XM Radio for my driver

ecs_ocean

Seasoned Expediter
I am a soon to be fleet owner getting my documentation in order. Is XM radio appealing to sprinter drivers? I am looking at ways beyond the 40% linehaul to attract a reliable, motivated driver.
 

ChrisGa23

Expert Expediter
I applaud your effort to keep a driver happy. There is nothing better than satellite radio. I would bet your driver would love it. I'm not sure if you have researched it yet but they have 2 packages one is a basic type package for 12.99 and they have a best of sirius package that gives you normal xm programming but adds popular sirius programming which is 16.99 a month. If you pay for a year its cheaper.

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App
 

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
I applaud too, but suggest you hold off on whatever goodies you decide on, until you've got the driver who has proven himself. That way, he'll know it's a reward, and not just a perk, right?
You probably don't need to hear this, but the best way to keep a good driver is to be a good owner - and don't hesitate to get rid of those who don't deserve or appreciate it.
Luck! :)
 

OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
I applaud too, but suggest you hold off on whatever goodies you decide on, until you've got the driver who has proven himself. That way, he'll know it's a reward, and not just a perk, right?
You probably don't need to hear this, but the best way to keep a good driver is to be a good owner - and don't hesitate to get rid of those who don't deserve or appreciate it.
Luck! :)

A reward? what is the driver a puppy dog and gets a milk bone for being paper trained?

a nice incentives like XM would show that they are just not a driver but a human being as well...
 

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
How is XM an incentive if it's already there when he starts? [If it were incentive enough to stay, that driver is hopeless, ok?]
Good people don't require incentives or rewards, but knowing the hard work is noticed and appreciated doesn't hurt, either.
 

OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
How is XM an incentive if it's already there when he starts? [If it were incentive enough to stay, that driver is hopeless, ok?]
Good people don't require incentives or rewards, but knowing the hard work is noticed and appreciated doesn't hurt, either.

Its not an incentive...if I mis spoke sorry...if the owner can afford to do this and feels good about...the driver would be MAYBE more comfortable and MAYBE be more productive...it would never hurt...
 

Dynamite 1

Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
a reward is for good performance. an incentive is to make an offer more attractive.
 

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
There's a difference between attracting good drivers, and keeping them. A good driver doesn't look for the 'extras' [like XM] to decide, but bases their decision on the perceived integrity of the owner.
If both owner and driver turn out to be good folks, then an incentive or two could keep the driver happy, especially during those weeks that just suck, lol.
Does that make sense?
 

OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
Maybe just call it a sign of good faith on both parties....I don't care for the word "rewards" much....but that is just me...IMO
 

Wolfeman68

Veteran Expediter
Fleet Owner
US Marines
I applaud too, but suggest you hold off on whatever goodies you decide on, until you've got the driver who has proven himself. That way, he'll know it's a reward, and not just a perk, right?
You probably don't need to hear this, but the best way to keep a good driver is to be a good owner - and don't hesitate to get rid of those who don't deserve or appreciate it.
Luck! :)

For once, Cheri and I agree. OMG!! Did I say that out loud.:eek:

For the most part, you don't know how a driver is going to work out in the beginning. You may think you do, but you can't truly get to know someone over the phone. Even a first meeting may not give you an true inkling. Trust has to be earned on both sides of the wheel.

Once you get to know each other and a working relationship develops, then think about perks. I wouldn't classify them as such, just find out what he either needs or would like to have to make his job or off time easier.

A reward? what is the driver a puppy dog and gets a milk bone for being paper trained?

a nice incentives like XM would show that they are just not a driver but a human being as well...

After you've been "bit" by that puppy dog, you learn to keep your fingers out of the way. Catch my drift??
 

ecs_ocean

Seasoned Expediter
I oversee about 15 people at my full-time job and I find that the more I invest in them (not just financially- but show that I care about them as people) the better performance I get out of them. I expect a lot from my team, but I give a lot in return. I am in the process of looking for a driver now.. I hire tough, but it makes managing easier. Any tips on hiring in the expediting business from seasoned fleet owners (as well as drivers) would also be appreciated. Regarding the XM: it is a low $ investment and I know that I prefer to have it on road trips
 

gotta go

Veteran Expediter
The second truck owner I drove for asked me one day how I was doing, if I had everything I needed. Mind you, I already had $100 of his for cash needs and 2 debit cards in my name on his accounts.
I told him I was planning on getting an XM radio and next time we talked he told me he'd ordered my radio and would be paying for the service. If he'd kept his trucks I would have never bought my own.
 

ecs_ocean

Seasoned Expediter
The second truck owner I drove for asked me one day how I was doing, if I had everything I needed. Mind you, I already had $100 of his for cash needs and 2 debit cards in my name on his accounts.
I told him I was planning on getting an XM radio and next time we talked he told me he'd ordered my radio and would be paying for the service. If he'd kept his trucks I would have never bought my own.

Debit cards and cash?? Fuel cards limited to fuel and showers and EZ Pass for my driver. GottaGo, you must have treated your owner well- I have heard a couple of stories of food/sundries passed as fuel on debit cards at truck stops

Wolfeman- thanks for the continued advice! I plan on being on the road (actually my driver being on the road) May 1
 

gotta go

Veteran Expediter
Debit cards and cash?? Fuel cards limited to fuel and showers and EZ Pass for my driver. GottaGo, you must have treated your owner well- I have heard a couple of stories of food/sundries passed as fuel on debit cards at truck stops

Wolfeman- thanks for the continued advice! I plan on being on the road (actually my driver being on the road) May 1

He was excellent to drive for. He knew that I would treat his truck as my own and never let anyone take advantage of his trust. Yes, he provided EZ Pass, too.
 

ecs_ocean

Seasoned Expediter
He was excellent to drive for. He knew that I would treat his truck as my own and never let anyone take advantage of his trust. Yes, he provided EZ Pass, too.

How did you two find each other? Why did he sell his vans? Did he pay the standard 40% and keep fsc? I don't mean to offend by drilling you with questions, but want to learn as much as I can from the experience of others. Any other drivers or fleet owners please add your $0.02
 

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
EZ Pass is a great incentive, it beats making sure you have cash on hand for those 'surprise' tolls, and can't really be abused.
Debit cards are good, too, but definitely for drivers you trust. Routine maintenance & small repair/replacements are easier if payment is handy for the driver, esp if you may be busy when they need you to authorize it.
You'll want to ask your good drivers for suggestions, because they know what would make their job easier. [Yours, too.]
 

gotta go

Veteran Expediter
How did you two find each other? Why did he sell his vans? Did he pay the standard 40% and keep fsc? I don't mean to offend by drilling you with questions, but want to learn as much as I can from the experience of others. Any other drivers or fleet owners please add your $0.02
I was in an uncomfortable co-driver situation at Panther. When it was impossible to continue I contacted the "transition team" that Panther had at the time and asked if I needed to transition out of the truck or the company. Half an hour later I was contacted by this owner. This was in a straight truck. I got 40% of total pay and he paid all expenses. I appreciated the fact that I didn't need to put out my money and get reimbursed when he got the receipts. The previous owner was abusive in that regard. As Cheri says, trust is mandatory. The first time I needed to put his truck in the shop the bill was incorrectly figured. I made sure it was corrected and he never questioned me in any future transactions.
 
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