The Most Common Lies Truckers Must Watch Out For Posted by DC Cargo Mall on September 10, 2013

In life in general, distortions will fool you at any turn. The real trick though, is to come prepared. In the trucking industry, where dishonesty can be just as rampant, precaution is key. Here are some common mishaps to come upon, and ways to not enter into loser deals with a blind eye.

• As a young new driver, picked fresh from the inexperienced crop in CDL School, you are still officially a trucker and should not let your standards down if a company tries to suck you in without paying you the amount you deserve. Less than .28/ a mile is not unheard of, but it should be. Refusing anything under that amount is your right as an upright citizen who will do your job contributing to the world around you, and expect fair payment for it. There was a time where .19/ was normal but don’t let that be the norm for you!

• Recruiters can be savvy, and shall we add, a bit too savvy. It is good to have a sense of when exaggeration is taking play and when a good deal is really a good deal. Grill with every question you feel needs to be posed and don’t shy away from refusal. One that will promise you a perfect world, with all the home time you’ll want and vague ‘best’ insurance proposals could be the same one that is not following through with his promises once you’re in the door, and he is onto the next sales call.

• This tip sounds simple, but in reality, it is one of the most typical mistakes we all make. Lying to OURSELVES. Really: sometimes your most dangerous enemy is yourself when it comes to irrational decision making. We convince ourselves that something will be to our benefit, just because we WANT it to be. Know the difference between fantasy and reality. If you convince yourself that speeding just a bit will get you there faster, and hurriedly loading cargo in torn straps or cracked chains will save you time, don’t be surprised later. Thousands of dollars, broken freight and a risked life later, your bank and your luck begin to starve. Investing in the right straps, tracks, winches, hooks, etc will save you time later, because quality becomes quantity.

•  The company that hires you will smell desperation from miles and miles away. Desperation means you will settle and that’s the end of your high expectancy in financial gain. To avoid having the wool put over your eyes by running into the wrong places too quickly, familiarize yourself with Trucking Company Polls and Reports and scan discussions that are relevant to your situation.

• If you are asked to wait all night for an automotive load that you are excited to get high pay for transporting, don’t let that fool you. The pay is great, but that isn't a license for companies to take advantage of your appreciation and keep you waiting all day for it when you won’t get paid for your wait. Because in the end it is you, not them, that has to stay up that entire night doing the transport. Don’t be afraid to give a flat-out: ‘No’. It is your right to preserve your dignity, and get the rewards you deserve for a job well done.