Talking To Drivers..."how To."

Hello everyone! I've noticed quite a few suggestions to actually speak with drivers of particular companies for insight. I see a lot of threads here that go into detail about individual companies so that is a big help. I was wondering how to approach a driver in person, say at a truck stop. I'm ok striking up conversation when opportunity presents itself however I am not sure how to approach someone when they are clearly working. Are there other ways to speak with drivers in person? If I were to go to a hub and ask to speak with drivers would I be likely to hear the truth or something sugar coated? Thank you in advance for any suggestions :-)

Morning and welcome to the forum - I noticed that was your first post.

I understand how you feel. Personally, I thought it could be a tad awkward to approach a driver at a truck stop. I guess it depends on what they're doing at the time you approach them. I don't want to bother somebody who is just trying to do their job. But hey, if they don't want to talk, or if they're busy, they'll say so, right? Simply asking, "How to you like driving for _____? I"m thinking of applying there" should suffice.

As for making sure you won't get a sugar coated answer, I don't think that's an issue. It might be more likely that you could get a "false negative," i.e. if they're having a bad day. At the end of the day, no company is a bad company per se, just maybe not a good fit for you. You'll hear each particular driver's experience, and that could be useful info on how the company operates, which will help you make a better decision on if that company could be a good fit for you.

Welcome aboard Boots&Bludog!

I agree with everything Bill said and I'll add a bit myself here.

The best time and place to approach a driver is either while they're fueling up or when they're walking into the truck stop building. When drivers are fueling they're usually just messing around washing the windows and waiting for the tanks to fill. They've got a few minutes to kill. And it's very common for drivers to talk to each other while fueling.

You can also stand on the sidewalk near the building and watch for drivers to come walking into the truck stop from companies you're interested in. Again, just something simple like, "Hey, I noticed you drive for Werner and I was thinking about applying there. How do you like it?" Simple as that.

It's also very common for drivers to ask each other how they like the company they're working for. So nobody is going to think anything of it. Like Bill said, something simple like, "Hey, I was considering going to work for your company. How you like it there?" The main things you want to know is if they're getting decent miles consistently and if they're getting home when they're due for home time. If you're running when it's time to run and heading home when it's time to get home then you're normally pretty happy with where you're at.

You'll get much better answers speaking with people face to face than you will in most forums and websites. People are full of bravado and B.S. when they can say things anonymously but it's a whole different story when someone is looking them in the eye. You'll find that drivers will be really friendly the overwhelming majority of the time if you go speak with them in person and they're almost certainly going to give you an honest answer.

The only thing to look out for is referral bonuses. Drivers often get paid $500 or more to refer a driver to their company. So if by chance a driver gives a glowing recommendation and then gives you his truck number to put him down as a referral, ignore anything that driver said. Now their recommendation is tainted because they're trying to get that bonus. If they don't mention anything about their driver number or truck number then they're not looking for a bonus, they're simply giving you their honest opinion. I never used to give out my truck number when people would ask about my company, even if they asked for it, because I wanted them to know I was being honest with them. I wasn't looking to make a quick buck for myself by altering someone's career path like that.

Thank you Bill and Brett for the welcome and sound advice. I meet this afternoon to sign up for school and will be by a couple of truck stops. I will give this a shot. The weather here is fantastic and hopefully this makes for some great attitudes.

If I'm not mistaken that dog shadow looks like a Blue Heeler, they make a great companion in a truck.

Blue and Red Heelers truly are awesome companions and protectors. Must be that domesticated dingo thing...

Good eye Old School! Yes Bill he is a great companion and protector. I sometimes refer to him as my "Velcro dog." He loves to ride along in cars...I am a little concerned he will be afraid of the big rigs at first. I may have to start a thread about that when the time comes ;-)

Update, plan A. I wanted to find the positive before posting, so here goes. I went to three truck stops and did not manage to find one driver to speak with. It might have been helpful had I actually got out of the car, haha. Friday afternoon and there were a lot of things going on. I got the evil eye from the guy who drives around the golf cart and many other eyes wondering why I was circling around. There really is no where a 4 wheeler parks nearby. I get it, safety and security come to mind. Being on unfamiliar turf, randomly walking around, approaching a group from far away, or just standing off to the side waiting...all pretty awkward for a woman. Maybe I should have posted in the Ladies of trucking forum? The positive is I learned. Find a less busy time and have a prop.

Plan B, bring the bludog! I think this will be a way to appear to have a reason to be there in the first place as well as a way to break the ice. Plan B also will help with introducing the bludog to the environment. I will have him on a leash and stay out of the way of fueling and such. Sometimes I think I may be getting ahead of myself since I have yet to even start school...then again I do love to research and this is one of the approved ways, right? Thanks for listening :-)

Being on unfamiliar turf, randomly walking around, approaching a group from far away, or just standing off to the side waiting...all pretty awkward for a woman.

Boots&Bludog,

Were you at the truck stop at the east end of town (Sparks) or at Boomtown. The evil eye might have something to do with the other "ladies" that frequent truck stops for "other" . . . ahem . . . reasons. You might check out the the truck parking area just east of Boomtown or even Gold Ranch in Verdi. In any case, don't worry about standing out because you will no matter what you do. Just be forthright and brave and the drivers will understand what it is you are looking for. There is also a spot on the eastbound side of I-80 directly across from the westbound truck parking area short of Boomtown that is a "vista" point with some historical monuments where lots of trucks pull in for a short break.

However, as much as a personal testimony might seem like good info, you will find as you become familiar with this site and the people who post here that YOU are the one who is responsible for any company being a good one. I personally think the company sponsored training approach is the easiest, less costly way to approach this whole thing. However, take as much time as you like, read the info here and you will find yourself very well informed about the whole mater - able to make an informed decision about what trucking has to offer you in the long run . . .

Jopa

BTW . . . most people don't realize that Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks!!

Jopa, that "BTW" is a new and funny one for me, lol. Sorry haven't figured out the quote stuff yet. I have grown to like Reno pretty well for a desert town. And it's close to some of my favorite NorCal haunts. I see you're my neighbor in the Tahoe area.

One of the reasons I joined here after much perusing is the positive advice that consistently is put forth from each of the members. I commend Brett and the moderators on keeping this site welcoming and informative while keeping it real. As often as I have read that the key to a great company is to be a great employee with a positive attitude, I can not hear it enough. It is so true and so often I've forgotten it. I hope to always be grateful for the reminder, so I thank you.

Your would be correct in that I was east of Sparks and Fernley stops. I will be attending a private school in Sparks. It is rare now days that I get to the west Reno locations but it should not be said that I won't be going there. There is some great hiking on the Truckee out of Verdi ;-) I get what you're referring to about the "ahem...ladies." I will more likely get mistaken for some hippy hitchhiker, nonetheless it does feel awkward to be just hanging around looking to chat it up about trucking. I will get over it soon and I will prevail! :-)

I've sort of set my sites on a company already. I've spoken with a driver and recruiter from said company. Now the very experienced driver has been with them around 4 months and has high praise. The recruiter (ex driver) is new in the recruiting dept. and he has conflicting information. I think he was a little timid in his presentation since there were a lot of questions he was not prepared for. As I start learning more about things I expect to broaden my choices. No sense getting my hopes up on one company. At this point my plan is to go with a company that I may want to stay with past a year. I'm not big on jumping around....read: I really dislike looking for a job, lol.

I look forward to hearing about the training at your chosen company. From the different threads going about it I see how quickly things can change. The comforting thing to me is that here there is consistent communication and support for any of us that reach out for it. Thank you for your hints on places close to me!

Boots