Here at the Bleater, we hear a lot of complaints about lack of pay in the OTR trucking industry. Why do trucking companies spend so much on advertising and recruiting? It seems to me that if they spent more money paying drivers, instead of advertising, they would have all the drivers they needed. Not neccessarily true...
Think back through your driving career. Where were you employed at the longest? Do you tend to work for a company for less than a year and leave for something that seems better? Pays better? Were you promised something that never happened? This happens way too often.
The recruiter promises you the world on a silver platter. You can't wait to get started and then guess what? The first week on the job you realize that this was a big mistake. So, you contact the recruiter to ask, "why am I sitting so much? Why can't dispatch seem to get me home?" He says he will look into and address with dispatch, but nothing changes. You stay a month, maybe three, hoping it will work out, and it never does...
Are all recruiter's dishonest? Of course not! Are all trucking companies dishonest? No! There is often a disconnect between recruiters and operations. Read on and I will show you how to find out before you start...
This is part 1 of 3 of the "18 Wheels of Justice Top Ten Driver Checklist". This list will cover how to negotiate the best pay, find the best company and what to look for in a company. I will keep it simple and to the point. It's in three parts, because blogs are supposed to be short, according to my editor. Anyway, back to the point...
Print, email or just find a pen and notepad and keep this list, so you will have it with you. Forward to your wife or significant other, so they can help you. This is a major life decision, it is important to get a second opinion. You will be thanking me a year from now, when you are no longer chasing rainbows and will have found a happy home and a serious career. If you're not serious about your career and making money, and most importantly, being happy where you work, stop reading here. This article is not meant for you. You spend the majority of your adult life working, why not enjoy it?
Now, without further ado,(drum roll, please!)the Top Ten List!
10. Make a list of no more than 5 potential Trucking companies you want to work for. Big, Small it doesn't matter, there are many different benefits with both. This seems like a lot of work? Yes it is, but do once every 10 years, instead of once every 3-6 months and enjoy your success. Approach driving like a career, and you will find your way.
9. Ask them for a random list of Ten drivers phone numbers, that currently work there. This is your first step, do not skip this one. The Drivers who work there and like it, are more than happy to tell you about the company. Driver's who work there and don't like it, are even happier to talk to you about the company. If the recruiter tell you he/she doesn't have a random list, but a list they give out to new drivers, that's fine, they are honest. Ask him for five from that list and ask him if he can pull up five more at random. Take an hour, call all ten, if you only reach 5 right away, that's fine, leave a voicemail, the others will call you back before you make your decision. Keep track of who you have talked to. If the recruiter balks or refuses to give you a list of ten drivers, while you are on the phone with him/her the first time(this is important), run, don't walk, but run away from this company. If they can't produce on the spot, don't work there, you will regret it later.
8. Pay! - Don't ask, Don't ask, Don't ask. Should I say it again? Don't ask yet! This is for later in this new realtionship, Ladies and Gentlemen. If they mention pay, don't acknowledge it, just mention you are on "the market" and are looking for a home.
Part II on Monday. Tomorrow's Bleater - Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? Part II - Where did my Owner Operators and Driver's go?
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