Rough start, appreciate advice

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Kalashnikov1, Apr 13, 2012.

  1. Kalashnikov1

    Kalashnikov1 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 13, 2012
    Texas
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    A quick summary of my background.

    Graduate from C1 Truck Driving School in Benbrook Texas which basically means I started driving with no experience or training whatsoever. Seriously, that place was a joke. The school provided very little training, and my company "trainer" upon hire provided even less, so I had a shaky start.

    I have 13 months OTR experience with PAM Transport's LTL fleet (finally). I actually really liked working for them. Unfortunately, I got termed for "preventable incidents", and now I am searching for work (which is what I am asking for advice about).

    I've already requested my DAC so I can make sure the only stuff on it is at least stuff I've actually done :)

    Now, a brief summary of my "incidents" which may assist in telling me exactly how screwed I am. In my defence, I didn't do anything BAD BAD like turn a tractor into a convertible or take a McDonald's drive-thru. All incidents were reported to company, and where appropriate, to police (since I considered this the "right" thing to do)

    1. My very first solo load I gashed a tire on a scale of some sort at a Target in California. It was weird looking and I didn't know what it was, and apparently drove over it wrong. No cops involved, only damage was the tire.

    2. I got blown off the road by a tornado in Arkansas. Most people agree there wasn't much I could do about this, but it's still on my company record. No cops involved (except for checking to make sure I was alright) or damage (just had to get pulled out of the muddy ditch and finished my delivery) cost was only a few hundred dollars.

    3. I learned early on about the rear end of the trailer when your tandems are pulled far forward. In Mississipi I tried to make a U turn on a narrow street and knocked over a stop sign. No citations (the cops said it was an old sign they'd been meaning to replace anyway) and no damage or cost.

    These three in the first three months. The next two, towards the end of my year, are what got me fired, as they were somewhat more problematic.

    4. A utility van stopped in the middle of an intersection (LITERALLY in the middle) for some reason. I honked and started past him, stupidly assuming he would move since he had plenty of room to back up. He didn't and I creased his fender with the trailer. Unintentionally, I thought I stopped before I touched him, but intentions are largely irrelevant, aren't they? :) No citation, but the eventual cost if I remember was $2500. He really broke it off in 'em, imo, but that's largely irrelevant, also.

    5. Truck stop parking lot. A paranoid driver kept yelling at me about how I was going to "hit his truck". I kept my word, and didn't hit his. I bumped the one in front of me. It's my fault for allowing a driver standing outside my window yelling at me to be a distraction. I should have just run him over, but I figure that would also show on my DAC, among other things. No cops involved, but eventual insurance cost was $1000.


    So, I didn't do anything too terrible, as you can see, but it is enough to cause me headache while looking for work, especially that I was terminated for "safety" related issues. I have been poking around with entry level companies, and trying to find a smallish company that might take me on, but figured I would ask for input on my situation here as well.

    I'm not totally sunk here over this am I? I realise CSA is a ####### these days, and insurance costs, etc, but from the perspective of an employer, I personally wouldn't worry too much about these incidents. I performed very well (as far as load delivery, etc) and my DM would rather POed when he realised I wasn't kidding about getting fired :) He volunteered to give me a good a recommendation (he really was a great guy), but I don't think anybody has bothered to call him yet.

    I live in Dallas, TX area, btw, if it's relevant at all.

    -edit Sorry for wall of text. It didn't seem like so much when I was writing it.
     
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  3. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    I love that line.

    Are you an employer?

    If I were an employer, I would probably think that the applicant had a general problem with alertness and attention to detail, as well as a lack of good judgement.
     
  4. revelation1911

    revelation1911 Heavy Load Member

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    Dec 25, 2011
    Moody Alabama
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    Sounds like you had some bad luck? I wouldn't have reported anything I didn't have to like the stop sign.
    I would almost giess you're in the twenties?
    You should be able to find someone to hire you. Jetco logitics is in houston.
     
