Every industry has a certain turnover rate that is associated with it. Many individuals are aware that one of the greatest turnover rates of any industry belongs to the trucking industry. This turnover rate is generally caused by drivers only remaining at a company for a few months and then leaving for another place of work. In some fleets, the turnover percentage can approach 100%.
When someone applies at Lone Mountain Truck Leasing, we review their work history and where the truck is going once they leave our lot. Typically, our best customers are the ones that have remained with one company for a couple years and plan to stay at that company. These drivers have spent enough time in one place so that they know the right people and know how to succeed within that company’s structure.
Just like beginning any job where you are new, you generally do not start right at the top of the business. Similar to a large corporation (if you chose to work for one), you would not expect to be offered the same pay or treated the same as those who have been with that company much longer, and have gained a significant amount of experience by being there. Even though a trucking company may not be huge, the same facts are true. Normally, the much easier and highest paying loads go to the operator with the most experience, that have proven themselves through a long history with the company. The same applies to the dispatchers in the company. Why does this occur? The trucking company wants to keep their most loyal employees happy.
Before receiving any preferential treatment from anyone at a new place of employment, the brand new driver is always going to be required to prove themselves, even if their skills rival that of a veteran in the business.
One downward spiral that some drivers can get stuck in is caused by not sticking with one company for an extended period of time. Because of this, they don’t experience the success they would like to. A recruiter or fellow driver may tell them that certain truckers are doing great at another company. However, they sometimes leave out that these are veteran drivers that have stayed in that one business for a long period of time. Going to one company, then hearing a success story of another, and leaving to pursue that one is not the best way to become successful.
For anyone new to the trucking business, there are some things you can do in order to check into the company you may be working for. To find out how people with varying levels of seniority are treated, talk to at least one new driver in the company and one veteran driver. If you get a great feeling from both, then you may want to pursue a job with that company. Even if the company may not be what you anticipated at first, remain there for at least a year. By doing this, you’ll build relationships inside the company which will increase your opportunity to succeed. In the event that you still don’t favor the company, the next employer will see that you have a stable job history than just moving from job to job. When you are thinking about making your next move within the trucking industry, please keep this advice in mind.
Lone Mountain Truck Leasing is today’s premier commercial truck leasing provider. Find out how our semi truck financing can put you in your very own big rig today.