Quote:
Originally Posted by VitoCorleone99
I won't pretend to know all of the ins and outs of working for a small outfit and I'm not sure if my company completely fits the "mega" label (~3,000 trucks). That being said, I hear probably the same stuff that everybody hears from people who work at the smaller companies, e.g. - "When I call, I don't even have to tell them who it is. My dispatcher knows my voice." Really? That's one reason for me never to work for your company then.
I started driving a truck mainly because I wanted to be left the hell alone. I find that many people are largely ignorant and substantially annoying when you're around them too much. Now I don't have to be around them. As long as I pick up on time, deliver on time, and don't hit anything, there is no reason for anybody at my company to know that I exist. I like it that way.
There may very well be a thousand wonderful reasons to work for smaller companies, but that "they know who I am" nonsense is enough to keep me away.
That may be the case in your company, but it is not the norm for most smaller companies. Being "known" has WAY many advantages!
Anonymity does not equal being "left alone." And being well known does not equal being "watched."
I worked 3 years for a small (30 truck) outfit where everyone was "known" by name, and even "voice." Heck, they had our cellphone numbers on caller ID. Qualcomm was an administrative "tool," but most contact was by phone.
I got known early on as one who could be counted on to get the job done. But, in most cases, I didn't get dispatched until my turn came around. (First in.... first out.) So much for "driver politics." But, there WERE the occaisional loads they begged me to take because they HAD to have reliability for that contract. If it inconvenienced me, they KNEW it... and apologized while begging.
One time, under such circumstances, I went 250 miles out of route to avoid the usual I-80 road closures in Wyoming. The one dispatcher who thought he ran the company, let me know that he "knew" it, and somewhat protested, but the others "knew" I wouldn't have done it without a reason, and the load got delivered. I never heard another word about it. (the same dispatcher later recommended me to the new company he went to work for when mine closed down.)
Some truckers just want to do a job, with little or no complications. Others relish the opportunity to prove their value. The former MAY find what they seek with the megas, but can get "canned" for the smallest indiscretion. The latter will find a "career" with a smaller company, and will weather MOST problems for the very fact that they are "known" to those who control their future... and will actually get MORE independence in the process.
Trucking is certainly NOT a "one size fits all" industry. But, based on the experiences related here on CAD, and all I've learned of it, working for a smaller company is HANDS DOWN the winning combination for a driver who feels he is worth more because he is willing to DO more. Not ALL benefits of a job are measured in terms of 401k's and cpm.
When I took a load I didn't like for THEIR convenience, they remembered it and made it up to me just as soon as they could. The owner, and the head of Safety/Training, both asked favors of me, and never failed to thank me for my contribution to their success and smooth operations. I don't need "hand holding" or stroking.... but, I deserve and appreciate being respected and accomodated.
Yes, I LIKED working for a company that knew who I was. I was given an opportunity to make the job what I wanted it to be, and I wanted it to be MORE than just a load assignment on a qualcom.
But, that's just ME. I'm sure there are some advantages to working for a "MEGA," but.... I can't think of one.