Averitt | Coming surveys

rnsgn

TB Lurker
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Has anyyone considered what they may bring up as ideas for a happier workplace when the upcoming survey is taken? More vacation time? More pay? Personal/sick days? Faster trucks? Keep in mind just a random response asking for one thing will probably do little good so brainstorm and get your co-workers on the same page if you want to see a change- just saying
 
Money is not my issue at all, the recent two cent raise was a big boost and headed us in the right direction. A fourth week vacation would be my biggest gain.
 
Like you, most senior associates are wanting more vacation, though that has little impact on the younger guys right now. I'm sure if they did so they wouldn't accelerate the current vacation rates and may even model it after other LTL companies who wait until your 20 year mark until you get the 4th week, not a big gain for a guy who's not near that 20th year, at least for now. Personally, I would be better off over a year's time with increased pay and enjoy the free time off that's often available.
They say the exit polling, when guys are leaving the company, is what gave them concern and allowed for the facial hair, so now they want to hear from current employees.
They will get a variety of responses I'm sure. I've already heard many, mostly revolving around increased pay and vacation.
 
Of course MONEY is a issue....All of the other T/L outfits have or are raising PAY while Averitt stays the same.(At ONE time we were the best paid T/L outfits in the industry)Stop pay has been the same for 11 years, T/L mileage pay(Except when pulling LTL) is based on FAIRY TALE (HHG) miles usually 10-15% SHORT! Home time is not a given anymore, any planning is done at the last minute. It's not uncommon to be 1000-1200 miles from your home domicile on Thursday morning, get home Saturday afternoon, leave out Sunday night. Trying to squeeze a 18-22 hr run into a 14 hr day, expected to sleep or get your break at the customer. Sit for hours AFTER a delivery waiting for a load assignment, then expected to be a wizard in picking up and delivering your next load ONTIME! Truck speed not a real issue, 67-68 mph on cruise, 65 mph on foot feed would be nice. One size fits all truck spec'ing is a JOKE!, especially for SLEEPERS! No thought is given to the load weights we pull, everyone else is running lighter units(aluminum rims, lighter weight engines) Not Averitt....effin steel wheels, spare tire carriers, heavy motors, no thought given when swapping loads, a 44500+ load picked up by a Cascadia, then assigned to a ProStar....ain't going to happen. Different 5th wheel heights, does anyone notice the stiff landing gears from being bent lately? Lets not even get into the SPRING RIDE trailers! Company atmosphere towards T/L drivers from other divisions within the company is getting as bad as at was when I 1st hired on. I'm tired of the "OH your T/L" from others especially LTL....really? How about being a NEW Hire and being put into a 600-800K piece of JUNK that looks and smells like a LANDFILL, then getting 1200-1800 miles a week! How about the FLEET MANAGER interaction?, I'm lucky ...I've had the same one for 11years, take him from me and put me under one of the NUMBNUT's I've heard about....I'm GONE! I can go on and on about numerous things, it's to the point I can not recommend AVERITT TRUCKLOAD to anyone anymore...it's SAD...At ONE time Averitt Truckload was the BEST T/L job in the industry, if I were not on the down side of my driving career...I would have left a long time ago!
 
I'm glad Central Dispatch is slowing pulling TL off of LTL loads. TL drivers move at a much slower pace that LTL and it's not fair to expect them to change their routine from pulling TL loads to hot time sensitive LTL freight. Hopefully there will come a day when it is rare to ever hook an LTL load to a TL driver. I'm not saying LTL is better, just different. Some of us are old city drivers and once dispatched we are on a mission, to go out and return quickly and safely. From what I hear if you wanted to pull hot freight all the time you guys would have hired on as an LTL driver.
 
