Nobody believes that leasing as a rookie makes sense. But a lot of people hope you'll do it anyway. That's why I always try to tell people that when a business encourages you to go into business for yourself, especially in their own industry, you better ask yourself "Why?" while running away like your *ss is on fire.
Because every business exists to make all the money it can. If a business doesn't want to go after an opportunity, it's because they don't believe there's enough money in it to bother with. So when a company who owns and leases trucks encourages its company drivers to own or lease their own trucks, that should throw a red flag the size of Moscow and you better believe something's wrong.
I mean, if you were a fox and you approached a chicken coop with an open door and came across another fox who didn't want to go inside but encourage you to go inside instead, wouldn't you probably guess there's a farmer in there with a shotgun or a gigantic dog or something?
Think about it.
Haha yeah. I'm in NY right now for the first time since I was solo. He just gave me a 2400 mile load because he doesn't want me in the East.
Daniel, sounds like your dispatcher cares enough about you to look after you....that is a VERY good thing !!! I'm glad you have a dispatcher who will look after you and see that you get loaded, unloaded, and running....really makes a difference... Stay safe..
Daniel, sounds like your dispatcher cares enough about you to look after you....that is a VERY good thing !!! I'm glad you have a dispatcher who will look after you and see that you get loaded, unloaded, and running....really makes a difference... Stay safe..
Funny thing is this guy probably has the worst reputation out of anyone in CRS. Every veteran driver I have talked to hates him. Several even fired him and one cussed him out. I enjoy talking to those drivers because you can instantly see why what THEIR problem is. How do they expect good treatment if they name call? I admit, at first I didn't like him either. I thought he was a smartass and things he shouldn't be saying. He has no problem telling you that you messed up. But I got past that and when he told me I messed up I really did mess up. I worked my butt off, did all kinds of favors and after 7 months we are good with each other. The process of developing a good relationship with your dispatcher is a long and difficult process.
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
Funny thing is this guy probably has the worst reputation out of anyone in CRS. Every veteran driver I have talked to hates him. Several even fired him and one cussed him out.
You know, I hear the exact same things about my DM , but the funny thing is I don't have a problem with him at all. He works with me to get me home when I need to, he gets me good miles, and most importantly he listens when I tell him I can't do a load for one reason or another. Although that did take me coming up an hour short on my 70 hour clock on a load once before he believed me on my travel time estimates.
That's the thing about DMs, though. No matter who it is, guaranteed there's at least a dozen people who can't stand him/her, and an equal number who just love him/her to pieces. Just like companies, there's no such thing as a "perfect" DM. It's all about communication, trust, and establishing a solid relationship. Sure, there may be personality differences that you just can't get past, but if that happens all you have to do is get put on someone else's fleet. There's certainly no need for all the trash talking drivers do about DMs.
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
See, you guys totally get it because you're out their doing an awesome job and you know from experience that it isn't the company, it isn't the dispatcher , it isn't the type of freight you haul - it's the driver that determines his or her own fate. Now if you do happen to get stuck with a lousy dispatcher but you're an awesome driver the company generally will have no problems switching you to someone else's board. Problem solved. I've had to do that myself several times over the years because just like any other profession, not every dispatcher you come across is good at what they do. No big deal.
But if you're safe, reliable, hard working, and handle yourself like a professional you'll do great in this industry. It's performance-based. The best drivers get the best loads, the best miles, and the favors when they really need them. The rest are at TheTruckersReport bashing their companies and the industry every chance they get.
Happy people are generally quiet people. It's the vocal minority that raise holy h*ll all the time because they're miserable and looking to vent - looking for someone to blame. People who aren't very good at what they do also aren't very good at taking responsibility or facing reality.
But all the years I was on the road I listened to that garbage and 95% of the time it was nobody's fault but the driver. Every company I worked for gave me great miles, treated me fairly overall, and got me home when it was time.
I love this forum. I love hearing you guys and gals share your success stories and help out the new drivers coming in behind you. We face a long uphill battle trying to teach people how the trucking industry really works. But it changes the lives of a lot of people and it's a lot of fun being a part of that.

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It started off terribly. But slowly I've gained his trust. I qualified for the on time bonus for last quarter, 41 loads - and 41 on time. Miles are up to a point where I don't ever have time to spare.
Anyhow, I receiver a Qualcomm message from my dispatcher today. The message said "good day, I have been informed by the owner op department you would like to come in and lease a truck, please confirm."
I never spoke to the owner op department. Ever. I was just thinking that its another strategy to get me to lease. I responded back "No way, not true."
He replies back to me "ha ha that's why I always ask the driver".
I reply to him for the last time saying "Haha! Yeah, 7 months isn't experienced. I'm still a rookie I need to learn the industry before even considering."
He replies back to me saying "Agreed, I like the way you think"
This man was a driver for 10 years and with Central Ref. for 11 years and he said agreed. Proof that we aren't the only ones who think you shouldn't lease if you're a rookie.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.Dispatcher:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.