Needing Some Advice

General
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I’m trying my best to learn this industry and how to be effective and profitable. Need some advice.

Last week we sat for 2 days waiting at a shipper bc we didn’t have the correct pick up number and it took that long to get dispatch to come up with the number for us. Then they had us go to the terminal to update DOT inspection stuff for the truck.

We left the terminal this morning to deliver the same load we waited 2 days to get and now there is some special appointment number we are supposed to have to drop off at this location. We have now been waiting 8 hours and the place closes in an hour.

I was not fortunate enough to have the government pay for my schooling so this is something I’ve invested a lot of money, effort and time into. This is not just a job I’m trying out but a career I need to work for me for the next 20 years. I have done everything I can do to communicate with dispatch but they just can’t seem to get us the answers to keep us moving. My check from last week (to be fair we came back from home time on Wednesday) is $200 due to sitting and if we don’t get out of here sooner than later this week will not be much better.

I can’t keep doing this. I need to be making money.

What can I do to make sure I’m not sitting around at shippers for days waiting for information needed to pickup and drop off these loads? I need to understand where I’m going wrong so I can fix it. I know if we’re not making money, the company isn’t either so I’m not understanding why they seem to be okay having us sitting around week after week. Also, we are one of 4 trucks just with our company sitting at this shipper with the same issue.

When is it time to move to another company? Although I’m aware another mega Carrier will be likely similar as far as dealing with issues. But something’s got to give.

I value your guys input and appreciate anything you have to share.

Thanks.

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Delays are common in the industry. How we negotiate them is what matters. In cases like yours, I make sure the communication is in writing. If I cant get answers from the dispatcher, ill work up the chain of command. If that fails, ill see what I can accomplish locally at the reciever or shipper.

Its important to remember patience and be polite, no matter how frustrating you’re experience is.

I make sure to document my time in, and my communication, I make sure im on time for the appointment because without that, you have no leverage whatsoever. If nothing can be done to resolve the issue, then I bill for as much detention as I can, making sure its documented and justified. Also making sure to submit it in the format and process required to make sure its successful.

This is ancillary pay, while its not as much, its vital to pursue it. Its crucial to be polite, professional and organized and to stay on top of it. Most companies do not have adequate systems to deal will avoid paying it, not out of malice, just as a result of it being tough for them to get it.

The reality of the industry, especially with general freight is that the truck and driver are inexpensive and thus not valued as such. Think about a crane and operator, they’re very expensive to procure, we get them in and out ASAP.

What this means is that you will frequently encounter delays. Mark down the location in your gps and note it that it has a process, so the next time you are there, you can have the required pick up and delivery numbers beforehand. I have other shippers that I will evade if possible due to their delays such as Associated Grociers, I’ve done a 34 in their dock at one point.

I can’t stress enough that youre selling the extra, polite and professional demeanor and communication has served me very well with this, I’ve been able to recoup thousands of dollars annually through detention layover and breakdown pay.

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Thank you Davy for that input. I have definitely made sure to remain polite throughout this process. That’s just how I was raised and I have also seen the rewards in previous jobs of being easy to work with and likeable.

It just gets awful frustrating. We’re back here today still sitting and waiting. We received an appointment number this morning but was for the wrong BOL so they are working on getting us that info. I expect to be here most of the day again.

I will speak to my fleet manager about some detention pay and see if we can recoup a few dollars there.

Thanks again for your advice. I sincerely appreciate it.

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Hey Jay,

Another major problem is that you’re in the slowest time of the year for most of trucking. The post-holiday season is a nightmare if you’re trying to keep rolling. It’s like this for most carriers. You get a solid rush from about October through mid-December, and then it’s like someone shuts off the faucet and everything stops.

And believe me, I understand money problems just like anyone, but when you’re first getting started in a career, it’s always tough to get the ball rolling. You have far more experienced drivers who have been around for years, and they have bills to pay, as well. If you think you’re unhappy sitting, imagine putting in years with a company, only to find yourself sitting while some rookie cruises by, making money. It’s not a fun conversation for anyone in the office if that happens.

The industry has been messy for the past few years, as well, with a massive number of immigrants being granted CDLs that never should have had one.

Lastly, its completely impossible to get real data from our government, but there’s no reason to believe our economy is doing well right now.

