Which company actually cares about good drivers?

[flatbedin]

Hey everyone, I am leased on with a un-named company right now. Un-named because I do not believe in putting the company down that you work for. My problem is that I feel like I am sitting way to much, and the communication is far less that I would expect from a company.

Here in short is a summary of my breif time with said company. The first couple of days things were going good, however the first weekend out, I sat in Coldwater Michigan all day on a friday, and saturday until 4:30pm, when all the dispatchers go home for the weekend. I was only 50 miles from home, and temperature outside was about 20 degrees that weekend. I continously called dispatch friday and early saturday and re-assured that freight was moving good, and that I would get a load out before they left for the weekend. Well I made the decission to DH the 50 miles home on Saturday afternoon so that I didn't have to idle the truck all weekend long.

The next week went pretty well until Thursday night. I was on my way to a drop off in Chicago Heights at the Ford plant, and got a call from dispatch with a load going to Elizabethtown PA. I thought great a descent run, with descent pay. Well the delivery time was for friday night at 9pm. I knew I had plenty of time to catch a break and get there in plenty of time. I actually arrived at the drop off at 7pm on friday night, and when I arrived, there were no cars in the parking lot, and the place was locked up tighter than Fort Knox. I called dispatch and found out that the shipper had called and relayed to them that everyone goes home at 4pm on friday. This was never conveyed to me on the way to the drop off. So I sat in Penn for Friday night all day saturday and sunday. And the kicker is that I had called dispatch 4 times on friday to let them know what time I would be arriving, and to try and find me a run out for the weekend. My detention pay was only 70.00 a day, and then after I finally delivered on Monday morning, I sat all day not being able to get a run out of Penn. I finally called and Completed a Dry Run to Cleveland OH. And then sat most of the next day in Cleveland waiting for a run. My miles have not been close to what I was told, and Pay is ALOT less than desired.

My question is this, if you have a driver that has 100% acceptance rate (not anymore, because when I got back to Cleveland the next load offer was going right back to where I came from pretty much, and I know that I wasn't going to get a load back out of there) and I have a 100% on time for pickup, and deliveries (god I love gps), is there a company that will take "better" care of me??

I am open to any suggestions..

Thanks

Flatbedin

 

[raceman]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

Let me start by saying I would not work in a 24/7 business with a company that was not 24/7 as well. That simply says you have down time like it or not each week if you are not loaded by the end of their work day/week. That is first thing I would fix.
As for a company that is going to love you, well it is business and at the ned of the day, you are a truck on a board. Having said that I will tell you Express-1 is as good as I found and BroomPilot and Hawk rave about C&M.

I think everyone needs to keep in mind you do need to find a company where they treat you as weel as possible but never forget the nature of business and for sure the trucking business. Bottom line is you are a truck, you will have down time and you will at times not get the whole story about your freight. e.g. they closed at 4:00.

No matter what I have been told by the company I ran for, if I had some type of load that would affect my weekend, I called that company to understand their hours. I always did that on my own and never got a screwing over the weekend. If you have the name of company and know the city and State, Info can get you the number. If you don't make those calls, well that is your fault.

Good luck. Just remember there are better companies but they are all out to earn. You are a truck at the end of each day. Cold at best but very much fact.

Raceman
Dedicated O/O
OOIDA 741748

 

[chuckwagon]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

My concern, one of many, that the company does not have the dispatchers in the office on the weekend accourding to what you say.

Sure, they can answer the company phones on a cell phone, but do you really think that is going to be their focus of attention. Are they really going to worry about you getting freight on the weekend if they have booked you for a Friday pickup for a Monday dropoff.

The trip you made that changed the time where you had to sit for a few days is another concern. If you told them when you would be there and dispatch did not tell you of the change - that is a huge problem that needs addressed.

It sounds like this company needs to sit down with a few drivers and owner-operators and have a meeting on what needs to change to have things run smoother. If they are not willing to at least listen to you and actually work to change their lack of communication - I would walk away.

 

[targuard86]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

my response is simple and covers all the companies, both large and small..................

Welcome to the world of expedited freight.

You had an average couple of weeks, sometimes you get lucky but what you experienced is what you will experience.

Don't change companies bassed on these issues because if you do you will then be unhappy with 2 companies!

