Choosing a Truck Driving Job Part VIII - Talking With the Right People

In part one of our series, Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part I: Factors That Effect All Companies, we talked about different factors and considerations which will affect your experience at any company you go to work for.

In part 2, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part II: You and "Your People" Are The Most Important Factor", we talked about surrounding yourself with the right people, understanding factors that affect the freight you'll be getting, and things you can do to put yourself in the best position to succeed.

In part 3, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part III: How Your Family and Lifestyle Will Affect Your Choice", we considered your personality and lifestyle. Are you married? Do you have children? Do you love adventure? How long would you like to be away from home? These questions all figure into the process of choosing the right truck driving job.

In part 4, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part IV: Advantages of Large Trucking Companies", we of course talked about the advantages of working at a large trucking company.

In part 5, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part V: Comparing Large Trucking Companies To Small Ones", we compared working for companies of different sizes.

In part 6, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part VI: Dry Van and Refrigerated Companies", we talked a little bit about life on the road with a dry van or a refrigerated carrier.

In part 7, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part VII: Tankers and Flatbeds" we talked a little bit about life on the road with a flatbed or tanker carrier.

Now, in our final installment of this series, we'll talk about finding out some good information about any company you are interested in working for.

Getting The Right Information From The Right People

There are three main groups of people that you will be speaking with when you are considering working for a particular trucking company. They are:

The company's drivers
The company's mechanics
The company's recruiters

Knowing each group's agendas and viewpoints will help you ask the right questions, and interpret the quality of the responses you get.

Speaking With Company Drivers

One of the best ways, in my opinion, to really find out what life is like on the inside of a company you are considering applying to is to talk with some of the drivers and mechanics that work there. It's simple to do, it's incredibly effective, it makes perfect sense that a company's current drivers would know best, and you're going to be pleasantly surprised at the honesty you'll get!

Now please be aware of one thing, though....often times, a company will offer a referral bonus to any employee that refers a driver to the company. Often times it's quite significant...in the area of $500. So when you begin talking with a truck driver or a mechanic, make it perfectly clear that you are looking for an honest opinion, not a sales pitch. If you were looking for propaganda you could simply talk to their recruiting department. If they seem rather persistent about wanting to give you their name and truck number so that they can make money for recruiting you, simply thank them for their time and try to find someone else.

But most of the time you will get a brutally honest opinion. Truck drivers often tend to look out for other truck drivers. We all live the same kind of lives and face the same difficulties, so the last thing we should want to do is make life difficult for one another. I've been asked many hundreds of times about my experience working for a particular company. I have never once given out my truck number or name, nor have I ever received a nickel in referral money. Often times guys were so appreciative of my time and honesty that they asked me for the info, knowing I would get paid for the referral, and I politely declined. I told them that there was no way they could be sure I was being honest with them if I knew I was going to get paid to promote my company. I've gotten plenty of good advice for free over the years, so I just considered it good karma to give some back.

Make sure you talk to at least five different drivers from any particular trucking company. One or two could just be happy or unhappy with their company at that particular time based on some current events. But if you can get a pretty consistent group of opinions from several different drivers then you know you've probably gotten a good feel for the way drivers are being treated at that company. Ask them if they're getting the mileage they would like to be getting, whether they get home roughly when they are supposed to, and whether or not the trucks are well maintained. That's the three most important things a company must do well.

Speaking With Company Mechanics

Also, talk to one or two mechanics if you can get the opportunity. And if the company is located too far away to visit in person, don't be afraid to call the shop! Just tell whoever answers the phone that you're considering becoming a driver for the company and you'd like to know his opinion on their maintenance program. Ask them if the trucks are well taken care of and especially if their driver's requests for small things like new wiper blades, faulty mirror heaters, and blown fuses are handled promptly and without debate. If they aren't taking the time and care to look after the trucks then not only will you be losing a lot of money while unreliable trucks are sitting in the repair shop all the time, but you'll know that the company's management really isn't concerned with the comfort, safety, and happiness of its drivers.

A poor maintenance program is a huge red flag. Stay away from that company. You'll also be surprised at how often a trucking company's maintenance guys will be honest with you. The vast majority of mechanics take pride in what they do. They want to do things the right away because the safety and reliability of the equipment they work on is what determines their reputation. If they aren't being allowed to maintain the equipment properly, they'll more than likely let you know. It's their way of defending their reputation, and I don't blame them. I was a mechanic for Harley Davidson at one point and I felt the same way.

