In case you missed the update in Transitions: Did you know it’s against the Truth in Leasing Act from the FMCSA (DOT), CFR 49, 376.12 (g) for a company NOT to show their driver the proof of how much a load pays if that driver is getting paid by percentage? The problem is that most drivers won’t rock the boat because they want the job, so a lot of these companies get away with whatever they want. Why would Clark Transfer take a load to lose money on that moves me in the opposite direction? That’s the mystery. I can [...More...]
Jun 082011
Apr 242009
Well done. Finished. Complete. If you were a dispatcher at Clark Transfer, would you get an attitude about a driver that was at the load out late, going to a warehouse the next morning that didn’t care if they got their stuff back today or next week. Okay, give him the “don’t be late” speech. But while you’re at it, tell him how to drive and how he should have done this or that. Keep in mind this driver is in his home city, not across the country. He sold his trailer and his truck is for sale and he’s [...More...]
Apr 022009
Transitions are going on for everyone. I know more than one person that has been laid off, fired or are having to make tough decisions about keeping their truck or their house. People are helping their families and receiving help from their families all at the same time. Here I sit at a grocery warehouse, waiting to haul 44,000 lbs over the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania 200 miles to deliver tomorrow afternoon, two hundred miles. I should be grateful I have a job, I should be grateful for the load the company got from a broker where they’re losing money [...More...]
Dec 042008
My first trip with Clark Transfer, bobtailing (driving with no trailer) almost 1100 miles, pickup a trailer, take it to the theater in Minneapolis, load it. Drive to Detroit, unload, drop trailer, do something else. Being associated with Broadway shows is kind of cool, kind of like delivering to a cool tradeshow or the time we delivered generators to the Superbowl. I know who and what I’m carrying, but I don’t have the time or even the ability to see what I delivered when it’s all setup. All I see is crates, boxes and equipment. I’m one of several trucks [...More...]
Dec 022008
This is my new company, Clark Transfer, Inc. A trucking company since 1949, just that fact alone is incredible. A company with actual customers. That’s going to be a switch instead of working with all of those brokers. A 3% turnover rate when the industry average is over 100% a year. I’ve hauled a lot of tradeshows, performances of various kinds and a few plays in-between all the store fixtures, pad wrap and general freight. The secret to dealing with shows of any kind is absolutely being on time. Hurry up and wait and wait some more. It’s always funny [...More...]