How do I return a truck after quitting? - Truckers' Trucking Forum | Message Board

truckerjaw · **^ Top** #1 01.14.2008

To keep a long story short I'm quitting my company for a whole host of reasons the biggest one being that they would not give me the chains I need to carry to go up I-5 from Redding CA to Portland OR. I was told to 'just go'. I don't 'just go' anywhere. I run legit.

Now my question: My trailer is gone to Portland with another truck (that didn't have chains either) and I am bobtailed in Redding CA. Based on a couple phone conversations I'm afraid that they might make me sit here for a while to mess with me instead of letting me return the truck to Phoenix. I was told not to leave town until instructed and they would find me a load when one became available. What can I do? Do I have and rights in regards to my obligations to this truck. How long can they make me sit with it?

myminpins · **^ Top** #2 01.14.2008

Far as I know, you can call into your dispath or Qualcomm them, tell them you are quitting and request a location they would like you to return the truck to.

Once you have that location, return your truck, clean it out, make sure it's in as good a condition as it was when they gave it to you, TAKE PICTURES INSIDE AND OUT, even with a disposable digital camera if you have to, then give the keys to someone at the terminal. It wouldn't even hurt to have them give you a receipt saying you returned the keys to them and the truck was in blah, blah, blah condition but you may not be able to get that.

From all I've read on here, you MUST be GIVEN a location to return the truck to BY THEM, then do it as instructed. If not, I guess they can get you for abandoning the truck and put it on your DAC, which is a horrible thing to do to your record.

Good luck and I wish you success.

Tip · **^ Top** #3 01.14.2008

Do just what Pins said. Don't move it until you're told to.

When you get it to the Phoenix lot, clean it out and take pictures, absolutely. After that, make sure someone who actually matters at the company gets off his ### and out of his office and goes out to look it over. Go over the post-trip inspection with him while filling out the sheet, get him to sign it beside your own signature, give him a copy of it, tuck a copy in your briefcase (or whatever you keep your docs in), turn in your final trip pack(s) and keys, and drive off into the sunset.

Anything less is just inviting a DACmark or some other vindictive BS later, not to mention a bogus recovery charge. Do it the right way and you'll be fine. They won't make you wait long, as your waiting costs them money. You'll soon be rolling for sure.

truckerjaw · **^ Top** #4 01.14.2008

My thing is I have already quit. I know where they want the truck but how long can they make me sit here before I am allowed to bring it back? Is there anything that says that I can't just drive the truck back with out waiting for them to find me a load? I'm looking at the legal aspect of it. The abandonment issue is my biggest concern but I want to get on with my life.

notarps4me · **^ Top** #5 01.14.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckerjaw

My thing is I have already quit. I know where they want the truck but how long can they make me sit here before I am allowed to bring it back? Is there anything that says that I can't just drive the truck back with out waiting for them to find me a load? I'm looking at the legal aspect of it. The abandonment issue is my biggest concern but I want to get on with my life.

If you come back without being under a load they might bill you per mile. A lot of companies will have you bring a load back to them and then they will repower it.

Tip · **^ Top** #6 01.14.2008

You will have to remain at that location until they get you on a load going back to the terminal, which may take a day or two.

Don't worry. They're in this to make money, and making you sit around for a week as some sort of 'payback' isn't part of that effort. Sitting trucks don't bring in much income, unless they're empty cleaned-outs sitting on a company lot. Some of those are known to bring in some income, but you are a long way from your company's lot.

myminpins · **^ Top** #7 01.14.2008

Think of it this way, if they put a black mark on your DAC and/or charge you per mile and/or put a recovery charge against you, any of those will cost you a LOT more than a few more days sitting.

I know it drives you nuts - it did me, too, but it's worth it to go away with a clean record from this company so they can't come back to haunt you later.

Bug them and bug them - POLITELY - and they'll get you out of there soon!!! A bad DAC is a really really awful thing in the trucking industry, as I'm sure you know if you've read much in here!!!

truckerjaw · **^ Top** #8 01.14.2008

Thanks for all the advice. I was thinking along the same lines as all of you but I was hoping there might be some way to expedite the situation. As of late the freight for the company has dropped to nearly nothing. So I am worried about how long I could be made to weight considering I don't even have a trailer. Bottom line is I just want to go home and start over.

A friend of mine has been sitting in their Phoenix terminal since Thursday and here we are at Monday night and he still hasn't got any thing to pull. (another reason I'm leaving, these 1500-2000 mile weeks are killing me)

notarps4me · **^ Top** #9 01.14.2008

Are you with knight?

truckerjaw · **^ Top** #10 01.14.2008

I wasn't going to say who it was unless I was asked because I didn't want to make it a company smashing thread. Its Heartland Express.

In the companies defense most of my problems are from the poor management of the western devision (Phoenix terminal). I'm not speaking for the company as a whole. But on the other hand the head office will do nothing for all of the drivers who are going to them with their grievances.

On the bright side I'm going to take some time and try and find that fabled 'home every night' job now. I can get another OTR by the next morning if it comes to that.

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