2 years ago I applied with a company that looked perfect. Good miles, good lanes and new trucks, etc. Money sounded good too. Where they lost me was when they said they don't pay detention time. (Waiting time). This company is a reefer company and I know there is a hell of a lot of waiting with a gig like that. Now there offering a $3000.00 sign on bonus. If they payed properly they wouldn't have to do that. The waiting time will kill you bottom line. It's all about profit and loss. The companies know this and so should you. I've been at this for a long time now and I want to get paid for all the work I do. No freebies. You new drivers need to demand the same.
that's all this guy freaking talks about is the money the money the money sometimes in life it's not all about the money I didn't get into Trucking for the money I got into it for the job
Outstanding episode. I came across your channel and (as an infrastructure geek) have been fascinated. My recommendation for this episode is for applicants to record the conversation with the recruiter. It's too easy nowadays to document exactly what's said (and sometimes you might not pick up on everything anyway). If there's a "No Recording" sign of any kind, walk. I'm shocked this video doesn't have many, many more views. Keep up the great work!!
Starting pay for OTR/trucking in general should be "the median salary range for the state in which one works. If you live in NYS...driving in the city...starting pay should be $45 an hour...if you live in Indians...it should be $25 an hour...etc. Cost averaging...then, no jurisdiction would have shortages.
The other way around. They would really pay more of there was a shortage. Not this 3 cent/mile crap....There is no actual shortage. They've been saying that since the 70s to recruit more drivers and pay less
I was paid salary with Heartland Express awhile back. I thought I'd struck gold until I realized they wanted to run you to death and dig into your home time on a constant basis. So I finally raised enough hell and a gravy car parts run came up running right past the house. That lasted a year and a half until Heartland got out bid by Pegasus. Now. I run for a different company that I had to raise the ninth circle of hell with to get decent work. I'm now running 536 miles a day, getting paid for 560, but only at 40¢ per with $5 stops, and I'm home every night. Best money I've ever made with best home time. Truck yard is literally 3 miles down the road from the house, the car parts factory I start with is directly across the highway from the truck yard. I run from Austin Indiana to Subaru in Lafayette Indiana and back, twice a night. I LOVE night driving on a dedicated run. I know where I'm going and the traffic is minimal.
Decent clip well worth watching especially for new drivers just coming from a driving school into the industry. Great industry and you do have to ask the right questions ...!! It's important for sure
I am a recruiter. Actually, I am a paralegal lol. I got married 20 years ago to an OTR real truck driver. He is gone 3 to 5 mos at a time. We moved away from the city (and my job) and trucking also became my life. I found that the recruiting job was where I can not only earn a living but utilize my skills and life skills in matching truck drivers with the proper carriers. I LOVE recruiting. Here is my problem with it. For many years I worked solely for Greatwide and also UPS Freight. I made it my business to learn ALL of their accounts inside and out. There was not a question on all of the hundreds of accounts that I couldn't answer. I lOVED it. I was largely successful because I was honest, went the extra mile in helping drivers start their own businesses, and knew what I was selling inside and out. Well, Greatwide got purchased by Cardinal and it was no longer driver oriented in my opinion. I left there and went to a company (3rd party) that had a relationship with 60 plus carriers. They gave me info on all the carriers and all of their accounts. I started recruiting for specific accounts within the plethora of info I was provided. The first 6 drivers I hired for a major carrier went to orientation to do local or regional runs. EVERY one of these cases, once the driver got to orientation, they were told THAT job was no longer available and offered them OTR! Of course, the driver is pissed with me. That is the problem. If the third-party recruiting company does not get at least weekly updates on what has been filled and open with each carrier, then the info the recruiter has is worthless. Their solution was to sell the company. That is ridiculous. You cannot sell a job to a driver that COULD be OTR, or regional or local...who knows. Because of this, I stopped recruiting for 3rd party. I will go back to it when I can find a 3rd party that actually has ongoing weekly personal relationship with their carriers. I take pride in giving accurate information to drivers. I think what happened those 6 times was a true bait and switch at my expense and def at the expense of the driver. I would love to find a job working for just one company or a 3rd party with consistent accurate job data. I love drivers and I really love finding them exactly what they are looking for in a job.
Thanks for writing in Jennifer! That " bait and switch" trick was pulled on me once, never thought about it from the recruiters point of view. Drivers always assume the recruiter works directly for the trucking company. Interesting to know that's not always the case! Dave
You sound great! Even though it's not ideal, I still like the sound of talking to a recruiting broker like you to help possibly? I know you haven't found one up to your standards but can you name a few companies? Or do you do consulting? I started a spreadsheet but it all goes out the window if they lie or bait and switch. How can we avoid that?
Im a recruiter and i dont just tell the driver what they want to hear. Before i call the driver i research the company and the position they are looking for. Then every 2 weeks i go to 3 different schools and give them my information and if they want i meet them for our initial hiring process. Im also married to a truck driver so he also explains to the driver what to expect.
I'm not a driver but I would still add one last question to the recruiter. Is he willing to put all the answers to your questions in writing and have it signed by some one with authority? This addresses the integrity of the company while giving you some assurances about the company.
