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JOB
resources
How does the carrier handle family
emergencies? How do I get home,
and when?
This can be a sensitive topic for many
drivers. Most carriers won’t allow you
to simply drive the truck home, unless
home is close by and the truck is usually
parked there when you’re off duty. Many
carriers will try to find a load going in the
right direction, but some situations might
call for you to get home more quickly.
Will the carrier understand if you need
to park the truck and get to the nearest
airport? Will it offer financial assistance
for purchasing a last-minute ticket? Or,
will it be more concerned about the truck
than about you?
How are breakdowns and
repairs handled on the road?
At many carriers, the policy is to pay
for all safety-related repairs at the nearest
facility, but it doesn’t always work that
way. The “nearest facility” might mean
a shop that offers a better rate or is in a
network that the carrier uses, or it could
mean the nearest company terminal. Stories
abound of drivers limping a truck along,
hoping to avoid a DOT inspection, until
JOB TIP
Current drivers can can be be a great a great resource resource . After .
all, After they all, can they tell can you how tell you THEY how are THEY treated are by
treated that carrier, by that which carrier, can give which you can insight give into you
insight the into company’s the company’s culture. culture.
they arrive at a terminal. Air-conditioning
What’s the most common reason given for
repair is expensive on the road; more than
leaving your company?
one driver has experienced a week or more
If large numbers of drivers leave
in a hot truck waiting for a dispatch to a
because of poor equipment, disputes over
company shop where it can be repaired
pay or unpaid waiting time, there’s a good
more cheaply.
chance you’ll experience these things, too.
What is the carrier’s turnover rate?
There are other questions to ask, and
Every carrier tracks driver turnover. Don’t
you may feel strongly about issues that
settle for guesses, estimates and averages. If a
aren’t mentioned here. Asking about a
carrier has a turnover rate below the industry
carrier’s culture before you commit to
average, they’re usually happy to talk about
working there can help you make a better
it. Along with this question, ask:
decision.
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