Comments By Brian M.

I am sure this topic has been discussed before and perhaps beaten to death but which pay is better in your opinion? Percentage pay of load or cents per mile?

I see the pros of both but also the cons of both? And if you don’t mind sharing give me some examples of your experience.

Yes Hobo, we are a very small company. We actually have only 10 trucks. There are 5 tractors, two of which are OTR. We also run 2 tandem straight trucks, which I drive one. The. There are 2 single axle straight trucks and then 1 Dually truck.

First of all let me thank everyone for the advice and wisdom your shared. Yes, in my opinion, I considered him a good friend and thought he felt the same but obviously I could be mistaken.

If for some reason I do advance and start driving a tractor for this company he will still be my supervisor unless he gets mad and resigns, or gets fired, and even demoted himself. If he stays as supervisor I realize I will be under the microscope and every move I do will be examined very closely and scrunizied. Perhaps to the point of seeing if he can get me fired for any reason.

Confront perhaps was not the best choice of words I used. After speaking to her I said I would speak with him on Monday and that’s when she said, No, we will do it together. There are two sides to every story and perhaps she wants to get his version and thoughts about this situation.

I do know however part of the reason for his hesitation in not wanting to “demote” this other driver. This gentlemen has been given every chance in every field at this company. He once drove years ago and was pulled off because customers called in complaining about him and his driving. He was even caught doing doughnuts in a straight truck in one’s lot. This gentleman gives the impression that many said would be someone who would shoot up the place if he ever was fired. My supervisor told me one day while out training that and I quote; I am going to try and be friends with “name” because I want him to remember me as a friend if he ever does something.

And props goes to you, Bruce K. That’s was an awesome intro into the wild and wonderful life of trucking! Thanks again!

Just an update on my situation, some of you may remember I asked for advice about what what my next move/ play would be concerning the suspected lies my supervisor had lead me to believe. In short; during my training for class A road test on 2 occasions he said the plan was to move me up and demote one driver because of reckless driving. However, this didn’t pan out as the new trucks starting arriving.

Some of you suggested I not be confrontational but definitely approach my supervisor and see what was going on. So on Tuesday I did just that and struck up a conversation with him and in the middle just simply asked; Ok now that I have passed my road test and fully licensed class A driver when is the plan to move me up? Obviously caught off guard he simply said, I don’t know when that will happen. I brushed it off and continued to conversation as if it didn’t bother me. In reality it did. So for the next couple of days I pondered real hard on what to do next so on Friday evening I decided to try one more time. I roll into the terminal at around 4 pm only to find that he had left for the weekend.

So instead of letting me get frustrated and ruining my weekend off I decided to approach his boss, the owner of the company, and ask her because since from the beginning of my training he said she was on board with the move and transition. I asked her and she said; This is the first I have ever heard of this. I laughed and said; I thought he had been lying to me all along. Long story short, we discussed what all was said between me and my supervisor during my training and she said, Don’t worry about this during the weekend and when you return Monday evening we will confront the supervisor together and get this done. I informed her that I had another job opportunity, which I do and not lying or bluffing, and she assured me that this would be taken care next week.

Now my stomach is churning and in knots because the supervisor in question is a good friend. I’m afraid he may be fired or demoted himself back to a driver because another driver also approached the owner about lies he had told them. So any suggestions or advice as Monday approaches? So for the long post!

If you like working there hang tight because you now have your class A. Doesn't sound like they would ask you to do that if they didn't plan for you to move up. Even if you decide to leave if you're not happy you have your class A. Now you'll probably have to go through training if you leave for another company. Good luck hope things work out for you.

Brian, good communication is always stressed here. Do you feel comfortable approaching your supervisor in a respectful, non- confrontational manner? If so, do it so this will stop bugging you. Also, did your employer pay for the costs associated with the license upgrade?

Getting your class A is a big deal. Congratulations on doing that and don’t rock the boat while you may not understand all the factors involved. Let us know what happens with your situation.

To answer both; yes, I really do like working for this company and would hate to leave. However, this isn’t the first “lie” I have witnessed.

As far as the question did they pay for my license upgrade; No. I was told that they would but they didn’t. Only thing they “paid for” for letting me use one of their tractors to test in. My supervisor is a good friend and I was former preacher before he moved and relocated about 45 min away. So tough situation. Thanks everyone!

I work for a company that runs class b straight trucks and class a tractors. I was approach and asked to step up to a class A license to move up to road tractor. I asked why and response was; we have a class a driver that is getting demoted because of reckless driving and we need you to step up and be ready to go when new tractors come in. So I complied and passed my class A cdl road test this past Tuesday. Well Friday rolls around and one new tractor is brought in and given to our OTR driver which means his older tractor a 2018 Freightliner is open. Thinking I would be given this spot/tractor only to find out the so-called demoted driver is given this newer tractor and I am left in my class b straight truck. So do I confront my supervisor for the obvious lies or do I just suck it up and play along and begin looking elsewhere?

I guess I should give info on what I would be driving and backing. We run Freightliner sleeper trucks with 48 foot flatbeds on spread axel trailers. Our trailers do not have the dump valves to lift one axle for better turning. Hope this helps in the advice given.

I’ve been a class b driver for several years and will be taking my class a road test this Tuesday. I currently deliver steel with a tandem straight truck but looking to make the leap to the big rig delivering the same steel. I’ve been out a couple of times in the big rig and even hauled a load that weighed in at 78,790 lbs. I will be going out again with another driver tomorrow and then the big day on Tuesday. My question is; what can I do to become better at blind side backing? I’m really struggling with this and many of the spots we deliver to you have to blind side in. My concern is if I don’t get this down soon my company and supervisor won’t move me up and I really want to move to the bigger truck. I know practice, practice, practice. I know it won’t come overnight but any kind of tricks, pointers, or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!