.......And They Said You Would Have Days Like This As A Truck Driver!

Wow that was a nightmare! I hate it when people drop a trailer dirty. Central tells us all the time that we can't drop a trailer without it being clean and full of fuel and people still do it. Everything went wrong for you that day! I'm sorry

Yea some folks arent team players:/

Zach I had just come off vacation. No one knew I was back because I have an apu and it was on all week. I had put myself available at 8 am even though my load loaded at 6pm. I did go thru extra hassel put got paid FOR EVERYTHING that I did including the trailer repair. I didnt have to but I take care of my DM and she takes care of me. I rarely say no and am relied on hevily which is why im #1 on her board for miles. Yes I can say no but I wont because I like to help and it benifits me in the long run. If I ask for anything I get it:) Guess it pays to be nice.

Well hun ,it all comes down to compensation.I'd rather be paid my $40 per hour driving my rig down the road instead of $12-15 per hour playing local shuttle driver .Taking "care" of your DM is great grand and wonderful and if it gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling ,then go for it; sooner or later though ,you'll realise he/she doesnt give one wit about you ,his/her only concern is moving the freight.

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Zach I had just come off vacation. No one knew I was back because I have an apu and it was on all week. I had put myself available at 8 am even though my load loaded at 6pm. I did go thru extra hassel put got paid FOR EVERYTHING that I did including the trailer repair. I didnt have to but I take care of my DM and she takes care of me. I rarely say no and am relied on hevily which is why im #1 on her board for miles. Yes I can say no but I wont because I like to help and it benifits me in the long run. If I ask for anything I get it:) Guess it pays to be nice.

Well hun ,it all comes down to compensation.I'd rather be paid my $40 per hour driving my rig down the road instead of $12-15 per hour playing local shuttle driver .Taking "care" of your DM is great grand and wonderful and if it gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling ,then go for it; sooner or later though ,you'll realise he/she doesnt give one wit about you ,his/her only concern is moving the freight.

One other thing ,(just curious) In your OP you stated your original P/U was slated to be 6pm and because of your extra duties you were late picking up ,did you hit the road immediately with that load ,fresh and ready to run the miles ?Or tired from a hard days work shuttling trailers and spending time in the shop?

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

That's why every driver dreads hearing "Can you do me a favor?" from dispatch because they always think there's nothing to it and you wind up spending 12 hours making $30 and having one hassle after another after another.

On a computer screen every task appears simple. Just run over there "quick", grab this trailer "quick", take it to this other place "quick", and you're done. Ah the beautiful world as it appears on a dispatcher's screen.

Or my favorite - all miles are created equally on a dispatcher's screen. "Why do you hate the Northeast so much? This load has good miles" they'll say. Yeah, because on a computer screen the miles from Philadelphia to Boston look the same as the miles from Dallas to San Antonio - must be equally good then, right?

That's why it's awesome having an experienced dispatcher. Even though they haven't driven a truck they know a whole lot more about what they're asking us to do and how we'll feel about it. So they know when they ask a great driver to do something really lousy they're prepared to reward you in return. That's all you can ask.

My dispatcher is awesome and I know we both knew what to expect. Id talked to other local TX drivers that forwarned me. But I did it anyway. Thats just me. I go above and beyond which is why everyone in my company seems to like me so much:)

I know from your POV you probably consider my comments to be downers ,...BUT ,in a previous post you did express the desire for more experienced drivers to weigh in with their comments .After 18 years ,2 million plus accident and ticket free miles spread across 5 different carriers I believe I meet your qualifications.Whats more important to you ? Being well liked or making money?You were hired to move freight from point A to point B .If you make a few friends along the way thats great .But yours and every trucking company out there primary focus is moving freight .truck drivers come and go .To most companies the drivers are just another piece of equipment that eventually needs to be replaced.You are deluding yourself to belief your DM really cares... Yes if you scratch her back maybe she has yours too .Sooner or later you'll realise she'll say /do anything to get you to do what she wants/needs done for the moment .

Getting you to pick up that extra load was one less phone call she had to field later from an irate shipper wanting that load gone .From a shippers POV ,once that load has left his yard ,its on its way to its destination even if it is just sitting at your company's drop yard .Your DM has just made her job a little easier,and yours a little more difficult .Remember that load you got to pick up at 6 pm? You are still expected to deliver it on time .Even if it means you have to drive thru your next break to do it .You just spent the last 8 hours On duty.What do you suppose the next DM who comes on at 6 is going to say when you take your break only a few hours after you p/u the load?Never mind 5-6 days down the road sitting in some truckstop waiting on your hours to "catch up" with you ,those 8 hours just might come in handy when you are trying to get home for the weekend ,or you are behind schedule on your current load.Were the brownie points earned worth it?

