Jonathan Hopkins’ Post

Driver Pro Tip: Never take a trucking job ad for 100% truth, instead…Call some drivers who already work for the company for which is hiring, get their raw and real feedback. And don’t let the trucking company or recruiter pick the drivers, stop at a random truck stop and ask the drivers without telling the company. Trucking companies are known to pay certain drivers just to feed new drivers a line of drama. By speaking to drivers YOU select, gives a much better picture on what the driver actually makes, etc. Treat a company job ad, like buying a car or house, shop around and think about it, before making a decision. Otherwise it just becomes a revolving door. You’ll find that those $100,000 a year ads for a company driver, once the math adds up only come to about $57,000 - $64,000 a year before taxes, and that’s with NEVER being home. Drivers don’t get paid time off, so they only make 45 weeks a year if they go home. The $5,000 and $10,000 sign on bonus is just a fishing line to bait a driver in, a $5,000 sign on bonus is only paid out at like $100 a week and after a driver jumps through 17 hoops. Most drivers see the drama within 2 months and leave, so they never see the full $5,000. After 2 months and $800 or so, the driver kicks the bucket and moves onto another company. Lease Purchase? It’s just a scam….nothing more than a driver paying all of the company bills and usually left with $500-$900 weekly checks, even though the load paid $3,200. At the end of the lease, the driver still has a $30,000 ballon payment, which most can’t pay, so they get sucked back into another lease, to do the washing machine effect all over again. Don’t get sucked in, I’ve been 11 places and rode this train many times, it never stops at the next station, it runs off the tracks around the next curve. Ask if the company pays for hotel, orientation or if things don’t work out, many companies have a bad habit of leaving drivers stranded, or 3 days for your time, only to not be paid because something they need hasn’t come back and no way home… MANY companies won’t finalize hiring you UNTIL you get there, so if something doesn’t work out, it’s literally “hey sorry, xyz isn’t calling back” and they kick you out of the hotel and you are on your own to find a way home. This is a HUGE problem in the trucking industry. I know, it’s ridiculous, I’ve been there and done it more than once. I left that train back at the station and will never ride the “false recruiting line” again. There are some very good companies out there, but it’s like finding a needle in a hay stack. Always do your homework! Look up FMCSA scores, call drivers, ask questions, interview the recruiter. Don’t just think “oh it’s 100,000 a year” and go, it will end in a disaster! Get things in WRITING, I’ve asked many times and it’s always, no. If the company can’t put things in writing, then it’s just a bunch of games, time to say no and move onto the next company. ©️Jonathan Hopkins

I know certain businesses don’t agree with me sharing my personal views on how paid truck parking works in America and other aspects. However, I believe in order to do better, there has to be full transparency on what the reality is for a truck driver. Those organizations trying to attract new talent in trucking or recruiters who want to attract new drivers. Wouldn’t it make more sense to understand what drivers deal with or don’t like? Maybe for some, going to work to attract high school students and new CDL holders while adding spice to an already sour problem is where the reality is in trucking, I’m really not sure… For me, I’m tired of the sour nonsense it’s not reality. I love knowing what I’m up against and what the expectation is for the average truck driver and I wish I had the same brutal advice, wisdom and first hand knowledge when I started driving that I share and learn from others on this site. I don’t get easily offended, I fact check everything I share and I make sure what I’m saying is factual information, from those who deal with it every day. People ask me constantly about topics in trucking and I’m not afraid to tell someone that a topic isn’t something I know a lot about. I focus on topics that I know also impact other truck drivers, it isn’t all about me. Four topics I know extremely well and are very easy to understand include: • Paid truck parking • Driver retention • D.O.T expectations • Driver health I will continue to advocate for those who deserve the truth and transparency regardless of what a business claims is true or not. Furthermore, my cousin is also a truck driver and would be the first to take a phone call from someone who thinks we are blowing smoke or making things up. But, he’s been driving for 18 years and he’s sick of the trash! For those who wish to ask a truck driver or don’t believe what I have to say, feel free to call my cousin and ask him what he thinks about paid truck parking and all of the other nonsense in trucking… he will give you an ear full and at times is even more vocal than I am about certain issues. Peter: (570) 971-1913 (only 9am-8pm EST). I’ve given my cousins phone number to at least eleven people to call him, so he can explain exactly how truck parking, retention and other aspects work in trucking and not one of those eleven people have taken the effort to called him. Sounds to me like some people are extremely misinformed and would rather go around jumping on the bandwagon, yet never taking the time to realize how foolish they look to the very people who do the job everyday that’s being debated. It’s silly to be blunt and very comical! ©️Jonathan Hopkins

