company driver & tire chains

When we were company drivers, if we couldn't swing by a terminal for chains (for the trailers... Already had them for the truck) we would call OTRM and get OK to purchase chains and then turn in the receipt and get reimbursed. Only needed to do that twice. One for a trailer and heading INTO Colorado, the other again for a trailer... Someone stole ours, and we were sandwiched between storms.

 

Why did you wait til you were in CO to find out your companies policy and procedures for that.. that to me seems irresponsible... And, maybe had you been more pro active and called and inquired about it sooner it would of gone differently..

 

You should have checked your truck over when you first got it from the terminal, or wherever you picked it up from. It's your job to make sure it's supplied with everything it needs, and not your FM's. You probably could have gone to the shop and told them you're a company driver and needed some chains. Simple as that. You really can't blame anyone but yourself for being without chains. Sounds like you got your FM all worked up before he told you to supply them. From the tone in your post and the way you describe the situation, you seem to be a problem driver. Don't mean disrespect, but that's how it all comes across. It's a good idea to work with your FM instead of against them. Life will be much better.

 

I have to agree that it's the drivers job to make sure the truck is ready for everything foreseeable, this includes tire chains.

However. An inexperienced driver may not know or think about the possibility of chains being needed and the subject should be covered at or before the first truck assignment not to mention the proficient use of said chains.

But making the driver pay for tire chains? Do they make the office staff pay for ink and paper for the printers too?

BTW, it's "eh" not "A". If you wanna sound Canadian, eh?

 

im aware of good companies that make the driver responsible for buying chains. usually not training companies though.
there is lot of problems with drivers who dont know how to install chains and break em and just keep swapping them out at the shop.there are drivers who leave them on too long because they gonna have to chain up again and drivers going too fast and ruining chains.
we park at an outside yard and had chains stolen off a truck. i suspect it was a fired driver who did all of the above at his next job too.

 

No your not going to get alot of cst to cst being a single driver, those are save for the teams, most of those are produce loads anyways. That said being a new driver your going have to prove you can do the job and your FM is going to test you, Yes your going to spend time in the NE, Yes your going to get the meat loads, yes your going to get the crap loads. For the 1st year your going to get tested, then after that if your FM feels he can trust you your going to get better and better loads. Your FM does'nt have a clue how you will work out, even though you have told him otherwise, do you know how many times they hear Im the greatest, blah blah blah, and then get let down.
Its rough I know, its a blow to your EGO, but your the new guy on the board and you have to prove yourself. Getting in an argument with your FM is not the way to do it. After all he is your boss.

 

if i was told i had to buy the chains, i woulda given the same attitude. it's not my job to supply company required equipment.

i've worked for 2 companies now. where i've had to supply my own equipment as things break. (bungees for instance). heck, i couldn't even get so much as a bottle of washer fluid. and that's just the cheap stuff.

it works both ways. if the company treats you nicely. they get treated same back. company treats me like crap or whatever. sorry, i don't take no BS.
i'm not an attitude person. i just don't take no BS.

i don't mind buying cheap crap. but what i buy. goes with me.

tire chains, however, AREN'T CHEAP. and will cost a driver a full weeks pay or two. and i don't think ANY company driver can afford to buy 3 sets of chains. 2 for the truck and 1 for the trailer.

now, on the chance that chains disappear for whatever reason. it's the companies responsibility to keep track of said equipment. and deduct from the employee. if need be.

the last truck i drove. had chains. good thing i never had to use them. cuz when they got pulled out. none of them were any good.

 

I bought some very nice Pewag square links, triples and singles, in 2004 and I still have them. Only broke one cross link in that entire time use them every winter. Sometimes several times a week.