It'd be lovely to think that trucking companies will put answers in writing. Of course, should I go for an interview for a truck driving job, I will want satisfactory answers to those questions I want to ask, or I am far less likely to want to work for that company.
cdn soul ths company i work for in Iowa has Cams in their trucks...i know i stay here . they gonna bring up my driving habits...on record...wit ths fckn Camera...im leavin them for another job nx month ...No Cameras in their Equipment
So many desperate truckers out there, they get away with murder. Most companies flat out tell you they won't put it in writing, or if they do, it'll be an email from the recruiter, nothing signed and at the bottom of the email it'll say some thing, " the views expressed in this email are not from the company but are the recruiters opinions", or " everything can change at our discretion"....CDL a schools should at least give a handout like Dave's given, with the questions to ask and to get in writing with guarantees it's true. If enough schools and students did that, things would start to change
This is a really good video. He has a lot of good information that is fact on. I’ve been out here for 24 years and everything this guy is saying is exactly right. Especially the part about if you want to lose a driver piss off his wife. That should be scriptural LOL
What is actually hilarious about all of this is, if they got rid of all the recruiters and advertisement they could pay people a decent wage. But the idea here is to keep the money wheel turning by involving as many people as possible, and the one that should be doing good is getting the shaft, we live in a low life corrupt time. I think of recruiters as used car salesmen trying to sell you the worst car on the planet, no integrity at all.
You are right. If the job was as good as they used to be they wouldn't need recruiters, drivers would be coming to the companies. I'd never heard of driver recruiters until the last few years, well, maybe the last 10 years now that I think about it, but yeah, put those salaries into driver wages. Paying recruiters to sell you on something they know nothing about--- trucking. Stupid, isn't it? Dave
A drove for a guy a long long time ago that said there is only one rule to keeping good drivers. Tell them what you are going to pay them, and then pay them, most of these clowns can't do that.
Dave I can't tell you how much I appreciate your lectures and your mentorship. You are a God send for those of us in process of entering this endeavor. All I can say is THANK YOU X 1000 000 🙏
this is why more drivers need to be advacting for payed by the hour and not the mile. being payed by the mile as a company driver is the biggest scam in the industry.
You get it by the hour you still better watch. They're running logs local. Might be all right but it was time for me to stop. 40+ years is enough and I've been hammered too much by Dogs and Dozers. But I still run the dozers!
LOL, you are so right. When I started back in 1986, companies had just started using recruiters but that was the inception of paying cents-per-mile. I remember jobs paying 11 1/2 cents-per-mile but I didn't start out in that segment of the industry (irregular route common carriers)... it is terrible out here today, and after 31 years and recent retirement I can say I can walk away and find soemthing else to do as a career as there is little motivation to shift gears and transport chemicals like I used to do. Feeling sad for these younger folks in this industry...
Great video I hope it helps new drivers getting into trucking and what to ask. Like you said they need you more than you need them. Do your homework and ask questions. Be safe.
Thank you soo sooo much I’m looking at various companies. This has been eye opening.
7 лет назад+1
I'm no trucker, but my wife's dad was. He'd talk of being at some companies, and without warning, they'd close shop, having all the truckers out looking for new work.
I'm personally in LTL and will never switch to OTR; just a personal preference is all. There are ups and downs to both; but I think this video is a really good reminder that even tho humbleness is a good quality to have; so is not selling yourself short. I would hate to see a fellow driver be locked into a shitty deal and lose out on money and benefits. Thank you so much for all that you do sir!
Great video and advice, Dave. But of course, I always enjoy your information and I've learned a lot of intelligence from you... keep up the good work Dave... Hope you keep the good information coming..
thanks for all the tips dave, this is going to help me out when i complete tri county traning this year. was thinking of working for a small to medium trucking firm around the k/W and Cambridge area, 25-50 trucks
Thanks for the info, very very good questions as I plan to "Shop" The big carriers. Need seat time and training to get started. Plan on getting a local job once the contract is done.
Oil workers, mine workers, refinery jobs, etc. all have recruiters out looking for us. The difference is #1 technology putting the squeeze on the transport industry for the last 30yrs+. #2 Skilled and experienced technicians are in short supply and great demand.
Good point, very insightful... What I want to know is that my company is always saying that there isn't any good Loads on the east coast... Especially when there is supposedly more loads than drivers.
Thank you! Good luck with your driving career, I enjoyed every day of mine. They say if you love your job you'll never work a day in your life. that was true of me and the years flew by. Dave
Good list of questions. Thanks Dave! I was also told by family to ask: How much for dead heading? How much for Bobtailing? Make sure to get all the promises in writing
My company does not pay for 36 hours rest or waiting time or brake down time any of that but as a new driver with 8 months experience I have to at least get 1 year experience before I can ask all those questions.
this is so true. I am a new Class 1 driver in Alberta and i have been dealing with recruiters. Bison is the worst so far. they phoned me and tried to pressure me into signing their two year contract. they are the most pushy people i have dealt with. I couldn't believe it, thats exactly who i want to work for. Someone who makes me make rushed uniformed decisions.
