Company Lies

Economics Lesson for the day:

After the end of ICC regulation (making for a fenced yard where only certain companies can play) the trucking industry became commoditized. Now anyone with at least $400,000 or so can buy a few trucks, like Brett said, and start a company.

Remember, a commodity is something that has no difference between products of the same category. (example: Milk from Walmart, Kroger or Seven Eleven is milk, and once you pour them into a glass you can never tell the difference,)

Trucking is a "double" commodity. The drivers do not need feel much loyalty to their company - they can switch almost any time and still pilot a Freightliner down the highway. Companies are in the same position: It doesn't matter who gets the freight from A to B, as long as it's on time and not damaged. Swift, Prime, ABF, or CalArk can do it for you. The result of a commodity market is that the business makes the lowest profit possible, or a competitor will underbid. Companies make 2-3% net profit, drivers make almost a bare minimum wage.

Any trucking company, even the tiny 2-truck owners, will pay drivers just the minimum. Not because they are mean, but because they need to keep expenses down as much as possible. Rick K. suggests being paid for non-driving activities. This is so open to abuse it won't happen.

We drive in an industry where all the fat is cut off, in the way that is fairest for all involved. Rick's call to arms is not original with him, and has as much chance as a paper match in a windstorm.

PS, Rick, start using blank lines to make paragraphs, your writing will be much easier to read.

There are different types of risk. You say the drivers are taking all the risks. You say drivers are the backbone of the company. While it is true that a company will not survive without drivers but there are also other people that are required.

There would be no trucks for the drivers if it were not for the guy taking the risk in buying them. Then when you have multiple trucks you need a sales person. That may be you but someone has to make the sales or there are no loads for the drivers or trucks.

Drivers are but one spoke in the wheel. People also tend to over exaggerate things and I have NEVER felt that my life was endangered in a truck.

With your exaggerated sense of self importance you will fail at this endeavor. In the long run, you are of little significance. Broken spokes can be repaired.

If everyone would realize that no one job is more important than the other the sooner everyone will be happy.

Which organ is the most important, brain, heart, lungs or liver? Your body cannot survive without one of these.

I'm not sure who you work for but I get paid the same empty and loaded, I get paid detention after 2 hours 20 an hr, I get paid holidays and I go home when I want.

Their was more to your list that I already get but I'm not scrolling back to look at it.

Dear Rick,

I'm sorry you feel that way. I, however, do not. My company treats me extremely well. They do not lie, we have great benefits, including holiday pay, etc. I like e-logs and welcome the ease of use and simplicity. My company fully supports FMCSA regulations also.

My company was founded by a TRUCK DRIVER. And guess what? The owner STILL DRIVES. Not all the time, of course, because he's busy running several businesses, however he is out there amongst us regularly. He understands what it's like for his drivers. He has cultivated great relationships with our customers and we are expected to treat them with respect and best of all, they treat us, THE DRIVERS, with respect in return.

Now I'm not sure what has made you so bitter and disillusioned about the trucking profession, but as someone who owned an "outlaw trucking company" 20 years ago, I am glad that those types of renegades, for the most part no longer exist and the remaining few will soon go the way of the dinosaur.

It's high time to move on.

I didn't respond because I was insulted, you basically told me that I'm too cowardly or too stupid to admit or recognize that I'm treated horribly.

I wrote a response yesterday that I knew would get deleted because I was MAD. So i didnt send it.

I'm treated better than I ever have been. Almost NO industry pays 100% for health care...but I only pay $88 per month so that's damn close. I get paid the same for empty and loaded miles.

We have extensive recreational facilities at our terminal and a slew of bonuses and comps that go along with employment. The family atmosphere means that even with thousands of employees...we know each other. I walk into safety, claims, dispatch...I'm recognized. I'm THANKED and my concerns and recommendations are heard. There's no need for a union is your company is good.

Perhaps you chose the wrong company? Don't lump mine into the bad ones. You obviously didn't research. As for that chart MOST positions are not paid keeping up with inflation.

As for low wages....well I will be paying my car off early due to those "low" wages.

You need to explore other options before you insist others shoukdnbe as unhappy as you are. From the "drivers moan and groan".... Uh who is that?

You won't find one post where I loaned and groaned about my employer. Trainer? Yes. Weather? Sure. Prime...no way.

I didn't respond because I was insulted, you basically told me that I'm too cowardly or too stupid to admit or recognize that I'm treated horribly.

I wrote a response yesterday that I knew would get deleted because I was MAD. So i didnt send it.

I'm treated better than I ever have been. Almost NO industry pays 100% for health care...but I only pay $88 per month so that's damn close. I get paid the same for empty and loaded miles.

We have extensive recreational facilities at our terminal and a slew of bonuses and comps that go along with employment. The family atmosphere means that even with thousands of employees...we know each other. I walk into safety, claims, dispatch...I'm recognized. I'm THANKED and my concerns and recommendations are heard. There's no need for a union is your company is good.

Perhaps you chose the wrong company? Don't lump mine into the bad ones. You obviously didn't research. As for that chart MOST positions are not paid keeping up with inflation.

As for low wages....well I will be paying my car off early due to those "low" wages.

You need to explore other options before you insist others shoukdnbe as unhappy as you are. From the "drivers moan and groan".... Uh who is that?

You won't find one post where I loaned and groaned about my employer. Trainer? Yes. Weather? Sure. Prime...no way.

I sure would have LOVED to have read your "UNPOSTED" Post. Even with undecipherable words!

Tractor... You realize one day Rainy is going to run into you in person, then she's going to have her way with you for all your remarks and her typing!

I didn't respond because I was insulted, you basically told me that I'm too cowardly or too stupid to admit or recognize that I'm treated horribly.

I wrote a response yesterday that I knew would get deleted because I was MAD. So i didnt send it.

I'm treated better than I ever have been. Almost NO industry pays 100% for health care...but I only pay $88 per month so that's damn close. I get paid the same for empty and loaded miles.

We have extensive recreational facilities at our terminal and a slew of bonuses and comps that go along with employment. The family atmosphere means that even with thousands of employees...we know each other. I walk into safety, claims, dispatch...I'm recognized. I'm THANKED and my concerns and recommendations are heard. There's no need for a union is your company is good.

Perhaps you chose the wrong company? Don't lump mine into the bad ones. You obviously didn't research. As for that chart MOST positions are not paid keeping up with inflation.

As for low wages....well I will be paying my car off early due to those "low" wages.

You need to explore other options before you insist others shoukdnbe as unhappy as you are. From the "drivers moan and groan".... Uh who is that?

You won't find one post where I loaned and groaned about my employer. Trainer? Yes. Weather? Sure. Prime...no way.

Should of followed your lead, I was a smart ass and got deleted haha. You hit the nail on the head with this especially living in a way more expensive area of the country.

Tractor... You realize one day Rainy is going to run into you in person, then she's going to have her way with you for all your remarks and her typing!

It's just my way of telling her how much I Love Her!