Rollover: Chances for a near future?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by CradleofFilth08, Nov 11, 2017.

  1. CradleofFilth08

    CradleofFilth08 Bobtail Member

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    I had a rollover Nov 21, 2016 as a Lease Op for PTL. I naively accepted a load of scrap aluminum to transport from Finley, OH to Greensboro, GA seeing as how it was the only load at that time in the area to get me home for Thanksgiving. The load was single file, not secured to the pallet and spaced only requiring 1 load lock after every 3 pallets. Each pallet was roughly 4400lbs a piece with only a 1" plastic band around each tier. The assured me it was safe.
    I made it all the way to Atlanta, 40 miles from the delivery when I took the 285 ramp to 20 on the east side. The ramp is a posted 35 mile an hr curve with flashing lights every where. I had it at 30 when I made it completely out of the curve and my trailer rolled taking the rig with it. I was issued a basic failure to maintain lane citation as per GA law. I went to court and spoke with the prosecutor, she looked at the report, my driving record and pictures of the accident and told me she don't even know why I was issued. She dropped the ticket.
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    I called PTL and coordinated with safety about paperwork, insurance, logs and the sort. Safety said everything was in order and by their standards, was ready to be placed back in service and ready to work again. 30 minutes later, the VP of Safety calls and tells me I'm having my contract cancelled. I asked why and he seemed baffled. I explained the entire circus act I performed to get the all clear, the dismissal of the ticket. The accident report could go either way depending on how you look at it but GSP never was involved. He said he wasn't sure why I even had to jump through the hoops and apologized for it.

    Long story short, I have 3 years experience, 3 different companies:
    PTL 1/15-9/15 medical leave
    McLeod Express 10/15-8/16 terminated for a "poor safety record", one backing accident and speeding ticket that was dropped.
    PTL 8/16-11/16 obviously the rollover. I even received 100k mile safe driving award about a month before the accident.
    Local Staffing agency 12/16-present
    I had a local outfit give me a chance hauling stepdeck but their insurance rate was a hell of a lot higher than their quote so they had to let me go.
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    Is there a chance for me anywhere to drive a truck again until this rollover is off?
    Any questions I'll be more than happy to answer.
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2017
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  3. Hegemeister

    Hegemeister Road Train Member

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    Nov. 21, 2017 has not even arrived yet.
     
  4. CradleofFilth08

    CradleofFilth08 Bobtail Member

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    My phone has this horrific autocorrect, thanks for pointing that.
     
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  5. ladr

    ladr Road Train Member

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    With that load 30 was too fast
     
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  6. CradleofFilth08

    CradleofFilth08 Bobtail Member

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    Hindsight is always 20/20. I was told there was a truck 4mo prior to then hauling the same thing and had a similar accident right there. Fast forward 8mo and there was another. My understanding all 3 were from the same company.
     
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  7. ladr

    ladr Road Train Member

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    Radius of the curve and the load not being secure tells you to slow way down. Posted speed limits are for cars
     
  8. JimmyWells

    JimmyWells Road Train Member

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    Looks like a CRST trailer in the picture to me.
     
  9. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    I’ve hauled zinc ingots. Aluminum would be similar in that it is a bit slippery when it is riding on itself.
    A sheet of cardboard between each layer of the aluminum would have helped immensely.
    Nothing you could do in regards to that. But it they are rolling that many loads they need to change their procedures.
     
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  10. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    In hindsight that's true. Loads like this in a dry van are a nightmare. I'd rather pull something like that on a flatbed, with plenty of down force on straps or chains and visibility if it isn't tarped.

    Then there's taking a turn too slow. I can't find the link, but I recall an oversized load driver taking a cloverleaf exit at 1/2 the recommended speed. By the time he realized the turn was banked steeply it was too late. Even with his big horsepower engine, lots of torque, and 18 speeds, there was no way to accelerate quickly enough going uphill. The generator rolled over on the inside of the curve.

    All that being said...

    ...OP, I recall going through orientation at Swift a few years ago. An experienced driver was hired that had a rollover when an entire trailer axle came off on a freeway exit.
     
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  11. ladr

    ladr Road Train Member

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    Lots of truth in there. I've hauled a lot of that stuff and hated it. NO way to secure it really. And I tried the pound in the floor stars. And you have to make easy movement turns.

    BTW not slamming on the op.
     
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