Speaking With Company Recruiters

A recruiter's job at any trucking company is to get you in the door, period. Once you've gotten hired at a company their job is done. Some of them will lie their brains out if it gets them paid...like a used car salesman. Tons of drivers I've talked to have been promised new trucks, a spot in certain divisions, big miles, and lots of home time, only to find out they've been lied to by the recruiter. What can you do about it if this happens to you? Nothing. Everyone will simply shrug their shoulders and say, "don't know what to tell ya".

When it comes to speaking with recruiters, there are some things to be aware of. First of all, be leery of guarantees from a company. The trucking industry is by nature cyclical and unpredictable. If they make promises like "you will be home every Friday by dinnertime", or "everybody gets home for the holidays", or "you will get a minimum of 2000 miles per week", then more than likely you're being lied to. There are no guarantees in this industry. Factors including weather, fleet size, economic fluctuations, vehicle breakdowns, gaining or losing customers, changes in computer software, changes in dispatching structure, changes in management, and a massive number of other variables all lead to a naturally unpredictable amount of miles and home time from week to week and year to year. You have to go with the flow and understand the dynamics of the industry.

There's one easy way to test a recruiter - tell them to put it in writing. If they promise you a new truck for instance, tell them to fax it in writing to you with their name on it so that you can bring it to orientation with you. If they'll do that, then you may actually get what they've promised, but I'm not guaranteeing that either. Recruiting can be a dirty process at times, so watch out for promises. Some of them will lie to you if they think they can get away with it.

There will be good weeks and bad weeks, good months and bad months, and even years can fluctuate quite a bit from one to the next. You have to take the good with the bad and try to get a good understanding of the big picture and how all of the different variables will affect your mileage and home time. If a company makes guarantees, they're often times lying. If they make statements like, "we try to get everyone home on weekends and holidays", and "you'll average about 2200 miles per week overall" then you can be pretty sure they're doing their best to be honest. Just be aware of the personal interests and agendas of the person you are speaking with. Remember, the drivers are the ones that are in demand, so keep in mind that you should be interviewing the company, not just the other way around. If your record is decent, then more than likely they'll be glad to have you. Just make sure that the job you choose seems like it will fit in with your goals, your personality, and your lifestyle.

About The Author
Brett R Aquila
15 Year Truck Driving Veteran
Owner - http://www.truckingtruth.com - the largest, most honest, and informative site on the web for those considering becoming a truck driver. We have tons of resources on our site, including:
Trucking Articles Trucking Driving Blogs From Many Different Authors Truck Driving Schools Free Truck Driving Schools Truck Driver's Forum Truck Driving Jobs Companies With CDL Training Advice, Tips, and Stories And Much More!
You can even make money with your own blog on TruckingTruth! We have several authors and are always looking for many more! So if you're considering becoming a truck driver, TruckingTruth is the place to go. You will not be disappointed!

Choosing a Truck Driving Job Part II - You and "Your People" Are the Most Important Factor

In part one of our series, Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part I: Factors That Effect All Companies, we talked about different factors and considerations which will affect your experience at any company you go to work for, including:

The Elusive "Best Trucking Companies" and the Mythical "Perfect Trucking Company"
Competition and Politics Within Each Trucking Company
Different Divisions Working Together, or at Times, Working Against Each Other
Competition Within The Company

In part two, we're going to talk about people. Ask any member of any successful team, "What is it that made you so successful?" If they really understand the dynamics of any team, the answer is usually the same - "Having the right people". It's no different within trucking companies, which are indeed teams, although they may not always seem like it. You will likely discover that at any company there are people who don't like you, people who don't care about their jobs, and people who aren't very good at what they do. Does this sound like a team? Does the company seem to be functioning like a team? Well, the reality of it is simple - being on a team doesn't mean that everyone gets along, everyone cares about the team, and everyone is good at what they do. It simply means that everyone is working together to make the company function - even the jerks - which every team has.

So what you have to do at any trucking company is to make sure that you are the best driver you can be, the best person you can be, and surround yourself with the best people you can find. Even in a large company, there will only be a very small group of people that you will be working with directly. From the time you first head out on the road, there may only be 10-15 people that you ever have direct contact with for the entire first year! Having the right people is absolutely critical to your success and happiness at any trucking company you work for.

