Fed dropping its standards?

[guido4475]

I have in the past dressed very nicely with nice jeans, button-down shirt,belt, and nice boots on and it did make somewhat of a differece in how I was treated by all.Now, after years of gaining weight, I will not buy new clothes like that until I get back down to where I used to weigh. I make it a strong point to always go into a shipper/receiver clean and fresh. Who wants to smell a stale driver?But however, even though I am not dressed professionally, I do have an excellent and outgoing attiude with each and every customer that always ends in a handshake, and I have been complimented on it as well several times.There are other ways to be professional.I am anal about keeping my van clean and maintained, another level of professionalism.The saying still goes. All show and no go.But, there is also the fact that some people get the wild idea that now because they are dressed better than the rest, their poop dont stink,and they cop an attitude as well.Even though I have not personally met with The Caffe's, I did meet them in a peculiar and unforgettable way.Last year while at the expo, I was in a deep conversation with Jeff Jones, and He comes Bob, and literally steps in between Jeff and I and starts asking him questions without excusing himself or apologizing for being so rude and inconsiderate.So that has left a bad taste in my mouth with this whole profesional thing as well.

 

[Streakn1]

muscle T's definately not...no hairy armpits allowed..

So, if one were to shave or trim the pits, would that change the game plan? Come on, I'm sure somebody out there does!

 

[greg334]

But See OVM, you don't have $150k invested in your truck, or even drive a truck. When you pull up to the customer's place, you are a small fish in a big truck pond (maybe a cement pond at that) so ... They expect more out of the real commercial vehicle drivers

 

[greg334]

Look, Linda and Bob seem to be on the right track, read the article. It isn't always about the tie, but the attitude.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

But See OVM, you don't have $150k invested in your truck, or even drive a truck. When you pull up to the customer's place, you are a small fish in a big truck pond (maybe a cement pond at that) so ... They expect more out of the real commercial vehicle drivers

you insulting SOB...REAL commercial drivers....!!

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Look, Linda and Bob seem to be on the right track, read the article. It isn't always about the tie, but the attitude.

I'll let that slide..for the idea of peace, harmony and good will towards my fellow man....and even Linda....*LOL*

 

[nightcreacher]

When I see a uniformed drive,no matter what the company,the just look more professional,do they get more loads,doubt it,but attitude does play a big deal in this business.If being in uniform,and with a good attitude,a driver may be asked in preference to another driver from the same company.
Myself,When I was at the FED,uniformed during W/G runs,always neat and clean during others,have had many Fed customers ask to have us back if available.In this business,you get what you pay for,most of is based on ontime pick up delivery,most customers don't even see the trucks,and sometimes,having that big shiny truck,makes some customers feel they are paying that high price just because of the equipment,not the service.
Like was once said,you can look up a bulls butt,but that won't tell you how good the steaks are.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

When I see a uniformed drive,no matter what the company,the just look more professional,do they get more loads,doubt it,but attitude does play a big deal in this business.If being in uniform,and with a good attitude,a driver may be asked in preference to another driver from the same company.
Myself,When I was at the FED,uniformed during W/G runs,always neat and clean during others,have had many Fed customers ask to have us back if available.In this business,you get what you pay for,most of is based on ontime pick up delivery,most customers don't even see the trucks,and sometimes,having that big shiny truck,makes some customers feel they are paying that high price just because of the equipment,not the service.
Like was once said,you can look up a bulls butt,but that won't tell you how good the steaks are.

W/G is a whole different story...exclusive use, premium price for a premium service....besides the Feds have a monopoly on this service for now..they have to come back...

 

[Streakn1]

Streak..if you get the propeller shirts made up, will they be for sale? An instant classic for sure.

As we speak, the engineers are designing a mist system (after they're done inspecting the Florida mobile home). This will come complete with a water bottle that attaches to your belt, connected to a mist nozzle with a tube that will be placed behind the plastic propeller.

This will be great for those hot days in the middle of Arizon loading engines or for those of you that load slot machines in the Las Vegas heat!

 

[ebsprintin]

you insulting SOB...REAL commercial drivers....!!

Real commercial vehicle drivers or real commercial motor vehicle drivers. Must be clear on these things.

