Getting The Job Done Even When You Don't Want To Or Don't Think It Can Be Done!

Ouch. Bad info, I don't like to hear that. Except for an empty trailer I was trying to find, I've never experienced that myself.

I always go the extra mile (no pun intended) unless I have a personal thing like doctors appointments. I think I shocked them my first month solo the first time they were trying to get me more miles (they are great at that) and I said I'd rather spend time at home with my wife and pets. I mean that sincerely. There is nothing more common in this country than money. If you have a skill and are willing to use it, you will always be able to get it. But time...time you NEVER get back, ever! It is far more precious than money.

But make no mistake about it, when I'm in that truck, I might as well drive it. I will maximize my drive hours every day, without putting myself and my freight in jeopardy.

I agree with Rob and Bob (unintentional, I swear ).

It's great to be a team player when you can, but when you can't then you can't. There have been times I said no. Some times I feel bad about it, other times I don't. Helping when you can gets you some discretionary leeway and understanding.

At FedEx, I've had dispatchers give me bad information or lie to me. Bad info if they didn't know better or lie if they did. Check out my day of changed plans thread and I mentioned how they told me I could use an extension later in the day. That was a lie because they can't extend drive time and I can't use an extension if I have enough information to know I'm going to need it. That's when the team player stuff goes out the window. I don't appreciate being put in a bad spot or lied to and this isn't the first time it's happened.

I let it slide because it was a Friday and it wouldn't effect my start time, but if it were a Monday I would refuse because it would ruin the rest of my week because of needing a 10 hour break.

However, if they would've said "we messed up we really need this moved" then maybe I'd be more willing to help, even if it meant jacking up the rest of my week and making less money.

The point of this long post ( is it too late to say long story, short?) Is that being a team player works both ways. There should be gains and losses for the entire time, not just one person.

Hi Anne,

I like to be the go-to person. I take pride in getting things done. But I won't sacrifice personal/family time for money.

As for this trip. I mean this with all sincerity, those two guys at the shipper were absolute professionals. Two good old Jersey boys just doing their thing, 'Geting'R'Done.' To date, the best I've encountered. When that young man called me pops, the look on his face was sincere and showed total respect. To be honest, I felt like he was my son just trying to tell me he wanted me to straighten that trailer up a little. Now, my experience in Northern Jersey a few months ago, I won't even talk about.

I'm happy it worked out for you.

I know it goes against most of the thinking here, however at some point you have to stand up and say no. If you have important things to do like doctors appointments or family obligations those should take precedence over freight. I've learned the hard way if you say "yes" all the time, the requests never seem to end.

That said, it doesn't hurt to do them favors sometimes; as you will need one from time to time. Just don't let them walk all over you.

Well said, EPIC. I don't think it goes against the TT grain, whatsoever. I believe it's more of the 'pay it forward/pay it back' mindset, myself.

Way to get it done Bill. Glad it worked out for you.

I completely agree with you Bobcat. I've actually been wanting to write up a thread about this exact thing for a few days but I've been quite busy. I'll try to post it later today/tonight if I have time in a new thread to not hijack bills post. I just finished an early day to take the kids apple picking and have a fun family day. Far too often we tend to focus on being a team player. I completely agree that is one step to becoming your dispatchers go to person and maximizing your income. However we also can't lose sight on there being more to our life (especially family) than just moving freight and taking your time off when it's convenient for the company.

Rob T., you are extremely well versed, and manage to 'table' emotions in your writings. I believe you should . . . do just that. Would be a great addition to the site; imho!

I agree with Rob and Bob (unintentional, I swear ).

It's great to be a team player when you can, but when you can't then you can't. There have been times I said no. Some times I feel bad about it, other times I don't. Helping when you can gets you some discretionary leeway and understanding.

I let it slide because it was a Friday and it wouldn't effect my start time, but if it were a Monday I would refuse because it would ruin the rest of my week because of needing a 10 hour break.

However, if they would've said "we messed up we really need this moved" then maybe I'd be more willing to help, even if it meant jacking up the rest of my week and making less money.

The point of this long post ( is it too late to say long story, short?) Is that being a team player works both ways. There should be gains and losses for the entire time, not just one person.

I'll overlook the "RobNBob" pundit, also...... LoLoL !!! Kinda like the 'Bob & Tom' show . . . my landlord's name was Bob (driver, too) and of course, my Tom . .when those two got together ~ it was the "Bob & Tom Show" on 18wheels !! Good days, man. Good times. (R.I.P. to Bob....a father figure to Tom & I both.. 4mil miler.)

This ^^^^^ concept/thread, would be EPIC, you guys. Entered into the cache of 'All Stars' on Trucking Truth. I agree 100%, and there HAVE been a few blogs that have 'touched on' this in the past; nothing with this level of reality, however.

To think; it all started with Bill being called 'Pops' .. in a 'Git'R'Done' moment !!!!!!

Y'all are awesome, guys.

~ Anne ~

Do you mind sharing those diner locations with me? Lol. South Jersey is pretty nice.

I am not a fan of Pittsburgh, Thankfully, we do absolutely ZERO out of there. I covered Pittsburgh and Cincy as a sales and service technician in the technology industry, years ago. They were in my 3-state territory. I gave them up because I couldn't stand the traffic in those areas. Best thing I ever did.

I frequently have loads going into and out of Vineland, NJ. There are actually a fair number of places to park in South Jersey. There is a small diner in Monroeville and another diner in Southampton Township, both of which rarely have full parking lots.

I cringe when I have a load going into or coming out of Newark, but South Jersey, I would rather go there than Pittsburgh or Cincinnati.

Do you mind sharing those diner locations with me? Lol. South Jersey is pretty nice.

I am not a fan of Pittsburgh, Thankfully, we do absolutely ZERO out of there. I covered Pittsburgh and Cincy as a sales and service technician in the technology industry, years ago. They were in my 3-state territory. I gave them up because I couldn't stand the traffic in those areas. Best thing I ever did.

I frequently have loads going into and out of Vineland, NJ. There are actually a fair number of places to park in South Jersey. There is a small diner in Monroeville and another diner in Southampton Township, both of which rarely have full parking lots.

I cringe when I have a load going into or coming out of Newark, but South Jersey, I would rather go there than Pittsburgh or Cincinnati.

Point 40 Diner, 761 US 40, Monroeville, NJ.

Red Lion Diner,1753 US-206, Southampton Township, NJ.