"Your People" Can Make All The Difference

So one of the biggest factors that determine whether or not you will be happy at a particular company will be the people you are surrounded with. If you have an outstanding dispatcher, almost any company can be a great one for you to work for. I've been there. If you're getting great miles, great loads, being treated well, and getting home on a good schedule, then the company is a great one to work for, right? Pretty much!

If you're not getting along with your dispatcher or he/she is not doing a good job, you're not going to get the loads you'd like to be getting and life at that company is not going to be good. Here's a huge piece of advice - get to know your dispatcher's boss! Understand that dispatchers in general do not have much authority. Normally, the load planners make the ultimate decision about which load the driver gets assigned to. At times, you're going to need more help. Often times your dispatcher's boss will have more pull with the load planners than your dispatcher will. If you get to know the boss, you may be able to get more help when help is needed. Maybe you're not getting enough miles. Maybe you keep getting stuck in the Northeast. Maybe you need to get home a little bit early or stay home a day longer. Your dispatcher will not always have the authority to make this happen - but the boss usually will. Get to know the boss and work together with your dispatcher and the boss as a team. If you really want things to go well for you, take the attitude that you will do favors for them first! Prove yourself as a driver. Run hard, be safe, and be reliable and they will normally take good care of you in return. If, on the other hand, you get stuck with a dispatcher that just doesn't care about the drivers, and believe me there are some like that, then that same boss is the one you will turn to when you'd like to try working with a different dispatcher.

Always keep in mind that there will not always be good freight available, either. Some of the factors that will greatly affect the amount of freight available at any given time include:


The economy
The region of the country you are in
The day of the week it is
The time of the year
The number of drivers in your area waiting on loads
and a whole assortment of other factors

You have to take the good with the bad and understand that things won't always go your way.

The driver's work ethic and attitude

This is the most important factor of all. Over the years I came to realize that most companies can be good companies to work for if you understand the things I've said above, the things I will say in the next few parts in this series, and you are a kick ass driver! But if you're lazy, hard to get along with, unreliable, unsafe, inflexible, or have unreasonable expectations, you will not be treated well by your company and you will not be happy working there.

Whenever a driver would approach me in a truckstop and complain about how horrible the company is that he/she works for, the first question I always asked myself is "what is this driver doing wrong?" Is it always the driver's fault when things aren't going well? Of course not! Some companies are just crappy companies to work for. Or at least, some of the people within those companies are crappy to work with - like certain dispatchers or load planners. But the vast majority of the time, whenever a driver complained about their company and I sat down and listened for a little while, the truth would eventually come out. Often times it was things like:

I've told them I want to be home every friday by 5:00 and they don't do it half the time
I told them I hate the northeast and they keep sending me there
I'm from Florida and I hate the snow. I don't wanna drive in it and I told them I won't
I can't see good at night and I told them I don't like driving at night and they keep giving me loads that I can't deliver on time
I hate driving through the mountains and I told them keep me in the midwest but they won't

I always thought, "SHOCKING! that things aren't going well for you! You've stated your demands so clearly!" Obviously you're seeing the pattern here. The driver feels his/her demands aren't being met so is refusing to do anything he/she doesn't want to do. I've seen this over and over a thousand times. Sit down and listen to the drivers that are unhappy and 90% of the time it's their own fault. They aren't willing to do the things that other drivers are willing to do to get the job done for the company. And hey, this is coming from a truck driver!!!! If I was a dispatcher or a load planner for 15 years, that would be totally different. But I drove for 15 years and I'm telling you that most of the time the driver either doesn't get along with people or doesn't understand the trucking industry in general, how it works, and what is expected of him.

Unreasonable driver expectations in my opinion is the number one reason for the high turnover rate in the industry, and the number one reason that those drivers that are unhappy, are unhappy. Not always of course. And much of the turnover can be traced to poor company policies or poor employees within these companies. But knowing what you can do to help yourself as a driver is the most important thing that will influence your driving career. If you will do your job, most of the time things will work out well.