 

[flatbedin]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

Haven't said anything about leaving YET!! Just keeping my options open.. And if that is the nature to expediting, then so be it. Just looking for good advice as a group to see if everyone agree's that this is normal..

 

[LDB]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

My general rule is you run for 90 days minimum before thinking about a change as it takes at least 90 days to learn the company and their systems. That rule applies to companies that are in the expediting business not companies that are playing part time to see if they like it or want to expand into it or whatever. I would look into other companies and be certain they are a 24/7 operation and join a team that works when you need them to.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[Lawrence]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

Leo,

Great advice. I'm amazed when I speak with an Owner Operator and he is ready to jump ship in two weeks. Moving from carrier to carrier is VERY expensive.

Also, I spoke with a guy who bought a $43,000 Decked out Sprinter - and wanted out of the business in three weeks.

Unfortunately - we, as an industry get a black eye because this person didn't do his do-diligence and research to see if this kind of works was for him before he splurged on a expensive truck.

Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com

Music soothes the savage beast - unless it's polka.


Going to church makes you a Christian about as much as standing in the garage makes you a car

You can build a man a fire and keep him warm for a day or you can set a man on fire and keep him warm for the rest of his life.


ACHTUNG!!! Das machine is nicht fur gefingerpoken und mittengrabben. Ist easy schnappen der springenwerk, blowenfuseen und corkenpoppen mit spitzensparken. Ist nicht fur gewerken by das dummkopfen. Das rubbernecken sightseeren keepen hands in das pockets. Relaxen und vatch das blinkenlights




-----------------------------------------
Thanks For Visiting EO!
[p]
http://www.expeditersonline.com/hotnews/sterling_eo_forum.jpg


Please Help Us Get The Word
Out About Expediters Online.com!
-----------------------------------------

 

[simon says]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

Lawrence: you should flip that comment over to the newbiew page. I see a lot of folks asking how it's going in this biz, who want to come over for the "big bucks." As the sayin goes, grass is not always greener on the other side.

 

[flatbedin]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

Leo,

Thanks for that advise, now that is an answere that I was really looking for.

Like I said, I am not looking to jump ship yet, Just asking oppinions from the veterans in the industry. And I appreciate good sound advice like that.

I am not looking to get rich, but I do want to pay my bills. And I did not go into this industry blind. I left a very good paying job, to take a chance and try and cut a little stress in my life. I did my research from top to bottom, and then again.. I do have a cash reserve set up so that I can withstand some DOWN time and sitting..

What does bother me the most about expediting is we are supposed to be the "elite" drivers out there. More of a family based group that will help each other out and watch over each other...

Yet it seems like every time someone starts into the business and ask's advice, or for the good sound experience from others, they always want to put the newbie down... Why is this?? I am sure that every one of you did not gain your experience over night, and why would you not want to share good sound advice to help tomorrows drivers out?

I bet I have seen a hundred different expediters on the road in the past three weeks, and the funny thing is that I wave at everyone that I pass, or yell at them on the CB, and I can only recall 1 driver that actually waved back or had anything to say?? Does expediting want to be classified as the "typical" truck drivers?? I know I don't!!

I made a hot meal for a fellow driver and invited him into my truck for supper and just to chat on down time.. When was the last time any one else has done that??

This isn't intended to hurt anyone's feeling, just make everyone realize that we are ALL out here for the same reason, to make a lively hood, and enjoy ourselves along the way...

 

[chuckwagon]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

Be careful now - you might upset some of the veterans on this site.

You should never doubt, question, or even wonder about any of their comments.

Sure, they say they are here to help, but look careful and its the same ole canned bs response to every question.

Give it time, be patient, ask questions, etc.

The sad thing of it is, it sounds you are a little like me, and if that is the case - you are going to have to do what I am going to do and that is work, plot and develop a game plan on your own.

(Or find a great team driver that you can put up with) That in itself would make things easier to deal with on down times, etc, slow days, etc.

You would more than likely get the longer runs as well.

