Why would you re-do the logs? Photocopies are legit as long as they are signed by you afterwards.

As far as hazardous driving goes, stop the truck when you don't feel it's safe to continue. Call your supervisor/dispatcher and let them know. Do not let them pressure you to be unsafe.

This is the crap that newbies go through, and it's one of the things that makes me mad. On one hand, people are taught that safety is number one. On the other, you have a trainer that is telling you that the load "must be there, come heck or high water at 10:00 am".

Here's the thing that everyone, no matter the experience level, needs to keep in mind. When you are behind that wheel, you are in charge. You are the one who makes the calls. You are the one that determines when it is unsafe to drive. The FMCSA give you the legal right to make those calls.

The above is simple, isn't it? No, it's not, and that's what tees me off. There are companies, and Swift is one of them, that has more than their fare share of employees that will attempt to hold your job over your head to force delivery at times when it is unsafe to do it. It's no skin off their nose. Why? Because if you have a wreck, even if it isn't your fault, the driver is going to pay the price for it. They will fire you most likely, and these same employees will deny any knowledge of the fact that you were coerced to drive beyond the limitations presented you, regardless of the nature of the pressure involved, unless you can document the instance of it.

I've worked for a company or two that pressured drivers to violate rules and safety obligations, and it took time to develop the methodology to challenge that kind of pressure. It's been a long time since I have worked for a company that would even attempt it. I work for one now that has a, "It's only freight" attitude about things. The driver is number one, the equipment is number two, and the freight is dead last, on their list of concerns at all times.

I don't even understand why there are people out here that would pressure a driver like this. There's no good reason for it. I'd hate to think that there are idiots behind desks, who are so driven to make themselves look so good in the eyes of superiors, that they would resort to coercion, knowing that it could backfire on them. What good does it do to have a truck on it's side in a snowstorm, or in a ditch upside down? None. What if the driver dies, doing the dirty deed, for the sake of production goals?

The bottom line is simple. There is no load on the planet that is worth your life, or that of another, in order to have it there on time, if circumstances present themself in front of you, to prevent a timely delivery. This means if weather, traffic, or the rules of service will not allow you to meet a delivery, the load can be rescheduled.

As I have offered many times in similar writings, if they wanted it badly enough to coerce you to break the rules or to drive unsafely, they will want it doubly bad when you CAN get it there.

You're never doing anyone, especially yourself, any favors when taking chances like this to meet mindless delivery times, because of factors outside of the driver's control. It's only freight.

I always advise people to never argue with a dispatcher over the issue. Make it plain that in your esitmation, it is absolutely unsafe to continue on with the trip or illegal to do so, and let them know that you will inform them when you are underway again, and will then offer an estimate of time that you can safely deliver the load. Document that exchange electronically every time, if at all possible. Don't just call in. Phone calls, and the content of the resultant conversation, sometimes is "forgotten".

Never feel that the ball is completely in your court, and you have to make all the moves to win the game. Pass that ball when it is time to do so, to the proper teammate and relieve yourself of the pressure to win the game all by yourself.

Originally Posted by ProfessorSwift

thank you much. I got off track on that. That was one of my concerns. But my main concern and or problem with this company is making logs.

Now we know making logs is part of the business.

making logs for 8-11 through the 15th 4 times is getting retarded.

I mean I really feel like I am going to hurt someone.

every 4-5 days they get ahold of me and tell me I am missing logs for the 11th through the 15 of AUGUST.

I have fixed it 3 times already.

You're right. That is getting bizarre. I think if it were me, I'd request them to route you and your truck to the person that can't seem to find your logs, and personally hand them to this person, and request a receipt. If this is not practical, then at your earliest opportunity, send them in by certified mail, return receipt requested.

Can I file a complaint with my state labor board over this? I need to know who to call because this is harrasement.

No, the state labor board could not do anything about it. But you CAN change jobs, and that I would recommend at the earliest opportunity.

Chalk up another one for Swift.

thanks for the help here. When my trainer picks me up here in an hour when I get on his truck I will inform him of my options. I am going to get one of those phone recorders and advise them over thier qualcom that the conversation if needed to be made live by call will be recorded for safety reasons.

If they try to force me while recorded I will then make my call to OSHA.

Thanks for the help

Originally Posted by ProfessorSwift

If they try to force me while recorded I will then make my call to OSHA.

I'd take it to the FMCSA. OSHA doesn't really mean much to the trucking industry.

this reminds me of when the lightpole fell on the truck and i asked my trainer to take over driving she refused cause she was out of hours she didn't care that i was too so i drove. i learned after the fact and i would pull the truck over and tell her it isn't moving any further.