I'm glad Central Dispatch is slowing pulling TL off of LTL loads. TL drivers move at a much slower pace that LTL and it's not fair to expect them to change their routine from pulling TL loads to hot time sensitive LTL freight. Hopefully there will come a day when it is rare to ever hook an LTL load to a TL driver. I'm not saying LTL is better, just different. Some of us are old city drivers and once dispatched we are on a mission, to go out and return quickly and safely. From what I hear if you wanted to pull hot freight all the time you guys would have hired on as an LTL driver.
T/L pulls so called HOT freight ONEWAY ALL THE TIME 400+ mile.....word is that transferring out of T/L is almost impossible.....of course LTL makes sure that any driver that does transfer over has to wait a year at the bottom before gaining seniority back. In my case if I did that many Shuttle drivers out of my yard would lose their bids when my year is up......However LTL will hire SMUCKS right off the street for shuttle, sleeper shuttle and P&D, while T/L drivers at the same domicile are ignored for the SAME positions.....I love the SLOWER PACE REMARK, you and I should do a 660 mile HOT LTL's together for a while...I'd run your doors into the ground..Of course many on the LTL side are biased and no actual idea on what the T/L side put up with and what kind of P/U and Deliver schedules we have to deal with....I get a good laugh at the SHUTTLE drivers going 65 in a 55 zone, passing in a no passing zone, passing in the GORGE. When the weather gets a bit nasty...LTL pulls their trucks off the road, POOR BABIES, yet T/L and Dedicated are told nothing and are expected to press on.
 
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Now now guys. Having been on BOTH sides of the job I know the negatives of each side. I was once that truckload driver picking up a LTL load and catching crap from the guy who handed me the paperwork (in Tifton to be specific) about Averitt using me to save money because I was paid less miles and less per mile than shuttle drivers, I've gotten my loads late from dispatch only to see it was cut an hour prior, had they handed me the bills when it was cut I wouldn't have been late on the other end........ now being on the other side I see the truckload guys who say they don't care if it gets there on time when they are sitting and waiting on the paperwork, so yes, he's saying he will be late before he even leaves because he wants to nap or he's peed off at Averitt for taking a good load and making him wait all day for an LTL load. I've also had to wait on late arrivals before I headed out to do P & D.

Jeepman, if you know of someone being hired off the street in a city/ltl position you applied for, go to HR. I know many who have made the transfer and any time you change jobs you go to the bottom for a year, even when city, shuttle, and dock guys change between those positions they go to the bottom, I watched it happen. This thread was supposed to be about the possibility of changes for the better. My suggestion is to write it all down as you think of it and voice it when the opportunity arises- they sent me an email telling me to expect an email! (yea I was being sarcastic), but either way, they hired someone to see what it is we want, so let's tell them.
 
Now now guys. Having been on BOTH sides of the job I know the negatives of each side. I was once that truckload driver picking up a LTL load and catching crap from the guy who handed me the paperwork (in Tifton to be specific) about Averitt using me to save money because I was paid less miles and less per mile than shuttle drivers, I've gotten my loads late from dispatch only to see it was cut an hour prior, had they handed me the bills when it was cut I wouldn't have been late on the other end........ now being on the other side I see the truckload guys who say they don't care if it gets there on time when they are sitting and waiting on the paperwork, so yes, he's saying he will be late before he even leaves because he wants to nap or he's peed off at Averitt for taking a good load and making him wait all day for an LTL load. I've also had to wait on late arrivals before I headed out to do P & D.

Jeepman, if you know of someone being hired off the street in a city/ltl position you applied for, go to HR. I know many who have made the transfer and any time you change jobs you go to the bottom for a year, even when city, shuttle, and dock guys change between those positions they go to the bottom, I watched it happen. This thread was supposed to be about the possibility of changes for the better. My suggestion is to write it all down as you think of it and voice it when the opportunity arises- they sent me an email telling me to expect an email! (yea I was being sarcastic), but either way, they hired someone to see what it is we want, so let's tell them.
When I get the survey...I will most definitely take the time to fill it out, CKV may not like the answers or suggestions, but their going to get them from my perspective, and I will NOT be afraid to put my NAME to it!
 
I would hope you would sign your name to the survey, good grief what a crazy remark.I will bet a 100.00 the second it gets disrespectful it will be deleted and moved to the next survey, keep that in mind. I would gladly accept the challenge of me and you running a tight multi-mile schedule five nights a week. My last bid was 604 each night, every night with 3 drop and hooks and only a 30 minute break. Our run times are more than fair so speeding is not ever necessary. TL has it's slackers like each division, but coming straight from the city with 20-40 deliveries and pick up each day instilled in me a work ethic that keeps me out of the truck stops and trashing around. My data from TL being a different breed comes from many transfers to Combo simply to be home daily, they didn't last long. They soon begged for their TL sleeper back. I agree to if you call HR with NAMES of hired ones from the street there would be big trouble. I have never heard of that simply because the hotline guide lines that prevent local politics from ever happening. The only times I have ever seen a TL driver being looked over is when they have lost points by accidents and that is clearly stated in the transfer policy. I think we can both agree that TL and LTL should haul their own freight, with the exception of TL vs. outside contractors being needed.
 
