ADM Trucking, Charlotte, NC

ADM Trucking (Archer Daniel Trucking), Charlotte, NC has a lot of problems. The 50% union is at odds with the non-union. There has been a racial divide for quite some time there. The company says they are really big on safety and "anything you have wrong with your truck, just let us know, we'll fix it. Even if you want a new seat. We're here to make you happy and safe."

I worked there for a very short time (3-4 months?) in early '09.

Well, here are a few examples that boggle the mind:

While checking my tires with the air gauge, I was told not to do that.
Why?
You might get hurt.
Huh? How?
the tire might explode!
Are you kidding me?
No, company policy.
How do I check to see if the air pressure is accurate (they run a lot of recaps and I'm not to keen on them, being driven by company drivers who normally don't check accurate air pressure).
You have to ask the mechanic to check them with his air gauge.
...Everytime I want to check my tires?
Well, if you think they're low.
(Now, I have my own way of thumping tires and I'm pretty accurate, so I can play their game).

So, one day I have a blowout on a recap on the RRO of the trailer (a pneumatic tanker) up I-85 in Kannapolis, NC - only about 12 miles from the shop.
I called a tire truck and then called the terminal to ask for someone to come fix the whole right side light bar which was damaged.
I was told to just go deliver the load, bring the trailer back to the garage and then they would fix it.
You don't understand, I have no lights on the right side.
Taht's ok, just go del the load.
No, I mean I have no right turn signal, no brake light, no tail lights on the right side.
That costs too much for us to fix them, just bring it back here when you're done.
Never mind, I'll fix it. (I called my wife and had her bring my tools and electrical repair kit).
While th tire guy was replacing the cap, I bent everything back and finished rewiring it after he had left.
This was a no-no. they don't like independent thinkers here. This is a big corporate company and they want robots.

Next, I had a big storm knock out ALL my trailer lights on I-77 one afternoon - and it was DARK!!! Not even flashers worked.
I pulled into the Winnsboro, SC Shell truck stop, which has a shop in the back.
I called the terminal and told them about my situation.
They tried to get me to bring it back like that.
I told them again, Hey, I have NO LIGHTS. That means nothing.
His next question was "is it still raining.'
I wished I had gotten these calls recorded.
I insisted I get the trailer repaired and informed them that I wasn't driving back until it was done - they just had to stomach it.

They tell you to let them know about any dangerous situations so we don't have to unload in any hazardous situation
All the reports were pretty much ignored. They aren't going to upset their customers. That's just big business.
The driver will be charged with using improper judgement if anything happens, though and he'll get written up for it.

They also abuse the HOS to send you out on extra runs they know you can't finish. that brings on a whole new set of problems.
Usually, you will have to stop on the interstate and call for a ride from the shop p- they drive the truck back , you take the pickup back and then you adjust the electronic log. Just makes for a LONG day.

I could surely add more to this , but I'm tired and going to hit the sack.

 

BTW, this was a late night post, so I didn't get the name posted accureately. It should be ADM (Archer Daniels Midland) Trucking.

 

See old posting under ADM Trucking, Charlotte, NC. This was done late at night, so there are typo errors here and there, but the stories are accurate. If you are an independent thinker, mechanically knowledgable and a problem solver, you probably won't fit in here.

 

Tucker, please translate from robot to human talk.