Do The Cooperative Drivers Get Shafted In This Industry?

So, reading through a trucker blog, I came across a post about a driver complaining that they had to go to southern California, and mentioned that in their diver portfolio, they have it listed they don't go there.

This got me to thinking. You have divers out there who refuse loads to certain areas, and then you have drivers who will go anywhere the company asks. My question is, does this end up shafting those drivers who will run anywhere?

The reason I say this is, in order to accommodate the drivers who will not run anywhere, they have to give those loads to people who will, which means all the good loads are taken up by those who refuse to drive in some of the less desired areas, and the other drivers end up having to run those loads.

Does that seem about right?

The glass is half full, Sambo.

In other words, it all depends on your point of view. The general thinking is that picky drivers will be skipped over and drivers willing to do the job get the miles. I believe the only area that gets the "I don't go there" treatment is the Northeast.

So, reading through a trucker blog, I came across a post about a driver complaining that they had to go to southern California, and mentioned that in their diver portfolio, they have it listed they don't go there.

This got me to thinking. You have divers out there who refuse loads to certain areas, and then you have drivers who will go anywhere the company asks. My question is, does this end up shafting those drivers who will run anywhere?

The reason I say this is, in order to accommodate the drivers who will not run anywhere, they have to give those loads to people who will, which means all the good loads are taken up by those who refuse to drive in some of the less desired areas, and the other drivers end up having to run those loads.

Does that seem about right?

I suppose it might cause something of a problem now and then, but, other than New York City, most larger companies require drivers to accept loads going wherever the freight goes. Some companies don't allow you to refuse even NYC loads.

That means that planners and DMs try to respect your desires, if they like you, and you are a good worker, but sometimes a load needs to go where you don't want to go, and you're stuck going there.

What this means is that you need to be a driver that gets along with the home office, and is reliable. That's the best way to avoid crap loads, because the planners and DM's don't want to give a good driver a crap load.

Even then, it will happen sometimes. Another driver gets sick on their way to pick up a load, and you happen to be nearby. Or whatever.

However, even a good, likable, productive driver can try the patience of their planner and DM if they start complaining too much about loads which aren't bad. Highly experienced drivers who develop entitlement issues can start to find themselves getting more and more loads that their planners and DMs know they don't like.

California gets it too. But, I agree with Errol. Those who will go anywhere will get the miles. Those that are picky are left enjoying a 34hr reset in whatever truck stop they are sitting in.

Not really IMO. What you consider to be undesirable and what I do are two different things. Plus, agreeing to go anywhere gives that driver more opportunity for loads, not less.

Also, realize that drivers who don't complain will get special treatment from dispatch. I'm feeling sick or near home and I ask for a load in my area? Who's more likely to get that....a complainer or a do everything driver. Forgot to scan your lumper receipts? Dispatch is more likely to bring it to your attention. You were 10 min late on a load but great in all other aspects? You scraped a trailer on a lot?

There are tons of things dispatch/companies can nit pick us about. Who are they more likely to bother? I think more is over looked and it actually builds your relationship with your FM. They know you will help them out. Mine has even said "sorry I have to give you this short run, but I'm putting you in a place where I can get you a 2300 mile load".

I even just dead headed 700 miles cause he said the 1800 mile load was tight and I was the closest he trusted to make it.

As a company driver I cannot refuse loads. However I know some other drivers on my fleet. Ones who complain about everything. Whose trucks are always in the shop so they can sit in the terminal. Ones who request more home time than they earned. After dealing with them...my screw ups are nothing for my FM. And I know o get more miles. If I want extra time on a break before a new load no problem. Want to get home on a certain date...I'm home.

In my company owners and lease ops can dictate their region. If they don't want to run the Northeast...fine. I'll take that load lol

I guess my thinking was, if you are in a no forced dispatched company, and you have a segment of divers who want only, say, Midwest, or southern routes, the company, wanting to get their product moved, and needing drivers, will accommodate them, and then the rest of the divers will have to take the loads to the west coast, or far northeast, where a lot if drivers, apparently don't want to go.

So while you're battling traffic in california, that sweet 2000 mile load that picks up in phoenix to Virginia just got dispatched to a driver who get to be picky about where they run.

I guess my thinking was, if you are in a no forced dispatched company, and you have a segment of divers who want only, say, Midwest, or southern routes, the company, wanting to get their product moved, and needing drivers, will accommodate them, and then the rest of the divers will have to take the loads to the west coast, or far northeast, where a lot if drivers, apparently don't want to go.

So while you're battling traffic in california, that sweet 2000 mile load that picks up in phoenix to Virginia just got dispatched to a driver who get to be picky about where they run.

If I go to congested places I try to drive all night to bypass traffic. But honestly for the most part...I do southeast and Midwest. Been to Denver twice.and went through WY to Idaho once I kinda think that there are enough people trying for home time to do loads in certain areas. I do northeast going to and leaving home. My friend from San Diego runs a lot of west for the same reason.

My company is mainly MidWest Regional , so that's what we run. However, we do have some loads for our best customers that take us elsewhere. My company doesn't do NYC. I did just return from a trip to Avon, NY. The people were SOO nice up there. We also go to Eastern PA often, sometimes NH, VT, DE, and NJ.

Me? They know I'll happily go anywhere. We don't have forced dispatch, but if a driver refuses a load, I would think they better have a really good reason.

People also tend to find a niche. If company always has x loads going to a certain place, and they find out you a very efficient and may even get a compliment from that place, the company will more than likely send you back. My little niche has been carved out for me. I do go other places, but it not my regular "stomping grounds". The vast majority of my loads are done out of SCA dedicated in Cherokee, AL. I run a load to Louisville, KY; Atlanta, GA or 1 of the 4 major cities in TN. Drop off at a food service place or Paper product distributor, then head over to a nearby recycling center, bring a load of scrap paper or cardboard back.

Rainy here philosophical:

What you consider to be undesirable and what I do are two different things.

and she goes on to say that those who will are the ones who get the miles.

From a DM's point of view, the take-it-and-roll drivers will get the loads faster than the picky drivers. DMs don't have time to play guessing games.