How To Properly Switch From One Trucking Company To Another

[cdlhunter]

There are are plenty of articles on How to Get Started in Trucking, but very few give you advice on how to quit one trucking job to go to work for another trucking company. Here are some tips on leaving your trucking job without hurting yourself in the process.

Although everyone knows the trucking industry is a little different than other industries (complete with its own lingo), resigning from a trucking company should be no different than resigining from any other American company. First, if you have just completed trucking school, and this is your first job, you really need to think about sticking it out for at least one year, and if the company has an "open door" policy and they say it is OK to quit at any time, you might better re-think leaving your rig on the side of the road.

The thing to remember is that even though you might think that a company (any company) is treating someone unfairly, there is still a right way and a wrong way to go about anything. If the company is going about something wrong, it shouldn't give justification for the employee to do something wrong as well.

If you are in the heat of the moment and think about just leaving a company truck on the side of the road under dispatch, you can guarantee yourself that you will not get a job with another reputable company again.

Also, make sure you know how much notice you are supposed to give - the usual amount of time being two weeks, but your company may request only one week's noctice. This part is a little tricky, but it all really depends on how things are going with your employer. If you and your employer don't have any on-going disputes, then you may want to think about giving a little extra notice. However, if the waters are a little hostile, the absolute minimum amount of time may be in order. Again, this really is all up to how you and your employer are getting along.

[Guardrail]

It would be a short article...

1. Find new job.
2. Give notice in writing.
3. Most companies will send you packing after notice is served. (they don't want you driving their truck knowing you have a limited time with them)
4. Turn in all company equipment you are responsible for and get a receipt just in case there is any disputes later.

[medic92]

Sometimes you can do everything right and the company will still try to mess you up. I won't mention the name of the company because US Xpress gets enough bad press, but they tried to strongarm me into delivering a load even though I had given them notice, was out of hours and took the truck to the dropyard they requested. They threatened to notate on my DAC report that I had quit under dispatch if I didn't make the delivery. I told them to go ahead, and if any company asked me about it all I'd have to do is show them my pay stubs and they'd understand. Nothing showed up on my report. :)

[Casper Girl]

Well when I decided I wanted to switch companies. First I looked around for a job and found one, let them know I had to work out a two week notice, then notified my current employer that I was giving them my two weeks notice. Worked that two weeks and they got me home when I needed to be. Both companies really appreciated me working out a notice. And the first employer calls me about once a year on what would have been my anniversary date to ask if I might wanna come back lol. And yes, if they would change their pet policy I prolly would really consider going back to them. Yeah this industry has a majorly high turn over, but try to put yourself in your employers shoes and try to do the right thing. oh gosh that sounded like Dr. Laura lol.

[Cerberus_Kelpie]

Who's Dr. Laura?
--
That was that company at THAT time and I doubt they would do it again for others, but then I've no use for Pumpkin Pushers.
--
I once drove for PTL (about 8 months) through an O. O. and I told those heroes I wanted to get home (within a 7 day period) because I was DONE with them. They got me home a lot quicker (like the next day) than what I expected.

I do not give any trucking company any notice before leaving because they do not give US any notice.
WHY give them the respect they FAIL to give US?
They'll quit US in a hot second, so I return the favor.
I may however like with PTL tell them I'm DONE and to route me back to NC or I'll route myself.
I once drove a Combo over 800 miles DEADHEAD from CT to NC.
I did not suffer anything from that adventure nor was anything placed on my DAC/USIS file.
---
One thing though, despite HOW you leave the truck, make sure you clean it out and clean the Interior after removing all yer stuff.
Turn in ALL equipment required, don't park at night at their yard UNLESS there are people there to verify exterior and interior conditions.

[prime rib]

First off this is trucking!...not the US state department...
People come & go like the wind in this biz.
Its a transient industry by its very nature made up of hobos,
ex-cons, and wanna-be Rambos.
That aside, most carriers employ drivers by what is known as
an "at will" employee.
That means that a carrier can terminate any driver on a
moments notice without any rhyme or reason whatsoever.
That same law also gives the driver the same right to quit
on a dime without retaliation against your DAC, work history,
or otherwise.
Its up to the driver in the end.
If you feel your dispatcher deserves notice than give him the
most that you can.
If they treated you like $%^# then call em up and tell em you're done.
I've left by both ways and it hasn't hurt my prospects one iota.
Most outfits are more concerned about your MVR than your resume.