I get asked constantly why would I want to be a safety director at a trucking company? Well, for a start I wouldn’t take any shenanigans and all D.O.T regulations would be followed (shocker to some) and I’d be educating those in the office when they steer truck drivers into issues that were avoidable. I’m very direct and blunt and as a truck driver myself I think a trucking company is failing truck drivers if the safety director has never been a truck driver before, which is extremely common in 2024. Once I started asking questions during interviews and feeling out different trucking companies I found many trucking companies employ people in safety who have never driven before. Some in safety have never even been in a cab or driven with a truck driver to deliver a load, but will be the first to punish a truck driver for something completely normal. Why is that such an issue? Because if a person who regulates D.O.T regulations has never actually dealt with how they are applied in real life, they become disconnected with the truck drivers who actually do the job. Many arguements are started because there’s so much disconnect between truck drivers and those in the office who have never been a truck driver before. I’d go so far to say, that’s why we have so many truck driver retention issues because truck drivers are fed up with arguing with people telling us what to do that don’t have a clue or first hand knowledge themselves. Many people aren’t even willing to be educated on what it’s like to be a truck driver, but they want to manage truck drivers. I wonder how that would go managing children in school with no prior education or invested interest in children? Maybe that’s why so many truck drivers feel like we are treated like a child, because there’s a lack of training, invested interest in trucking, logistics and respect? Perhaps? 🤭🤔 To be a TEAM, we all have to work together and UNDERSTAND what the REALITY is. Those who manage truck drivers need to stop living in a fantasy and engage and understand what the truck driver does more, including asking questions and taking an invested interest so EVERYONE succeeds. I know for me, it was a nonstop constant fight to get people in the office to understand most of what I did was normal. Yet, some clown in the office was always ready to write a truck driver up for something that truck drivers do every day as part of their job. I told a ceo, of one of the largest trucking companies to pump his brakes when he overreacted and fired a company driver because he wouldn’t drive off duty to a shipper because a dispatcher messed up a rushed load. The ceo looked at me like I had 7 heads, “well I always thought you could do that and I needed it to get done”. Ya, maybe in your dreams Sir! I should have asked him what would happen if that truck driver was involved in an accident during that time? Wonder what liability his business would be in? 🤔 Choices have Consequences! ©️Jonathan Hopkins

The amount of trucking companies currently “begging” for truck drivers is crazy, even more the effort they go to and manipulate just to get one new hire! There’s no better and faster way to tell me how bad a trucking company is then project a begging mentality. The trucking companies that are good, usually don’t spend a lot of money on advertising or retention costs because their drivers do the advertising for them by talking to other drivers looking for a job or seem unhappy at their current company. However, many trucking companies treat truck drivers like children so maybe they think our brains don’t have the ability to share information among other drivers. Not sure, but that’s the conclusion I’ve come to with how people in the office relate to me. It’s like a mother/son or father/son interaction, but we are supposed to be the professionals. I think many times truck drivers do some of their behaviors, because they are groomed to be children and not worthy. If we were treated as adults, we wouldn’t have all the drama that we do. With 100% confidence there’s usually three main reasons why a trucking company has a truck driver shortage on their payroll and can’t keep drivers. I already know many trucking companies don’t care what truck drivers know or ways they could “help” them do better. It seems, complaining and whining is the new way to win over truck drivers instead of being confident and an attractive company to work for. My suggestion is keep doing what hasn’t worked and I promise eventually it might work in the future! I mean, I don’t suggest that but that’s what it seems people enjoy doing. Let’s do the same thing over and over, and wonder why it isn’t working! 🤭 ©️Jonathan Hopkins

