I worked for AFW for two whole months. They supposedly fired me because I knock over a crosswalk pole. It cost $125. I haven't been able to get employment since because AFW terminated me. Why do other truckers have major accidents with property damage and fatalities still have a job? I was really fired because I spoke about the illegal logging we were being forced to do. I have to drive 24 hours without food, water, or sleep. I was left along side the road in a broke down truck at 5:30 a.m. at the top of a moutain by my trainer.
My second trainer had truck problems so I had to continue on on my own, with another trainee. Our trainer then got mad because we listened to another driver from another company from Des Moines, Iowa who makes the same run every week to Millers Beer. He helped us get to our distination.
The third trainer I had was a woman who was angry about having to train me. She felt since she had to learn on her own, the rest of the new trainees should too. I was continueously told that because I was female I could never drive. I am just as good as the next guy. I have never had any accidents my whole life. I have been driving cars, small pickups, small vans, and moving trucks for 20 plus years. And yet one little accident with a 3 inch diamter pole I am now unable to find work. I feel that AFW had deliberatly black balled me.

Is it me or does this have discreamnation writen all over it?

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Just a man in the world trying too find his way over the speed bumps

Even if it is discrimination, there's no one to complain to. Trucking doesn't have many fans as it is, and it's harder to find help for acts that cross the line, tnan it is to find a ride in the middle of the desert.

I don't think the problem is being black balled Evelyn, so much as the fact that you didn't make it but two months before being terminated, and then there is the minor accident.

A question...Did you attend a school of some sort that helped place you with AFW?

If so, perhpas they can help you in finding placement, in spite of this having happened. People are going to make mistakes, and you're right, the fact that it was minor, shouldn't keep you from being hired someplace else.

I'm sure others will chime in with some suggestions, but you can probably expect that you will have to start your on the road training again. You already have your CDL, so you're part of the way there.

It absolutely is much tougher for a woman to be facing your situation. I do sympathize with you very much. But I'm sure we can help you find something...

First thing you need to do, is to pull your DAC report, to see what it has on it, and what AFW entered in your report. That will give you a clue to what others are seeing.

USIS - Consumers Department
P O BOX 33181, TULSA, OK 74153
1-800-381-0645.

In order to verify identity, you will be asked to provide (i) a copy of their driver's license and (ii) a copy of one of the following items: (a) social security card; (b) US Passport; or (c) other government-issued identification document. To ensure legible copies, copy the documents by increasing the copier image size by 200% and using a light-medium copier setting.

Please mail these documents to to the above address along with a request for a copy for your current DAC Report, and to avoid paying for it, state that this is a request for for your free yearly copy for review.

It will take up to a couple of weeks to receive it, but most of the time you will get it in ten days or less.

In the meantime, get busy on the phone, and call as many companies as you can that hire newbies, and explain your situation briefly as possible, and see what kind of reception you get.

Don't be negative. Don't get mired down in details about how bad it was. Make it sound like you liked everything just fine, but that you made a mistake, and while they didn't want to keep you on board, you are hoping that someone will overlook that, take you on and train you some more, because you really want to drive...

You said: I spoke about the illegal logging we were being forced to do.

Iand tell Bobby Kennedy, Jr, Jack's son about these clowns
and how they treated you. He likes to go after buisinesses like this. Bobby and Mike Papintonio
are fearless and if this company has dirt on them they will pay!!!

TurboTrucker, that is great information for truckers.

All you have to do is go to the Department of Labor and say one word "discrimination". After that, you need to go to D.O.T. and tell them that you were fired because AFW expected you to drive illegally.

I wonder how much you'll get and how quickly your DAC report will clear up?

First off no one made you drive illegal that was your choice to listen to them and keep driving.
We all know that companies push you to be there but if you sent them a message via the qualcom stating that I can not leagaly and safely get there on the required time. Then your butt is covered if you showed up late for delivery or pick up.

After all they haul only their own crap. They may have to pickup at certain places that they do not own but come on they can reschedule that appointment.

Unless there was a gun to your head no one made you do anything.
I would not ever drive illegal past my hours because that it will be your butt first then the company's butt.
The company can clain no knowledge of you driving longer hours and then it will be just your butt in trouble.
I might do a little creative logging but that is it.

As for the fact that you were left behind in a broken down truck welcome to the real world that will happen trucks do break down.
I would advise that you never leave a broken down truck along side the road especially if it is loaded remember that you are responsible for truck,trailer,contents insde the trailer that you are pulling.
Theifs like getting things for free even if it takes breaking and entering to get the stuff.

Hey MGas, guess what, CREATIVE LOGGING IS AS ILLEGAL AS DRIVING WITHOUT HOURS!!!And either way, if DOT finds out, it's still your arse and the company claims no knowledge of it.

I would say welcome to the real world, but seeing as you aren't driving yet it doesn't exactly fit.

The key word is might but if I do it may only be no more than 15 min in a week not at anyone time.

Dude, all I can say is, don't say for sure what you will or won't do until you're faced with the situation.