You might not have picked up on it, but we sprang our April Fool's joke on you a little early this year.
In the last edition of the eReport we talked about the TruckDriver.com Truck Driver Turnover Survey and asked you to please participate, however, we didn't insert the hyperlink so you could click through to it.
So, we are asking you once again to participate in the TruckDriver.com Truck Driver Turnover Survey by clicking here. No joke this time.
The final results will now be available in May.
Maybe that April Fool's joke is on us.
Mail Call
From: MV
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 2:00 PM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: to all the drivers comments
I agree with each and everyone of the comments that were made. The trucking industry is not what it used to be. Unless, like one driver says, we all send our opinions to the government. Even then you wonder if they pay attention to what's being said.
I wish we all would be able to do like one driver did and get rid of all creditors before even starting to drive a truck. However, some of us aren't that fortunate.
It's very interesting to read what everyone thinks, especially the old timers that know what it used to be. One driver made a comment that recruiters are filling the young hot dogs with a bunch of BS to get them to come drive for them. Those are the ones that are putting the trucking industry to shame from the way all of us older people remember the way all truckers watched out for one another.
know there are an awful lot of drivers out there who you can actually say are truckers and know what they are doing, safe and courteous drivers. I'm just a drivers wife who has been on the road with her husband a few times. I also worked at the fuel counter at our local truck stop, so I've heard it all AND seen a few mishaps of careless drivers.
So everyone keep safe. And God bless all.
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From: CM
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:36 AM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: Dispatchers
I have been in the trucking industry for 40+ years, and at this point I have two main concerns.
First is the need to pay drivers for "experience". In those 40 years of driving, I am accident free, and have only had 3 speeding tickets, two of which were acquired in a "speed trap". (the change of speed limit within one block, and not posted). Yet, when I started with this company I'm driving with now, I started at the same rate per mile as John Doe who had just graduated from Truck Driving School last week.
Kind of says "we don't RESPECT your record or experience", huh?
After telling them that I was looking for another company that DID pay for experience, they FINALLY gave me a 2 cent raise! BIG DEAL!! Then two years later, I got another 2 cent raise. So, now I'm at ,38 cents a mile with the 40 years experience under my belt!
These "kids" running these big trucking companies that, in most cases, they have inherited from "dad", need to be FORCED to learn to drive and go out on the road at the wage they are paying, for at least 6 months. I'm thinking putting the "shoe on the other foot", would make it fit a WHOLE LOT TIGHTER!! Maybe that would wake them up and give them more respect for their drivers.
he second issue is the Dispatchers!! Again, I think it needs to be MANDATORY for a dispatcher to have at least 1 yr OTR experience before they try to dispatch trucks. The biggest percentage of dispatchers today, are 22-30 (many young ladies) and have never even been up IN A TRUCK!!! How can you do a job that you have NO CLUE about? When one gets a good dispatcher, they can keep you rolling by "pre-dispatching", timing the load and unload time correctly, there-by making your bottom line healthier with a LOT less sitting time!!
My company hired a new dispatcher not long ago who was dispatching me 300 miles and setting appts for a day and a half to do it. Then turn around and dispatch me 700 miles and give me 8 hrs to get it there!!! Well, if that isn't inexperience, I don't know what it is! So, I had a "visit" with the young man and tried to explain it to him. And.....I'm sure he's not the ONLY one out there doing these kinds of things. These trucking companies need to insist on a year's OTR experience for their dispatchers, OR start up Dispatcher "classes" to teach them all of the ins and outs, preferably, written up by experienced drivers. Or maybe start docking the dispatchers wages for every hour they let a truck sit. (Wanna bet there wouldn't be much sitting time at all under those circumstances? 
Be safe!
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From: mikey
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 10:30 AM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: Response to "Venus" in this weeks mailing
Hi,
I just wanted to add to the note Venus sent along. Maybe you can use it in a future newsletter as I think Venus has hit on a great point for drivers to take control of their side of things for their own happiness and quality of life in this industry.
