Comments By G MAN

I totally agree with Guyjax and Stormlover except I'd like to make on distinction for new drivers coming into the industry:

Always remind them that you will always do the best you can, but you will do it safely...and stick to it....Any decent company will respect you for that...

I would say any decent dispatcher will respect you for that. You can work for an awesome company but have a lousy dispatcher that will punish you for things you shouldn't be punished for - like if you insist on running legally or refuse to run because there's a safety issue with your equipment.

The only reason I make this distinction is because the #1 image problem that trucking has is that it's full of "bad companies" that you have to look out for. And that's total baloney. Within any company you're going to have some bad apples. It's simply the law of averages. And what keeps happening is a driver will get on with a rogue dispatcher or a dispatcher who doesn't get along with the load planners. So the driver isn't happy with how things are going. It could be a number of things - not enough miles, too many short runs, too many runs in the Northeast, failing to get home on time, etc, etc. And drivers tend to blame "the company" when these things happen. But it's almost never "the company" that's to blame.

No company policy dictates that their drivers should get lousy miles. No company policy dictates that their drivers should get home late. No company policy dictates that a particular driver should get stuck with nothing but lousy runs. No company policy dictates that drivers should take incredible risks and run illegally to get the job done. These are all decisions that are made within the realm of dispatchers and load planners.

Companies and drivers are in this together. When the wheels are turning, everyone makes money. When they're not, everyone is losing money. So trucking companies want drivers that are happy. They want to give everyone good miles, fair treatment, and get them home on time. It's in the company's best interest to run things this way. But the company is still a group of individuals, and you can't control every move that every individual makes no matter how hard you try.

One rogue dispatcher or load planner can make life a mess for a lot of drivers. But if those drivers were to switch to a great dispatcher they would likely find themselves in an entirely different situation and most of their problems would be solved instantly. I've had this happen numerous times throughout my career. You get on with a lousy dispatcher and your life stinks. You're not getting the miles, you're not getting the good runs, and getting home is like pulling teeth. You switch to a better dispatcher and it's like you're working for a whole different company - you're getting miles, you're getting good runs, and you're getting home without any problems.

So for new drivers or those coming into the industry, if you're having issues like those I've mentioned, do not think you're working for the wrong company. The first thought should be about yourself - are you truly doing an awesome job out there? If so, then you should be getting good miles overall and fair treatment. If you're doing a great job but you're not getting the miles, fair treatment, and home time you were promised then you may just have a lousy dispatcher.

The problem is almost never "the company". The problem is either you've chosen the wrong company for your life goals and expectations, or you've chosen the right company but were placed with a lousy dispatcher or load planner. If people understood this distinction there would be a lot less turnover, drivers would have a lot fewer problems, and the industry would have a much better reputation.

Great stuff, thanks Brett!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

G MAN

Hey everyone,

Well start of week two at SAGE and the great news is they are going to fast track me, without any loss of curriculum time or hours, to get done in two weeks from now instead of three!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am going to start driving the truck this week and I expect it will come back to me just like riding a bike!!! This coming Saturday, I get to drive for 8 hours! First week in class was awesome, I am averaging 93% on all tests taken. I am taking copious notes when I hear an instructor say something that I know will be helpful out on the road, like: Put Dawn dishsoap in the tracks of the fifth wheel to make it easier to slide. Do not use grease or anything like that! How would I have ever known that! Well I will keep you all posted. Be safe!

G MAN

Hey all, well week one down at school. Classroom is very interesting, instructors are awesome, informative, and helpful. Only 4 people in class including myself!!!!! They are going to help me gradute 2-3 days early by doing some driving and Sat and Sun, since I am here sitting!!!!! Got a tentative start date of May 20th for orientation in Fontana, CA with Central Refrigerated!!!

Still thinking too much about which company!!!!!! I have others to choose from and choosing is HARD!!!!

Brett?

Thanks all.

G MAN

Ill be in West Valley tomorrow morning!!

