What Do The Drivers Want In A Carrier

[Moot]

Sean, when you use the word "drivers" are you referring to driver employees? The majority of E.O. members are O/O's or are contracted to fleet owners. As such we have differing expectations from a carrier than would an employee driver. Have you asked your drivers what they want or would change within your company? A little off subject but I'm curious, is your company located in Warren Buffett's backyard?

 

[iceroadtrucker]

That can't be everything can it? I've had drivers that made a lot of money and whined about everything and drivers that made less, worked harder and always had a great attitude. They were company drivers and I realize things are different with contractors, but I don't think the money is everything.

Money talks BS walks. Personaly im looking to move up because I sick of stying out months on end and making beans. Beans to me is 1000.00 or less a week before I take out my taxes. Personaly if I made 1400.00 OR MORE a week I could afford to go the house every 6 weeks for a week. But that just dont happen does it. So to me Money is the main thing. Equipment is another issue. The right equipment gets u the loads and the money. If one is been with a fleet owner the longest then by golly give them the equipment that they deserve 53ft trl 2500 carrier reefer with a lift gate. Plain and simple u dont buy a bimbo a truck thats a seasonal driver. U invest your money in equipment for the driver that stays out. Same with ur company ur building to keep people happy money talks and if u got company drivers then benefitts as well and dont forget about Equipment. Money Equipment Benefitts. Like I said my list may be different than the rest. To me Money and Equipment talks. U got a 53ft trailer with 2500 carrier reefer and lift gate? Im listening. Good luck with ur company.

 

[smcleod]

Sean, when you use the word "drivers" are you referring to driver employees? The majority of E.O. members are O/O's or are contracted to fleet owners. As such we have differing expectations from a carrier than would an employee driver. Have you asked your drivers what they want or would change within your company? A little off subject but I'm curious, is your company located in Warren Buffett's backyard?

I apologize, I should've been more specific. I'm signing on Owner Operators only.

I do talk to our drivers on a daily basis and we have a weekly meeting where discuss any issues or dislikes/likes. We have a pretty open line of communication with our drivers. However, I'm asking for your opinion because my current drivers aren't true expeditors. They will run some freight and turn around and drive back empty. Most of them have no desire to stay out on the road for weeks at a time.

Yes, I am located in Warren Buffet's backyard.

 

[cheri1122]

Money talks BS walks. Personaly im looking to move up because I sick of stying out months on end and making beans. Beans to me is 1000.00 or less a week before I take out my taxes. Personaly if I made 1400.00 OR MORE a week I could afford to go the house every 6 weeks for a week. But that just dont happen does it. So to me Money is the main thing.

So far, on topic.
The following, however, seems to be a rant directed at the owner of the 'equipment' you drive, which is not on topic at all.
Since you post such comments pretty often, I have to say that no one here can do anything to change it, except you - and the owner. If you're not saying it to him, you should. If you are and he's not getting the message, then it's time for Plan B, which means looking for another owner, because this one isn't working for you.

Equipment is another issue. The right equipment gets u the loads and the money. If one is been with a fleet owner the longest then by golly give them the equipment that they deserve 53ft trl 2500 carrier reefer with a lift gate. Plain and simple u dont buy a bimbo a truck thats a seasonal driver. U invest your money in equipment for the driver that stays out. Same with ur company ur building to keep people happy money talks and if u got company drivers then benefitts as well and dont forget about Equipment. Money Equipment Benefitts. Like I said my list may be different than the rest. To me Money and Equipment talks. U got a 53ft trailer with 2500 carrier reefer and lift gate? Im listening. Good luck with ur company.

 

[cheri1122]

That can't be everything can it? I've had drivers that made a lot of money and whined about everything and drivers that made less, worked harder and always had a great attitude. They were company drivers and I realize things are different with contractors, but I don't think the money is everything.

I believe you just answered your own question, lol. People are different, and want different things. So, create the company that makes you proud, then sign on drivers who agree with your philosophy.

 

[scottm4211]

Do you run to Canada? :callme:

Humility is a trait I most want in a carrier. Who do I contact to sign on?

 

[ATeam]

I believe you just answered your own question, lol. People are different, and want different things. So, create the company that makes you proud, then sign on drivers who agree with your philosophy.

Well said.

 

[smcleod]

HI, my name is Keith and I am an O/O straight truck w/ a 22' box and sleeper. First it would help if we knew who we were talking to and what company you represent, Second there are many things that make a good to great company or bad to terrible company.
1) When a prospective driver speaks to a recruiter, have the recruiter be truthful and don't blow smoke up our butt.

2) Remember the driver is in business also and is a person and not just a number...we have a bottom line, it doesn't matter what the market is doing, we have to make X amount of dollars to move a load to make money.