I put in 8 years both OTR company driver and owner operator. When I drove it was for 10cpm. I ate three meals a day and sent money home. We didn't have cell phones, laptops, GPS or dozens of other things that drivers have today. I was lucky if I did get to talk with my wife once a week just due to the cost of collect calls. I could go on but the point is that drivers today don't necessarily have it made so to speak, but have it in their control to make their lives better each day. We did back when I drove. We would exercise by walking around the truck stops or rest areas, and find time for ourselves when we could. Drivers today need to make it a point to be responsible for their well being in all areas of their lives. Get a cell phone with a good plan and talk to your family and friends every day at least, more if possible. Exercise by walking and simple isometric exercises that can be done inside a truck (the Marines train using isometrics there's no reason drivers can't). Walking will cut down the risk of blood clots in the legs from all the sitting.
Set yourself up to buy good food at the grocery stores so your not wasting your money and health on junk food all the time. Get a laptop and use it for email and to learn new things, keeping your brain improving. Buy one of those rubber bracelets and every time you complain about something change it from one wrist to the other then think of something good. How about the kid that just waved at you as they went by, the view, your family, a friend. After awhile you'll find that your not moving that bracelet back and forth very much at all, instead your filling your life with good thoughts.
As Venus says below it's up to you to make the job either as good as possible or lousy. If that job is not right for you then do all you can to make your side good until you find something else.
________________________________________________________
From: Venus
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 10:57 AM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: Truckers Lifestyle
I have read many publications, Truckers News, ITJ, Driver Connections, etc., and most of the other monthly magazines and find the general basic complaints.
I have been in Transportation since I joined the Armed Forces in 1975. No, very little has changed. But I do say that since I knew this, I prepared myself before becoming an OTR Driver. I got rid of my debts, have no Bill Collectors looking for me, manage my money well, don't eat all the unhealthy food that's sold, exercise, and put my waiting to (live) load/unload time to good use.
Perhaps some Drivers and their Families aren't working together, therefore, they find fault with trucking. It's what a person makes of it.
____________________________________________________________
I'm not able to drive anymore, but am able to be a recruiter (yeah, I know I hear it every time I answer the phone ). I spend a lot of quality time with a lot of the great folks that are a part of this industry, and am blessed to be able to spend my days talking with all of you folks in this industry. As we've said above your job is what you make of it. Regardless of what that job is you can work to make it as good as possible on your terms and you'll enjoy it most the time or you can just go through life grumbling and complaining and be miserable. It's your choice.
Take care, God Bless and be safe out there,
Mike
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From: LLG
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 12:40 PM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: turnover rate
Maybe one of the things we should check out when we job hunt is retention as shown in turnover rate. If a company has 1000 drivers and hires five hundred a year (not including for expansion or downsizing) their turnover rate is 50%.
I hear some companies are over 125 - 200 %. That's horrific! And it's gotta cost them to retrain and refill. Can it really be worth the lower pay associated with higher turnover? Most skilled factories couldn't work with such a high turnover rate, coz retraining, downtime and even morale costs too much.
Just my idea, maybe I don't know much. Just got my CDL 2 wks ago. But I'm gonna ask every company I apply for what their rate is - of course they can tell me anything and I can't prove it one way or another.
Well anyway, good luck to us all. Maybe union companies is the better answer. What do people think about unions. You're gonna pay for what you get. Is it worth it??
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Editor: Well, it looks like the conversation continues - is there a solution? Who knows?
We placed the following article next, as it seems like the perfect place for it.
Let us know what you think.
What drivers should consider when choosing a company
“The 6 Items of a Complete Employment Package”
The transportation industry is struggling to find enough professional drivers to meet the demands of its customers. Many trucking companies are choosing which customers they will service and which ones they will let find another source for their product transportation needs.
As a professional driver it’s up to you to decide which company will best meet your career needs. In this article we will discuss the 6 items that make up the “Total Employment Package.” In the past some drivers thought it to be enough to ask how much do you pay and when will I get home. That limited analysis of a carrier’s compensation package can lead to a big surprise when you look at your net take home pay.
When a driver calls a trucking company the Recruiters job is two fold: Sell you on the company and qualify you as a driver. A drivers’ job on the recruiting call is two fold: Sell yourself to the company and make sure the company is right for you.
Item 1 – “Appreciation and Respect” is listed by drivers as the number 1 reason for leaving a company. It doesn’t matter how much you make if you’re not treated like you want to be treated. Drivers spend too much time away from home to work for a company that doesn’t appreciate the sacrifices they make.
An idea of how a company treats their drivers can be gained from several sources. First, talk to their current drivers. Second, how do they treat you on the recruiting call? Do they treat you like a number or a person?
