Monday, June 21, 2010

Maybe You Can Learn A Little Something From A Few Truck Drivers

I'll be the first to admit I'm easily annoyed, but it's usually with good reason. Let me give you an example.

So, we get this hot load going from coast to coast. They need it there yesterday. The agent is chomping at the bit and keeps asking if we're sure we can get it there when they requested. We have two days. We assure her we can do it.

Then she tells us she wants a check call. I hate check calls.

My theory is this - we are leased to a company that is known for their excellent safety record and reliable drivers. We do a lot of sensitive freight. We haul tons of military stuff. We've even had a $4.7 million dollar jet engine on our truck. We're not fuckups.


So when they want a check call to find out where we are and when we'll be there - like I can predict what's going to happen between Massachusetts and California, over 3,000 miles away - it makes me feel like I'm five years old. And what's worse is when they request a certain thing and then can't seem to manage their end with competence.

We were told to call when we had the freight picked up and then to call again the next morning at six a.m. So we called when we picked up the freight and the next morning when I was driving, I called to check in.

At 5:59 a.m.

I got their answering machine. So I left my name, the time and the town I was in. I was annoyed the minute I got the answering machine because the message said they weren't in until six-thirty. Six-thirty? So why ask me to call at six?? Strike one.


THEN...about an hour later Ed comes up front, all groggy with drool hanging off his lip, asking me where we are. When I asked him why, he told me the agent was on the phone and wants a check call. Strike two.

WHAT??!!! I told him (likely loud enough for her to hear) that I had called at six a.m., WHEN THEY REQUESTED I CALL and that I had left a message. I was then told that she "didn't check the messages". Strike three.

Seriously? This is how you run a business? Anyone who has an answering machine or service knows the FIRST thing you do when you get into the office is check the messages. If for nothing else, then to simply avoid something like this.

It's not so much that it's a huge deal, but it's just one more example of incompetence and irresponsibility. I was responsible. I called when asked. I left a message with all the pertinent information. And I am driving your freight three thousand God-damned miles.

So not only did you annoy me, you also woke up my team driver who needs his sleep so he can then drive when it's his turn again. To get your freight the rest of the three thousand miles. Capiche?

WE are professionals. It'd be nice if a little of that would rub off on some other people.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO:
The Fathers In Our Lives, Our Fathers Who Are In Heaven And The Father Of Our Country
2 YEARS AGO:
Who The Hell Left The Pool Float In The Sea Of Tranquility??
3 YEARS AGO:
Lure Me In
4 YEARS AGO:
Sometimes The Reasons NOT To Have Children Are So Very Clear
5 YEARS AGO:
U-Ta-Dah!!

5 comments:

Lipstick Trucker said...

I know what your talking about, like we need babysitters.

Anonymous said...

wELL AS PAUL HARVEY WOULD SAY WHAT'S THE REST OF THE STORY? DID ED SIMPLE GO CLICK AND GO BACK TO SLEEP OR DID YOU DUTIFULLY ANSWER ANSWER THE ANNOYING QUESTION (LIKE 99.9% OF US WOULD THEN FUME AFTER HANGING UP THE PHONE)?????? INQUIREING MINDS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.

Gil said...

Reminds me of my mother's antics when I first got my license and went out alone. Sounds like that lady has a mommy complex!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I guess I have been in this business too long because check calls don't bother me at all. I am used to people not checking their messages and forgetting that I called earlier. I just answer whatever questions they have and then tell a long story about the time I chased some wild turkeys across a field on the Hudson River. Or the one about the mysterious lights that kept appearing on the horizon in Nevada at 2 AM. At any rate they seem to just want someone to talk to so that is what I do.
-Ed

Pat said...

don't you guys have software that shows where your truck is? Hikers have "The spot", it's a little device that they can activate to let family know where they are.

You should get one. Tell them the website to go to. Then, every five hours you hit the button and it lets them know you are in Walla Walla or wherever.

Here's the website and no, I don't work for them.

http://www.findmespot.com/en/