how bad is my situation?

That's the difference between swift(and other megas) and good trucking companies. it's not uncommon for a coordinator, or other office staff, to take drivers out to a steak house and buy them a bunch of drinks.
Be treated like every driver is some drug addicted felon, or be treated like an adult. Why anyone works for those mega outfits amazes me.

 

Your only answer would be that you knew you were not going out for 10 hours or so because of weather, and you had a motel and were not going to get back into the truck, also because of weather. As long as you did not enter a commerical vehicle you did no crime.

 

Problem is that they can fire you for anything they want to fire you for and put it on your DAC. It then is up you to defend yourself. You say that you no you did something wrong so I doubt you have much of a defense. You are going to have to live with the DAC report. I would give you a second chance but I don't know the whole story. If you drove out with a load and then made yourself unable to continue on, then it shows a lack of professionalism but it also shows, that if you made the call yourself not to drive, an attempt at good judgement.

Because, I have never drank at all, I lack the understanding as to what the attraction is.

Your road has just gotten harder but overcoming things makes life more interesting.

 

See if what he is describing is accurate, he did nothing illegal or immoral. Having a few drinks does not make you an worthless drunk. However, that being said, it is a person's responsibility to be aware of and follow all company policies.

 

You should have said you weren't drinking.

 

Its none of their business. As long as you have no alcohol in your system before driving. Should have said nothing unless the driver who saw you video you and they present it too. Then you can tell your next employer it's another driver trying to get you fired or did. Better then an alcohol situation. Just like a court of law they need hard evidence, don't ever admit anything.

 

They didn't test you ?

no worries..........

 

Had a buddy get called in for a random alcohol test. He failed. He got terminated and immediately hired on with another company. Stayed there for a year, and then came back to the company that fired him.

Yeah, it's a bump and a bruise, but it's NOT a DUI. You should be able to find work. If you are OTR, and if you're going to drink, have 1 or 2 at the end of your day and STOP. 1 or 2, and 10 hours off and you're good.

One more thing... If you are on call, like a wrecker, service truck, emergency response...whatever, and sitting at home, DO NOT DRINK ANYTHING! Your job requires you to be ready to go 24 hours. It's different from an OTR driver who has to, by law, shut down and go out of service for 10 hours.

Students waiting for a trainer or a truck, YOU ARE ON CALL 24/7 until you get into the truck. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

EDIT

Just saw the part about your waiting for the other driver. You were on call, not off duty. They had to fire you.

 

That's the right answer. No alcohol test, then you weren't drinking. Deny it!
Shouldn't be on your DAC if no alcohol test.

 

Weird. I, visit a bar daily while on duty. They have the best food on my route.
Don't care if it serves alcohol. Don't drink on duty. Was not another driver, It was the receiver/guard/business turned you in for blabbering your gums to much while intoxicated dummy