  5. truckermario

    truckermario Road Train Member

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    This whole thing sounds too screwy to be true.
     
  6. Onetruckpony

    Onetruckpony Medium Load Member

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    5 problems in 13 months..someone may hire you but its gonna be an uphill trip to find them.
    Try to not hit anything on the way.
    Sorry, had to :D
     
  7. DirtyBob

    DirtyBob Road Train Member

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    Indiana
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    Exactly.

    You hit three things, four if you include the scale, in a very short period of time. A future employer won't look at how much any of it cost who ever you worked for. They'll think, "How much is it going to cost me the next time he hits something?" as there seems to be a good likelihood with it happening at this point.
     
    allniter Thanks this.
  8. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Apr 18, 2010
    Tennessee
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    You are borderline hire material. Some companies allow no more than three or four accidents in a three year period.

    You're young and new but nothing is an excuse. In the eyes of others whether it's $50 or $20,000, an accident is an accident.

    Actually gashing a tire and running off the road with no property damage is not considered an accident. I read something on that the other day in the regulation definitions. So basically we are looking at three accidents. All three were poor decisions in tight spots. Never U-turn in tight spots. Many places it's illegal on the open road. Go around the block or find a big parking lot.

    The other two incidents again tight spots. You can't get in trouble sitting still. Make them move first. That goes for parking lots too. Don't let the actions of others coerce you into making a bad decision. It takes an experienced driver to make that trailer to do what the driver wants it to do or track. Inexperienced drivers don't always consider trailer track when they should be.

    The way it's suppose to work is live and learn. Hopefully you analyzed each situation. Down playing and finding other fault is not helping your problems.

    Tire damage, I wouldn't of gave specifics. Play dumb and get it fixed. A dispatcher might say bring the tire back. Some throw it under a trailer never to be heard from again. Don't be going back to a terminal, here's that tire blah blah blah. Simple stuff like that, sometimes you have to protect your own interest. Hitting stuff is a different story.

    The stop sign, no ticket or no report? Don't volunteer info.

    You have a rough road ahead of you. I wouldn't get comfortable until you get three years under your belt. Five years before you get seasoned.

    You just have to go on a job hunting spree. They'll be many rejections, but someone will hire you. Consider driving local or LTL for awhile. They tend to do less background checks. But remember you can't stay away from OTR for more than three years or you lose your experience.

    Find out what's on that DAC. Disputing is free and might work to your advantage.
     
    allniter, Logan76 and Everett Thank this.
  9. monkeypuncher

    monkeypuncher Medium Load Member

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    Feb 28, 2009
    dallas,tx
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    Well, as a former Safety supervisor, these are called "triggering events". Statistics show drivers who have this many are much more likely to have a major event within 18 months. So don't apply to the Big carriers. Actually, you need to do some soul searching and decide if this is a good career for you. If the answer is yes, apply to small fleets and remember to "see the big picture".
     
  10. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    it will seem obvious....


    But stop hitting stuff with the truck.

    Nothing is so important that you have to get reckless and such.

    I take it no one has ever mentioned over-swing on your trailers. Either in the front or the rear.

    Ever wonder how the front corners of the truck are always dinged? Because people don't even think of that over-swing.

    Driving a school bus was a great teaching experience for me on rear swing for long over-hangs.
     
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  11. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    Jan 30, 2012
    Charlotte, N.Carolina
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    employers don't allow 3 preventable accidents,the key word is "preventable " ,these all seem to have been. you haven't the experience or training needed to know where your trailer is. as time goes by it becomes second nature.
    hopefully you weren't on the freakin' phone when these happened. with all my years , I'll still stop in the middle of the road if unsure to,

    Get
    Out
    And
    Look!!!!!!!!!

    but, in your defense, I've run over many a sign and kept on gettin' it. :biggrin_25524:
     
    allniter Thanks this.
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