Recent content by BlueEngine

None of us are required to hire drivers who don't meet minimum qualifications and all of us have the right to hire the drivers with the strongest qualifications. BlueEngine

I'm totally impressed! Who pays drivers' costs to and from your interviews? Where do you advertise? BlueEngine

>When fleet owners hire drivers are they hiring a "steering >wheel holder"? Or are you looking for a person that has >intellectual capabilites and can make discisions for his own >self, mainly because he is the one that is facing the >cirumstance at that point in time and knows whether it is...

Yep, some people are fantastic interviewers- you just know you're going to hire them- and then you check their references! Whew! Ok, some people clearly count on your not checking their references. BlueEngine

Ahh, yes... some days are like that... but hope keeps holding out for that fantastic driver who is just around the corner! And I know they're out there! BlueEngine

>Why run the truck if your not going to make a profit? When I >was in the van, I always tried to run it as if it were mine. >Average was 1.36 to 1.63 per loaded mile. Made money for me >and the owner. >> Exactly, there is no reason to incur significant risk without a profitable return. I...

How much time do you invest in interviewing, Wingnut? Although interviewing is one of the least reliable pre-qualification tools, I find it quite useful. If you talk to a person for an hour or so, one in the habit of lying will soon reveal himself/herself. I also appreciate the interview...

Contracts should be clear and concise. As an owner, my word should mean something to me. As such, I omit "headache" provisions. If I'm not willing to back up a specific provision with action, it doesn't belong in my contract. For example, I require a minimum of 5,000 loaded miles per month...

Well, I originally thought Elite drivers were running government loads, but I happened upon "The Panther Paws," Spring 2006 edition. "'Panther Elite,'... to include: Flatbed, Temperature Control, Lift Gate, Inside Delivery, High Security, and Validated Cold Chain services." BlueEngine

I think we're getting some solid answers in this forum- and a little closer to the various truths. I was sharing with a former driver of mine a couple days ago. She told me her current owner has 10 + vans with Panther and has been with Panther for more than 5 years. Her contract contains a...

Did you come from Conway, Turtle? One driver was confident that the Conway drivers had signed on at 85 CPLM. Like you, I also suggested that these folks were including the FSC, but doubt, once planted, grows. Your suggestion that they ask to see settlement sheets is an excellent one and I will...

1) Excluding fuel surcharge, what is your standard rate of pay per loaded mile? I'm under contract at 77 CPLM. 2) What do you drive? We drive cargo vans- including Sprinters. 3) How many trucks do you own? We own three+. 4) How long have you been with your company? We've been at our company for...

Your logic stream is a bit muddled for my small :+ mind, Greg! In my experience, dispatchers sometimes mix board positions of drivers who share the same last name and who just happen to be on the same board. It shouldn't happen. But it does. So when I call in, I prefer to say, "Hi, Greg, this is...

It is very important to be very specific when talking to dispatch. For example, "This is Jane Doe. How many cargo vans are available within 50 geographical miles of my location?" Or, "This is John Doe. How many cargo vans are available on the Dallas board? Does that nbr include teams? And how...