Yep, a bobtail u-turn and safety is all over me about it.

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Jmanchester91, Oct 6, 2023.

  1. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Yard Jockey incidents on private property? Shouldn’t even been reported. They fire you, then hire someone who can barely back up. I always quit a job before they can fire me. Much better for next interviews. Quit to better yourself sounds much better than being fired. What a bunch of BS. Good Luck.
     
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  3. Jmanchester91

    Jmanchester91 Bobtail Member

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    As an experienced driver, I agree with you. I was also bobtailing as well. I see the danger in a 53 foot u-turn but bobtail?
    Either way, it’s their policy and has been that way for years.
     
  4. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Exactly. I did one last week on a 4 lane Ga. State Route, from the far right shoulder. I needed all the room I could get. Waited for traffic to clear, hit my 4-ways. County Sheriff sitting 500 ft in front of me watching. No problems. Exceptions have to be made daily maneuvering a vehicle on roads built for cars. Michigan turn arounds? Better swing wide on the overpasses. I turn from 2-3 lanes out, all the time. Otherwise you get hung up on the bridge guard railing. Happens a lot. There’s Laws against U Turns on the Interstate for good reason. They should suspend D/L for that. I’ve seen more than one Idiot try it in a T/T. One got hung up, spinning his wheels. Didn’t know enough to lock in the axles. I almost stopped to help, but decided it’s better for a Trooper to show up. But otherwise unless there’s a sign saying no U Turn, shouldn’t be a problem.
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2023
  5. Jmanchester91

    Jmanchester91 Bobtail Member

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    Yeah. The firing happened as a result of ruining “property”, which was the landscaping of a very badly placed island in the middle of their yard. It was a wet day so was backing a trailer in a tight spot and had no choice but to hit the curb with my steers. Hit the curb, then went over the curb and got got stuck. Got myself out but not without tearing up the landscaping. It was just a patch of dead and dried grass in the middle of a trailer yard. Didn’t report it because it was unlit and as far as I knew I just put a tire track on the island. At that rate, if it came up I’d have just explained it was the only place for a trailer and it was tight.
    But nah for whatever reason they put it on that xpress report as property damage.
    My dac is pretty nice but that’s meaningless if they’re gonna use every other report and not even bother to question the incidents.
    It’s unfair but I’m just trying to work with what I have. Management didn’t like me much either because honestly, they ran the place poorly. I’m not enough of a people person to do local, that’s what I learned at that job.
     
  6. Jmanchester91

    Jmanchester91 Bobtail Member

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    right. Well, I’m expected to go another 5 miles up the road I guess, looking at the satellite image, and use the parking lot of another business.
    It just seemed intuitive. The lanes only purpose is for u turns on the us highway. You can only turn out of that truck stop going right, or north. I had to go south. Just makes sense and it is extremely dehumanizing to even have this type of job insecurity at my level of experience for such a dumb infraction.

    I mean, by now I’ve got the memo. Won’t do it again, but jeez.
     
  7. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    A lot of these big outfits are already on the DOT radar for previous violations. They will throw you under the bus in a heartbeat to make themselves look good. Makes for a better safety enforcement record. Too bad it’s at a Drivers expense. These Companies should be avoided.
     
  8. Ole Tbag

    Ole Tbag Bobtail Member

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    Yes, they had a bad run under accident some time ago and they got sued into oblivion. They have so many dumb rules, I don't miss them at all. Pretty sure they still don't allow you to turn right on red still. One time I was waiting for the light to turn green for a right turn onto an on-ramp in AZ and there was a cop in his patrol car nearby waving at me like crazy to just turn haha. And if you're on your break, even a 34, and you order a burger at Dennys with some bourbon sauce or whatever and some hall monitor rats you out they'll fire you. Even if you're broke down and staying in a hotel for a week no alcohol. Just a scummy company. So many dumb rules their drivers lounge might as well have nap mats and baby toys.
     
  9. W923

    W923 Road Train Member

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    Sorry to hear about your troubles but I wouldn’t give a sheet…move on. If you can safely and legally make a u turn and they have problem they’re not worth working for.
     
  10. Jmanchester91

    Jmanchester91 Bobtail Member

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    agreed. With all prior posts. Including this. I personally am 100% sober these days but it really is another thing to be treated like this.

    I left their trainer program a few months ago because some ###### complained about me.

    told the safety dept that when I was in the sleeper I would be playing online games with my brother deployed out in South Korea. It’s a bonding experience but sometimes stuff gets tense. So I’m back there cursing like a sailor at my brother in the army.
    Stevens told me that was unprofessional and the trainee got confused that I was talking to him. Even though I had the curtains closed. Just kind of common sense that you will know when I’m talking to you. I will pull the curtains to the sleeper back, come out and look at you. I was offended they were even addressing it. Like, yo, you stick these guys on my truck for 6 weeks at a time. I’m not gonna put on an HR friendly face the whole time. That was an easy thing to walk away from. But just shows they don’t give any merit to experience. Everyone is gonna be on an equal playing field and treated like babies.

    Also, the yard functions like a dystopian DMV. Jumping through endless hoops, unpaid and on duty, all so you can beg your DM for the “privilege” to work.
    pretty sick. I want out.
     
  11. A Bug

    A Bug Heavy Load Member

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    I have heard that schneider is the same way about u-turning, always thought they were the only ones. Ha I would have been fired a hundred times by now if that was my own company's policy. I do not ever plan on finding a new job but should I ever have to this will be one of my top concerns about any potential employers.
     
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