What qualities do you look for when choosing a fleet?

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – When looking for work, each individual has different criteria for what they consider a good potential employer.

No one ever wants to be taken advantage of and most of all, people want to be appreciated. Truck News stopped in at the Husky Truck Stop in Mississauga, Ont., to find out what truckers really consider when looking for work with a fleet.

Elite Fleet driver, Chris Lucci, says his number one requirement when looking for employment is a dispatcher that doesn’t lie.

“It’s hard to find a company that is truthful with you,” he says.

This Amherst, N.S. resident who drives a 1999 International adds that fair pay, legal miles and benefits are also on his checklist. Lucci was coming from Hamilton, Ont., and making his way to Detroit hauling dry goods.

Edmonton native Ray Brown had come from Vancouver and was waiting for a load when he told Truck News good equipment, fair pay and fewer layovers were tops on his list.

“We got here on Monday morning and we’ve been here since (Wednesday),” he says.

Brown drives team with his wife in a 2001 Peterbilt out of Bolton, Ont. He explains the number of miles is a big part of deciding what fleet is best suited for he and his wife’s driving.

Driver Steve Klein, of Toronto, had just come from Sudbury and was waiting for a load when he gave the question at hand some thought.

“I look for good dependable trucks that don’t break down, as well as good fleet maintenance,” says the driver of a 1996 Freightliner. “Good pay, benefits, good insurance … all those things that are automatic in most other jobs,” he says. “We’re looking for things to keep up with the cost of living, we’re looking to keep up with white collar pay.”

Havelock, N.B. resident, Tom Campbell was also waiting for a load after returning from Virginia when he agreed drivers weren’t getting much in the honesty department these days. Campbell hauls flatbed with a 2000 International for Sunbury Transport.

“We’re looking for honesty, mileage and home life,” he says. “I’ve got a little five-year-old who’s got more energy than I’ve ever had and I’d like to spend some time with her,” he says. “If these three things were covered, it would be close to a perfect world.”

Hansbro Truck Lines Inc. driver, Reuben Miranda of Mississauga was waiting for a load when he said quite honestly, “right now there is nothing that attracts me,” to other fleets. Miranda says many companies need to make changes in the way they conduct business.

“They need a decent mileage rate, benefits, they should also compensate drivers when they are sitting and waiting,” he says.