So put all of that together, and you’re just swimming upstream right now, and it’s no fault of yours at all. You’re just a victim of circumstances right now. I know the bank doesn’t care when your mortgage comes due, but that’s the reality of it.

I don’t think there’s much to be done about it except to keep pushing to get more miles and keep learning all you can. It’s only a matter of time, and things will pick up, and you’ll be running strong.

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Hey Brett

Thanks so much for your response and that all makes perfect sense. I’m not giving up by any means, just want to make sure I’m doing everything I can on my end.

Again, I can’t tell you how invaluable all of y’all’s input is and the respect I have for you guys.

Finally getting unloaded here and we have a 2300 mile trip to California setup.

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See that? That didn’t take long, did it? :rofl:

That’s awesome news! Glad to hear it!

This industry is a roller coaster ride, no question about it. It’s a fantastic career if you’re cut out for it, but it’s rarely easy, and there are plenty of ups and downs.

One of the keys is keeping a long-term perspective and not letting short-term, temporary events get the best of you. Do you know how many jobs, and even careers, were ruined because someone lost their cool over something minor and stupid? They get road rage at a four-wheeler or get in a heated argument with dispatch, and suddenly, they’re on the street looking for another job, or worse. It happens far too often.

Keep your cool, but keep pushing hard for more miles, and always strive for better performance from yourself. “Don’t sweat the small stuff” is really important in this career. That small stuff can turn into big stuff in a hurry if you let it.

All the best!

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100% agree my friend. Took 26 hours but we’re moving on.

It could always be worse!

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Just a quick “me too” think for you. In another topic I told about being pre-planned out a week and never really having too much time sitting. Well that wasn’t my first month as a driver. That came after almost a year with the dispatcher. In fact, I started driving in February 2019. Still a slow season, and I was a new driver. Your dispatcher will take you slow (#1 you;re a newbie and #2, they aren’t sure how you will respond - sorta like any new relationship.)

In that other post I mentioned your dispatcher. Most dispatchers are handling 30-50 drivers. But when you earn that top drawer/go-to status, you’ll do OK.

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I can see how that works. I’m easy to get along with and doing my best. I’m sure I’ll get there. Just gotta make it through these learning curves.

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I think one of the hardest things for drivers to do is sit. Im currently sitting, as I have 2 hours and 50 minutes left on my 70. My recaps coming back at midnight are only a paltry 3.75 hours.

But, the flip side is that I did 3600 miles last week, and will be starting this week with 500 miles already banked yet still able to run recaps (they get better after tomorrow).

My dispatch accidently had my pta as tomorrow evening, we cant get a hold of the shipper to verify if they will have it preloaded, and as an owner op, I don’t get layover, but its just a day in the life of trucking. Ill head out tomorrow morning, I can gamble on the shipper being ready, I’ve ran loads out of there for years.

It all evens out in the end, be it a week, a month or a year.

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Yes sir.. we’re hanging in there. Finally got going to California and hoping for smoother runs for the upcoming weeks. Doing the best I can and trying to learn as I go.

Y’all be safe out there.

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I agree with Jay—the advice from you guys has been great. I’m still researching trucking, and there’s a lot of negativity out there. I appreciate that you explain things the way they really are.

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Good morning guys, if I have an ABS light that is on but goes off from time to time then comes back on, Is there anything I can do to check that fix it myself TA and have to look at it?

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I’m talking about the light on the trailer. Not in the cab, to be clear

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Jay I hope you have several typo’s in that. Is it triggering the dash or just the side light on the trailer?? It could be alot of things.

Check the center pin on the trailer plug. Sometimes they squeeze together. Check the play in the plug. If its a little loose put a small piece of paper under it. That will tighten it up.

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Yes sir, there were many typos as I was using text to talk, sorry about that. It’s just the light on the trailer and not the dash and it keeps going on and off. It’s off now. I’ll try what you suggested and see if I can find out where the connection may be loose. I was wondering if there are sensors that could be faulty also.

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There are wheel sensors but you can’t do anything about them. Could also be water on the sensor or dust. Check the plug and go on. If it keeps up write it up and let the company know once you get where your going.

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Awesome, thank you so much for the information

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@PJerrold you nailed it sir. Electrical connection was loose so I stuffed a piece of paper underneath it and that fixed it

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Good deal. I’ve been around a minute and seen a couple common problems!!

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