why do people drop out

I work for knight refrigerated. If I get a Qualcomm error, safety department at dispatch can fix it for me... After that, I can approve it. E logs suck, my Qualcomm often kicks me to line 4 as I'm on line 2 and sleeping. I just call it in and knight can see that I was in fact shut down. Pain in the butt, but solveable.

 

Folks get into the trucking business because of marketing, then don't do their own studying to learn what really goes on. The old days are long gone; the FMCSA has a bigger hand in the minimum standards and the starter companies don't do a very good job of weeding out those who won't or can't make the first 90 days. I imagine they spend a whole lot of money on bus fares that could be either not spent or spent more wisely. Then again, what do I know?

 

The day they have no-contact dispatch centers or safety departments will be the day I get out of the business. I love technology and understand its value; QC is a very efficient way to share and store important data. I also know it takes a lot of getting used to, like any new technological advancement. And at times like this, with a violation staring you in the face, knowing that it's a "paperwork" issue and not a valid violation, but not having the slightest idea how to resolve it, there is nothing quite as effective as picking up the phone and giving another human a call.

 

WOW, didn't take you long to figure it out!

So when are you taking over the HR dept of one of the mega-coolie carriers!

 

I got my elogs installed, took the class to learn how to run it. Was playing with it last night then went to bed. Never occurred to me to change my status from Off Duty to Sleeper lol. Somehow I had it in my mind I only needed to fool with this thing when I was about to drive duh. I see I'm gonna have to be right on top of it every time something changes (duty status).

 

27 years with your federal government taught me what NOT to do...and that is one of them!

 

Most people don't last because they never belonged in this job in the first place. I agree. A more thorough vetting process should be used. But how can they improve that yet remain within the law regarding privacy issues? Me? I would like to see a more in depth interviewing process to include personality profiles to see whether someone is actually cut out for this. There are many who think they are, but can't do it because of fundamental personality traits that make this job inappropriate for them.

 

Phone interviews are a step in that direction.

Schneider weeds out some future problems using this method.

 

It was different for me. At first, I had a nutty trainer that scared the crap out of me into not wanting to drive OTR. Then I got another one. Changed my perspective. My second trainer ACTUALLY TRAINED ME and helped me figure out ways to make OTR life feasible.

Then I had my first OTR experience a couple months back where I was gone for over four straight weeks. THIS is what helped me in my "make or break" of this industry.

Fortunately, I adjusted. I still have days where I go to bed really missing home, but now it takes me well over 7-10 days to really miss being at home. Now when I go home, I spoil myself with a hot bath and home cooking. I always appreciate the time I get at home and I never really want to leave the house again, but once I get rolling and get a couple days pay, I start to feel better.

Plus, getting to play my basses through my big amp at home is nice! I jam through headphones OTR.

If I wasn't earning bottom of the barrel pay, this industry would definitely be permanent for me.

In short, if I would have been judged based on my attitude at the very beginning, I would still be unemployed.

Some people never adjust. I've even met people in school last year that just wanted to truck for 6-12 months and then go to school for something else. This makes no sense to me, but hey... blow your money any way you feel like.

I actually REALLY like driving trucks... the pay is the only thing killing me. It doesn't justify the constant responsibility and B.S. I'm putting up with. I only put up with it, because there isn't jack for jobs in Phoenix right now. Not unless I want to work at a grocery store for minimum wage... which I actually didn't get when I applied.

At the risk of sounding stupid, my main gripes other than pay, are the behavior of four wheelers on the roads and the behavior of some shippers/receivers. Other truckers are okay on the roads 99% of the time until you run into that one guy that got his license out of a cracker jack box and wants to roll in the hammer lane at 55 mph in a 75. The behavior of truckers at truck stops bugs me, too. I like to keep to myself, mainly because you don't know who's crazy or not in this industry. I don't like when other truckers try to rope me into their religious/political conversations just because I'm walking by to get a shower.

In short... I'm glad I got a chance to do this job, even if I'm done in June. I just can't do this forever at 30 cents a mile pulling annoying reefer loads with phone calls and Qualcomm messages bugging me all the time.

 

An acquaintance of mine is getting his own truck soon. He admitted to me his mentor did all but 5-6 of his backs for him. I expect this individual won't last long because he had a bad mentor.