Do These Things And You Will Be Much Better Off:

Be safe
Be efficient
Be cooperative
Be very patient
Work hard
Communicate well with your company
Prove yourself as a driver first, ask favors second
Learn to understand your company and the trucking industry in general
Surround yourself with the right people
Get to know the right people
Have discipline
Be responsible
Take the good with the bad
Learn to handle that rig like a Jedi!
Learn all of the factors that affect the freight you will get, like:


The economy
The season of the year
The region you are in
You're ability as a driver
The company's freight lanes
the people you surround yourself with
your attitude
and many others...

If you understand these things and you're doing your job the best you can, then overall you will be in a good position to succeed at any company you drive for. In the next few parts of this series we'll talk about some of the factors in your life that will help you determine the best type of job for you.

I sure hope you'll leave some comments on this post, and all of our posts. Your comments help us improve the site and put up the content that will help you the most! Thanks a lot!

About The Author

Brett R Aquila
15 Year Truck Driving Veteran
Owner - http://www.truckingtruth.com - the largest, most honest, and informative site on the web for those considering becoming a truck driver. We have tons of resources on our site, including:

Trucking Articles Trucking Driving Blogs From Many Different Authors Truck Driving Schools Free Truck Driving Schools Truck Driver's Forum Truck Driving Jobs Companies With CDL Training Advice, Tips, and Stories And Much More!

You can even make money with your own blog on TruckingTruth! We have several authors and are always looking for many more! So if you're considering becoming a truck driver, TruckingTruth is the place to go. You will not be disappointed!

Choosing a Truck Driving Job Part VIII - Talking With the Right People

In part one of our series, Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part I: Factors That Effect All Companies, we talked about different factors and considerations which will affect your experience at any company you go to work for.

In part 2, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part II: You and "Your People" Are The Most Important Factor", we talked about surrounding yourself with the right people, understanding factors that affect the freight you'll be getting, and things you can do to put yourself in the best position to succeed.

In part 3, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part III: How Your Family and Lifestyle Will Affect Your Choice", we considered your personality and lifestyle. Are you married? Do you have children? Do you love adventure? How long would you like to be away from home? These questions all figure into the process of choosing the right truck driving job.

In part 4, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part IV: Advantages of Large Trucking Companies", we of course talked about the advantages of working at a large trucking company.

In part 5, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part V: Comparing Large Trucking Companies To Small Ones", we compared working for companies of different sizes.

In part 6, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part VI: Dry Van and Refrigerated Companies", we talked a little bit about life on the road with a dry van or a refrigerated carrier.

In part 7, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part VII: Tankers and Flatbeds" we talked a little bit about life on the road with a flatbed or tanker carrier.

Now, in our final installment of this series, we'll talk about finding out some good information about any company you are interested in working for.

Getting The Right Information From The Right People

There are three main groups of people that you will be speaking with when you are considering working for a particular trucking company. They are:

The company's drivers
The company's mechanics
The company's recruiters

Knowing each group's agendas and viewpoints will help you ask the right questions, and interpret the quality of the responses you get.

Speaking With Company Drivers

One of the best ways, in my opinion, to really find out what life is like on the inside of a company you are considering applying to is to talk with some of the drivers and mechanics that work there. It's simple to do, it's incredibly effective, it makes perfect sense that a company's current drivers would know best, and you're going to be pleasantly surprised at the honesty you'll get!

Now please be aware of one thing, though....often times, a company will offer a referral bonus to any employee that refers a driver to the company. Often times it's quite significant...in the area of $500. So when you begin talking with a truck driver or a mechanic, make it perfectly clear that you are looking for an honest opinion, not a sales pitch. If you were looking for propaganda you could simply talk to their recruiting department. If they seem rather persistent about wanting to give you their name and truck number so that they can make money for recruiting you, simply thank them for their time and try to find someone else.

But most of the time you will get a brutally honest opinion. Truck drivers often tend to look out for other truck drivers. We all live the same kind of lives and face the same difficulties, so the last thing we should want to do is make life difficult for one another. I've been asked many hundreds of times about my experience working for a particular company. I have never once given out my truck number or name, nor have I ever received a nickel in referral money. Often times guys were so appreciative of my time and honesty that they asked me for the info, knowing I would get paid for the referral, and I politely declined. I told them that there was no way they could be sure I was being honest with them if I knew I was going to get paid to promote my company. I've gotten plenty of good advice for free over the years, so I just considered it good karma to give some back.