Smart-Trucking.com, ya I will. I wasn't even gonna give them the time of day anymore but that's not a good way to deal with it. Atleast if I tell them maybe it will make it better for future applicants. Thanks
I was a driver recruiter, I was a driver but I had a t-shirt that said road recruiter and would talk to any driver that asked me about the company. The only reason I did it was I got an extra free truck wash per month. I never signed anyone up.
Those driver recruiters pay good money, by the hour too, here in Quebec. $23 an hour OD and D. You drive for the recruiter. He pays you. They supply the drivers. Bernieres Transport.
The sweet spot is companies with between 50,and 100 trucks. Any more and you become a faceless number,and get treated like $hi+. Any less.and you have to worry about driving junk,being forced to run outlaw,and payroll being hinkey. The sweet spot usually gets you good equipment,a truck that will do the speed limit most places,family atmosphere,and the same benies as the big outfits.
That's odd. So the trucking companies supposedly don't want to pay their drivers anything so they can save on overall operational costs, but they'll gladly incur the tremendous extra costs of high driver turnover and the cost of paying the recruiters? That doesn't make any sense from a business standpoint. Why not just pay the drivers better to start with which will lower the costs of turnover and get rid of the costly recruiters as a bonus? Not to mention that just simply paying the drivers will simplify things a LOT because of lower turnover and no need for recruiters.
I'd say the trucking companies are thinking long-term. They know tech companies are already developing and testing self-driving semis (Australia uses driver-less dump trucks in mines, a couple years ago a convoy of self-driving semis made it across Europe, and a semi-autonomous semi has already successfully delivered a load of beer in the US). I've read in the US there's about 3 million semis and about 3.5 million drivers making an average of $40K a year which means trucking companies are spending about $140 billion a year on drivers. If they switch to self-driving trucks and you figure on 1 cyber guy at $75K a year plus benefits for every 100 trucks to make sure they don't get hacked and 1 mechanic to maintain every 5 trucks at $40k a year (not counting overtime) plus benefits that's still only about $30-$40 billion a year saving the trucking companies $100 billion a year or more (I don't actually know how many cyber-techs and mechanics you'd need, those are just my estimates on personnel numbers using average salaries for both career fields and adding 25% to pay for benefits). These companies don't want to pay drivers, they want to bide their time for another 10-20 years until they can get rid of the drivers altogether.
Steve Schiff Its all part of their business model. The “recruiters” generally don’t cost them a lot because their pay is based on putting asses in seats. Some recruiters also have to split duties doing something else at the company as well such as safety, driving, etc. so they’re handy to have around. When you consider how much cheaper it is to have young, healthy , green drivers around it’s worth the headache to them to have a revolving door. You have to factor in the added attention older drivers also require. Many of them haven’t taken care of themselves and require more down time for doctor visits, etc. Young fresh meat can be abused more without breaking down. Then there’s the companies heath ins. Premiums. They younger and healthier your group is, the better deal you’ll get on health coverage. It’s all a numbers game. Experience really doesn’t mean a lot to them anymore. Some of you young guys will learn one that that once you hit about 50 companies don’t really want to touch you regardless of your employment records. That’s not so evident in driving right now because the need is so great but in most other careers it’s very true. It’s like 50 is a death sentence to corporate America these days.
Recruiters are way cheaper than drivers. And companies do not want zero turnover. But they don't want too much turnover either. Recruiters definitely do not want zero turnover. They could lose a job. It took me a long time to realize that. But look carefully.
Deregulation happened here in 1980 and it allowed virtually anyone with enough money to obtain operating authority for a big rig. Meant you could start your own trucking company. Dave
What type of equipment do they run, how old, amenities, cameras pointed at you, training equipment, vacation, benefits, raises, idle vs apu, etc. Left a 👍
So, if they have cameras pointed at you that means they don't trust you as a professional driver. And now they are paying someone to sit around a fleet of professional drivers as they work. How 'bout they just pay us like we are professionals and treat us like professionals. Cameras? "I got to go"
If the drivers currently on the job would band together, we could have great paying jobs. We could force an hourly rate. Although ,I am at a fantastic company myself. Guaranteed weekly amount. Home most weekends,and I'm not racing everyone for the next mile down the road. More of a relaxed drive, knowing what my paycheck will be. WE HAVE THE POWER.
You are SO right. They need us more than we need them. If we all parked for a couple days and stayed united we could fix this crooked pay system the industry likes to cling to. Dave
I just signed up with C.R. England. When I brought up wait time, the recruiter said I will be paid a minimum every week as along as I am able to drive and drive a certain amount for them. As I am single without any kids and do NOT want to pay for an apartment that I will only see maybe 5 days out of the month, I asked if I can do back to back loads. She said that's fine, that I will make more money, and that my contract (a.k.a. school debt) will be reduced the more I work. Oh, and she said because I am a vet, my contract will be reduced from 12 months to 9. As for benefits, they cover it all plus have a 401K (they matching up to 7%). I hope this is a good deal. But even if it isn't, I have suffered worse for longer than 9 months. Once I have fulfilled my contract, I will look around and see if there are better deals and HOPEFULLY C.R. England will at least match them. Yes, yes, I know, I know. But I can hope.
How is the journey going jack? I start training with C R england next week. I’m also a veteran? Is there paid training? What is the pay like so far, mileage to pay?