I would hope you would sign your name to the survey, good grief what a crazy remark.I will bet a 100.00 the second it gets disrespectful it will be deleted and moved to the next survey, keep that in mind. I would gladly accept the challenge of me and you running a tight multi-mile schedule five nights a week. My last bid was 604 each night, every night with 3 drop and hooks and only a 30 minute break. Our run times are more than fair so speeding is not ever necessary. TL has it's slackers like each division, but coming straight from the city with 20-40 deliveries and pick up each day instilled in me a work ethic that keeps me out of the truck stops and trashing around. My data from TL being a different breed comes from many transfers to Combo simply to be home daily, they didn't last long. They soon begged for their TL sleeper back. I agree to if you call HR with NAMES of hired ones from the street there would be big trouble. I have never heard of that simply because the hotline guide lines that prevent local politics from ever happening. The only times I have ever seen a TL driver being looked over is when they have lost points by accidents and that is clearly stated in the transfer policy. I think we can both agree that TL and LTL should haul their own freight, with the exception of TL vs. outside contractors being needed.
Ha! You really think T/L drivers trash around and spend a lot of time in truckstops? I've observed the SAINTED LTL shuttle drivers over the years...you have the EASIEST job in the company, so PLEASE do not try to BS me. You guys are going to do everything to protect your GRAVY TRAIN(BTW P&D has the most difficult job) My remarks to the survey will be what I've seen in my years Averitt and what can be changed to improve conditions for TRUCKLOAD DRIVERS...NOT ANYONE ELSE! Of course CKV can ignore them....and continue to lose quality people to other companies!
 
Why of course you must give feedback on TL and TL only, that is your division. And yes we agree that LTL Shuttle is the graviest of the gravy. And my eight years in P&D had it's up and downs too. I was just taking your challenge to go head to head on job performance if you were forced to run a big miler LTL schedule night after night. I busted my rear in P&D, and likewise in Shuttle. Management has thanked me many, many times for being on time, actually early. They know if I'm under the load it will be arrive on time or better every time.
 
The survey, as expected, was an extremely weak survey (as I knew it was going to be). I wouldn't have expected anything different as it is geared towards advancing their preset agenda. Dollar to a doughnut says that absolutely NOTHING will change. So very glad and thankful that I am no longer affiliated with it but am glad they let the survey slip through the cracks into my hands. I was truthful and answered as though I was still there. Of course, they have most likely found some bottom feader to swoop in and take my place that they don't have to pay vacation time or top pay.
 
I like the fact that it was done by a third party that will analyze the results and give unbiased feedback.
Unbiased according to the guideline set forth by the company. Don't think for a second that the questions were dictated verbatim to the company whom Averitt paid money to. It was a feaux survey, I could see that within seconds.
 
Oh I'm sure we paid big money to produce this survey, and it hit on every part of our operation.
 
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Like you, most senior associates are wanting more vacation, though that has little impact on the younger guys right now. I'm sure if they did so they wouldn't accelerate the current vacation rates and may even model it after other LTL companies who wait until your 20 year mark until you get the 4th week, not a big gain for a guy who's not near that 20th year, at least for now. Personally, I would be better off over a year's time with increased pay and enjoy the free time off that's often available.
They say the exit polling, when guys are leaving the company, is what gave them concern and allowed for the facial hair, so now they want to hear from current employees.
They will get a variety of responses I'm sure. I've already heard many, mostly revolving around increased pay and vacation.
One day the younger guys will be the senior guys! Anything extra they give you TAKE IT!!!!
 
:bananapartyhat:Completed and sent...they got my HONEST opinion, across the board..1 thru 5....a lot of 3's. I voiced my opinion at the end!:shift:
 
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