I’m gonna shift my focus on “overnight” paid truck parking in America and focus on ways to avoid it all together. This focus is on truck stops, the companies building their own properties for long term parking or that offer services and secured facilities are great for the trucking community. A dirt lot with a price isn’t secured and isn’t where trucks belong, and when it rains and snows it turns into a mess costing even more money. If you aren’t getting enough business into your store, you need to lower the cost of showers, food and services as it’s clearly overpriced. Otherwise, getting customers wouldn’t be a problem. If you owned a $230,000 truck and trailer would you want it sitting in a dirt lot, driving in bolder size pot holes that don’t offer incentives? If so, join TPC they offer that. If not, join a parking company that paves the lot and actually invests money into the property and offers services and incentives. As a truck driver, if your company doesn’t pay for overnight parking it’s time to find a company that does. It’s not your responsibility to pay for the parking, it’s a business expense. My focus is on overnight parking, when a truck driver is hauling commodities that the United States needs to run and function. I think overtime, the paid parking companies that are using drivers will fade into the sunset like so many other trends in trucking. Trucking is a trend, most people who don’t understand what the trend is jump on the band wagon to support it, until they realize it doesn’t work or doesn’t help the overall isssue. As I’ve said many times, truckers look to products and companies to trust and value. When they know a concept doesn’t work, they don’t support it. Why are more and more businesses and trucking companies going out of business? It’s not the economy or low pay, it’s because truck drivers don’t want treated that way and they can’t keep employees employed, without money or income to pay the bills the company can’t stay open. Why is there a truck stop in Pennsylvania that has over 180 parking spots on the verge of going out of business? It’s because TPC or Truck Parking Club went in and turned most of their facility into paid parking. Do your research, don’t listen to what I say. Google the Milton truck stop and see for yourself how big that location is, drive by the location yourself and see how empty it sits at night. My cousin who is also a truck driver, lives near that truck stop. We don’t share false information, we share true facts of what these rip off companies are doing to the trucking industry. Like I said, do your own foot work and look at what the facts are, it’s very obvious what’s going on. I never just listen to what someone tells me, I also do a lot of research. Just like companies that say .55 CPM is great pay, I’ve been at 7 trucking companies that paid .55 CPM, wouldn’t I know it hasn’t worked and isn’t great pay? Keep trucking, and keep doing research! ©️Jonathan Hopkins

I’ve been a truck driver at some of the largest mega carrier trucking companies including Hirshbach, CFI and I’ve also gone to orientation for other trucking companies such as Melton, Scheinder, Smith Transport and left because orientation for me is a “first impression” phase and if I’m repeatedly disrespected I leave. Looking back at the mistakes I’ve made, I should have had a “first impression” phase when I began my driving career. The company does it to us, why can’t I do it also? 🤭 I have a 10 step process I use when I apply for a trucking job, including asking many questions. I’ve found “many” truck driver recruiters can’t sell a good job opening, because when I ask question they usually don’t have the answers. Some of the questions I ask, include: How long have you worked for the company? What’s a typical week include? What do you haul? How’s your CSA scores? What is a rough estimate on what a driver makes a week? How often do I get home? (This one is always comical, it’s usually met with silence). How’s the equipment and maintenance? Is the safety director a previous truck driver? Why do I leave trucking companies? I leave because many companies make it a “challenge” just to get started working, even for those who have 18+ years of truck driving experience. Usually orientation is three days, filled with monkey games, ridiculous videos and the same old endless promises that begin the eye rolling 🙄. I sometimes go to the bathroom just so I don’t have to listen to the same old speech I’ve heard 150 times. I haven’t been to an orientation in years that was unique and different, usually they always mirror the last company and are very boring. Many times the person leading the orientation class is very rude, obnoxious, demanding or is going 45 different directions. It’s very rare to feel “welcoming” when joining a new trucking company, usually it starts with ridiculously long hours and most trucking companies don’t finalizing hiring until I’m there. Many truck drivers are sent home, unpaid on a greyhound bus if they don’t actually get hired but are given a rental car to get there. The greyhound bus concept is extremely common within the trucking industry that’s why truck drivers will say “meat in the seat”, that’s how we are treated many place. Some trucking companies I bet if I was a stuffed animal I’d be hired, as long as the truck was moving that’s how impersonal they are. If you worked for a bank for 20 years, and was hired at another bank and the person “challenged” you constantly would you feel comfortable working there? Sometimes, it’s the way people act towards others that is hindering the growth within a company. Some people have control issues and have to “feel good” constantly telling others what they are doing wrong and others have confidence issues that they have to mask with their role in management, which leads to truck drivers constantly feeling small or belittled. ©️Jonathan Hopkins

🚚 WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF BECOMING AN OWNER-OPERATOR? 1️⃣ INDEPENDENCE Being an owner-operator means freely making your own decisions. You decide who to work with, what loads to transport, and how much time to work. 2️⃣ FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE You can freely plan your work schedule and set working days/hours. 3️⃣ INCOME Truck owners earn much more than regular drivers working in a company. 4️⃣ FAMILY TIME By planning your schedule, you decide how much time to spend on work and at home. 5️⃣ MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES The shortage of drivers that has hit the trucking industry welcomes skilled and experienced drivers in any trucking company. 👉 Write below your advantages of being an Owner Operator #StellarCargo #owneroperator #truckdriver #trucking #TruckingJobs

