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A question for fleet owners

Opel2010

Opel2010

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
I have this driver, he usually was doing good jobs, but lately he started to act kinda rough, somehow like he is the owner and he's doing whatever he wants to do. I've always tried to be a nice person, to make anyone happy, but now honestly I'm getting angry and ready to fire this guy. He was home within two weeks ago (Houston), he left with a long deadhead to Memphis, then he asked the carrier for some load going towards Atlanta for the following weekend. I didn't mind that, even if when one needs to go towards only one direction, his chances to get a load are highly reduced. Anyways, few days later he changed his mind and asked to be back to Houston this weekend. In two weeks of being OTR, he did two runs only, totaling 1000 mile. He turned down at least one run because was going in opposite direction, and at the end, without asking me nor the carrier, he started deadheading towards his place, which means over 1000 miles. I don't want to be a rough, a bad fleet owner, but I consider this thing subordination and it should be penalized somehow. But before I take any action, I need to know your opinions!
 
Slo-Ride

Slo-Ride

Veteran Expediter
2 weeks of being out there living in a 4ft box with only 3 like load offers. He ran 2 and turned down 1??
I'm thinking I would be heading towards the house also. :)
Just do what you feel is best for you, truck and the driver. No need to get other ideas on whether you need to punish a driver or not. You gave driver the chance to run your truck. Let him/her run it as long as this is a one time or rare occurrence. 1000 mile d/head home sucks but so does 3 load offers in 2 weeks.
 
jjoerger

jjoerger

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
US Army
Two runs for 1000 miles in two weeks? I would be deadheading home and applying for a job at McDonalds.
 
Opel2010

Opel2010

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Slo-Ride said:
Let him/her run it as long as this is a one time or rare occurrence. 1000 mile d/head home sucks but so does 3 load offers in 2 weeks.
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Ok, let me explain it... usually they keep him pretty busy, the weekly average is 2500 miles, but now he wanted first time ONLY TOWARD ATLANTA, then ONLY TOWARD HOUSTON. No other direction accepted. I do not know if there were more than one turned down load offers.
What bothers me is the fact that he never told me his intentions.
 
Slo-Ride

Slo-Ride

Veteran Expediter
Sounds like ya have nothing to worry about right now..
That's a problem with telling dispatch anything.
If ya say Detroit only they look for Detroit only, when Toledo or Chicago would be close enough for most ppl. Never say anything, I just let the dice roll and fall where they do. If I gotta say no, so be it.. Deadhead home is on my dime anyways...
 
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Mailer

Mailer

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Yep, I felt doing like your driver too. It a burn out things. At least that was I was feeling a few weeks ago. Though I didn't do what your driver did(even though I wanted to).

But being an O/O, I like to keep a good relationship with my carrier. I'll being heading home for another break soon, that should help:).


Really, I would find some proper time to really, really discuss the concern with your driver. Good luck.
 
Dynamite 1

Dynamite 1

Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
As a fleet owner you have the rite to know whats going on. The driver should respect you enough to let you know of any special intentions or things he wishes to do out of the ordinary. Deadheading home a 1000 miles requires an ok from you even if the driver pays for the fuel. I would have a very calm conversation with him and figure out whats going on. readdress some ground rules and go from there.
 
westmicher

westmicher

Veteran Expediter
Dynamite 1 said:
As a fleet owner you have the rite to know whats going on. The driver should respect you enough to let you know of any special intentions or things he wishes to do out of the ordinary. Deadheading home a 1000 miles requires an ok from you even if the driver pays for the fuel. I would have a very calm conversation with him and figure out whats going on. readdress some ground rules and go from there.
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I agree completely BUT your contract SHOULD be VERY clear on moving the truck... mine say no dead heading without express permission except to the nearest Safe Haven. Otherwise the driver must pay the fuel if it's not toward a paying load.
 
iceroadtrucker

iceroadtrucker

Veteran Expediter
Driver
westmicher said:
I agree completely BUT your contract SHOULD be VERY clear on moving the truck... mine say no dead heading without express permission except to the nearest Safe Haven. Otherwise the driver must pay the fuel if it's not toward a paying load.
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You ought to just ask the driver what is up. That's to easy and Your looking for a way out. I bet the driver would be glad to park it right in your yard. Do the right thing ask the driver as the People on here don't give 2 sheets to the wind about the driver or your problem but I bet Joel Osteen would suggest talk to your driver. Do the right thing. ASK the Driver.
 
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davekc

davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
No need to complicate the simple. Sounds like miscommunication and expectations are different. I think it has to be looked at as a team effort. Our drivers let me know when they are going home and there is little if any conversation about the miles. My drivers pay fuel but there is a inherit cost to the fleet owner on miles driven. Everything has a cost. Now with that it mind, you can't put foolish restrictions on people/teams when they are the ones that drive and wait for your truck to be repaired.
It is a two way street. You can't have unreasonable expectations. If you do, then you can expect a revolving door which the expense will be a lot higher than a deadhead home.
There's my penny in pond.
 
iceroadtrucker

iceroadtrucker

Veteran Expediter
Driver
davekc said:
No need to complicate the simple. Sounds like miscommunication and expectations are different. I think it has to be looked at as a team effort. Our drivers let me know when they are going home and there is little if any conversation about the miles. My drivers pay fuel but there is a inherit cost to the fleet owner on miles driven. Everything has a cost. Now with that it mind, you can't put foolish restrictions on people/teams when they are the ones that drive and wait for your truck to be repaired.
It is a two way street. You can't have unreasonable expectations. If you do, then you can expect a revolving door which the expense will be a lot higher than a deadhead home.
There's my penny in pond.
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Finally and OWNER that GOT SOME COMMON SENSE AND GIVES A CARE GOOD FOR U DAVE BRAVO ZULU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SALUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SALUTE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SALUTE , SALUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Mailer

Mailer

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Opel2010 said:
.... I'm getting angry and ready to fire this guy.
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Oh by the way, if he is under the contract, you may not want to use the term "fire." Legally, "firing" could be viewed as he is your employee. If that is the case and he decided to fight back, it could be a big mess in court and with the IRS.

Yup, like davekc said, no need to complicate the simple. That is, loose a little but save a lot.
 
cheri1122

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
Opel2010 said:
Ok, let me explain it... usually they keep him pretty busy, the weekly average is 2500 miles, but now he wanted first time ONLY TOWARD ATLANTA, then ONLY TOWARD HOUSTON. No other direction accepted. I do not know if there were more than one turned down load offers.
What bothers me is the fact that he never told me his intentions.
Click to expand...

If you don't have regular 'catchup' talks or emails scheduled, it's a good idea. Once a week, just to stay on the same page, and for the driver to mention the little things that don't exactly rate a phone call, so you know what's going on. Communication is essential, on both sides.
Deciding what is 'important' enough to DH home for is a tough one, though. Might need to compromise: driver goes home for wife's birthday, but not the next holiday - something like that.
 
Opel2010

Opel2010

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
davekc said:
It is a two way street. You can't have unreasonable expectations. If you do, then you can expect a revolving door which the expense will be a lot higher than a deadhead home.
There's my penny in pond.
Click to expand...

Exactly, that's why I asked here on EO. I'm trying to be always a reasonable person, not a dictator.
 
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