At a card lock filling up when the truck beside me wanted to pay me cash to fill his truck because his fuel card was cancelled. I'm not sure if he owned the truck, or fleet fuel card, but what a rotten situation to be in. I couldn't help him out.
Why would an owner operator work for a company and not themselves? I thought that was the whole point... This is a serious question, I’m going to cdl school next month and am contemplating working for a company for a year before buying my own truck/trailer and setting up my LLC or doing that straight out of school while training myself up as my own dispatcher.
my biggest issue with recruiters is when you tell them what you want to run and how you want to run most of them tell you they want you out 2 weeks and then they talk about home time home time is when I spend time in my actual house 4 days out of the month is not enough and a lot of them recruiters don't understand that
what truck companies are the best to drive for who actually pay you for your restarts and breakdowns and pays four your first stops. I don't know of any. thanks.
No company pays for resets. If i were to get paid for reset I'd be making couple grand extra a year. Hardly any company pays for actual miles nowadays.
They should pay you for resets if you're not at home. You're out there stuck away from home for that company, you have to buy meals, you have to pay for the motel. They should pay you for being out there for them.
There's a lot of things company should pay for. Detention pay, pay for actual miles I drive, layover pay, loading/unloading pay, pre/post trip pay, any work that you show on logs should be paid for. DOT will have an issue if you dont log your time properly but nobody will have an issue that you don't get paid for the work you do.
Western Express said medical and dental. But department would not answer the phone after during the stage when I was eligible. After 3 months I finally got somebody to answer. She said " o so sorry but you have to set it up before three months. Now you have to wait a year. Also was told about tuition reimbursement....lol....yeah I got it but I had to leave them 1 star on every western Express terminal in the nation. Finally they said usually you have to set that up with in a month but this time we will allow it. Nobody would answer the phone!
I'm a LTL driver- hourly, overtime-time and a half-hour, don't work weekends. Will never go back to per milage pay long hual pay. LTL:you get paid for everything, at a company waiting a long time, your getting paid, after 8 hours on overtime-time your getting paid!!!
2 years ago I applied with a company that looked perfect. Good miles, good lanes and new trucks, etc. Money sounded good too. Where they lost me was when they said they don't pay detention time. (Waiting time). This company is a reefer company and I know there is a hell of a lot of waiting with a gig like that. Now there offering a $3000.00 sign on bonus. If they payed properly they wouldn't have to do that. The waiting time will kill you bottom line. It's all about profit and loss. The companies know this and so should you. I've been at this for a long time now and I want to get paid for all the work I do. No freebies. You new drivers need to demand the same.
Love this channel. As an experienced driver, I'm always learning and the wisdom from the more experienced driver's is invaluable.
"The wise man doesn't give the right answers, he poses the right questions." - Claude Levi-Strauss
Wish Dave and Cat ran a fleet. I'd apply in a heartbeat. 👍
Same here.
that's all this guy freaking talks about is the money the money the money sometimes in life it's not all about the money I didn't get into Trucking for the money I got into it for the job
Outstanding episode. I came across your channel and (as an infrastructure geek) have been fascinated. My recommendation for this episode is for applicants to record the conversation with the recruiter. It's too easy nowadays to document exactly what's said (and sometimes you might not pick up on everything anyway). If there's a "No Recording" sign of any kind, walk. I'm shocked this video doesn't have many, many more views. Keep up the great work!!
Start paying otr drivers by the hour and the shortage would be solved.
Yup! Dave
Starting pay for OTR/trucking in general should be "the median salary range for the state in which one works. If you live in NYS...driving in the city...starting pay should be $45 an hour...if you live in Indians...it should be $25 an hour...etc.
Cost averaging...then, no jurisdiction would have shortages.
The other way around. They would really pay more of there was a shortage. Not this 3 cent/mile crap....There is no actual shortage. They've been saying that since the 70s to recruit more drivers and pay less
And trucks going 75-80 mph tailgating would be gone too
I was paid salary with Heartland Express awhile back. I thought I'd struck gold until I realized they wanted to run you to death and dig into your home time on a constant basis. So I finally raised enough hell and a gravy car parts run came up running right past the house. That lasted a year and a half until Heartland got out bid by Pegasus.
Now. I run for a different company that I had to raise the ninth circle of hell with to get decent work. I'm now running 536 miles a day, getting paid for 560, but only at 40¢ per with $5 stops, and I'm home every night. Best money I've ever made with best home time. Truck yard is literally 3 miles down the road from the house, the car parts factory I start with is directly across the highway from the truck yard. I run from Austin Indiana to Subaru in Lafayette Indiana and back, twice a night. I LOVE night driving on a dedicated run. I know where I'm going and the traffic is minimal.
Decent clip well worth watching especially for new drivers just coming from a driving school into the industry. Great industry and you do have to ask the right questions ...!! It's important for sure
Thanks for the information I got a recruiter calling me on Monday, I didn't think to ask any of these questions to the other recruiter in the past.
