Another One Churned and Burned at Swift

Your nonchalant attitude when you're describing these accidents is your own worst enemy. If I read this post, and I was a terminal manager, no way I would hire you. Accidents can happen to anyone. I hit some black ice and rolled a two month old rig last March. I had a 17 year accident free record behind me, and I was back behind the wheel in a week. But the attitude I'm reading into your post, is that you're not willing to learn from your mistakes. Running into a fence, or hitting a fire hydrant, you seem to write it off as just another day at the office. You blame the dispatchers for your lack of sleep, a lack of a chance to shower for your irritability, and the yard drivers because they're Mexican. You hit that stuff man. Own it and learn from it, or you're going to find yourself in a similar or worse situation at your next job.

 

This is where you're wrong. Message to dispatch over qualcomm: Unable to accept dispatch. Cannot deliver load safely and on time due to driver fatigue.

Sure they can fire you or try to starve you out, but if they do, you have something to give to OSHA when you file your formal complaint against them.

You drive when YOU say. Remember that, and start reminding these mega carriers of that as well.

I've had days where I'll work from 2am to noon, then I'm given a load where I'll need to start at 10pm to get it there on time. That means I'll need to try to get to sleep at 1 in the afternoon, and get up around 9pm. Most times that doesn't work for me. When it doesn't, I let the company dispatch know that I won't be able to get sufficient rest during that period.

 

you drive when are legally able to do so.

you shower either daily, or every other day, i simply find no excuse on your part to not take regular showers.

you idle your engine for "driver comfort"...PERIOD.

i think you just don't know how to handle yourself or life on the road.

going "back in time", is not an option. you either do the job properly, take care of your personal hygiene, and get your proper rest/sleep, and move on, or get the heck out and stay out.

 

I can't agree with your complaints about the hours. In OTR you gotta be able to run any hours of the 24. I don't think you belong in OTR trucking.

 

When I was OTR, and I am going back in a few weeks, I seldom went over 24 hours without a shower. It's called managing your time.

 

EXACTLY

there just isn't any excuse NOT to take time for one's self.

i was lucky too, that in my earlier years, i had the dedicated account for the GM dispatch board.

i was able to use the shower rooms at nearly any facility. all to myself...!!!!!!!

 

Sometimes I used company terminal showers, and sometimes I used truck stop showers. I made it happen. There is no way I am going to look and smell like a homeless person. I did not always get a shower when I wanted one. Sometimes I would have to shower hours into starting my drive time. But, like I said, I seldom went over 24 hours. If he went a week, he wasn't trying.

 

and to me, here-in lies the problem.

so many "always wanted to drive", yadda, yadda, yadda, that they take all the conveniences of home for granted when out on the road. road life is far different from home life, and one MUST adapt quickly.

i would hope one would not go camping, and forget the sleeping bag, or tent, or food. if so, then the REAL bears, would have a feast on the carcass.

 

I don't run OTR any more, thanks for asking. For what companies are paying OTR drivers, you guys should be saying NO to those crazy, unsafe schedules a lot more often.

 

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