Oh GREAT! Another "Debbie Downer" with nothing but miserable garbage to spew about everyone and everything in the trucking industry.

Whats more important to you ? Being well liked or making money?

What are the chances you're going to make good money if you won't do the occassional favor for your dispatcher and you're not liked by your dispatcher? Pretty much zero. So it's not an "or" proposition. It's a "both" proposition. You're well liked because you're a decent person and you do a great job so in turn you make good money because your dispatcher likes you and knows they can count on you.

You are deluding yourself to belief your DM really cares... Yes if you scratch her back maybe she has yours too

That's two opposite statements. Either they don't care, or they have your back. Which is it?

Dispatchers often get paid bonuses based on their driver's performance. When their drivers turn more miles and get loads picked up and delivered on time the dispatcher gets rewarded for that. If they know you'll work hard, get the job done safely day in and day out, and are willing to help them out once in a while a good dispatcher will make sure they take care of you because that's money in their pocket.

Please Zach - if you're just going to spew negative garbage and make everyone cynical and jaded go to TheTruckersReport and "help" them over there. That's what they specialize in.

Oh GREAT! Another "Debbie Downer" with nothing but miserable garbage to spew about everyone and everything in the trucking industry.

Whats more important to you ? Being well liked or making money?

What are the chances you're going to make good money if you won't do the occassional favor for your dispatcher and you're not liked by your dispatcher? Pretty much zero. So it's not an "or" proposition. It's a "both" proposition. You're well liked because you're a decent person and you do a great job so in turn you make good money because your dispatcher likes you and knows they can count on you.

You are deluding yourself to belief your DM really cares... Yes if you scratch her back maybe she has yours too

That's two opposite statements. Either they don't care, or they have your back. Which is it?

Dispatchers often get paid bonuses based on their driver's performance. When their drivers turn more miles and get loads picked up and delivered on time the dispatcher gets rewarded for that. If they know you'll work hard, get the job done safely day in and day out, and are willing to help them out once in a while a good dispatcher will make sure they take care of you because that's money in their pocket.

Please Zach - if you're just going to spew negative garbage and make everyone cynical and jaded go to TheTruckersReport and "help" them over there. That's what they specialize in.

Im sorry you find my comments to be "negative garbage",the girl asked for comments from more experienced drivers ,thats me and you .Its not all roses out here ...what s the point of this website if perspective drivers only see the positive aspects?

Opposing statements? Reread mine ,I said "maybe " she has yours too.That s not an absolute .My DM knows that when i pickup,... I deliver on time ,as a result I enjoy good miles consistently .He doesnt ask me to do him a "favor" shuttling trailers around for a fraction of what I can earn on the road ,he has plenty of yard jockeys that rather sit around the yard swapping lies and earning just enough to get by on.My "favor" to him is help keeping his mile count high (you are right, a lot of DM's get bonuses based on miles...so do drivers...so far I've recieved a brand new F150 and a camper as bonuses ,never mind the $1000's in cash )

Shuttling trailers makes maybe $10-12 per hour as opposed to 500-700miles OTR@$250-400 .Want to work for peanuts?maybe get a load going by mom's house? ,do your DM a favor, become a PT shuttle driver.

Oh GREAT! Another "Debbie Downer" with nothing but miserable garbage to spew about everyone and everything in the trucking industry.

Whats more important to you ? Being well liked or making money?

What are the chances you're going to make good money if you won't do the occassional favor for your dispatcher and you're not liked by your dispatcher? Pretty much zero. So it's not an "or" proposition. It's a "both" proposition. You're well liked because you're a decent person and you do a great job so in turn you make good money because your dispatcher likes you and knows they can count on you.

You are deluding yourself to belief your DM really cares... Yes if you scratch her back maybe she has yours too

That's two opposite statements. Either they don't care, or they have your back. Which is it?

Dispatchers often get paid bonuses based on their driver's performance. When their drivers turn more miles and get loads picked up and delivered on time the dispatcher gets rewarded for that. If they know you'll work hard, get the job done safely day in and day out, and are willing to help them out once in a while a good dispatcher will make sure they take care of you because that's money in their pocket.

Please Zach - if you're just going to spew negative garbage and make everyone cynical and jaded go to TheTruckersReport and "help" them over there. That's what they specialize in.