Darn, I wish i was there so I could meet you. I have a May 20th date in Fontana to begin orientation!!! How have your miles been lately?

G MAN

As with any company, in the end it all relies on the individual. Central definitely does have the miles to go around however trucking is very inconsistent. One week you get 2500 and another week you get less than 1500. All in all, I'm happy about my miles and my paychecks. The lowest paycheck I've made was 350$ in a week and the highest was 1200$ in a week. But usually it floats between 450$-550$.

Every trucking company makes a profit by delivering loads safely and on time. They will run you. Why would they make you sit all day and not be a profit when instead they can be running you and making money. You'll be busy no doubt. But just how busy all depends on how well you do your job. Always be on time and prove to your DM that you're a safe and reliable driver and the miles will come to you. Have a wonderful personality and don't be short tempered.

Don't worry about if they fire people or not. Every company fires people. If I hit a tree ill get fired quickly. I wouldn't worry about that. Instead, make a goal to always practice safety. If you're not sure then G.O.A.L and if youre catching yourself taking a risk back away from the situation and ask yourself if you really want to do it. Personally, if I don't think I can back into a spot I don't, I go look for another one. Walking a much needed 40 extra feet won't hurt you. Like a wise man once told me on this site when I was in school, if you're not sure about something then get out and make sure of it.

If you don't give them a reason to fire you then why worry about whether they fire or don't fire people?

Thanks Daniel. Im not worried about being fired. I have a great attitude, which is listen more than I speak, ask questions, respect authority, do everything with a smile and be grateful!!! Central is still looking good, I am speaking with a student in the West Valley class now. He says good things bout the company too, although he is going the lease route, which i wont ever! I emailed my recruiter, megan, to ask a few questions and lets see what she comes back with. Be safe.

G MAN

Nope I haven't heard anything about Central losing customers lately. Miles are still the same for me. Though I wouldn't be surprised if they did. That 50/50 split is bogus. They focus A LOT more on anyone leasing. Company drivers get the scraps. I've had so many times when I would get a 300 mile load that was dropped off by someone who is an o/o at a yard because the o/o wanted to avoid dealing with the receiver. I've talked to plenty that outright said they would do that without me asking. If a load is due in 6 days but it will only take 3 days to get there so when you do get there you have to sit for days, I've had that plenty of times and I highly doubt they'll make an o/o do that. Most of them just drop it in a yard for someone else to do it. Usually a local driver but my dispatcher has never given me the permission.

My friend who is late much more than me signed a lease two weeks ago and ever since then he's been destroying me on miles. I know it sounds bad but it's definitely not 50/50. That recruiter is very wrong.

Central is a good company to work for, I'm not bashing them. But that 50/50 is complete bs.

Thanks Daniel. How can I reconcile in my mind what you said above: "Company drivers get the scraps, and Central is a good company to work for, I'm not bashing them. The recruiter emailed me back saying they dont ever lay anyone off, they are a growing company and have the miles to go around. What, if anything, of what she is saying is truth, and what, if anything, should I take with a grain of salt? Your opinion is humbly requested. Thank you again. Be safe!

G MAN

Thanks Brett.

I told the school how helpful your HIGHROAD CDL training series was to me!!!

G MAN

Hey Daniel, I was wondering if you have any knowledge about Central losing some big customers recently? If so, has this affected miles for all drivers? Also, I was told by the recruiter that it is 50/50 split btw lease operators and company drivers. Do they focus more, first on the lease operators with better loads, miles, etc?

Thanks. Be safe!!!

G MAN

Hey all, got my CDL TODAy with all endorsements!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I am stoked!!!!!

Onto the next step!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brett, thanks for your HighRoad Series, it really helped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

G MAN

Brett, I want to applaud you on placing high in EVERY Google search I do about trucking!!!

Your website ALWAYS appears near the top of whatever list I am searching on!!!!

I see you smiling face, and I feel good that whatever info I am looking for, I can click on your link and be taken to the BEST site with the BEST, most HONEST info.

Keep it up!!!!

G MAN