Make sure you talk to at least five different drivers from any particular trucking company. One or two could just be happy or unhappy with their company at that particular time based on some current events. But if you can get a pretty consistent group of opinions from several different drivers then you know you've probably gotten a good feel for the way drivers are being treated at that company. Ask them if they're getting the mileage they would like to be getting, whether they get home roughly when they are supposed to, and whether or not the trucks are well maintained. That's the three most important things a company must do well.

Speaking With Company Mechanics

Also, talk to one or two mechanics if you can get the opportunity. And if the company is located too far away to visit in person, don't be afraid to call the shop! Just tell whoever answers the phone that you're considering becoming a driver for the company and you'd like to know his opinion on their maintenance program. Ask them if the trucks are well taken care of and especially if their driver's requests for small things like new wiper blades, faulty mirror heaters, and blown fuses are handled promptly and without debate. If they aren't taking the time and care to look after the trucks then not only will you be losing a lot of money while unreliable trucks are sitting in the repair shop all the time, but you'll know that the company's management really isn't concerned with the comfort, safety, and happiness of its drivers.

A poor maintenance program is a huge red flag. Stay away from that company. You'll also be surprised at how often a trucking company's maintenance guys will be honest with you. The vast majority of mechanics take pride in what they do. They want to do things the right away because the safety and reliability of the equipment they work on is what determines their reputation. If they aren't being allowed to maintain the equipment properly, they'll more than likely let you know. It's their way of defending their reputation, and I don't blame them. I was a mechanic for Harley Davidson at one point and I felt the same way.

Speaking With Company Recruiters

A recruiter's job at any trucking company is to get you in the door, period. Once you've gotten hired at a company their job is done. Some of them will lie their brains out if it gets them paid...like a used car salesman. Tons of drivers I've talked to have been promised new trucks, a spot in certain divisions, big miles, and lots of home time, only to find out they've been lied to by the recruiter. What can you do about it if this happens to you? Nothing. Everyone will simply shrug their shoulders and say, "don't know what to tell ya".

When it comes to speaking with recruiters, there are some things to be aware of. First of all, be leery of guarantees from a company. The trucking industry is by nature cyclical and unpredictable. If they make promises like "you will be home every Friday by dinnertime", or "everybody gets home for the holidays", or "you will get a minimum of 2000 miles per week", then more than likely you're being lied to. There are no guarantees in this industry. Factors including weather, fleet size, economic fluctuations, vehicle breakdowns, gaining or losing customers, changes in computer software, changes in dispatching structure, changes in management, and a massive number of other variables all lead to a naturally unpredictable amount of miles and home time from week to week and year to year. You have to go with the flow and understand the dynamics of the industry.

There's one easy way to test a recruiter - tell them to put it in writing. If they promise you a new truck for instance, tell them to fax it in writing to you with their name on it so that you can bring it to orientation with you. If they'll do that, then you may actually get what they've promised, but I'm not guaranteeing that either. Recruiting can be a dirty process at times, so watch out for promises. Some of them will lie to you if they think they can get away with it.

There will be good weeks and bad weeks, good months and bad months, and even years can fluctuate quite a bit from one to the next. You have to take the good with the bad and try to get a good understanding of the big picture and how all of the different variables will affect your mileage and home time. If a company makes guarantees, they're often times lying. If they make statements like, "we try to get everyone home on weekends and holidays", and "you'll average about 2200 miles per week overall" then you can be pretty sure they're doing their best to be honest. Just be aware of the personal interests and agendas of the person you are speaking with. Remember, the drivers are the ones that are in demand, so keep in mind that you should be interviewing the company, not just the other way around. If your record is decent, then more than likely they'll be glad to have you. Just make sure that the job you choose seems like it will fit in with your goals, your personality, and your lifestyle.

About The Author
Brett R Aquila
15 Year Truck Driving Veteran
Owner - http://www.truckingtruth.com - the largest, most honest, and informative site on the web for those considering becoming a truck driver. We have tons of resources on our site, including:
Trucking Articles Trucking Driving Blogs From Many Different Authors Truck Driving Schools Free Truck Driving Schools Truck Driver's Forum Truck Driving Jobs Companies With CDL Training Advice, Tips, and Stories And Much More!
You can even make money with your own blog on TruckingTruth! We have several authors and are always looking for many more! So if you're considering becoming a truck driver, TruckingTruth is the place to go. You will not be disappointed!