One of Us or One of Them?

FAMILYEXPDT · Jun 3, 2007

I started reading and posting in this forum when we were single tractor oo's. I found it to be friendly and informative, got some good ideas and hopefully gave some. In the last year we have become larger fleet owners. Now after several stabs at us for being "fleet owners" and defending the company that helped us to get to this point, I have to wonder if there is a place for us on this forum at all. I see so much fleet owner bashing and thinking that we get special treatment.....and nothing we say has any validity because we are "fleet owners". We were not born fleet owners. We are fleet owners with single oo mentality...we run each of our trucks as if we were the drivers and help them to make decisions that we would make. The inability to be supportive and defensive of the company that has helped us to be where we are now without being bashed because we are fleet owners is wearing very thin. We chose to be single truck oo and we believed what we were told that we could become fleet owners and we siezed the opportunities that were shown to us....just be ridiculed and treated like nothing we say has value. I guess we are "one of them" and need to find another outlet for information and sharing.

-charlotte

Tennesseahawk · Jun 3, 2007

I wouldn't sweat it! A lot of what you're getting now is frustration. Granted, some of what ppl claim can be true. It is understandable that a company could cater to a fleet owner as it hurts more to lose multiple trucks than an unhappy owner of one truck. Not saying that's how it goes with your company, but I've seen a bit of it myself.

Having said that, blaming you is rediculous! Having a fleet attests to your business savvy. Attacking you personally would give the perseption of jealousy on their part. But what you said in some of your posts could easily been taken as personal. A little understanding goes a long way with those expediters who haven't done well. Keep that in mind while 'saying it the way you see it', as ppl respect that more than sugar coating.

-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!

FAMILYEXPDT · Jun 3, 2007

Thanks Tennesee....problem I have is I do not sugarcoat anything. I hate to have things sugar coated for me...I just get so frustrated when I KNOW that if a team comes in and learns well they can reach for the sky...and get it! I was an area manager for McDonalds in the early eighties.....I won every award they had to give....and I did it because of the people that worked with me. I started working a cash register...learned EVERYTHING about the restaurant....went to work for an owner operator who taught me how to be and think like an owner operator....When people would start work as a cashier or grill person I would tell them my story and inspire them to look at their job as more than just a cashier or grill peson but to see the possibilities that a 3.35 an hour minimum wage job could take thme to an 80,000 a year income. Then I taught them....and when I was promoted to area manager I kept doing orientations.....When I left...out of 17 stores in the area, 11 store managers were assistants who worked directly under me. THAT made me successful. Our drivers make us successful...I hope that I am teaching them how to think and act like an owner for the day when they move on to own their own trucks. I want to leave a line of successful owners, and help people to see the possibilities they have in front of them. Not all fleet owners want to make it happen off the backs of their drivers. I still cannot sugarcoat tho

-Charlotte

FAMILYEXPDT · Jun 3, 2007

Thanks ATeam....I feel the same. I had to laugh at the run with the big dogs.....I used to tell people Run with me or stay on the porch with the pups. Like you I defend what I believe in. I believe in the american dream....and I believed Panther when I heard the stories in orientation about what you could accomplish. We came to Panther because we would have the opportunity to be more than single truck oo's. We do not want to be driving in 5 years...to accomplish that means we needed to think bigger and do more. Panther let us do that. We still have a long ways to go, but we believe we can get there with our carrier of choice.

-Charlotte

markafd · Jun 3, 2007

Your business people dont sweat the small people. And as far as special treatment to fleet owners, Myself a small fleet owner I have never gotten any special treatment from my carrier (FDCC) Im just gratful all my current drivers are some of the best I have ever Had and I depend on them to make sound decisions on there own without constant phone calls from me. What Im trying to say is I dont expect special treatment because I have multiple trucks with a carrier FOR PETES SAKE we all have truck payments some more than others and if the expedite freight gods are listening we all could stand for things to pickup more so for the vans. I have vans and D units!

RichM · Jun 3, 2007

Think about this,your success is based on your own endavors.You made it work and you should be proud that you made it work. I am sure you had a lot of sleepless nights building your business. The sniping is esentially a jelaous reaction to your success. Hold your head high and more power to you.

Jefferson3000 · Jun 3, 2007

As for me, you are quite welcome on here. As T-Hawk stated, I am sure that carriers would definitely hate to see multiple trucks disappear at the same time, so there is the possibility for favoritism. But as LDB's post on sitting in with dispatch for a day attested, there really isn't any time for favoitism when it comes to load offers.

Keep on doing what you are doing. Frustration will cause people to blame others for things that are out of their hands. Not making excuses for it. I'd just hate to see you stay away on account of them.

Drive Safe!

Jeff

Driver for 15 years
O/O for 13 years
OOIDA #829119

tec1959 · Jun 3, 2007

Charlotte hi i hope you stay around you have provided much info on the business as a driver and a owner,Its not worth loosing any sleep over from the ones that are just jealous about you and your company that you have built.I worked for a fleet owner with 10 trucks and i think fleet owners have better drivers in most cases because their owner has already been there and done that which is better for everyone.
P.S. YOU ARE ONE OF US AND ONE OF THEM LOL.

TeamCaffee · Jun 3, 2007

Charlotte what you say is very true and no you sure don't sugar coat much! Some can handle that and some cannot.

Your advice is great, learn all you can about your carrier and how to make the best of the best every day. With our great jobs we are in control of our own business and it is up to us to make our business the best it can be. Some choose to be fleet owners and some choose to drive their own trucks. We all have our own set of problems and we need to work together and learn from each other.

Look in the mirror and that is the person that controls your life.

FAMILYEXPDT · Jun 4, 2007

Being one of both is an interesting place to be. As we get ready to go back out as a team for the month of June, I am as excited as I was when we first signed on with Panther. Driving is WAY more fun than being a fleet owner sometimes. Thank you guys for your support. I need to not be so thin skinned at times. I used to be the same way when someone would tell someone to go get a job flippin burgers at McDonalds...I would have to inform them where that burger job could put them. I really truly hope everyone has a great year this year.

-Charlotte

bernieh48 · Jun 4, 2007

Some advice is good and some is not. When you don't live in a certain state and try and tell other drivers that do the laws and rules for things in their own state when they just went throught it with the govt. then that's where people see you differently. That has nothing to do with jealousy.

davekc · Jun 4, 2007

I wouldn't worry too much about someones perception on whether we have it better or we don't. As a fleet owner, I am on the front line as a mod all the time. Talk about a place to throw darts:7
Alot of fleet owners would cringe at such exposure over a long period of time.
If you are a fair and decent owner, let your name, current and past drivers speak for you.

Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

dieseldiva · Jun 4, 2007

Wow after reading all of this I'm completly confused as to whether I'm an us or a them.........oh well, I guess I fit in there somewhere!

davekc · Jun 4, 2007

It is rather confusing at times.

Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

x06col · Jun 4, 2007

If'n y'all want a really full plate, try wear'in the hats that include driver, fleet owner, and carrier. Now, that's scary for the timid.

davekc · Jun 4, 2007

Been there and done that. Your right, not a project for the timid.

Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

Dreamer · Jun 4, 2007

Charlotte,

I think you do just fine stating things, and I hope you stick around. As Dave said, when you're out in the open on a forum like this, you are a bigger target for those looking for someone to blame. It's sad people do get that 'us vs them' mentality, but the fact is, fleet owners are needed, AS WELL AS single truck O/O.

Please keep hangin round!

Dreamer
Forums Administrator

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"The present is what slips by us while we're pondering the past and worrying about the future."

- Ziggy