By Sandy Long

In a recent poll on the Women In Trucking Association Facebook Group, the overwhelming response to the question of what a driver looked for from a carrier was that they wanted respect.

First it is important to define respect. The Free Dictionary.com defines it thus: re·spect (rĭ-spĕkt′)

It is clear by definition that respect is not automatically given beyond the basic human respect for another human, it is earned. So how does one earn respect in the trucking industry as a truck driver? It starts at the beginning before one hires on with a company.

When choosing a company, one should start with identifying the goals, wants, and needs one expects to achieve or satisfy working at a company. These three things should be attainable. For instance, if one is a brand new driver straight out of school, it is unreasonable to think one will be assigned a brand spanking new truck. After those three things are identified, the one should contact the prospective carrier often enough to ask questions to assure one’s self that those things have a good chance to be met. This shows initial respect both for one’s self and the carrier.

When one speaks to the carrier, one should be precise and respectful of the time of the person that is being spoken to. Have any questions that need to be answered written down and answers to questions that might be asked ready, such as how many miles have one has driven. Use a good professional tone of voice with no profanity.

If a face-to-face interview is required, or one is called in for orientation, then it shows respect, again for both, to show up clean and neatly dressed and fully prepared with documents needed and a list of previous companies.

If the decision is made that this is the company one wants to work for, then be on time for that first day, or early so one has time to meet the shop foreman, dispatch, safety, and/or anyone else necessary to being successful. Ask questions about the new equipment, company policies one might not fully understand, and remember to show respect toward each person spoken to.

Getting down to the nitty-gritty now that the respect basics have been met, one needs to be a team player. Communicate with dispatch as ordered. If there is a problem, do not rant and rave, speak with respect. If a solution cannot be found, then go higher in the company chain. Meet delivery and pick up times early or exactly on time unless detained by weather or break down. Always be honest in dealing with dispatch and accept responsibility if mistakes occur. If after a long period of time … at least a year … one’s goals etc. are not being met and a solution cannot be solved, quit clean.

If one does the above, the respect one garners at a company will follow if one changes companies for whatever reason. After a while, after giving respect to where it is habit, one will find that most other people will give that respect back. It becomes an aura that surrounds a person.