Why Did You Quit- Why Do Drivers Quit

Family is too important to me and you even gave notice! Had 1 driver 5 years ago who had his GRANDMOTHER ( his mothers mother ) die 4 times in less than 1 year when ?ed on it said it worked at the other places he worked

 

Except you have it backwards, Denali. Truckload OTR outfits have become addicted to throwaway drivers, churning new ones from trucking schools and we are the enablers, dancing to the tune.

Quit my last gig, had signed up for part-time, 1 Indiana-Prairie du Chien (WI)/week. Boss came up with a new emergency literally every week and within 6 months had more than a year's worth of 1/week. Kept reminding him--deal's for 1/week. He finally brought a guy over to take some of the runs, a heavy smoker--I'm a rigid non-smoker. Rigid. After running 2 trucks to Prairie, realized Boss would want to slip-seat my truck. Called him out on it.

"Vic, ya gotta be reasonable... " Nope, I don't.

I was so pissed that he would even THINK I'd slip seat with a smoker, 2 hours later gave him notice that in 2 weeks was taking 3 weeks off and truck would not move if smelled of cigarette stink.

Took my 3 weeks off and moved on.

 

"...reasonable..." meaning, 'Whatever we want is reasonable. What you want, not so much, unless it fits in our plan.'

 

Yeah. I used to be a supervisor so I've heard some of that too, but 4 times in a year for the same person? Sheesh! I've at least been told different relatives.

But to deny a break when he gave plenty of notice to go see a loved one that is moving overseas - that's just wrong (especially sense you guys aren't just working 9-5; Yall are gone for weeks/months at times).

I don't know him personally but the driver sounds like a good man. Doubt he would have abused the system the way some folks do.


But as was already said, that's why there are lots of company options!

 

My last company was a great company. I really don't have any complaints. I quit because I was offered a better job than the one I had. I truly think I found a greener pasture. Only time will tell though.

 

Making deliveries for a manufacturer and being the middleman for complaints was a factor.

Locations of deliveries, dealing with customers who had no clue how much product is to be delivered ( lol, true) and making those deliveries with substandard equipment was a factor.

Actually hand unloading 53's box by box in any weather condition was a factor.

It makes you appreciate a real job and fair pay for what you do. I'm pretty happy doing my job now. After a feeling out process, I'm getting along with mgt.

I hope to stay for a while. I'll see how it goes...

 

So right. In fact, when I started and told them about it, I said it would be the only time I needed specific times off that would be absolutely critical. I'm single and live alone, so my hometime is absolutely flexible. I also told the HR rep and my new DM (she had been on the job for three weeks and was barely out of training) that not getting me home for that one event, even if it was just a 34-hour reset, would be a "quittable offense." That's when Ms. HR told me not to worry, that they were a family business and would do whatever it took to get me home.

Well, they failed and I proved that, unlike theirs, my word was good...and quit.

 

If you take people with less than a year experience out of the equation I wonder what the turnover rate is.

 

Boss called after new outfit contacted old outfit. Wanted to know if I was quitting and emphasized that door was 'always' open if I wanted to stay or come back. Reminded him deal was for 1 Prairie run/week.

Had been 2-3/week all summer. Always a 'new' emergency.

"That's just the way it is," he responded. "Nobody's gonna be any different no matter what they tell you."

Meaning, we hire you with whatever we have to say to hire you and then do with you what we want.

Sayonara!!

 

I just wish trucking company personnel would be honest and, like the guy told me in the Navy, "the needs of the service come first." There would be less misunderstanding and who knows, they might actually improve their miserable turnover rate.

Alas, I will not hold my breath waiting for it. Trusting what I am told is still an issue for me; that is one reason my next move will probably be into a lease. There, at least, is a legally binding contract, not just words that are easily overlooked, forgotten, or just plain ignored.