Interviewing the interviewer: Check list for company drivers

Here's a list of questions that company drivers will want to ask recruiters before they decide to accept the job:

1. Will I be:
Hired employee___
Contract driver___
(A contract driver is usually paid on a percentage basis and taxes are the responsibility of the contract driver. There also must be a contract between the company and the driver. This contract is for the IRS audits and must meet their requirements. A good way to tell is to refer to form SS8).

2. As an employee, how is my pay figured?
Hourly____ Rate____
By the mile____ Rate____

3. If paid by the mile, how is mileage calculated?
Hub miles____
Computer program such as PCMiler, HHG, etc.____
Dispatched miles____
Loaded miles____

4. Does the company hold back the first paycheck?
Yes____ No____
If so, how long?
One week____ Two weeks____

5. Is the driver responsible for loading and unloading?
Yes____ No____

6. If not, how is the lumper issue handled?
Company contract with lumpers____
Advances for lumpers (deduct from paycheck)____
Reimbursement for lumper with receipts____

7. If driver unloads, how is payment made?
Flat rate___
Hourly____
Piece____
By weight____

8. What is the company policy on fueling?
Driver choice of supplier____
Company choice of supplier____
Fuel Card supplied____
Driver pays & company reimburses___

9. Does the company pay for:
Layovers____
Detention time____
Canceled loads____
Multiple drops and picks____
Tolls____
Truck washes____
Trailer wash-outs____
Scale tickets____
Minor road repairs to equipment such as clearance lights, wiring, etc.____

10. How many miles per week can I expect to run? ______

11. How many days/weeks will a driver be kept out? ______

12. What is the policy on home time? ______________________________________________________

13. What benefits does the company offer?
Paid vacation ____ After how long ____ How much vacation time ____
Sick days____ After how long ____ How many sick days ____
Health/dental care ____Is family included? Yes___ No ____
Safety awards ____
Retirement plans/401K ____
Rider policy ____Company paid? Yes___ No ___ What are the age requirements? ____ Is it limited to family members only? Yes ____ No ____
Safety bonuses____ Based on: no violations/accidents ____; Customer Service ____; Feedback/complaints from general public____; On-time ____; SO&D ____; Idle time ____; On time ____ ; Fuel Mileage ____

14. Do you have forced dispatch? Yes____ No____

15. What regions does the company expect you to run? _______________________________________________; Does the company run in areas that you do not want go, such as Canada, Mexico, or NY? Yes____ No____

16. Does the company offer dedicated runs? Yes____ No ____; If yes, how do I get one? ______________________

17. Does driver work directly with brokers (hand-offs)? Yes____ No ____

18. What is the company policy on check calls (status for the day)? _______________________________________

19. Does the company allow pets in the truck? Yes ____ No ____ If so, are damage deposits required? Yes ____ No____; If so, how much? _____ Deposit return policy? ____________________________________________

20. Does company provide cell phones? Yes____ No ____

21. What kind of truck will I be driving? Year____ Make_____ Model_____

22. Can driver take the truck home? Yes ____ No ____

23. What kind of transmission? _________________________________________

24. What kind of engine? _____________________________________________

25. What kind of sleeper? _____________________________________________

26. Can I put my own chrome and lights on the truck? Yes ____ No ____

27. Are speeds governed? Yes ____ No ____ If so, governed at what speed? ____________________________

28. CB equipped? Yes ____ No ____

29. AM/FM radio/TV? Yes _____ No ____

30. Refrigerator? Yes ____ No ____

31. Qualcom? Yes ____ No ____

32. Air Ride seats? Yes ____ No _____

33. Engine Brakes? Yes ____ No ____

34. Opti-Idle? Yes ____ No ____

35. How often does company purchase new equipment? _______________________________________

36. Can I purchase my truck through the company? Yes ____ No ____ Lease/purchase plan? Yes ____ No ____ Success rate on lease/purchase? ____________________________________________________________

37. Does the company provide training? Yes ____ No ____

38. Is training paid by company? Yes ____ No ____

39. If company paid, is there a penalty if I leave the company before a specified period of time? Yes ____ No ____; If penalty, how is it calculated? ________________________________________________________________

40. What are trainer requirements? ______________________________________________________________

41. Does the trainer receive extra pay? Yes ____ No ____

42. As a trainer, will I be able to refuse to train a potential driver? Yes ____ No ____

43. Is trainer responsible for actions of trainees? Yes ____ No ____

44. What is the length of training period? _________________________________________________________

45. Will I be assigned solo after the training period? Yes ____ No ____

46. Are female trainers provided for female trainees upon request? Yes ____ No ____

47. Is there a smoking/non-smoking policy? Yes ____ No ____

48. Is an escrow, security deposit, performance bond, or any type of money held back by the company? Yes ____ No ____; If so, what is the required amount, and what is the return policy? ___________________________________

49. Is transportation provided to orientation? Yes ____ No ____

50. Motel/Food paid by company? Yes ____ No ____

51. Does the company pay for orientation? Yes ____ No ____

52. If I am disqualified or if I choose not to sign on, does the company pay for my transportation back home? Yes____ No ____