 

[TeamCaffee]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

flatbedin

We have helped several new people out on the forums and also by private PM messages that where carrier specific. We really believe that expediters are the elite of the elite. We have several times met with other expediters to have a meal, coffee or go do something together. All of us love to tour other’s trucks to get new ideas on how to make ours better. We have a welcome matt on our steps. We do not care what signage is on the box of the truck we are in this together. We do not ever run with our CB on due to the talk on the CB where so many "Big Truck" drivers are to busy discussing that they have their panties on or they are talking about the female seat covers. Who in their right mind wants to listen to that? We do wave at all expediters, some wave back and some don’t. When someone new gets on the forums and instead of asking questions starts telling us how to do our jobs better all the hackles go up. There is a right way and a wrong way to go about learning. If you decide to get into expediting we wish you all of the luck in the world.

 

[cheri1122]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

Linda Caffee said it very well, and I agree 100%.

 

[flatbedin]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

This response was not pointed in your direction Team Caffee, and I hope that you don't take offense. If you read the original post I was simply asking a question about situation that I am currently in with the company that I work for... And if it was normal or not.

My previous response was not intended to hurt anyone's feeling either. Just to make EVERYONE on this realize that we are "as expediters" a different breed, and that we, as a group, should realize this.. I got into expediting with hope's that fellow expediters on the road would be as a whole "different" than the average trucker. And my previous response was intended to maybe remind a few of the "veterans" out there that everyone starts somewhere..

I ask questions to learn and to gain knowledge. And IF our paths ever cross, you'll find that I am one of the nicest, most helpful people that you would ever meet. I just ask for the same in return..

 

[chuckwagon]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

flatbedin -

See I told you.

You have to be very very careful on every word you use to the 'veterans' on this site because they will think you are questioning their supreme knowledge.

I understand what you are saing because I too am one of the newbies.

I have been preaching alot on this site, instead of taking the time to understand the business, thus I have changed course regarding this.

However, I believe the vets tend to be a little to sensative to the words us newbies use and the way we may phrase a question.

They have their old way, which is fine.

 

[RichM]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

Hey Chuck as of yesterday and the day before you were going away.Why don't you take your insults and leave. Many of us help and give advice to folks who have the right attitude. Last Sunday night I spent 1 hour on the phone with a potential expediter, at least once or twice a week I and many of the other veterans work with and answer questions that are put forth in a reasonable manner.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

It all depends on what the "newbs" are trying to accomplish. If they're trying to get a union started, then get hostile because no one agrees with them, then what do you think?

Generally, I'd have to agree with Leo's advice. However, if you give a company 3 months while going broke in the process, you need to check into another company asap. Generally, if you've been in expediting awhile, you should get a relatively quick idea if the company is what you're looking for or not.

I can't say anything bad about not having a weekend dispatch, as long as someone is on call. C&M just switched over to full-time weekend dispatch. But it didn't bother me before then.

"If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." - Kansas

 

[davekc]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

I have been preaching alot on this site, instead of taking the time to understand the business, thus I have changed course regarding this.
==============================================================
Now you are making alittle more sense. It is hard to preach on something that you have yet to experience.
Alot of the folks on here take alot of time and effort to help here and off the forums.
Please show alittle respect for their efforts as it may be you that needs the help at some point.













Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[fastman_1]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

Yep Chuck the Old Timers Give the same canned answers...Because they Help. You Also Give the same Advice each time..which is none.







































Owner/Operator since 1979
Expediter since 1997
B Unit Semi Retired
Somedays are Diamonds and Somedays are Stones
Home is Wherever you Park.
The Price of Freedom is Written on the Wall.

 

[LDB]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

I wouldn't jump ship if they were keeping you moving well. If you are sitting all weekends that's not a good thing. Having no dispatch on the weekends guarantees if you aren't already moving you won't be. Not being informed of an important change in scheduling is a biggie. Don't ride it out too long waiting for improvement. What you mentioned are really significant points. If you said you like and make good money except they make you call in at 11:43 every Tuesday and Friday and you don't like that I'd say keep running with them. For major issues like yours it may be wise to look for a better fit.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[chuckwagon]

RE: Which company actually cares about good driver

hey veterans -

so, wow, i even go out of my way and begin to take all this info and knowledge today (a new and bright start) and you still have to bash me for the past.

i take note that i have been causing problems rather than asking questions and on a rare moment assist in answering questions.

yet, the past comes back again.
so, if you don't want to take the 'let it go' 'its in the past' attitude and we all move forward then neither will i.

flat, all i will say bud, is keep the head up and the tailbone covered - do what is best for you, not always will that be what has worked for someone else.