surprise, surprise
For the first time since leaving company training in Indy 11 days ago, my new boss actually phoned me. Each time that we've spoken prior to today has been when I rang him. Heck, he never even returned my call last week when he said he would. So I was shocked to see a company number suddenly appear on my iPhone's display followed by the sounds of my Dexter ringtone.
Upon answering, he identified himself as if I had no idea who would be calling me from the company. He then proceeded to tell me about how he had a truck for me. It was over at a small terminal in Kentucky and it was an Ultra Shift (automatic). I heard him typing on his keyboard and then he kind of paused, then with a sigh he said something along the lines of "well I HAD a truck for you, would you mind if I put you on hold for a minute?"
I said "okay" and proceeded to turn the speaker phone on and lay the phone aside while I played on my tablet.
A little over 10 minutes later he came back on the line and started blabbering about how the truck was supposed to be in Kentucky already but was tracking in Virginia and was out with another driver for an unspecified amount of time.
"It should be back in Kentucky by the beginning of next week...." he explained. "The folks over there can get you certified to drive the automatic and you can be on your way in no time, I know you've been waiting, so the sooner you can get over there the better."
Um... if the truck isn't even there and it isn't clear WHEN it will actually be there why would I make a mad dash to get over there only to end up having to sit for an unknown amount of time waiting?! That doesn't do me any good.
I told him as much... as politely as I could.
"Well then I will just call you back when I know when it's going to be headed that way."
I explained to him that that's great and all. But then I asked about what would happen if another truck becomes available between now and then? And how am I supposed to get to where this truck "might be" in Kentucky (or possibly elsewhere) when the time finally game? I only have one vehicle and my husband is in school full time... hinting that a rental would be quite convenient.
He said if another truck becomes available sooner he'd call me. As far as how I'm going to get to Kentucky or to wherever my potential truck is parked, he can't give me anything for an answer on that right now. He can't say he can give me a rental because 'he's not the one in charge of that sort of thing' and that he didn't think that would even be possible.
WTF?! REALLY?
It was possible twice for me before. My first truck, good ol' Trucky, was in Seville, Ohio. I was given a rental car by the company to get there to get that truck. Then later on when my second truck Kenny and I finally parted ways I was given another rental car to go from Carlisle, Pennsylvania to Columbus, Ohio to pick up truck number three, Marge.
So I know the company gives drivers the privilege of a rental car to get where they need to be to get in a truck and get rolling. Unless some new idiotic policy prohibits it.
What I still don't understand is how this is even happening. I kinda feel like I'm getting the run around in more ways than one. And I'm seriously considering calling and talking to the next person above my boss to see what the real deal is. I mean, tomorrow makes 12 days... that's pretty well near two weeks since I completed training.
I think 5 days, maybe a week is acceptable waiting time to get a truck assignment. But more than that is just ludicrous. For a company the size of the one I'm allegedly "employed" by to not have enough trucks to dole out to each board is just plain insanity.
I keep getting excuses. And I hate excuses.
I just want to work.
I know, it's crazy! Right?
Someone willing and able and eager to work?
In this day and age I know I'm a rarity.
I'm just so aggravated!!!!!!!!
And with that being said I'm going to cease blogging for the moment.
Oh god don't freak... I don't mean for good.
I just need to step away from the laptop, away from all of my fancy social media outlets and just decompress.
*sigh*
Upon answering, he identified himself as if I had no idea who would be calling me from the company. He then proceeded to tell me about how he had a truck for me. It was over at a small terminal in Kentucky and it was an Ultra Shift (automatic). I heard him typing on his keyboard and then he kind of paused, then with a sigh he said something along the lines of "well I HAD a truck for you, would you mind if I put you on hold for a minute?"
I said "okay" and proceeded to turn the speaker phone on and lay the phone aside while I played on my tablet.
A little over 10 minutes later he came back on the line and started blabbering about how the truck was supposed to be in Kentucky already but was tracking in Virginia and was out with another driver for an unspecified amount of time.
"It should be back in Kentucky by the beginning of next week...." he explained. "The folks over there can get you certified to drive the automatic and you can be on your way in no time, I know you've been waiting, so the sooner you can get over there the better."
Um... if the truck isn't even there and it isn't clear WHEN it will actually be there why would I make a mad dash to get over there only to end up having to sit for an unknown amount of time waiting?! That doesn't do me any good.
I told him as much... as politely as I could.
"Well then I will just call you back when I know when it's going to be headed that way."
I explained to him that that's great and all. But then I asked about what would happen if another truck becomes available between now and then? And how am I supposed to get to where this truck "might be" in Kentucky (or possibly elsewhere) when the time finally game? I only have one vehicle and my husband is in school full time... hinting that a rental would be quite convenient.
He said if another truck becomes available sooner he'd call me. As far as how I'm going to get to Kentucky or to wherever my potential truck is parked, he can't give me anything for an answer on that right now. He can't say he can give me a rental because 'he's not the one in charge of that sort of thing' and that he didn't think that would even be possible.
WTF?! REALLY?
It was possible twice for me before. My first truck, good ol' Trucky, was in Seville, Ohio. I was given a rental car by the company to get there to get that truck. Then later on when my second truck Kenny and I finally parted ways I was given another rental car to go from Carlisle, Pennsylvania to Columbus, Ohio to pick up truck number three, Marge.
So I know the company gives drivers the privilege of a rental car to get where they need to be to get in a truck and get rolling. Unless some new idiotic policy prohibits it.
What I still don't understand is how this is even happening. I kinda feel like I'm getting the run around in more ways than one. And I'm seriously considering calling and talking to the next person above my boss to see what the real deal is. I mean, tomorrow makes 12 days... that's pretty well near two weeks since I completed training.
I think 5 days, maybe a week is acceptable waiting time to get a truck assignment. But more than that is just ludicrous. For a company the size of the one I'm allegedly "employed" by to not have enough trucks to dole out to each board is just plain insanity.
I keep getting excuses. And I hate excuses.
I just want to work.
I know, it's crazy! Right?
Someone willing and able and eager to work?
In this day and age I know I'm a rarity.
I'm just so aggravated!!!!!!!!
And with that being said I'm going to cease blogging for the moment.
Oh god don't freak... I don't mean for good.
I just need to step away from the laptop, away from all of my fancy social media outlets and just decompress.
*sigh*
Comments
KY Joe, I went back to the company for various reasons. But right now I'm starting to question them. LOL
Do you think they're having the same "workflow IT" problems finding their tractors as finding trailers (as Trucking Tiger blogged)?
I hope the industry has not changed too much, and that you will enjoy your return.