truck or on call to some mumbling demi god fat white woman smothered next to some stinky trucker.

 

I think that is the main problem -- companies searching for 1 or 2 magic bullets to solve turnover. I quit for a number of reasons. I might have stayed longer if they changed 1 or 2 things, but I would have still quit down the road...

1) I didn't feel any pride working for them. They weren't the best at anything and didn't seem to have any desire to be the best. It was just a job.

2) I didn't feel the pay schedule was fair. I was easily in the top 10% and probably in the top 1% of drivers (based on work done/profit made), but my pay rate was middling or worse (and not going to improve until I "put in" 5 or 10 years time -- not work).

3) There was no hope for advancement. Might reach a higher pay rate in time, but no new challenges, etc

4) Company did not respect my time (30+ minute hold times not uncommon)

5) Was tired of fixing problems left by other drivers.

6) Could never rely on getting home in time for appointments unless I put in to be home a week early and was prepared to burn a week's worth of accrued hometime.

7) I felt the truck was my living space. I lived there 330 days/year. The company didn't seem to respect that -- I walked back to my truck one time at a terminal to find a stranger inside replacing a recalled heater core. I had no notice, had some valuables I would have secured etc.

8) I didn't like being tied to the qualcomm. Other companies might send an email or text alert when you have a load so you could get out of the truck and go for a walk, get a shower, meal, etc

9) Except for 1 terminal, the company mainly treated me like I was just a number -- I didn't care to be a commodity

10) I didn't like being a "rolling warehouse" -- loads had far too much time on them & usually couldn't be delivered early.

etc

 

Yep, everything already stated, but mostly, better opportunity that fits my lifestyle.....