Question:
You may think that you are only a truck driver. That your only function is to pilot your big truck and trailer up and down the highways, but in reality you are so much more than just a truck driver.
In addition to being "just a truck driver" you are also a customer service expert. By picking up and delivering your loads on time and keeping those loads safe and secure to the best of your ability in accordance with the laws and regualtions, as well as maintaining good relations with the warehouses/facilites you service you ARE provinding customer service.
You are also the most visable representative of your company. You are the one that the shippers and recievers will see and remember. You are your company, being the most visable memeber. Your actions, attitude, and appearance can and will generate business for your company or lose it depending on the how positive or negative you are.
You are also an ambassador for the entire trucking industry. Everything you do or dont do reflects on the entire industry in the eyes of the public.
You are a productivity/time management expert. You try to be as productive as possible. You look for new ways to streamline your operation to get the job done faster, safer, and with less stress.
You are a safety expert. By learning about your vehicle and what it can and can not do, learning and recognizing what your skills permit you to do, and by performing your inspections and ensuring and insiting your vehicle is in top form you keep safety at the top of your list of priorities.
You are all of this and so much more. So the next time you or someone else says that you are "just a truck driver" keep in mind that you are a truck driver and more. Much much more.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
or you can be a lazy,incompatant slob that is a menace to other motorists and not have a clue what your doing and still be a truck driver.
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2000 miles at .42cpm=$840.00
3000 miles at .28cpm=$840.00
why do people drive 1000 miles for free??
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Great post uturn. You said it all.

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Originally posted by uturn2001:
You are also the most visable representative of your company. You are the one that the shippers and recievers will see and remember. You are your company, being the most visable memeber. Your actions, attitude, and appearance can and will generate business for your company or lose it depending on the how positive or negative you are.
You are also an ambassador for the entire trucking industry. Everything you do or dont do reflects on the entire industry in the eyes of the public.
All too often, a driver will figure "what the hell, I'll never see these people again" and forget their "manners", if you will. And while that driver never will see those folks again, those folks will most certainly remember him or her. And the company they drove for. So, you drive for (pick a company). The next (company) driver that goes to that warehouse will pay for your attitude. Or maybe you're an independant O/O. Those dock workers will likely label all independants by your actions. So do us all a favor, and make nice to the dock workers, k?

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I'm all misty...Hope my mascara doesn't run...
What's your purpose in life uturn? To be a cheerleader for Fanatasy Forum
I need a Bromo...sheesh...

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Ya know..some of you can really be something else.....NOT a good thing!!
I suppose you that are giving Uturn a hard time, popped out a truck driver? I realize this is the "fantasy forum" but dang guy. Uturn is right. Other than the one they spoke with to place the order...the truck driver is the one customers have to deal with. Quite likely the driver is the first "human contact" the customer has. Just think without them..you would not be working!
But then this would not be the USA if one was not allowed to voice the opinion. I do find it interesting in an odd kind of way, that you continue to post in the newbie forum,yet complain the posts about the forum. But then,that is just MY opinion....and we all know about them ...dont we?

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His post is right on the money,but don't reflect reality of what management hires to represent their companies in their customers eyes.
Crete driver meeting,you would think a driver would appear before his boss looking somewhat decent,nope the large guy is wearing cutoff dirty nasty sweatshorts,more like ripped off.He was the sterio type loud month "I a trucker,you own your life to me"type.
They collect names and give brownie points for attending.So while they are having their little complain session,somebody took a walk through the parking lot and checked out all the drivers trucks,who's truck was running and they opened up a few of them and checked out the condition of them.Mr Pig's truck was no different,he had a propane stove and all sorts of other things management didn't approve off.
They even ran the truck numbers through the computer and started ripping on a few other drivers beside MR Pig.I thought for sure at least MR Pig would get fired,nope.
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2000 miles at .42cpm=$840.00
3000 miles at .28cpm=$840.00
why do people drive 1000 miles for free??
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uturn, you forgot to mention the part about the driver being a part time lumper

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Before some of you got your union jobs, You had to pay your dues.
Some ones gonna come on here and talk about one side of the coin and another is gonna talk about the other.
Theres crap in every profession I take the good with the bad.

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a lot of drivers ***** about there jobs/companies makes me wounder do i want to do this or not.i know you going to have crap any where you work.but the more i read on here it looks to me(my opinion)that it just ani't worth it.sois it really that bad out there and if so why do you bother to drive ? well i guess someone will be pissed off over this sorry.just trying to figure out if i really want to do this.

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Over the years I have worked for a few non trucking companies where they did allot of shipping in the warehouses. Most of the time the warehouse guy was the one who decided which trucking company he was going to call to make a shipment. I'm talking about the same guy you talk to when you back up to the dock to get loaded, not some guy in an office. The impression you made on him did make a difference if he called that company again. I remember one company(Saia or something simular), that got on his s list because of the drivers. Theyt had a crap attitude, one even dropping a trailer in the driveway blocking the shipping department. They had it towed. This is why I also have said before, that some of these nasty, fowl mouth, fat slobs that show up would not be working for me if I had a trucking company.

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carolinahillbilly yes it can be really that bad out there. The problem is driving is hyped up to be a way to make big money while sightseeing America in a big ole shiney truck. They will let anyone do it. Just get your CDL, have no more than 3 moving violations in 3 years and no felonies in the past 5 years and you can drive a truck. Appearance, personal hygene, credible references don't play into it much. So you end up with every type of person imaginable running around pretending to be professional truck drivers.
Rarely have I seen or heard anyone geting into the business to do a job. Most look at the type of trucks a company runs first then the pay and benefit plan. Most want to be "Truckers" and live the lifestyle.
I have a friend that I went to school with who started out neatly dressed and very clean. He now looks like crap. I guess he joined the crowd and went with the super trucker Harley appearance, dirt included. I like harleys and have no problem with some of clothing. but you should at-least own one if your going to act like you do. And keep yourself clean.
I've always looked at the money first. I will admit I have been conned by a larger company that presents a higher wage and pay per mile. But we all have to live and learn. (Unfortunatly I didn't listen very closely.) I still have the insurance and it paid off well this week so not all was a waist of time.
I see driving as a job, a way to earn money. So I want the most I can get. Right now although not perfect by anymeans I make far more than the majority. But it's work and lots of it. Almost nonstop moving from city to city. But I didn't go into driving to hang out with Supertruckers in truckstops. The less I do of that the happier I find myself. I keep myself and equiptment clean. I try to present a professional driver to shippers and receivers. Not that it makes me more money. It just makes things go smoother and a bit friendlier. Unfortunatly I stand next to far to many drivers that look like trash while at customers. It is truly discusting and discouraging. I don't mind telling them what I think but am usually told where to go. Not only by them but others there as well. It seems to be a come as you are business for many.
If you want the lifestyle you'll definatly find it and not be happy. If you want a job thats a means to an end it can work. But there's lots of crap to deal with daily.
"There is just something about fresh winter snow and a river. The day is bright even if it is cloudy, the water is friendly even if it is cold and the fish are there even if they are not biting."
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Team Driver Division

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Great Post, Stuffs.
We just do what we gotta do out there and try to do it right and be safe