SAIA | Quarterly Video

JohnSmith

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I gathered a few basic points from the quarterly video.

1. The company is making lots of money and growing.
2. There has been no increase in turnover since having the cameras installed.
3. The cameras aren't being used for discipline or to fire drivers.
4. Some drivers are upset about the cameras but, basically, we don't care because of points 1, 2, and 3.

So, first of all, if the company is making money and growing that's good for all of us. The rest of it I call BS on. I don't have to look at a spreadsheet to see that there's been a surge in drivers quitting. Cameras aside, this is an excellent job working for a strong, growing company. People don't just quit this good of a job en masse so you would think that any amount of turnover would set off alarm bells that something is wrong. Doesn't seem to bother Saia. In addition, whatever turnover numbers they do have don't account for all the drivers who have decided to leave, started applying, and just haven't been hired somewhere else yet. This describes most of the drivers I know personally. And, the last few weeks in particular it seems like they've been dropping like flies. Now to point 3. This is nothing more than one big steaming pile of fertilizer. Whether you like the cameras or not, everyone here can name someone directly who has been either suspended or fired for being "caught" on camera. Number 4 is basically just a big middle finger to all of us. "We know you don't like it but f*** you!"

I know there are already 798 threads on here about these cameras but I felt the need to start a new one to vent about this stupid video. It shows just how little they care about drivers and what we think as long as they are still making money. I'm not here to bash the company I work for. As I mentioned before this is a great job and a great company. That's why it frustrates me so much that they have crapped all over it with this nonsense and then feel the need to lie to us through propaganda videos every quarter.
 
I gathered a few basic points from the quarterly video.

2. There has been no increase in turnover since having the cameras installed.
3. The cameras aren't being used for discipline or to fire drivers.

In my 10 plus years with Saia I have never seen them have a $7500 sign on bonus for DLS.
I never claimed to have MBA in Transportation Management but I know this is fake news.....
 
Propaganda at its best. Don't eat all of the Saia soup that they are serving. I'm sure some of it may have some merit, but take it with a grain of salt. They are trying to downplay the negatives and accentuate the positives. They would never tell you, as Paul Harvey would say "the rest of the story".
 
I've shoveled A LOT of horse crap in my life, but even I couldn't handle the giant load they dropped on us in that video. I suppose next they are going to try telling us that the $7,500-$15,000 sign on bonuses were just because they love us and want to give us free money.

I'm still kind of in shock. I knew a lot of upper management has a dim view of drivers, but I didn't realize how stupid they think we REALLY are.
 
Here's a thought, and do what with it what you will...

Approach your supervisor/TM and very politely and professionally ask "is there such a thing as a Retention Bonus?" And how much is it?

The reactions will be all over the map, but the point is...they are shoveling out A LOT of cash to people just walking in off the street. You guys have been there and done that, and they know what they have with you. Shouldn't that be worth something? (Above your current compensation). I tried that once and I'd be willing to share the reaction I got...
 
I've shoveled A LOT of horse crap in my life, but even I couldn't handle the giant load they dropped on us in that video. I suppose next they are going to try telling us that the $7,500-$15,000 sign on bonuses were just because they love us and want to give us free money.

I'm still kind of in shock. I knew a lot of upper management has a dim view of drivers, but I didn't realize how stupid they think we REALLY are.
 
Here's a thought, and do what with it what you will...

Approach your supervisor/TM and very politely and professionally ask "is there such a thing as a Retention Bonus?" And how much is it?

The reactions will be all over the map, but the point is...they are shoveling out A LOT of cash to people just walking in off the street. You guys have been there and done that, and they know what they have with you. Shouldn't that be worth something? (Above your current compensation). I tried that once and I'd be willing to share the reaction I got...
I agree with buck on this one because if u give a $7500 sign on bonus but lose a driver at that same barn u aint went nowhere. U added a driver and lost 1 and u at the same number. Or i wpuld have gave linehaul 3cpm. .65 might have made a few hang in there. We still need a couple of more line drivers.
 
I agree with your points about the bonuses. However, I think most of us would agree that nobody here is upset over the amount of money they make. Pay raises and bonuses are always nice but they would not solve the underlying problem in this case. I'm not asking for more money. All I'm asking for is to be treated like a grown man and to be trusted to do the job I was hired to do without someone holding my hand. Above all else, if I'm not causing any problems, LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!
 
I agree with your points about the bonuses. However, I think most of us would agree that nobody here is upset over the amount of money they make. Pay raises and bonuses are always nice but they would not solve the underlying problem in this case. I'm not asking for more money. All I'm asking for is to be treated like a grown man and to be trusted to do the job I was hired to do without someone holding my hand. Above all else, if I'm not causing any problems, LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!
That is an excellent point. Money is a short term motivator. Treat people with dignity and respect, honesty and integrity, and it would pay back tenfold.

Those used to be Saia core values. They have lost sight of that and are now paying the price.
 
That is an excellent point. Money is a short term motivator. Treat people with dignity and respect, honesty and integrity, and it would pay back tenfold

Always have been. I get my trailer #s & my destination and for the most part, don't have to listen to or talk to anyone. I'm not living in RAT's Saiadise, but it's a damn good job. My biggest annoyance, by the way, is the amount of ::shit:: I see people getting away with on an almost daily basis.
 
We're losing drivers, no doubt, and we're having a hard time finding new ones. But believe me the company will change their tune when what little freight we have isn't getting moved, and God willing if we ever get heavy volume again, and that MOST surely won't get moved. Mark my words folks, just give it some time.
 
We're losing drivers, no doubt, and we're having a hard time finding new ones. But believe me the company will change their tune when what little freight we have isn't getting moved, and God willing if we ever get heavy volume again, and that MOST surely won't get moved. Mark my words folks, just give it some time.

They will move freight when it gets heavy, at any cost. Many years ago I worked for one of those companies.
 
They will probably end up using more purchased transportation. That's good news for independents like myself. I'd be glad to haul your freight, but it ain't gonna be cheap
 
From a business standpoint, it probably makes good sense.

I'm not sure what the "total compensation package" is for linehaul, but I'm sure it's quite a bit - per employee.

So, if they cut back linehaul drivers and use more purchased transport, that's: less diesel, less tractors, benefits, wages...big cost savings.

I doubt the outlook by Saia management toward drivers has changed since I was there. I was told, more than once, that linehaul is the si for biggest expense for the company. I don't doubt that, but how about looking at it as the company making money? There are a lot of departments that churn zero revenue, yet are necessary. Leave the drivers alone.

I'll keep my phone handy for when you guys call to pull a set down the road! Meanwhile, linehaul will want to change to city, and that may help alleviate their staffing issues
 
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