OS&D

I do recognize the value of these posts in the conversations created. I just think the approach Bruce takes is unnecessarily awkward by making himself look like he is wandering around the country in a truck and lost half the time.

Has any of the long-timers here noticed that engagement in the forum has been way down over the past few months? Traffic is still high. Applications are still coming in strong. Tons of people are using the High Road.

But the forum is dead. DEAD.

Why is that? It's obvious to me. I've been trying to tell everyone to be more friendly and welcoming, but the only thing this group seems to do anymore is find reasons to complain, blame, and criticize every question or statement made.

So why the hell would anyone come to this forum to get advice when people are just going to criticize you or give you two-word responses? They don't.

I think it's time to shake things up around here.

Turtle was typing his response at the same time I was. I agree wholeheartedly with what he said.

Peace, Brother. It might appear as though that is what is going on. However, Bruce's posts tend to spark discussions that others might find helpful.

RealDiehl, I agree with your response as well.

Folks, try to be friendly and helpful.

BK, keep doing exactly what you're doing. You're asking questions and creating great conversations. I appreciate that.

Bruce will pose questions or his own unique observations in a different method at times, but this usually begins dialog and interactions from others (as aptly observed above). We need to keep in mind that many readers are seeing much of these topics for the very first time ever. They have no idea what they don't know, but what they are accomplishing is learning. I personally didn't even know what the term "O,S & D" stood for until after driving for THREE YEARS!

I’m always surprised that the dock workers don’t keep this stuff for themselves, the driver would never know.

My guess is because they don't know what the shipper wants to do with it and if they accept the shipment, they'll be paying for it.

If they leave it on the trailer it's refused and it's up to the shipper to decide what to do with it.

Has any of the long-timers here noticed that engagement in the forum has been way down over the past few months?

I've noticed that as well. I'll check in periodically and notice that there hasn't been a new post in days.

Why is that? It's obvious to me. I've been trying to tell everyone to be more friendly and welcoming, but the only thing this group seems to do anymore is find reasons to complain, blame, and criticize every question or statement made.

I don't think I agree with that. You guys were way meaner when I got here and this place was bumpin'. Could be people are just way more sensitive nowadays, but that thin skin and idea that people need to conform to anothers personality won't get you far out here.

I keep the joking to a minimum and reserve it for those that I feel I can have that rapport with and I generally try to keep my advice to things that I know and I'll correct myself when I'm wrong, but it's hard to be friendly when people with 2 posts get nasty or respond with a "pffft" because they don't like the facts that have been presented to them. We all know truth is objective and it's not always pleasant.

Respect is a 2 way Street and people that have been raised on the Internet don't seem to understand that. Respect begets respect.

I also won't let that deter me from helping somebody in the future. I do believe my career would not exist or would be a lot more difficult without this site and it only feels right to continue to pay it forward.

My career would be non existent without this community as well. I was a bit taken aback when I read Ryan's comment as well. It seems more like a personal attack than a helpful observation.

In all fairness to Ryan though, that may not have been his intention. Nonetheless though, it's still a pretty harsh and generally non helpful assumption.

Especially given that dry van and flatbed among others might rarely if ever deal with os&d, it's pretty likely that many drivers never deal with it. I didn't have to deal with it for a long time and was very startled the first time. I called my trainer and asked him the protocol for dealing with it.

Alright, I’ll apologize for my comment. It was a genuine question from Bruce. I thought this is something he should have known by now, but based on other comments looks like I’m wrong.

Thank you Turtle and Brett.

I thought Ryan’s criticism was a real cheap shot and a totally unnecessary personal attack. Then Bird piled on, but he was man enough to apologize.

That being said, I know my companies policy about OS&D and I also know that other companies have their own rules and regulations. I’m sure Ryan doesn’t know what policy’s my company has, so he is making assumptions to arrive at an unfair accusation. Ryan, I thought you were better than that but I guess I was wrong again.

And Brett, yes I have noticed that comments have become few and far between. This saddens me because like Davy said about his own experience, my driving career would be dead without this forum. So I feel like I should give back to the forum as much as possible. I tend to post topics that are in the “I wish I had known about this when I first started” I’m always amazed at how many details need to be learned to be a safe and productive driver. There is no detail too small and for every topic I post, I learn something valuable from the other drivers. No exceptions.

Personally, I would be very pleased to see more drivers open up about their experiences and lessons they can pass on to others.

Look at some recent topics posted by Davy and NaeNae for example. Great discussions about the trials and tribulations of being a driver.

Ryan was partially right, though. Most of the time (not all the time) I do feel like I’m on paid vacation. Compared to some other jobs, I’ve done, driving is a great adventure.

Has any of the long-timers here noticed that engagement in the forum has been way down over the past few months? Traffic is still high. Applications are still coming in strong. Tons of people are using the High Road.

But the forum is dead. DEAD.

I have noticed that and was looking for the right opportunity to bring it up. Sometimes it seems like there is 1 post a day lately.

Personally, I don't stop by as much here lately because I've noticed a change in tone on a lot of responses. It seems some people are more interested in bickering than being helpful.

It seems some people are more interested in bickering than being helpful.

Thinking about it a little more, it seems most of the newer posters are more interested in what we know, but are not interested in the follow up questions or critiquing. Unfortunately, there are no cookie cutter, one size fits all answers.