Question:
I was wondering if it is common for newbies to get a lot of less then ideal loads when first starting out?I have been solo a month and a half and get a lot of loads that have short miles ,multiple stops,and early delivery appointments.And recently to many grocery loads.

Answer:
Ever hear of RHIP? (Rank Has It's Priveleges!) Yes this is common, just as in most professions.
Now if you really want to hear someone whine...give those runs to the guy with all the seniority!
«"The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers."»

Answer:
for a newbie to get all sorts of loads whwen first starting out. It is also common when you are a"newbie" with a different company to experience the same thing.
Part of the reason is or may be a seniority issue. Other parts is to see what you are made of, how much commitment you have, how much you will take before you speak up, and also to get you to know the customers your company deals with on a regualr basis.
Also you have to understand that generally speaking this is a slow time of the year for freight, so there may not be that many loads to go around.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
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Answer:
Early delivery appointments:
These are hard to get used to at first -- delivering at 4:00 or 5:00am -- especially if you're coming off west coast time and delivering in the east. You're getting-up when you might otherwise be going to bed...
But most large warehouse/distribution centers usually like to unload trucks early in the day, move the stuff around inside a while, then load it onto outgoing trucks later in the day -- it just makes sense.......as much as warehouse schedules CAN make sense...
Once you get used to starting your day in the wee hours of the morning, you'll come to like it more. Avoid early commuter traffic, get the load off and be available to load your next trip so you can get some miles down before too late in the day.
I never really appreciated how beautiful sunrises were till I started trucking.
.
"See, I don't have to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing about being the president."
George W. Bush

Answer:
Yes, when I first started the OTR loads I got had lots of time to get there, I believe its best just to get there as fast as possible and even if you end up having to wait for your appointment it will show on the satelite tracking that you want to run.. Alot of times the custormer will take you early but that is not something to count on as they hold the cards. PS. being nice sometimes helps. Never bribe customer though this is something I have heard of and would never do to get taken early....

Answer:
well they ain't going to stick their trainer teams with them,of coarse it's going to be a lot different than when you where with your trainer
now go work your butt off and stop complaining,thats trucking and it's what you make of it,it's time for the company to use you and squeeze every last drop of blood out of you they can.
They enlisted the Teamsters’ help after the company decided that it would no longer pay them hourly wages but compensate them based on mileage, which would have cut their income in half
http://www.teamster.org/03news/hn_030110_1.htm
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TruckNets Jobs.Truck.Net Online Application Click here

Answer:
It is quite true that the Newbies, no matter how many years experience they have, often get the "crap" loads. (Short miles with several stops)
This is NOT always the case. One company I had been with for 2 1/2 years, had received awards (Bonuses) two years in a row for being in the top 5 out of 160 drivers for safety, performance, (On time delivery) and revenue produced, gave me 13 multiple stop short mile loads in a row. Was averaging only 200 miles per day.
I complained after the first 5 loads. Told me that's just the way it worked when I was back from a trip. Those were the only loads available. I found out they were lying to me a month later. Complained once more. Still got the same loads. So I gave them my required notice and left the company.
I had found another company that pays the same rate with the average load going 950 miles one way. Been very happy with them and they with me.
Former company has called twice since wanting me back as they are losing drivers one after another because of this contract they've got for those short mile/multiple stop trips. Have offered to up the milage and stop pay. I did some calculations. Nope. Not enough. Ain't worth the hassle. Sorry. Get rid of the customer and go back to your original routes. I'm happy where I'm at, thank you very much. Bye.
Up The Creek - But have a spare paddle

Answer:
So, heres a question,
When do you know to say somthing? obviously "newbies" have to pay thier dues with the short runs, but how long should you do it before saying somthing?
Ike -->

Answer:
I would say to wait for 2 weeks and then if you are still getting 80-90% short hauls have a little talk with your dispatcher.
Before talking to your fleet manager do this first though.
1. Add up you pay for the miles you ran
2. Add to it any and all accessorial pay such as extra stops, unloading, short haul pay, etc.
3. Divide the total amount you made by your rate per mile and see how many miles you would have had to run to make the same amount of money.
You might be suprised.
I know one week I ran only 1400 miles but by the time I added it all up I had the pay as if I had ran 3700 miles that week.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
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Answer:
"newbies" have to pay thier dues
-----------------------------
They going to give you a receipt once your paid up or something?
Now just work your little butt off and maybe some day they will take a liking to you and let your join the little pack of company pets they parade around so you newbies will think it's going to pay off someday.
http://ww2.jbhunt.com/appl/newsroomredesign.nsf/PUN/hd4092001/$File/JBHTBearStearns.pdf
If you go to page 17,you will see that
50% of loads go less than 250 miles
25% are 250 to 500 miles
15% are 500 to 1000 miles
7.5% are 1000 to 1500 miles
2% are 1500 to 2000 miles
so 75% are short loads in the truckload industry
15% are decent
10% are great.
and a lot of them decent and great ones go down the rails.
Enjoy your new career as a long haul tractor trailer driver -->
They enlisted the Teamsters’ help after the company decided that it would no longer pay them hourly wages but compensate them based on mileage, which would have cut their income in half
http://www.teamster.org/03news/hn_030110_1.htm
_________________
TruckNets Jobs.Truck.Net Online Application Click here

Answer:
The percentages above where not just for JB Hunt,that is the whole truckload industry.
If you look at the rest of it,you will notice JB's rail and dedicated is growing.Most major companies are outsourcing their transportation and doing away with their private fleets.
Private fleets,the good jobs worth getting experiance for are vanishing.
They enlisted the Teamsters’ help after the company decided that it would no longer pay them hourly wages but compensate them based on mileage, which would have cut their income in half
http://www.teamster.org/03news/hn_030110_1.htm
_________________
TruckNets Jobs.Truck.Net Online Application Click here

Answer:
You'll never see me driving a company truck whose trailers are going up and down railways --> .not for me -->
Pumpkin,jbhunt -->
IF YOUR NOT IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL GO HOME!!! Loner

Answer:
I do not mind paying my dues,I just do not want to end up chasing the proverbile carrot.