Is Being A Company Driver Competitive By Nature?

Will I find myself competing with fellow company drivers for better pay, miles, bennies, home time, routes, loads, equipment, etc.?

Is it true that sometimes dispatchers and other company authorities play favorites?

Are there times when experienced drivers at your firm might not be helpful or mentoring when you, as a greenhorn, have problems or questions about what makes things tick at the organization for fear that you may someday take their job away?

Brett in his book has been saying it's important to get to know key personnel at any new firm: namely the dispatcher and perhaps one or more lower managers. Brett also cautions about the recruiter lies.

Should new drivers socialize more with other new drivers and form peer groups within the company?

One thing I expect from any employer is absolute fairness and honesty. If I am a golden driver then my reward should be no less than gold. If my output is only pot-metal level, why should I expect be paid in diamonds?

PS - Is there a website one can visit whereby drivers (anonymously, of course) give reviews of their companies? One star through five type of grading?

Is Yelp.com or Google Reviews a good place to check out companies? I figure that if freight customers like the companies they might also be good outfits to drive for as well.

I’ll reply to part of your post by suggestion that you read this:

Web Of Lies & Misinformation

Todd if you really want the truth; get your information here. If you want something else...there is plenty of head-trash on trucking throughout the internet.

As far as being treated fairly? We reap that which we sow. Act like a jerk, expect to be treated like one. Conduct yourself with professionalism and respect, you will be treated accordingly.

If I am a golden driver then my reward should be no less than gold. If my output is only pot-metal level, why should I expect be paid in diamonds?

The problem I’ve seen here is that a driver’s idea of a golden driver is not the same as the company’s. What’s your idea of a golden driver?

You have been on this site long enough to know trucking is entirely about favorites. The favorites are the most productive drivers. and yes, you get special treatment.

Yes, we are in competition with others on our fleet. As a matter of fact, on our phone app we now have a ranking based on fuel mileage and net cost. it ranks us by fleet, division, terminal and even make of truck!

There is no competition between drivers. Do your job safely. Be at every appointment early. Many companies, like CFI, have an open door policy. I have sat next to my fleet manager at his desk. He answered all my curiosity questions about how he does his job. Our president's office door opens up into operations. I like to think I'm favored by him. Weather or not I am, I get plenty of miles. As far as other people to help you out, I still stay in touch with my trainer. I also have a network of other drivers I can talk to.

This is a performance based career. That means you get out of it what you put into it. I compete only with myself.

Generally speaking oif you shut up and do your job you will be treated better than those who argue, or make life difficult for others.

Remember dispatchers controll how much or how little you make, if you are unreliable, rude, or difficult they can be the same way.

The problem I’ve seen here is that a driver’s idea of a golden driver is not the same as the company’s. What’s your idea of a golden driver?

I'm not sure how you figure that. It seems to me the equation is pretty simple. Drivers and companies alike both win when drivers are safe, productive, efficient, and give their customers fantastic service. I can't think of a situation where a company would want a driver to perform one way but a driver would want to perform differently.

Go into more detail about your opinion. I'm curious about what you're referring to.

If I am a golden driver then my reward should be no less than gold. If my output is only pot-metal level, why should I expect be paid in diamonds?

The problem I’ve seen here is that a driver’s idea of a golden driver is not the same as the company’s. What’s your idea of a golden driver?

A GOOD driver is a GOLDEN one to me. A Model Driver, if you will.

Ok, andhe78, please tell me in your opinion what makes a GOOD or MODEL driver?

To me, a GOOD or MODEL driver is one who:

1. one who is never late for work 2. one who follows the law strictly 3. one who always does as he is told 4. one who doesn't smoke, drink or do dope 5. one who presents and conducts himself professionally to customers 6. one who stays out of wrecks 7. one who takes pride in his equipment and in his job 8. one who is not a slob, doesn't litter or spit on the street in front of the general public 9. one who is not an aggressive driver or a road hog but always drives defensively 10. one who always uses his turn signal to warn motorists of a lane change

Generally speaking oif you shut up and do your job you will be treated better than those who argue, or make life difficult for others.

Remember dispatchers controll how much or how little you make, if you are unreliable, rude, or difficult they can be the same way.

It sounds like drivers are often at the mercy of dispatchers. MERCY sakes, good buddy!

It sounds like drivers are often at the mercy of dispatchers.

Dispatchers and drivers are teammates. Neither can accomplish anything without the other. So no one is at the mercy of anyone else.

Great drivers are quite rare and always have been. This industry has no shortage of lazy or unreliable drivers. If you go out there and do an awesome job you will be rewarded handsomely with great miles and great treatment. If you're a screw up you're going to be sitting around doing nothing an awful lot and no one is going to go out of their way to make your life easy.

So great drivers have it made, lousy drivers certainly don't.