And for everyone, like greg said, read the article, or post, or wherever it's explained in more depth.

eb

 

[greg334]

You know I just realized that no one mentioned where the article is.

 

[nightcreacher]

You know I would agree with most of this but the truth seems not to be in appreances but in attitude. If dressing right, meaning in company attire with ties will get me a lot more work, then great but if I am just the same as truck number 2039430, then it isn't.

I mean that professionalism goes way beyond the dress code, it goes way beyond the pretty truck with the shiny wheels. It goes right to the attitude of the person who is at the customers door. If you are in a hurry or something comes up where they want something else done but you pull "I'll have to call the company on that like where dispatch forgets to tell you something like blankets are needed, then it reflects on you.

I had a customer last year who was rather in a rush or seemed to. He stood on the dock watching me secure the load. I used Vee Boards with the straps and blankets. When I pulled the blankets out, he looked like he was going to get really upset. Once I was done, I asked if he could lift the dock plate so I can go but he stopped me and asked a odd question "how much more will it be for the blankets?" I said nothing. He was surprised because every time **unnamed** company came to pickup their load, they were on the phone complaining about having to blanket the load to protect the paint which meant the company have to call the customer and tell them what the revised cost will be for their approval. He said one time he refused, so the drivers refused to take the load.

Don't know what that company was,but if it was FDCC,and a W/G load,blanket wrap was already figured in their pay,and if it were a surface truck,they probably wouldn't have had pads anyway.By the way,if a load needs blanket wrapped,it would be a W/G load,although there have been times when I myself have blanket wrapped a surface load to cover my butt from any damage to a painted part

 

[Dreamer]

I can tell ya, my older van not being perfectly polished may not make much difference, but the way I dress does. No, I don't wear a tie LOL.. but I do wear the OPTIONAL 'FedEx Apparel"... (the purple and blue shirt ).. and I have seen several customers BYPASS other drivers, (including one time another FedEx driver who was in sweats)... and come over to me.

Will it get FedEx extra biz? Will it put extra money in my pocket? Maybe not... BUT the 'brand recognition' has saved me time standing in line several times. I've had people yell clear across the loading dock "FedEx is over there!" and tell the forklift operator to get over and get it. If I was in a plain shirt (no matter how clean or nice).. I would not get that extra 'bump'... in my opinion.


I think it's important not to be driving trash.. but I think PERSONAL appearance is more noticed.


Dale

 

[greg334]

NOT all loads with blankets are W/G and not all HV W/G loads are covered by W/G trained people. I had a bunch of them that extra was paid for blankets and shrink wrapping but not one was W/G.

 

[guido4475]

You know I just realized that no one mentioned where the article is.

The article was in recent issues of the trucker, Truckers news, etc.It featured the Caffe's and their buddy, Henry Albert as well.

 

[Rhodes101]

Like most former chippendales who now expedite freight, I always wear a clean tearaway Tuxedo to the shipper or receiver. If the music is good inside look out!

 

[copdsux]

Remember: "Doing a good job around here, is like peeing in your pants, with a dark suit on: You get a nice, warm feeling, but nobody notices".

 

[1CHINGON]

I can tell ya, my older van not being perfectly polished may not make much difference, but the way I dress does. ..... but I do wear the OPTIONAL 'FedEx Apparel"...
.. but I think PERSONAL appearance is more noticed.

Touché! I also wear the shirt and hat, and I have noticed at times the dilligence in which I am loaded and the deference I receive. Does it happen always? No. But it does happen enough to make it wortwhile and I may just be able to deliver earlier and get another load quicker.

 

[nightcreacher]

Greg,if I'm not mistaken,a pad wrap load is one of the criteria to make it W/G.There are times when a surface agent gets the call and doesn't know it.
None the less,you do what ever it takes to keep the customer happy.if it's a surface load and you have the pads,make him happy and call in later.Sometimes load might even changhe to W/G.you just never know.

 

[nightcreacher]

Like most former chippendales who now expedite freight, I always wear a clean tearaway Tuxedo to the shipper or receiver. If the music is good inside look out!

Its to bad these guys died at such a young age.They were so great.,Just saw Roadhouse,and Tommy the other night