Ok this is frustratin,,,

Draco · Dec 6, 2004

I signed on with a new company and so far I have had only 1 run a week since signing on. I have only turned down 2 loads for good reasons. I sit and sit and sit after being promised no long sitting times. I sat all day in Atlanta on a Friday only to be told that night that they don't get much frieght out of there. Now I find this a little hard to believe as I've always had good luck in Atlanta. So I was then told to move to Nashville which I did on Sunday and then I continued to sit all day Monday. At which time I finally decided it was more benefical for me to head home then to keep setting and idling the truck to stay warm. It also seems that the only time I get a load is the middle of the week. Then only to set the rest of the week and then be expected to sit through the weekend too. With fuel prices the way it is it's getting just to expensive to keep sitting and spending money when it would be cheaper for me to just come home.

Sometimes I feel like that if I don't payoff a dispatcher or 2 I won't get a load. I've been told that I'm the only van in the area only to find out later that the only load for that day went out on another guy's truck that has been there longer than me? x(

I can't really change companies do to my accident situation so any advice on how to talk to my new company about gettin more loads? Or the fact that I feel like I'm being jipped. I talked with other drivers from the same company and both say that while they aren't running all week they are at least getting 3 long loads a week. With the excepetion of one load it seems like I get offered the crap loads that don't pay much and then I have to end up deadheading back into IN or OH to get dispatched again. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Glen Rice · Dec 6, 2004

Wow, I'm sorry to hear of your frustrating situation. It's time to have a candid discussion with the owner of your company. If that person has the bullet proof wall around him or her go to the highest person in the food chain that you can access. Take the gloves off, and lay the cards on the table. You are a business owner. Time to act like one, and take charge of your destiny. You can do this, look at all the crap you put up with on the road everyday! Act professional and have your discussion with respect, the same should be returned to you! Good luck and keep us posted.

raceman · Dec 7, 2004

What were your good reasons for turning down two loads in your first week? That is a horrible message to send that new dispatch group. First week out and you turned down two loads. If they don't understand your reasoning, you can bet they are already questioning what you signed on for. Usally it is good to get running and get an idea of what their freight zones are and develop some kind of history before you start turning things down. Just wondering. Good Luck with that.

RaceMan

---Why Hug a tree when you can sit on a Diesle---

redbeard2001 · Dec 7, 2004

It seems you really upset your dispatcher. Did you ever think they might have had a load coming out of the area they wanted you to go into?I know my dispatch will often tell us that they have a load close by that will often make it worth your while in going.I know it really gets them upset if a new driver turns down loads.

Draco · Dec 8, 2004

No, they weren't in the first week. Matter of fact I didn't get a first load till the next weekend after I was hired. The 2 loads I turned down was one going to Canada and 1 to NY. Can't goto Canada and they know it and the one to NY only paid .50 a mile w/ a 100mi deadhead and that's why I turned it down.

NoProblem · Dec 8, 2004

I am with you on this. If you do not want to take a load, the dispatcher should understand that. The dispatcher should understand that you are driving to make money for yourself.

These friggen companies that attempt to send drivers on garbage runs should not be upset or suprised by a driver's refusal to take any run that the driver deems not worth their time and expense.

Either you'll take the run and lose money while the company makes money, you refuse it and they'll find some other sorry @ss to take it (the company still wins) or they will not be able to pawn it off on anyone and the company will only suffer loss of potential revenue.

One problem is - many (most?) dispatchers do not know what its like to take a NYC run - at .50/mi?? - gimme a break. If they do know and still hold it against you for refusing it, thats their own character flaw, not the yours and IF the dispatcher chooses to play "favorites" - don't deal with that dispatcher anymore - he/she is not interested in your success, only in the success of the company or themselves at your expense and is acting unprofessional.

Did they offer any additional compensation or even hint at the trip having any incentive to set you up for a good run? I can probably say with confidence that they did not. They simply expect you to take a run you don't want - or else!

Good for you for denying the load after sitting for so long - thats not easy, but it is, IMHO, necessary sometimes.

Good luck dealing with them. No wonder there is such a high turnover rate in this industry.

raceman · Dec 8, 2004

Now that you put all the info in there it sounds like the loads you turned down you did with reason. I would suggest you talk to your fllet manager or maybe the person that recruited you and find if if they have your file right. If they know you don't go to Canada, that load should have never been offered. And IMHO any dispatcher offering you a .50 run to NY as one of your first runs is not thinking right. I would check things out with some of the right people before you give up. Believe it or not stuff happens and sometimes not all the right people know it happened. I just experienced this this morning with a scheduled repair. Long story short I could have gotten PO and whipped the S&*T out of the service manager but I calmly called their home office and explained my situation and bottom line a lot of miscommunication but my vehicle is currentlt being repaired and they are giving me a nice discount. Just be sure you check into this and the right people know what happened. You may be surprised with th outcome. Good Luck.RaceMan

---Why Hug a tree when you can sit on a Diesle---

davekc · Dec 8, 2004

If your company has a contractor relations dept. I would start with them. Secondly, I would find out through the company and current drivers, where their freight lanes and customers are. If you need to remain with this particular carrier, then try the above. At least it has no cost associated with it. Career change would be the next item if you are trapped with this company. Everyone needs to eat.
Good luck and I hope it works out for you.
Davekc

redbeard2001 · Dec 10, 2004

Hey Draco you did the rite thing. I would not have taken it either .When we have to go to the Big Apple we usualy have a load out of there.The lowest rate i have ever had is $1.55 & the highest is $1.75.I will not pay dispatchers off. They get enough of our money.It is there job to make sure that there contractors make decent money & if they have a cheep run &they need it coverd they should take a revenue cut not you.At our company they will subside the contractor just to move the load.

Draco · Dec 12, 2004

>Hey Draco you did the rite thing. I would not have taken it
>either .When we have to go to the Big Apple we usualy have a
>load out of there.The lowest rate i have ever had is $1.55 &
>the highest is $1.75.I will not pay dispatchers off. They
>get enough of our money.It is there job to make sure that
>there contractors make decent money & if they have a cheep
>run &they need it coverd they should take a revenue cut not
>you.At our company they will subside the contractor just to
>move the load.

I would love to get that kind of money again for hauling a load. This company unfortunately only hauls automotive. Been tryin to convince them that they need to branch out but with no luck.

I don't think I'll ever understand why dispatchers think a load paying .50 a mile is ever a good paying load.