Profile For James H. (ZenZulu)

If anyone is interested I will detail my experience at my first company as objectively as I am able to and without malice towards them. As for who I am. I was a bicycle messenger in Wash. D.C for 2 whole years no sick days despite 2 of the worst winters the east coast has experienced. Ive also been a pipe welder in Sweden up until the market crash in 2008 or so. Although none of us really have a chance of really knowing each other thouroughly just by talking here. But I'll share as much as time and conscious allow. I'm about to turn my truck in and get the bus home today. I'll check back in later to see if anyone wants more details.

Just reading the latest 2 comments. I've been thinking alot about what Old School and Guy said and also what Brett said in another thread about new drivers thinking they can bend the industry to their will. I've decided I will take all your advice with my second company. And if I hadn't already given notice and gotten another orientation date I would stick it out where I am. I could have benefitted had I known about this forum sooner.

Having said that. I'm not planning to start my own company right away. It's a longterm goal. My original plan was to stay with my first employer for 5 years and talk to as many owner operators as possible in the meantime. I'll definetly be at my next company for at least 1 year before I start weighing my options again.

As far as the military I have total respect for men and woman that go through hell with the intention of serving and protecting their fellows and all they hold dear. At the same time I have zero respect for the military and its methods as an institution. But that's a completely different discusdion for another website. I feel that respect is not necessarily earned. I feel it is a human right to be granted until forfeited. Just like everyone has a right to life itself until they threaten or take someone elses unjustly.

The reason I didn't talk about my challenges at my current employer is because I didn't come here to complain. I came seeking solutions.

Scott. Thanks for your advice as well. I thought about your equation when I first went to orientation and realized that the company had just over 10000 trucks and is bringing in roughly 60 people per week. I didn't do the hard math. But I chalked it up to that most new drivers are beyond terrible. I felt sympayhetic towards the company at that point. I still think most new drivers are useless. But that just makes me think a company would try harder to keep the ones that aren't.

I don't think that I overestimate myself. I am fully aware from the beginning that if I make it through my first year safely with no points I am very fortunate. I feel fortunate as it is to have made it safely through my first 4 months on the road.

At my driving school they give one student per class the title honor student. Average class size is about 8 to 12. I was honor student in my class and I thought to myself. "I just barely feel almost ready for this. How are these others expected to make it?"

I have alot more on my mind but I think I've said alot of what I've been thinking up to this point.

I thought my second to last quote didn't get sent. That's why I kinda said the same thing twice.

I obviously don't agree with everything that's been said. But I'm not here to argue.

Old School and Guy I appreciate that you both took the time to comment on my post. You both have given me some things to think about.

I'm still interested in knowing what companies have a high retention rate though. But mostly just curious now. And I still think it is a valid concern for new drivers.

Myself I plan to stay at the next company until I'm ready to start my own.

I see things differently as far as who's market it is. But I'm not here to argue so I'll leave that alone. I'm still interested in a knowledgeable answer to my original question. But at this point its probably of most benifit to someone else since I will be staying at the next company I'm going to until I feel I'm ready to start my own.

I didn't have a dm to get along with. In theory i did but they never came to work do I've been dealing with a series of random stand-ins. But either way I'm a polite person. One time a road maintenence guy that i was on the phone with told me he wished more drivers were like me.

Also as I said I already have another job lined up. And I haven't refused any loads not even after I gave notice that I'm leaving

I also forgot to mention that when i get this truck back to the company I'll have driven 300 plus miles with a fat nail sticking out of one of my drive tires and a clutch that likes to stick to the floor but it doesn't bother me much 'cause I already learned how to float.

I should also mention that I didn't give my notice where I'm at until I found a new job. A job with more hometime and at a company with more satisfied drivers. So I am fine. But I'll always be looking for more information wherever I can get it. Because that's what successful people do.

I see what your saying but I haven't gone out of my way to find dirt on companies. I also am already with my first company. And haven't written anything bad about them other than I'm leaving them. As far as all the talk about being tough enough to be in the trucking industry... to me it's pure nonesense. Anybody who has known me for any length of time will tell you I am one of the toughest people they have ever met. But regardless of that, putting new employees through what is essentially Hazing is just bad business. Ofcourse it weeds out the crybabies. But it will also weed out selfrespecting people who have integrity and know what they are worth. And the latter is exactly who any sensible employer wants on their team. People who demand respect tend to give it. They respect other peoples property time and money. For example i am returning the truck im sitting in now clean and with the best air freshener I could find. I am also currently doing a one mile run from a drop lot and then resuming waiting for a previous pick up that will have been a 2 day wait. All this without complaining.

Flux or no flux there should at least always be a reasonable level of communication.

I'm not looking for a pat on the back or to join some fraternity. I'm simply trying to pay my bills. If enter a contract with someone or some company and I do more than my share which i normaly do because that's just my way, I expect them to at least do they bare minimum of what they said thet will do.

And if I ask them what the problem is and I get a generic answer that has nothing to do with my specific situation. Than that's it. I looking to partner up with someone or some entity that is sensible.

I catch on to things that I'm interested quicker than most. And I like driving trucks. Anybody whi is not interested in being a slave knows that ultimately they work for themselves regardless of what type of taxes they pay. And when you work for yourself and you plan on being successful yoy don't give away your product for less than its worth. Especially not when it's a sellers market.

CRETE CARRIER

Industry Low Driver Turnover Rate - 42%

"Our driver turnover is less than one-third of the overall industry average." -CEO Tonn Ostergard

Thanks Anchorman. I'll check them out