What to do when driver abandons truck

She's right. My truck is black and it gets super hot in here. Combined with the fact that Freightliner seems to have some aversion to insulating the parts of the cab that absorb the most heat (floor and ceiling), and it's even worse. I can suck it up and run without the A/C, but I did it for years when I was younger. Sleeping, however, is a whole different ball of melted wax. I just can't do it like I used to when I was younger.

That being said, I wouldn't abandon the equipment based on what was initially claimed in the OP. If the truck was junk and the owner was refusing to fix it, I'd still get it back to where it was supposed to be and then tell him to stuff it. I wouldn't ruin my reputation just to spite someone who was too cheap to maintain his equipment, not saying this is necessarily the case here.

 

bullhaulerswife, I hear ya on how hot it gets inside those trucks been there done that, and agree on what you are saying. My point is that if it's not a perfect world so to speak a lot of drivers don't want to drive the truck and deliver loads. I don't blame any one for not wanting to drive with out a/c but things happen and you just have to do what you have to do to get the load delivered if it is a time sensitive load and some don't want to do that thus steering wheel holders.

 

You sir are the kind of drivers I'm talking about. You do what you have to do to get the job done and deal with it afterwards, that is how it should be done. A lot wouldn't do that they would just do what was said in the OP.

 

Thanks.
It's how I was taught. I consider myself lucky to have had my training consist of OJT by Owner/Operators that had been in the business since
the late 50s/early 60s. Oh, sure, I'll gripe right along with the rest, but I'll be rolling or wrenching while I do.

 

I drove a black 359 Peterbilt for a year mostly threw TX, AR, NM, LA, GA, AL, MS, MO, TN, and KY. I don't see your point. Suck it up if you can't get it fixed. If you can, by all means get that fixed. But asking a driver to do what this driver was asked is no big deal. Now had the owner told me "Who gives a F... your going to do what I tell you" I would have unloaded and called him and told him to get me home and here's your keys.

 

He got the load there and took it to the shop for you..so he did his job as best as he could.. I was alway's told don't ask someone to do something that you wouln't do yourself!! Would have you done it ? What condition was this truck really in? I have a gut feeling this guy was ask to drive a junk ##### truck for low $$$$ and be 100%... Load got there, truck in shop, now I'm done, on plane and headed home!! Probably didn't want to go thru the same S$$T all the way back to the west coast? It was probably one trip from hell.. For someone to quit like that ...it had to be really bad!!

 

I guess if the driver was any good he wouldn't have been working for AG!

 

This is a question you need to take to a labor attourney. If you tried not to pay me in this situation you would find your self at the wrong end of a labor dispute that will probably be decided in his favor right or wrong. Cut your losses and get on down the road. There are actually plenty of places in Little Rock that will repair a/c on trucks anytime, but they will charge you alot more than its wroth.

He delivered the load, your truck was left with a shop. All in all yourin pretty good shape. I have played hide and go seek with lots of abandoned, this one was not that bad. As far as the paperwork a quick phonecall to the shipper and to the reciever whom refused it should get you copies.I would go after the consignee for refusing a load that was not bad. You would win that suit esier and they have the money to pay you.

 

Probably more to the story, as-in this is not the first mishap with the equipment or a load. Looks like Ag tried to meet the driver halfway in an attempt to complete the load and things went bad to worse at the receiver. After going thru all that plus the rejected load and the prospect of a zero paycheck after a week of struggling on the road was the snapping point with the driver. Even the best hard working drivers have their limits.

If the situation is beyond reconciliation, you need to settle up with the driver and let this go. If you try to get all Perry Mason on him with recovery claims and whatnot, it will just blow back on you X2.