More Opinions Requested

OK, I could use your opinion on a small issue that is on my mind at the moment and currently have the time to discuss it.

The company I drive for, Ozark, is pretty good about covering all the driving expenses. Tolls, fuel, any maintenance. Except one apparently.

I was going over my trip sheets after receiving my check stub to make sure all was up and up. Everything OK except one tiny issue. In Atlanta Georgia, I had to pick up a FedEx load at an airport. I had got there about 12 hours early and chose to stop at a truck stop just south about 2 miles south of where I need to pick up. This obviously has advantages, as most of you guys know already. So I can take my 10 hour break and be ready for a full run.

The only gotcha, is that truck stop is a "pay to park" truck stop. 10 bucks to park for more than 30 minutes. All spaces are pay to park. Well, the catch is, Ozark don't want to reimburse that parking fee. They'll pay tolls, but not a toll to park?

This is where your opinion comes in. What would you do? Should I call Ozark and see if they will make an exception? Since this load will probably come again, what should I do the next time? BTW, the appointment is at 2300.

I would pay for the parking myself. Ten bucks isn't gonna break you. I wouldn't rock the boat over it.

I don't know of any company that pays for parking - the driver always covers the cost. The best thing you can do is just let it go. You don't want to stir up trouble for something that's so insignificant.

Kenneth, I agree with Gladiator. Occasionally we run into these paid parking areas. It was your choice (and a wise one I would say). For me it's worth forking out the money because ultimayely it helps you run the load more efficiently and be ready sooner for the next load.

If they don't reimburse it don't let it become a burr in your saddle. It's small change in the whole scheme of things.

I work for Swift and they don't reimburse parking to my knowledge, then again I've never asked.

You can certainly ask, but like Gladiator said I wouldn't make a big deal of it. By the way, if you save the receipt most expenses of this nature that aren't reimbursed by your company are tax deductible.

OK sounds like good advice. That's why I like these forums. More brains is better than one.

It just seems counter productive from a company point of view. Do they know that a driver has the potential to cost them in more ways than they realize out of simple decisions that the driver can make. Like, hmmm, do I decide to be nice and go a few extra miles out of my way to save them 30 bucks on a toll road or not?

Care is a two way street ya know.

Anyway great replies guys.

Care is a two way street ya know.

Kenneth, don't let sentiment like that trouble your mind when it comes to your trucking occupation. It's a true statement when talking about your family or your spouse, but I don't ever even consider that my company that I'm working for will "care" for me.

That is just the kind of complaints we see so often from the moaners and groaners on-line - "They don't care for their drivers."

Here's how it all works: you just keep on busting your tail and doing the things that make you more money, like you did by choosing the parking area that was close to where your pick-up was. That is just the kind of thing that so many drivers don't think of doing, and it hurts them in the long run. It will help you because you will build the reputation of being the kind of driver who knows how to get things done. Any driver who knows how to manage his time and his available hours responsibly will be at the top of his driver managers list of "go to guys".

Trucking companies are complex and there are a lot of folks in the offices that will be handling the different things related to your payroll - most of them have no idea who you are and have simply no reason to "care for you". That driver manager is the one that you want to impress with your abilities. You keep that one person impressed and you will be in good standing, but don't waste your time hoping that the company will care about you. It is the little extra efforts that you showed in choosing that parking place that will put you at the top of the food chain. Just keep up the good work and don't worry about who notices what you are doing or not - trust me - your driver manager knows if he can count on you or not - and that is the main thing you want to establish.

Oh yea, you're absolutely right. I'm gonna do what I can to make more for me. For instance, they say pay by the mile. But what they really pay by the load. The miles are city center to city center. So if I decide what is absolutely best for me, I need quickest route, period. It doesn't matter if taking that toll road would save the company money. If the toll is gonna get me to my destination sooner, take it.

This is why it seems counter productive. Because sometimes you can compare routes and one is only gonna save a few minutes/miles, but cost 20 bucks or so to take the toll route. A company caring driver might sacrifice a few minutes of his/her day just to save the company a few bucks. But if the company doesn't care to save the driver a few bucks, well, it works both ways.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone had any opinions on what I should do if the same job came up again. Do I do the same as the first time? Or try and find a different place to park? In Atlanta??? There is no overnight/long term parking at fedex. Anyone know of another location? I did see on google maps/earth that there *might* be a place to park "un-noticed" about a half mile to the east of the airport. But it might be a ticket magnet. Must be careful. If I ever get the chance, with extra time to investigate it, I might cruise on over there and take peek.

Thanks for your opinion(s) everyone.

Kenneth, the bottom line is that the place you stop for your breaks is up to you. Ozark did not tell you (or dispatch you) to stop at the TS and pay $10.

You made the right move, $10 extra so you could deliver right at the start of your day. Planners like handing loads to drivers that have lots of hours to run.

I stopped at a TA in Connecticut that had a pay to park system, even had a ticket booth at the entrance with someone collecting money like at a parking garage. But if you had a receipt for a fuel purchase (I believe 50 gallons or more), you got to stay 24 hours for free. Is this an option for you at that truck stop?