Q: Alleged misconduct of cell phone use? What do you think?

Question 1: I’m not sure, but I have personal experience after leaving a previous motor carrier that they did not immediately submit to Hire Right.

Question 2: I don’t know personally.

Question 3: It’s a bit hazy, but I believe the Hire Right report includes dates of employment, a line that states why you were let go, and if they would rehire you.

I’ve read on here that there are certain “kiss of death” events that can kill a driving career. I’ve read that hitting a vehicle directly in front of you in traffic is one. Maybe a TTR member can correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe handling a personal electronic device while driving a cmv is another one.

There is a window of time where you can apply to a carrier that checks Hire Right and put in your application truthfully. If the carrier that terminated you hasn’t submitted the information, as long as the new carrier doesn’t call the previous one, they might hire you. If you get hired on you will have to stay with them for probably 5-10 years to show that another carrier gave you a chance after the incident if you desired to move on from there. Just keep your phone in your pocket or keep it in the sleeper and use bluetooth from now on. This is a time sensitive move though.

Other than that I believe it’s crucial to determine whether the photos they have on you are actually credible evidence and if they legally convict you of what the motor carrier accused you of.(Handling cell phone while driving.). I’m not a lawyer, but it stands to reason that they would not be able to damage your career if the pictures they have do not conclusively prove you used a cell phone while driving.

Hope this helps and that you can continue forward after this.

 

The only reason I can think of why you'd rather be fired instead of resigning is because you want to ride unemployment. I read back on some of your posts from last year and you were claiming that you were being singled out back then as well for phone usage.

The pictures you posted on this thread clearly show the phone has been moved and you were in the wrong. Take responsibility and move on with your life.

Put the ###### phone down.

It has nothing to do with whatever lawsuit or protected class you're trying to become a member of. I'm not allowed to use my phone while driving either.

 

I sincerely hope you never drive a tractor trailer again.

 

Ok that’s a cop out, you have no, not a bit of legal recourse at all.

Ouch!

 

You need a headset Bluetooth earpieces don’t touch the phone. I had the same thing. I never touched the phone use a headset.

 

Has anyone made a shroud to help block reflections in the footage. We had a guy get in trouble a year ago for his gps screen. Kinda ridiculous

 

I used a black or navy blue hand towel from WalMart as a sun shield and temporary GPS screen block. It's cheaper than anything made for trucking GPS or sold in a truck stop. It allowed me to get 5 years use from a delicate RM 740 GPS.

Some drivers needs a factory-made $100 dollar device made by Peterbilt, sold at a Pilot, and some of us solve problems before the FMCSA gives us permission. YMMV

 

Unpopular opinion: even using a hands-free device to carry on long winded, unnecessary conversations is a less safe idea than just ignoring the #### thing when Cletus, Kayden, or Bobbie-Sue go blowing up your celly wanting to gossip, gab or brag about how much money they made this week. The gabbing and gossiping can wait till break time when the truck is parked.

 

In my own truck I always had a thing about ending conversations before I got to any stopping point - fuel stop, shipper, receiver etc. And traffic jams, hang up. Or not even starting a phone conversation before I left a stop until I got out on the open highway. It is a distraction when you need to be focused on making turns and avoiding running into and over things. Especially in new, unfamiliar places but the complacency of being in familiar places and thinking it's ok to keep yacking on the phone is just as bad. I'm pretty sure there's data somewhere backing up that most incidents and accidents occur within a few miles of a starting point or destination. Maybe it's most accidents occur close to home, going there or leaving there? Insurance company data? I dunno, anyways I get a job where they have an actual rule on that and micromanaging is what most would call it. But it always seemed like common sense to me and was something I already practiced.