Swift Driver Commits Suicide

WOW! How Tragic! He must have really been down to do that.

 

Okay, I gotta add my 2 cents worth here....sorry Brickman...
None of us know what was going on with this driver that drove him to do what he did, so I feel that it's unfair to pin it on "Swift driving him over the edge." I'm not defending Swift, or any other company, that runs roughshod over their drivers. But I also hate to see people go company bashing when they have no idea what the circumstances were.
Okay, I feel better....now back to your regularly scheduled truck forums....

 

Well, as much as I hate to have to play the chaperone at the prom that makes everyone stop dancing the dirty boogie, I have to take on that role here.

From the little we know, we know that a man tragically took his own life, that he was employed by Swift, and that he took his life while in the truck. And that's all that we know. It takes a major leap of faith to say that he killed himself solely because of working for Swift. He could have had family problems, he could have had health issues, he could have simply been subject to depression as so many people are, and that depression may have had nothing whatsoever to do with his choice of a job.

Blaming Swift, without having any more info than we currently have is simply wrong. I yield to no one is blaming them for the things that they do, as long as there is reasonable proof of the matter. But in this case, based on what we know, I am unable to condemn them for whatever happened. It may well be that they are worthy of blame, but we don't have the info to make that call.

Sorry, but I can't lay out the blame without more proof or information than what we have.

(Note: It looks like SSBowles beat me to the punch by about 3 minutes. but I thank him for coming to the same conclusion as I did.)

 

It is just human nature to try to make jokes when confronted with a tragic event. Although we don't know the man, we all feel horrible at this tragedy. The human brain when confronted with a horrible reality, especially one that hits so close to home, tries to avoid it or rationalize it so that it can't happen to you. So we joke about it, even if it really isn't funny. I don't think anyone is meaning any harm or trying to minimize this man's death.

 

Put it this way, driving for Swift probably did not help his mental condition.

 

I'm not offended by any humor. I have a huge (#### near unlimited, in fact!!) capacity for black humor and morbid jokes. I am, however, somewhat offended by the concept of blaming the company with no more info than we have. We openly criticize companies when they deserve it on here, it's been the lifeblood of this site since day one. But, we do that when someone has a reasonable believable tale or some form of proof. We don't do it solely based on our dislike of a particular company. There's a thin moral distinction in that, but I feel it's an important one. Hold them accountable for the things that they do that are negative, but we also give honest approval when they do something to the good, and if they are not to blame, then we do not hold their feet to the fire.

We apply the same policies to our members when we look at what they say and do on here. You are accountable for what you do and say, but just because someone does not like you does not give them the right to trash your reputation.

It's the only fair way to handle a site where criticism of a company or an individual is allowed.

 

Very Sad . If anyone knows the drivers family we will find some way to help . We may be running tight over here but we will help the family some how .

Very Sad folks . Nothing is worth taking your life or another life ...

 

By the way, the US suicide rate is right at 11 people per 100,000 for the most recent year on record, which would be 2005. Based on Swift having over 18,000 drivers, they should have at least two drivers per year commit suicide, regardless of where they work and their happiness or unhappiness. Statistically, UPS, a place at which a majority of the folks are happy, collecting union wages and benefits, should probably lose at least 4 drivers a year or more, based on the number of trucks they operate.

 

Like your style, Burky, and if I were a praying man I would pray for that driver and any family, or friends.

It is sad. If anyone out there is having overwhelmingly negative thoughts, please talk with someone. Those thoughts will pass with a little time.

Even if you feel you have no one who cares, or will listen, you still have yourself. You are worth more than that. It WILL pass...........