Small problem..well maybe a Large problem.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Gently, Feb 8, 2018.

  1. Gently

    Gently Bobtail Member

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    Feb 8, 2018
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    O.K. here is the situation; Attended a Company school for my CDL, Passed all but one of the classes first time, passed the one I missed second time then I passed the road test with 8 points and only 4 points on the docking section. Got set up with my lead driver and went on the road (yea!) Now everything started to go south, Lead driver and I had serious personality issues, scored very well except in "attitude". I contacted my driver manager to get a new lead but to no avail, in the meantime things kept getting worse between us. NOW in the middle of this I had to go home for a family emergency (serious but not fatal). Now I have 1 1/2 weeks under the lead period of 4 weeks, so I sit for two weeks at home waiting for a new lead. Finally I get a new lead and start with my training again. This time everything is working out well between myself and the lead, we get a load going to Portland Oregon, and all is going beautifully until we get to Wyoming.
    I have been very good and was scoring very well with the new lead, well enough to go to Teams instead of lead. It was my turn to drive after a 12 hour break and some good rest (if that is possible in a Freightliner) I was happy and kind of excited for my 3rd run from east coat to west coast. I was passing another truck I drifted to far to my left and I over corrected and hit the back of the other truck's ICC bar causing the tire on my truck to explode and caused sever body damage to the fiberglass hood and passenger side of my truck (so bad it had to be towed), bent the very end of the ICC bar on the other truck, other than that no other damage to the other truck.
    Highway patrol is called, reported the accident to the company as required. I was told to report to a medical facility for a drug test and a breathalyzer test (passed both). I was cited for improper lane use. I was then told 2 days later that I had to go home due to the accident being investigated by Safety dept. bout 2 weeks later my driver manager called and told me I was not needed anymore at that company.
    (FYI, I have never had a ticket, accident or other incident in 40 years up to this event).
    Here is the fun part I called back to the company a few days later to see if there was anymore paperwork and ask what the separation process entailed. According to HR, Safety and Operations I was still employed! (whaaaat the ####) Now I have been sitting at home calling the company trying to find out my status. No one knows, so I asked to get reassigned to another lead driver I was told to wait.
    Now here is my question: With this one accident and citation on my record can I be hired by another company? I know I have an obligation to this company and I will pay the cost of the school back to them, but I am concerned this is a end to my VERY short career as a Tractor Trailer operator.

    Thanks for any help or ideas in this mess!
     
    Lepton1 Thanks this.
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  3. Justrucking2

    Justrucking2 Road Train Member

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    Plymouth MI
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    This is one for China... I would have fired you.
     
    okiedokie, mitrucker, magoo68 and 3 others Thank this.
  4. HL Drvr

    HL Drvr Light Load Member

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    Dec 1, 2016
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    Just curious, but how do you over correct that much to hit another truck?

    Panic?
     
  5. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    you "might" be able to get another job, thing is they will ask you is why YOU drifted. were you distracted, falling asleep, even when someone HAS enough sleep, a nap comes over you, maybe from boredom.

    i'd continue to haunt your employer, maybe have safety get involved as well.

    any new employer will look at this recent accident and have MANY questions for you.

    i wish you well, but it can be a LONG time before you are employed again. and of course, you may very well have to be retrained.
     
    Puppage Thanks this.
  6. BlackThought

    BlackThought Medium Load Member

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    Large companies aren't all on same page. When I was fired from werner I still got calls from insurance dept trying to see if I wanted to enroll
     
    Dino soar, Toomanybikes and buddyd157 Thank this.
  7. Oldironfan

    Oldironfan Road Train Member

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    I'm guessing you were loaded on the light side in Wyoming winds, and maybe icy patch. And you were not familiar with Wyoming weather. This is the main reason for the drifting in my opinion. Wyoming is a serious issue if your not used to it. There is drivers all the time on here complaining about Wyoming weather and they are not moving in it. My personal experience is Wyoming is a #####. You will see more trucks in ditch there than most any other state.
     
    DSK333, Lepton1 and buddyd157 Thank this.
  8. newbietrucker91

    newbietrucker91 Road Train Member

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    Most companies might require a waiting period after an accident to hire you. There are a few I worked for that would have require a year to have past since the event either driving for someone else or flipping burgers all that matters is time. However there are companies that might offer you a second chance right away but they are not the best of places to work.
     
  9. scottied67

    scottied67 Road Train Member

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    Passing is an advanced skillset in trucking. If I were training new drivers I would first ensure the new driver has competent lane control skills in the right lane. Then we'd do passing drills to get the driver used to the left lane and the way it leans different than the right lane. Once they demonstrated proper left lane control then we could try a pass. I made a video about it below--

     
  10. Oldironfan

    Oldironfan Road Train Member

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    Have you been to Wyoming @scottied67?
     
    buddyd157 Thanks this.
  11. scottied67

    scottied67 Road Train Member

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    Mar 14, 2010
    california norte
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    Yes I am in Wyoming right now lol
     
    Lepton1 and Just passing by Thank this.
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