Thinking of moving on - time to try working elsewhere - is the grass really greener somewhere else? Here are some of my observations over the time I've been in the trucking industry. An industry that I've had varying roles in, as a driver I have pulled many different types of comodities: dry van, reefer, flatdeck, dry bulker and tanker to name a few. As a dispatcher (in training) I've heard the comments from management about truckers and truckers about management. From both sides some warranted and some not.


I have been in trucking for the better part of thirty years and one of the most consistent conversations in the drivers room or around the coffee shop table is how good the guys have got it at another company and how badly they are treated at the company they are presently working for. Half of the guys at the table are now entertaining thoughts of jumping ship and moving to the other company but one must at this point consider the reasons and the cost of such a move. I am not saying that the guys should stay where they are no matter what, but if you have been around drivers as much as I have you begin to understand that the 'Bull' capacity of any given conversation can run as high as seventy-five percent. If the transition to another company is being instigated by a driver from that company a few of things that have to be considered are: How long has this driver worked for that company and what sort of incentive is that driver being offered to get fellow drivers to come over to that company. Also was this driver a past employee of your company and what were the reasons for his leaving. All too often I have listened to these conversations and on further investigation have found that the information that was provided, though basically correct left out the down side of employment at the new company. Though this new company may offer a couple of cents more a mile they don't pay as much for picks and drops or you are required to travel to areas you don't care to go. One has to realize at this point that most companies are operating with the same load revenue and it is just how they divey it up that changes the outward look of what you'll be getting. One has to therefore look at trips with similar miles and with similar drops and picks and then look at what their miles and income was like over a few months to really determine whether they have such a great deal or not. With something as important as a move to a new company word of mouth is normally not good enough - actual income statements should be sought.

Being as the trucking industry is a transient industry where the average driver stays with a company only for a couple of years or so and with the cry for drivers being what it is most companies will say and do just about anything to entice a driver to work for them. Also a fair number of drivers after a couple of years or so with a company get the itch to see what else is out there and start the process of turning the little things which are normally overlooked into major deficiencies through the magnification of the desire for something new or different. The grass is greener mentality can be a very strong agent in causing you to consider moving to a new company. Just be sure that the considered move isn't taking you from the frying pan into the fire. Many a driving career has been severely hurt by making a good sounding move to a less than good company.