There sure is a lot of different terminology for drivers. At our hub, we have the bid drivers who are FT drivers that have their own route. Then there are 'floaters', who are FT drivers that don't own a route and do different routes depending on who's on vacation, sick, or leave. Then we have utility drivers, who are PT hub employees who are DOT certified. They call them up on random days where we are really short staffed. They don't get any 'cover driver' rate though. They start their 3 (now 4) year progression the day they first deliver ground.
I wish they'd tell you what route you were doing the day before. It sucks coming to work and getting thrown on a route at the last minute because the main guy didn't feel like working or had too many Irregs. Guys with their own route have it made (even if it's a crap route).
Knowing where you are everyday takes 90% of the pressure off. Can't wait to win a bid!
Totally agree with you here. I'm a 3rd year driver who lucked out and got my own route because no one else wanted it since it goes out heavy and comes back heavy with pickups. For me it's not tough at all but then again I feel like I work with a lot of crybaby drivers. I do have to say though, I'll miss being a floater and getting to visit the lovely women at various businesses from the 15 different routes I used to cover. But I won't miss being thrown out on blind routes, split routes with 220+ stops, and the sheer uncertainty I used to feel everyday for those 3 years of not knowing what's next. I feel 90% better about the job now that I know what I'll be doing everyday for certain.