Item 2 – “Pay per Mile” is only part of the compensation package. Experienced drivers should expect to be paid for their experience. Inexperienced drivers should look for a progressive pay scale.
Many carriers offer Bonuses for Fuel Mileage, On-Time Delivery and Accident Free Driving and Productivity. Drivers should inquire into how many of the carriers current drivers achieved the bonuses in the last month. Achievable bonuses can be a great way for drivers who put forth a little extra effort to make a lot more money.
Item 3 – “Home Time” many carriers offer a variety of runs. You can pick from Local, Regional and Long Haul operations. Two things will usually be affected depending on the type of run you pick: Home Time and Take Home Pay.
Long Haul drivers usually gross more money per month. In considering which type of operation is right for and what you can afford to give up in gross pay per month for the ability to be home more you have to consider road expenses. Local drivers incur less road expenses by not having to purchase meals out every day. This alone can save you over $150 a week.
Item 4 – “Benefit” cost have increased with all insurance cost. You should take a careful look at what their portion of the insurance premium and co-pay will be. This can make a significant difference in your take home pay.
For instance, if your portion of the insurance premium at Carrier “A” is $300.00 a month and you drove 10,000 miles that month then .03 cents per mile went toward your insurance cost. So if you were making .35 per mile once you take your insurance premium into consideration you are now making .32 per mile. If Carrier “B” is offering to pay you .33 cents per mile and they cover the full cost of your medical premium then on the same miles per month you are actually making .01 cents more per mile or $100 more per month.
Other things to consider are: What is the insurance deductible? What is your maximum out of pocket expense per year? Do they offer a prescription card?
Every dollar you don’t have to spend goes to your bottom line. A close look at benefits should be part of your employment decision.
Item 5 - “Type of Commodity” being hauled will dictate the difficulty of the job. This will go hand in hand with the type of equipment driven and pulled. Each commodity has its inherent pros and cons. It’s up to you to decide which type of operation is right for you.
Item 6 – “Equipment” is another major concern when choosing a company. Not just Make and Model but overall appearance and maintenance.
Dirty and poorly maintained trucks attract DOT attention. When you are being inspected or placed out of service you aren’t making any money.
You should ask about the age of the fleet. How the trucks are assigned. How often they are allowed to get a truck wash. Look for the companies trucks on the road and judge for yourself the condition of their equipment.
The 6 items listed above collective create a complete employment package. There are other benefits carriers can offer in addition to the ones listed above. For instance, several carriers are paying for XM Satellite Radio for all their drivers. Another carrier is offering WiFi compatible laptops at a substantially reduced price to all their drivers.
Making the right employment decision will make all the difference in your career and ultimately retirement. Every time you change jobs you will lose a minimum of one weeks pay, you start over on seniority, vacation time goes back to zero, and you have to learn a new carrier and its operating procedures. Over the course of your career this will make a major difference in your earning potential and quality of life.
This article was written by Kelly Anderson, President of Impact Transportation Solutions, Inc. An independent consulting firm specializing in Driver Recruitment and Retention issues in the transportation industry.
And, interestingly enough, here is a link to an article that appeared in the March 25th edition of the Green Bay Press Gazette. If you recall, it's articles like this that started this conversation in the first place.
We mentioned that we had been reading these kinds articles for over twenty years and wondered if it wasn't a self-fulfilling prophecy.
We're still wondering...
Trucking companies don't have enough drivers for the long haul
Note the comment posted at the end of the article...it could have easily appeared in Mail Call.
Trucker Buddy of the Month
Scott Sexton
When Scott Sexton delivered Trucker Buddy log books to the fourth grade students in the inner-city classroom with which he was matched, it was just the beginning of an educational experience the students would never forget. Or, for that matter, the entire school and much of the community.
Trucker Buddy is an educational program that is driven by professional drivers who volunteer their time to supplement elementary schoolchildren's education in geography, mathematics, language and other curriculum through a pen-pal relationship. Many times, however, Trucker Buddies also teach their students about life lessons, community and other extracurricular subjects that contribute to a well-rounded education.
Sexton is one of those special Trucker Buddies who go above and beyond the requirements of the program, and to recognize the efforts of Sexton and his wife, Lisa, he was named the ACS MultiMedia Trucker Buddy Driver of the Month for March 2007.
