Life on the Road – Trucking News Blog

Day #32 on the road. Loaded a JIT (just in time) load of pipe from Minneapolis to Gastonia NC. I sat for 7 days up there – now its RUSH RUSH RUSH – the plant will shut down if – whatever. Every weigh station along the way was closed. I think the DOT should place “AVAILABLE” signs out just like so many other places that have gone out of business. Anyway I delivered on time – again – as usual. Now I’m sitting here in Charlotte at the Pilot off I-85. If there ever was a town that needed a LARGE truck stop, it’s Charlotte. But that’s not what I want to talk about today.

I have had some “increased” – “unsettling”, to say the least, exposure to managers recently. Quite honestly, it makes me angry. I can reiterate what truck drivers know. That, unfortunately, many managers are idiots.  I used to be one. Yes, a manager and, yes, I was also, unfortunately, a moron. As a truck driver, it seems whenever I “must” interface a manager, usually, just after the first few words, the first thing that comes to mind is – this person is an idiot. It is wise for any truck driver, in the interest of their blood pressure and over all well-being to stay as far away from most managers as possible, But, that’s not what I wanted to talk about today.

I have some advice for drivers who must, for whatever reason, talk to the “typical” manager. Understand that the last thing on earth most managers want to do is talk to a truck driver. I’ve seen the incredible pain on a managers face when “cornered” by a driver. That why most managers keep themselves isolated behind numerous doors and walls and assistant managers. Putting a manager, let’s say in a drivers room, with actual drivers, is like throwing a manager in a snake pit. It’s the thing most managers have nightmares about.

Ok drivers, NEVER complain about your not getting enough miles. Don’t waste your breath. The manager doesn’t care and can’t do anything about it. Don’t use the manager asking “How are you?” as your golden opportunity to go into a 45 minute discussion of your life since you were born. “Well, granny gots da cancer, and Alvin ma bro is in prison for robb’n the Kum ‘N Go, my 3rd wife’s pregnant with her ex-boyfriend’s kid, my first ex-wife is shak’n up with my ole girlfriend and dad, well he just got a DUI in the old Chevy and Kile, my 4th cousin. Drivers always seems to have someone in, scheduled or screwed up from some type of surgery. WHO CARES? Certainly not the manager. Please don’t do that to him, as much as he “deserves” it.

Take a shower and brush your darn teeth before taking a meeting with a manager. Comb you hair for goodness sakes. Your underwear – have you changed it in the last 7 days? SHAVE! Brown socks that used to be white are a bad idea. Have your facts in order. Write them down on a pad if necessary. Don’t smell like a Marlboro. Don’t whine. Ditch the cowboy hat and/or due rag.

And most importantly, keep it brief. Tell the manager what you are looking for. And ask who the heck is the decision maker in making what you want a reality. Settle on a win/win solution, and then get up, shake hands and get the heck out of the office. This meeting will determine if this manager will want to ever speak to you again. The more professional you are, the most likely he will extend to you an open door in the future.

And that’s what I wanted to talk about today. Be safe out there.

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