Sorry guys and gals, there is a difference between a professional and professionalism.
I think everyone looks at is as one in the same but they are not. You can have professionalism with everything you do and not be a professional anything and vice-versa.
The problem I seem to have with vans really is nothing, I like razzing vanners more or less throwing rocks at the hornets nest because many seem to take this personally and it sometimes is good entertainment while a few times it pulls issues out for discussion.
A couple examples are few boast about how much they run while not getting enough sleep or even rest and more recently the issue of not knowing how to read the manufactures sticker was discussed.
Vans are a target for those who are desperate to pay the bills, and in other threads I have said that there should not be van owners because if you can't afford a van, you don't need to be here and it seems there are a lot of cases where I can back that up. The issue for many is money, they read and listen to people who have been here for a while and think they can do the same thing but it isn't always possible. The ones who are speaking have been here for a while and know what it takes, some get frustrated while others are patient because of their experience. Many who have been unemployed are in a bad position, I was there myself and I started with nothing but I also started at a time when money could be made and there seemed to be more than a years worth of work. Now it is a lot different and things have changed a lot.
Back to professionalism ...
It is not just about paper work or pre-trips but a whole bunch of other things.
Courtesy seems to be missing a lot when we talk about it, and this may include not being in a hurry or thinking about other's safety.
Courtesy on the dock is as important too. I can't tell you how many times I have met drivers who are p*ssed off because they didn't get loaded fast enough and then drive off as if they were going to save the world - a lack of professionalism.
Of which safety is another thing that carriers and driver alike miss out on while in a van - it's like they feel they are privileges because they are driving a van. It actually goers both ways, van and trucks but like the other day being buzzed by a FedEx CC van who just had to make that exit, crossing over three lanes and coming so d*mn close that I saw the scratches on his back door. Will FedEx do anything about that van or the E unit that cut me off in West Virginia - highly unlikely. By the way it is not just FedEx, Panther and everyone else it seems to be the same.
The carrier wants professionals representing them, and many times they get it for the meager amount of money they hand out (sorry but it seems that way). But on the other hand there is no professional development of sorts or any support or means to improve the drivers/owners professionalism but rather leave it up to the driver/owner to find their own way.
I found out that when carriers hire p*ss poor staff, it comes down to reflecting that poor quality in the fleet. A good staff seems to attract better contractors and the more support they get and the more a staff is willing to actually help, professionalism increases.
One example about carrier support is having a person who does not know the answer but will tell you the truth "I don't know", tell you they will find the answer and actually call you back. Committing themselves to solving the issue personally seems to be a good example of professionalism. Getting placed on hold, then having the phone answered by someone who does not identify themselves and then being places on hold again is unprofessional. The same goes for problem resolution, explaining a problem three times to three different people who never drove a truck, then be told that they will call you back and after a while you call them to find out they all left without telling anyone about the problem lack of any professionalism.
How many of you have access to Smith System training?
How many carriers here actually have trained Smith System instructors on staff and hold classes for free for every contractor?
Another example is how many carriers actually teach the financial end of how to run a business?
I only know ONE and it is more or less an overview.
These things all go into the professionalism I am talking about.