I’m gonna take the time to share why some trucking companies might be struggling to find good talent, from my own personal struggles. Trucking companies want good and safe truck drivers? Maybe? How do we get good and safe truck drivers? We hire those who understand their choices contribute to their overall success. We also understand a good driver, comes at a cost. Free and cheap labor doesn’t result in good choices or behaviors. If I hire a truck driver, who stays with a carrier who doesn’t care, doesn’t fix equipment or the company behavior might cause a truck driver to be pulled over, inspected or put out of service. Does that truck driver have a higher chance of absorbing that past companies bad behavior or will they be immune from it? Potential impact in my desire to hire them (maybe?). 🤔 ⭐️ I’m told nonstop that I have “too many trucking jobs” that’s the first thing that typically comes out of someone’s mouth. But, they never ask why? In the next breath they make it clear they want safe drivers, who have a good driving record and understand how to be safe. ⭐️ I have a clean driving record, my only “issue” is too many jobs, but it’s not even an issue (the only way to weed out the bad apples is to give it a chance and some in the end trash me just for simply wanting to leave). How do I keep that clean driving record? I leave when things that impact that record aren’t dealt with. I don’t play with fire 🔥 when it comes to my future! ❤️🔥 Those trucking companies who can’t find good talent, it’s because MANY truck drivers have 10+ driving jobs and amazing driving records but people aren’t taking the time to LISTEN to what the driver wants. I blame that on the recruiter, many who have never driven so they wouldn’t understand why we are leaving. Why not hire a recruiter who has a CDL? A recruiter is the face of the trucking company, if they want cookie cutter results they aren’t recruiting. Simply impersonally window shopping, without understanding the product or service being provided which is the (driver with the experience). I get over 250 requests from trucking companies a year, most I turn down. Why? 🤔 And those GOOD drivers are being passed for drivers who don’t take pride in their work, because they are settling for cheaper pay. Cheap driver pay leads to higher accidents, cargo theft, bad behaviors and quiting. ⭐️ Comment below, why do you think I leave a trucking company that doesn’t follow expectations? Also, would you personally have more than 10 driving jobs or rather be sitting in jail because the employer you work for doesn’t care? Let me know, I’d love to have some open dialog on what happens when a truck driver ignores safety concerns. Ignoring safety issues is a large contributing factor to why we have a truck driver shortage in the first place. Many truck drivers understand what happens to their license if they play the games, they don’t play the games they leave! ©️Jonathan Hopkins

Frightened by trucking companies? I’m frightened that trucking companies aren’t listening to truck drivers and continue saying or expect truck drivers to accept .55CPM as great pay! 🤑 It’s been .55CPM for over 10 years. 🎃 Remember though, there isn’t a truck driver shortage…🙄 Or is there? And if there is, I wonder why? 🤔 I’m also concerned, as to why I bring 2+ years of safe driving experience and a CLEAN CDL, yet “pay goes to .60CPM” after a year like it’s some challenge. 😤 “Raises up to .65CPM”, when? In 10 years when the cows have crossed the fields in Montana and the song birds have played me with white bird droppings. 🤭 Family environment? I come to work, to do a job! Not be all buddy ~ buddy so when there’s an issue it gets shoved under the rug and ignored. 🤮 Known by name, and not a truck number should already be a given. It’s mentioned because the driver actually is a truck number, otherwise it wouldn’t be a “known” concern. 🙋♂️ Where’s the respect anymore? 😡 Like….WTF! 🤬 Again, I’m offering my experience. 🚛🚑 Instead, I might check into the hospital for a mental evaluation. Hiring a truck driver isn’t a volunteer service, either pay me what my level of experience is worth, or forget it! Really? Yes really! 👻 Frankly, I’m frightened on what might happen if I work there. 🤣 Send me messages like this, and I’m gonna give feedback and it might not be what was the intended desire. 🤨 This ad reeks of desperation! 💩 Hence, why I hit delete without even thinking twice, besides using it as a education tool. 🤪 ❤️ A Truck Driver!

What's the best piece of advice you would give to a new driver about choosing the right trucking company to work for? Share your tips in the comments! Read more from our recent blog here: https://lnkd.in/eHw-7iXi #truckingnews #truckingblogs #truckingarticles #trucking #truckinglifestyle