I am a recruiter. Actually, I am a paralegal lol. I got married 20 years ago to an OTR real truck driver. He is gone 3 to 5 mos at a time. We moved away from the city (and my job) and trucking also became my life. I found that the recruiting job was where I can not only earn a living but utilize my skills and life skills in matching truck drivers with the proper carriers. I LOVE recruiting. Here is my problem with it. For many years I worked solely for Greatwide and also UPS Freight. I made it my business to learn ALL of their accounts inside and out. There was not a question on all of the hundreds of accounts that I couldn't answer. I lOVED it. I was largely successful because I was honest, went the extra mile in helping drivers start their own businesses, and knew what I was selling inside and out. Well, Greatwide got purchased by Cardinal and it was no longer driver oriented in my opinion. I left there and went to a company (3rd party) that had a relationship with 60 plus carriers. They gave me info on all the carriers and all of their accounts. I started recruiting for specific accounts within the plethora of info I was provided. The first 6 drivers I hired for a major carrier went to orientation to do local or regional runs. EVERY one of these cases, once the driver got to orientation, they were told THAT job was no longer available and offered them OTR! Of course, the driver is pissed with me. That is the problem. If the third-party recruiting company does not get at least weekly updates on what has been filled and open with each carrier, then the info the recruiter has is worthless. Their solution was to sell the company. That is ridiculous. You cannot sell a job to a driver that COULD be OTR, or regional or local...who knows. Because of this, I stopped recruiting for 3rd party. I will go back to it when I can find a 3rd party that actually has ongoing weekly personal relationship with their carriers. I take pride in giving accurate information to drivers. I think what happened those 6 times was a true bait and switch at my expense and def at the expense of the driver. I would love to find a job working for just one company or a 3rd party with consistent accurate job data. I love drivers and I really love finding them exactly what they are looking for in a job.
Thanks for writing in Jennifer! That " bait and switch" trick was pulled on me once, never thought about it from the recruiters point of view. Drivers always assume the recruiter works directly for the trucking company. Interesting to know that's not always the case! Dave
You sound great! Even though it's not ideal, I still like the sound of talking to a recruiting broker like you to help possibly? I know you haven't found one up to your standards but can you name a few companies? Or do you do consulting? I started a spreadsheet but it all goes out the window if they lie or bait and switch. How can we avoid that?
I wouldnt tell any body you worked for those no good bastards. Greatwide is a disgrace to the industry.
Im a recruiter and i dont just tell the driver what they want to hear. Before i call the driver i research the company and the position they are looking for. Then every 2 weeks i go to 3 different schools and give them my information and if they want i meet them for our initial hiring process. Im also married to a truck driver so he also explains to the driver what to expect.
I'm not a driver but I would still add one last question to the recruiter. Is he willing to put all the answers to your questions in writing and have it signed by some one with authority?
This addresses the integrity of the company while giving you some assurances about the company.
It'd be lovely to think that trucking companies will put answers in writing. Of course, should I go for an interview for a truck driving job, I will want satisfactory answers to those questions I want to ask, or I am far less likely to want to work for that company.
cdn soul ths company i work for in Iowa has Cams in their trucks...i know i stay here . they gonna bring up my driving habits...on record...wit ths fckn Camera...im leavin them for another job nx month ...No Cameras in their Equipment
Clarence C. Stanley I'll bet that's CRST 😉.
I'd just record the interview as a back up
So many desperate truckers out there, they get away with murder. Most companies flat out tell you they won't put it in writing, or if they do, it'll be an email from the recruiter, nothing signed and at the bottom of the email it'll say some thing, " the views expressed in this email are not from the company but are the recruiters opinions", or " everything can change at our discretion"....CDL a schools should at least give a handout like Dave's given, with the questions to ask and to get in writing with guarantees it's true. If enough schools and students did that, things would start to change
This is a really good video. He has a lot of good information that is fact on. I’ve been out here for 24 years and everything this guy is saying is exactly right. Especially the part about if you want to lose a driver piss off his wife. That should be scriptural LOL
You are doing all of us a great service!!! Thank you so much for putting out all this valuable information.
What is actually hilarious about all of this is, if they got rid of all the recruiters and advertisement they could pay people a decent wage. But the idea here is to keep the money wheel turning by involving as many people as possible, and the one that should be doing good is getting the shaft, we live in a low life corrupt time. I think of recruiters as used car salesmen trying to sell you the worst car on the planet, no integrity at all.
You are right. If the job was as good as they used to be they wouldn't need recruiters, drivers would be coming to the companies. I'd never heard of driver recruiters until the last few years, well, maybe the last 10 years now that I think about it, but yeah, put those salaries into driver wages. Paying recruiters to sell you on something they know nothing about--- trucking. Stupid, isn't it? Dave
A drove for a guy a long long time ago that said there is only one rule to keeping good drivers. Tell them what you are going to pay them, and then pay them, most of these clowns can't do that.
I absolutely love this guy...
Dave... I can NOT THANK YOU ENOUGH for such helpful information!!!
God bless you and yours for helping so many people. Thank you and thank you.
Glad to help! Dave
they should get rid of recruiters and give the drivers their paychecks
Good idea! Dave
Lol obviously that's not as cost effective for their bottom line. But of course they should
Thank you for this video! Currently in truck driving school and recruiters are visiting daily.
Good luck! Pick a good one! They're out there!