3) As a driver this is what I have got to have to survive, ALL deadhead miles paid...that is the miles from where I am (truck stop) to the location of my pickup, AND also the miles you sometimes have to travel AFTER you deliver to the customer to the next truck stop to wait for the next load...NEXT, a decent amount of pay per mile when loaded AND miles based on practical miles, NOT short miles to save the company money...and finally KEEP SITTING to a minimum...it costs money to sit...I know that a lot of this is running on and may not make sense to you but the drivers out there will understand.

The bottom line is pay deadhead, don't make me pay to go and pick up your freight.
Pay a decent percentage per mile on practical miles.
Use something like Transflo so the drivers can be paid in a timely fashion .
And keep sitting to a minimum.

BUT MOST OF ALL BE HONEST WITH THE DRIVERS IF YOU WANT THEM TO STAY.

I am currently signed on with a company, but am always looking to better myself...if any of this makes sense to you and you are looking for a straight truck o/o get ahold of me.

I understand where you are coming from, I used to be a driver myself. I owned two straight trucks and four cargo vans. One of the trucks and two of the vans were owner operators. Now the difference with my drivers were that we always just delivered and came right back. We got a higher rate, but we always drove back empty.

So, the true expeditor model is fairly new to me. There are a lot of jobs that I bid on and I'm told I was way too high. I will have to get used to getting a lower rate in exchange for my drivers moving all of the time. (I hope) I understand deadhead miles are a huge expense and we would try to keep them to a minimum. Right now, we usually charge for them and the driver gets paid as well. What kind of rate are you guys getting for deadhead miles? What rate would you like to get? I brokered a load today that I know I paid the carrier for some deadhead miles, but I have no idea if he paid the driver any of that or not.

We are very honest with our drivers and I don't plan on ever changing that. I think our office has a very good relationship with the drivers. It may be because we are a small company, but we don't have any drivers that I wouldn't have over to my house for dinner.

 

[smcleod]

I believe you just answered your own question, lol. People are different, and want different things. So, create the company that makes you proud, then sign on drivers who agree with your philosophy. [/QUOTE

The company makes me proud. I'm just trying to do as much research as I can on this new division. I want to make sure everybody is making money. I don't want to have my drivers out there going broke.

 

[pearlpro]

Good Pay, Paid deadhead, and a good benefits package should attract good drivers, good freight, no touch, in good lanes, but we all know not every lane, load or Owner is the dream job...its what you make of it, nobody makes you sign on that lease line unless your backs against the wall and your upside down on your loan etc. Doing research and talking to the drivers is a good place to start, open doors and free will to choose routes or loads, but again alll loads arent the best,

Communication is KEY to relationships in Business

O/O with modern equipment who make deep pocket purchases to benefit a company should see some rewards for that, Id love to buy a new Pete Class 8 stretch condo sleeper with a 22' box and lift gate if a Company said hey well help or well offer this benefit or Dedicated line hauls or routes etc..
It pays to have great drivers, Great equipment and a great owner.

 

[DieselDriver]

(I hope) I understand deadhead miles are a huge expense and we would try to keep them to a minimum. Right now, we usually charge for them and the driver gets paid as well. What kind of rate are you guys getting for deadhead miles? What rate would you like to get? I brokered a load today that I know I paid the carrier for some deadhead miles, but I have no idea if he paid the driver any of that or not.

It costs me $.75 per mile for the truck alone and when you add in my bills at home it costs me $1.00 per mile to move my truck. Right now the company that I drive for do not pay dead head until you have traveled 100 miles...so it costs me $100.00 to pick up their freight, and if that is not bad enough, after you deliver you need to find a place to park...sometimes it may be nearby, but usually its anywhere from 5-30 or 40 miles away...again the expense is on me....so on a say $1000.00 load you can lose anywhere from $0.00-$200.00 of that load...and then you sit, usually on the weekend cause my company apparently only works Monday - Friday because I sit every weekend when I still have 25-40 drive hours left.
Anyway to answer your question, how much dead head should be paid...if you are gonna pay dead head pay at least $.50 mile...but instead figure up what a good fair rate would be for ALL miles, both empty and loaded...say $1.40 or so per mile...that makes both the company and driver manage what the truck is doing and where its at to save the most money.
The bottom line is as a company you need to make X amount of profit to be and stay in business...as an o/o so do I.

 

[ttruck]

H i and good luck,first in first out if you refuse a load it goes to next truck and so ,no percentages please this just makes ajob harder ive been a class adriver for more than 25 yrs and if you want to make a driver happy, consistant miles, decent rates,pay the surcharg to the truck especially now fuel is all over the board,one dispatcherfor however many trks. he can handel. Ive worked for a comp. that had 3000 tractors and when i called in during the day i got the same person every time unless he was sick ,wife havin a baby, or whatever he needed to do personally in 1.5 yrs with that comp. i spoke with mabey 4 people,take care of those dispathers the ones i worked for would get $ for keeping the drivers busy this was company Money not kick back from owners which happens.
id like to know more about your comp and how your doing in the futureAgain goood luck in your endevors.ART