Im sorry you find my comments to be "negative garbage",the girl asked for comments from more experienced drivers ,thats me and you .Its not all roses out here ...what s the point of this website if perspective drivers only see the positive aspects?

Opposing statements? Reread mine ,I said "maybe " she has yours too.That s not an absolute .My DM knows that when i pickup,... I deliver on time ,as a result I enjoy good miles consistently .He doesnt ask me to do him a "favor" shuttling trailers around for a fraction of what I can earn on the road ,he has plenty of yard jockeys that rather sit around the yard swapping lies and earning just enough to get by on.My "favor" to him is help keeping his mile count high (you are right, a lot of DM's get bonuses based on miles...so do drivers...so far I've recieved a brand new F150 and a camper as bonuses ,never mind the $1000's in cash )

Shuttling trailers makes maybe $10-12 per hour as opposed to 500-700miles OTR@$250-400 .Want to work for peanuts?maybe get a load going by mom's house? ,do your DM a favor, become a PT shuttle driver.

Zach, a lot of the driver, not ALL, but a lot of the drivers on this forum are young rookie drivers, who don't have " 18 Years of experience and 2 million miles"..under their belt..YOU may have the advantage of not having to "work with" YOUR DM, but not everyone has that option...I have to say, as someone who hasn't even driven a single mile, I know one thing..you catch more flies with Honey, than you do with vinegar..so, I will take your advice with a grain of salt..You are entitled to it, of course, but that doesn't mean we have to take it..and NO, I'm not getting into trucking with delusions of grandeur... I have family in trucking..VERY successful family in fact..and they all say pretty much what Brett and the rest of the experienced drivers on here say...be good to your DM and your DM will be good to you...as an aside..are you a company driver or O/L/O??

Zach I had just come off vacation. No one knew I was back because I have an apu and it was on all week. I had put myself available at 8 am even though my load loaded at 6pm. I did go thru extra hassel put got paid FOR EVERYTHING that I did including the trailer repair. I didnt have to but I take care of my DM and she takes care of me. I rarely say no and am relied on hevily which is why im #1 on her board for miles. Yes I can say no but I wont because I like to help and it benifits me in the long run. If I ask for anything I get it:) Guess it pays to be nice.

Well hun ,it all comes down to compensation.I'd rather be paid my $40 per hour driving my rig down the road instead of $12-15 per hour playing local shuttle driver .Taking "care" of your DM is great grand and wonderful and if it gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling ,then go for it; sooner or later though ,you'll realise he/she doesnt give one wit about you ,his/her only concern is moving the freight.

RedGator,

I say you have the right idea and its the attitude I'm planning on having toward my DM. I am new to trucking (haven't even started school yet) but I know people and I have managed them for almost 15 years and I know from experience that the people I can count on are the people I take care of. I have no doubt DMs are the same way...it's human nature. Sure, they have to think about the business first but most people understand that part of that business is your people, in this case the people taking care of your customers are your drivers. As drivers we're not going to be first priority to our DMs but if we are 'go-get-hers' we will be on the list. Anyone who doesn't realize this has probably not had much success with people in general.

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Thank you Brett, Roadkill and Derek. Zach while I respect your professional opinion and dont fault you for what works for you I will continue to do what works for me. We are all in this business to make money. I was a manager for many years so I do know my DM's first priority is my company. I was available I did it, got paid for it ALL including the part where I slept at the shipper and started a fresh 10 and got to spend time with a local friend in the process. Part of what I believe is wrong with trucking is the jaded attitude most have. I prefer to live my life in the positive and learning from my experiences. I CHOOSE to look at the positive because I REFUSE to make myself miserable. I actually got a call today from my DM about a 15 miles overspeed (a termitable offense). "If you were to get a ticket we would have to fire you and we dont want to lose you because we really like you" Guess my attitude was the difference between getting a slap on the wrist or the warning AH? I didnt really post to get experienced opinions. While ive been out here for awhile but am still a rookie and can learn from others I post here because I want to show potential newbies the "real world" of trucking before they get out here, get frustrated and quit. Before they become cynical and jaded too. I want them too see that its not always the situation that makes or breaks ya but your attitude and how you handle it that REALLY makes the difference. Maybe you Sir Zach can learn a thing from this "new school" driver. Might just make your days easier and you more pleasant to deal with. PS. I am TOP driver on my DMs board for miles so I make damn good money.

PS. WELCOME BACK BRETT:) I missed this side of you!