Dave I can't tell you how much I appreciate your lectures and your mentorship. You are a God send for those of us in process of entering this endeavor. All I can say is THANK YOU X 1000 000 🙏
this is why more drivers need to be advacting for payed by the hour and not the mile. being payed by the mile as a company driver is the biggest scam in the industry.
Right Again! Dave
You get it by the hour you still better watch. They're running logs local. Might be all right but it was time for me to stop. 40+ years is enough and I've been hammered too much by Dogs and Dozers. But I still run the dozers!
Great tips. Will be using all of them once I complete my CDL school.
LOL, you are so right. When I started back in 1986, companies had just started using recruiters but that was the inception of paying cents-per-mile. I remember jobs paying 11 1/2 cents-per-mile but I didn't start out in that segment of the industry (irregular route common carriers)... it is terrible out here today, and after 31 years and recent retirement I can say I can walk away and find soemthing else to do as a career as there is little motivation to shift gears and transport chemicals like I used to do. Feeling sad for these younger folks in this industry...
Yeah, me too! Dave
Amazing video for a noobie like me. Thank you very much Sir. Learning from others mistakes is best for everyone.
Thank you! drive safe. Dave
Wow!
I earn 300$ (three hundred$) in a month for driving a 40tonn Scania here in Siberia.
Good luck to everybody with your jobs!
Great video I hope it helps new drivers getting into trucking and what to ask. Like you said they need you more than you need them. Do your homework and ask questions. Be safe.
You too Earl, Thanks! Dave
im a former driver and now a recruiter and i agree 100% of what you are saying
A recruiter for who? Are you honest? How can we be sure we're being given the truth? How does recruiting pay?
Thank you soo sooo much I’m looking at various companies. This has been eye opening.
I'm no trucker, but my wife's dad was. He'd talk of being at some companies, and without warning, they'd close shop, having all the truckers out looking for new work.
Always great advice on his channel.
Thank u for the great video. Being new to this field, I cant thank u enough for all the great advice and insight
I'm personally in LTL and will never switch to OTR; just a personal preference is all. There are ups and downs to both; but I think this video is a really good reminder that even tho humbleness is a good quality to have; so is not selling yourself short. I would hate to see a fellow driver be locked into a shitty deal and lose out on money and benefits. Thank you so much for all that you do sir!
Great video and advice, Dave. But of course, I always enjoy your information and I've learned a lot of intelligence from you... keep up the good work Dave... Hope you keep the good information coming..
Will do my best Cassius! Thanks for writing in! Dave
Love your cander !
No pretention !
thanks for all the tips dave, this is going to help me out when i complete tri county traning this year. was thinking of working for a small to medium trucking firm around the k/W and Cambridge area, 25-50 trucks
I interview several current drivers of the company I'm interested in. I find this process more real and avoid conflict of Interest situations.
Good idea! Dave
Thanks for the info, very very good questions as I plan to "Shop" The big carriers. Need seat time and training to get started. Plan on getting a local job once the contract is done.
Good plan! Dave
I figured out its better to leave truck at yard and drive home for days off. It minimizes down time for repairs and break downs
Thank you Dave! One tough business!
It is! Dave
Oil workers, mine workers, refinery jobs, etc. all have recruiters out looking for us. The difference is #1 technology putting the squeeze on the transport industry for the last 30yrs+.
#2 Skilled and experienced technicians are in short supply and great demand.
I can’t even thank you enough. Thank you thank you thank you.
Good point, very insightful...
What I want to know is that my company is always saying that there isn't any good Loads on the east coast... Especially when there is supposedly more loads than drivers.
Paul Bickley Because the east coast companies have most of the contracts.
Great advice for new drivers like me. Your all videos are great, great information. Thanks
Very helpful content for future O/P...will take notes..
Thanks so much Dave, really appreciate it, as I hope to start CDL school next month.
Thank you! Good luck with your driving career, I enjoyed every day of mine. They say if you love your job you'll never work a day in your life. that was true of me and the years flew by. Dave
Daniel Berry good luck man
Who'd you go with and how bad are they?
thank you for the tips!
i gonna be soon on road and love your advice and hope To found a good job in the industrie!
Good Stuff Dave!
i wish i knew of your channel when i was gettting into trucking very good info
Go Teamsters! Home every night or in a motel that the company pays for. No sleeping in the truck.
Great advice! You should do a video about your intake/opinion on what class should new drivers start in.
Would they drop a maple leaf in my hand for time and service.
Honest question...
Good list of questions. Thanks Dave! I was also told by family to ask: How much for dead heading? How much for Bobtailing? Make sure to get all the promises in writing
Great list of questions thanks so much!
Thanks Dave..It was funny your ad at the beginning...USxpress...$10,000 Sign-on bonus..!!!!!
Great advice! thanks for sharing!
My company does not pay for 36 hours rest or waiting time or brake down time any of that but as a new driver with 8 months experience I have to at least get 1 year experience before I can ask all those questions.
this is so true. I am a new Class 1 driver in Alberta and i have been dealing with recruiters. Bison is the worst so far. they phoned me and tried to pressure me into signing their two year contract. they are the most pushy people i have dealt with. I couldn't believe it, thats exactly who i want to work for. Someone who makes me make rushed uniformed decisions.