When Sexton arrived for his class visit in Pennsylvania last October, some of the children didn't have coats to wear to ward off the brisk cool morning that time of year brings to the northern United States. This troubled him, so he called his wife, who started seeking donations from family, friends and businesses in Greenville, S.C., where the couple lives. Since Lisa has a cousin who teaches in the same school, she kept calling her to see what other needs the school had.
"In early December, Scott and Lisa drove their own truck and a rented U-Haul up to Pennsylvania filled with clothing, school supplies, playground equipment, water and an assortment of other items," said Teacher Peggy Columbus at Amanda E. Stout Elementary School in Reading, Pa. "Because he is 'our' Trucker Buddy, my class got the first pick of things, but there was enough for every teacher in the building to come and take supplies they needed, plus each got an extra two packs of copy paper, which around here is gold."
Since the extra supplies included clothing ranging in sizes from infant to adult, the home/school coordinator at Amanda E. Stout Elementary brought in needy families to take what they needed.
A packet of letters from students accompanied the nomination for Sexton; here are some excerpts showing their appreciation:
"I would like to nominate Scott because he came to our school and saw a lot of kids who don't have much clothes and drove home and told his wife and she got on the phone called friends, family and stuff and they donated lots of things like clothes." Elyjah
"I think Scott should be Trucker Buddy of the Month because last month he came on his own time and gave my school stuff we needed. I would also like to thank him for the lesson of his truck." Vanessa
"Scott gave us balls, chalk, some jump ropes and clothes for the poor and he did not do that because he had to. He did that because he wanted to!" Charlina
"He got the news crew to put us on TV. I want him to be the Trucker Buddy of the Month." Alejandro
During a faculty meeting the afternoon of the Sextons' visit, the teachers were so grateful they were inspired to take a collection to help with the couple's out-of-pocket expenses.
"I have since found out that instead of using that money to cover their costs, they are using it to buy things for their trip back to us in the spring," Columbus related. "Thank you just doesn't seem to be a big enough word for all that Scott has done for my class."
Sexton, an owner operator leased to 2nd Chance Transport, Piedmont, S.C., also volunteers as a Trucker Buddy for fourth and fifth grade students at Mechanicsville Elementary School in Sykesville, Md. He joined the Trucker Buddy program in 2005.
Trucker Buddy is dependent on corporate sponsors such as ACS MultiMedia Advertising and TruckDriver.com to fund the program.
The 4th Annual Tennessee Truck Show will be held in Nashville , TN at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds on May 11th & 12th, 2007 I-65, Exit 81.
Free Admission
Free Parking
Free Food for CDL Holders
Breakfast is sponsored by Forward Air and Dave Nemo Entertainment while Lunch is sponsored by Idlebuster.
Lots of Wonderful Prizes! Joining this year's Free Concerts is Joey Holiday, the Legendary Red Simpson, and newcomer Jeff Harrison.
Two Show Truck Categories
Wash & Park
The Best of The Best
Comes check out all the Fabulous Trucks on Display !
The Nascar Simulator and other Semi Tractor Trailer Touring Units will be on display for your convenience, along with several vendors waiting to answer any and all of your questions.
So, Come Join the Fun and Bring a Friend to the 4th Annual Tennessee Truck Show !!!
www.tennesseetruckshow.com
From the results of the recent Quick Poll it appears that an overwhelming majority of you never talk to recruiters at truck shows. Somehow, based on our experience at truck shows, that just doesn't seem right. But, that's neither here nor there. We're not sure it's anywhere, but that doesn't matter, what does matter, and what we thought we were really looking for was this - How quickly do you go to work after talking to a recruiter?
We hear recruiters whining constantly about how long it takes to process a driver application, and how they will lose a good driver if it takes too long.
The next Quick Poll has to do with the recruiting process. We're interested to hear what you have to say about how long it takes to get to work.
Take the I Want To Go To Work Now! survey, and let us know what you think.
Also, don't forget to participate in the TruckDriver.com Truck Driver Turnover Survey.
You didn't think we were going to screw that up again, did you?
Until next time, keep on truckin' and please drive safely.
Your Comments Are Always Welcome
We do like to hear from you and invite you to let us know how we can improve the e-Report. Please send your ideas and suggestions to: jobs@truckdriver.com