You should let them know why they're off your list. Dave
Smart-Trucking.com, ya I will. I wasn't even gonna give them the time of day anymore but that's not a good way to deal with it. Atleast if I tell them maybe it will make it better for future applicants. Thanks
awsome man thanks for these good pointers
Thanks! Dave
I’m a recruiter and I find good jobs for people and get the process done very fast
Love your videos. Good sound advice 👍
Thank you so much Dave, its about time someone would put up this video, would you mind telling me where are you located?
Based out of Ontario Dave
If i am not mistaking, I believe your wife was my trucking instructor.
Great video. Very helpful.
Thanks for great advice and info.
Thank you! Dave
wow my company sucks.... thanks for the info.
I wrote down all of the questions you suggested, even the owner operator ones, should I decide to go down that road.
I was a driver recruiter, I was a driver but I had a t-shirt that said road recruiter and would talk to any driver that asked me about the company. The only reason I did it was I got an extra free truck wash per month. I never signed anyone up.
Those driver recruiters pay good money, by the hour too, here in Quebec. $23 an hour OD and D. You drive for the recruiter. He pays you. They supply the drivers. Bernieres Transport.
great info here. Im looking to start driving. These are great questions, some of which i hadnt even thought of... Thank you!
Thank you Sir! Dave
The sweet spot is companies with between 50,and 100 trucks.
Any more and you become a faceless number,and get treated like $hi+.
Any less.and you have to worry about driving junk,being forced to run outlaw,and payroll being hinkey.
The sweet spot usually gets you good equipment,a truck that will do the speed limit most places,family atmosphere,and the same benies as the big outfits.
Thanks for the advice !
Amazing information for someone like myself aspiring to get into trucking!!👍👍Thank you very much sir!
love your advice
That's odd. So the trucking companies supposedly don't want to pay their drivers anything so they can save on overall operational costs, but they'll gladly incur the tremendous extra costs of high driver turnover and the cost of paying the recruiters? That doesn't make any sense from a business standpoint. Why not just pay the drivers better to start with which will lower the costs of turnover and get rid of the costly recruiters as a bonus? Not to mention that just simply paying the drivers will simplify things a LOT because of lower turnover and no need for recruiters.
Hey, I'm with you Steve. Makes no sense to me either. Dave
I'd say the trucking companies are thinking long-term. They know tech companies are already developing and testing self-driving semis (Australia uses driver-less dump trucks in mines, a couple years ago a convoy of self-driving semis made it across Europe, and a semi-autonomous semi has already successfully delivered a load of beer in the US).
I've read in the US there's about 3 million semis and about 3.5 million drivers making an average of $40K a year which means trucking companies are spending about $140 billion a year on drivers. If they switch to self-driving trucks and you figure on 1 cyber guy at $75K a year plus benefits for every 100 trucks to make sure they don't get hacked and 1 mechanic to maintain every 5 trucks at $40k a year (not counting overtime) plus benefits that's still only about $30-$40 billion a year saving the trucking companies $100 billion a year or more (I don't actually know how many cyber-techs and mechanics you'd need, those are just my estimates on personnel numbers using average salaries for both career fields and adding 25% to pay for benefits).
These companies don't want to pay drivers, they want to bide their time for another 10-20 years until they can get rid of the drivers altogether.
Steve Schiff Its all part of their business model. The “recruiters” generally don’t cost them a lot because their pay is based on putting asses in seats. Some recruiters also have to split duties doing something else at the company as well such as safety, driving, etc. so they’re handy to have around. When you consider how much cheaper it is to have young, healthy , green drivers around it’s worth the headache to them to have a revolving door. You have to factor in the added attention older drivers also require. Many of them haven’t taken care of themselves and require more down time for doctor visits, etc. Young fresh meat can be abused more without breaking down. Then there’s the companies heath ins. Premiums. They younger and healthier your group is, the better deal you’ll get on health coverage. It’s all a numbers game. Experience really doesn’t mean a lot to them anymore. Some of you young guys will learn one that that once you hit about 50 companies don’t really want to touch you regardless of your employment records. That’s not so evident in driving right now because the need is so great but in most other careers it’s very true. It’s like 50 is a death sentence to corporate America these days.
They've run the numbers and are making way more the way they're doing it. No care about morality. Just shareholders profits
Recruiters are way cheaper than drivers. And companies do not want zero turnover. But they don't want too much turnover either. Recruiters definitely do not want zero turnover. They could lose a job.
It took me a long time to realize that. But look carefully.
Very informative. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks I'm newvy at this still looking
DAMN GOOD VIDEO!!! Thanks so much. Can't wait to hit the road.
Thank you sir! Dave
Can you please explain more in details the term "deregulation", which year happened and what meant. Im EU viewer and have no idea but I want to know.
Deregulation happened here in 1980 and it allowed virtually anyone with enough money to obtain operating authority for a big rig. Meant you could start your own trucking company. Dave
Great info! thanks for the videos
Damn this is one of the best trucking vids I've seen. What's your opinion about Flatbed vs Reefer vs Dry
Flatbed is more work but it's where the money is these days. Dave
Great stuff as always.
Thanks Scott! Dave
What type of equipment do they run, how old, amenities, cameras pointed at you, training equipment, vacation, benefits, raises, idle vs apu, etc. Left a 👍
Every company is different. All good questions to ask. The answers would make or break an interview for me! Cameras pointed at me, I'm gone! Dave
So, if they have cameras pointed at you that means they don't trust you as a professional driver. And now they are paying someone to sit around a fleet of professional drivers as they work. How 'bout they just pay us like we are professionals and treat us like professionals. Cameras? "I got to go"
If the drivers currently on the job would band together, we could have great paying jobs. We could force an hourly rate. Although ,I am at a fantastic company myself. Guaranteed weekly amount. Home most weekends,and I'm not racing everyone for the next mile down the road. More of a relaxed drive, knowing what my paycheck will be. WE HAVE THE POWER.
You are SO right. They need us more than we need them. If we all parked for a couple days and stayed united we could fix this crooked pay system the industry likes to cling to. Dave
Smart-Trucking.com I remember the truckers strike years ago. Too bad that the truckers won't band together now and stand up for better pay 😔.
I just signed up with C.R. England. When I brought up wait time, the recruiter said I will be paid a minimum every week as along as I am able to drive and drive a certain amount for them. As I am single without any kids and do NOT want to pay for an apartment that I will only see maybe 5 days out of the month, I asked if I can do back to back loads. She said that's fine, that I will make more money, and that my contract (a.k.a. school debt) will be reduced the more I work. Oh, and she said because I am a vet, my contract will be reduced from 12 months to 9. As for benefits, they cover it all plus have a 401K (they matching up to 7%). I hope this is a good deal. But even if it isn't, I have suffered worse for longer than 9 months. Once I have fulfilled my contract, I will look around and see if there are better deals and HOPEFULLY C.R. England will at least match them. Yes, yes, I know, I know. But I can hope.
I hope it works out for you there Jack! Dave
How is the journey going jack? I start training with C R england next week. I’m also a veteran? Is there paid training? What is the pay like so far, mileage to pay?
Recruiter and dispatchers should be on automatic. And whatever budget for indirect role that transfer to driver.
At a card lock filling up when the truck beside me wanted to pay me cash to fill his truck because his fuel card was cancelled. I'm not sure if he owned the truck, or fleet fuel card, but what a rotten situation to be in. I couldn't help him out.
Why would an owner operator work for a company and not themselves? I thought that was the whole point...
This is a serious question, I’m going to cdl school next month and am contemplating working for a company for a year before buying my own truck/trailer and setting up my LLC or doing that straight out of school while training myself up as my own dispatcher.
my biggest issue with recruiters is when you tell them what you want to run and how you want to run most of them tell you they want you out 2 weeks and then they talk about home time home time is when I spend time in my actual house 4 days out of the month is not enough and a lot of them recruiters don't understand that
Spot on Sir!👍
Thanks! Dave
What would we do without you bro, you are invited to the cookout🙏🏿💯
what truck companies are the best to drive for who actually pay you for your restarts and breakdowns and pays four your first stops. I don't know of any. thanks.
Any luck finding any yet?
Great man great video
Thanks! Dave
I'm lucky; my resets are at the house.
That is lucky! Dave
I have some questions about about being a owner opractor
Excellent Advise.
Good tips primo I like your videos
No company pays for resets. If i were to get paid for reset I'd be making couple grand extra a year. Hardly any company pays for actual miles nowadays.
They should pay you for resets if you're not at home. You're out there stuck away from home for that company, you have to buy meals, you have to pay for the motel. They should pay you for being out there for them.
There's a lot of things company should pay for. Detention pay, pay for actual miles I drive, layover pay, loading/unloading pay, pre/post trip pay, any work that you show on logs should be paid for.
DOT will have an issue if you dont log your time properly but nobody will have an issue that you don't get paid for the work you do.
I was supposed to get paid for resets?????!!!!!!!!!!
Western Express said medical and dental. But department would not answer the phone after during the stage when I was eligible. After 3 months I finally got somebody to answer. She said " o so sorry but you have to set it up before three months. Now you have to wait a year. Also was told about tuition reimbursement....lol....yeah I got it but I had to leave them 1 star on every western Express terminal in the nation. Finally they said usually you have to set that up with in a month but this time we will allow it. Nobody would answer the phone!
Ltl trucking baby!!! $$$$$ 64 cents a mile 2700 miles a week.Do the math! I don't have a waiting time. Home every day! Never Ever give up
Todd Lindsey who 4 ? I'm leaving the road . 21 years is enough I need a local job ,. Any suggestions?
Todd Lindsey drive for who and home every night? what about weekends
Todd Lindsey I call bs without being mean of course
Todd Lindsey bull.
I'm a LTL driver- hourly, overtime-time and a half-hour, don't work weekends. Will never go back to per milage pay long hual pay. LTL:you get paid for everything, at a company waiting a long time, your getting paid, after 8 hours on overtime-time your getting paid!!!
I sure appreciate you !
I ever meet this guy at a diner I'm buying his meal, his knowledge is preparing me for the snake pit.
What are the well recognized fuel cards?
Don't know, always paid cash. T Check, I think. Dave
Awesome awesome video. Thank you!!
Thank you!