Be ready to say no

Just a tip from my own, so far limited experience.

A bit over a week ago my boss called me up, and asked if I was ready to go. I said sure, where to? He says Cheyenne Wy. It needs to be there by Friday at 8am. He tells me this at 4pm on a Wednesday.

I live in MA, so I told him there was no way in hell I could make it there "legally" on time. He said sure I can. I told him nope, I am not driving illegal for you like that. You can find one of your other drivers willing to do that, but I am not. He kept saying yes I could make it. Finally I just told him I will take it and do the best I can.

30 min later he called me back and said he had a co-driver to send along to get it there on time. I don't like driving with teams but I need the money and at least it wasn't going to be illegal.

So for new drivers out there, don't let the bosses push you around. They aren't going to pay for the tickets if you get caught. It's your license and your livelihood. What's the point of earning $1000 when you pay $2000 in fines?

Same trip I got stuck on I-80 in that snowstorm last week. I stopped in western NE at a rest stop once it started getting way to dangerous for me. I couldn't even see the road anymore and there were trucks and cars off the road all over the place. I was only about 110 miles from the drop, but it was too dangerous. The boss calls up in the morning complaining why did I stop so close? I told him that he doesn't even drive 5 or 10 miles in his 4-wheeler in that kind of weather, so why should I drive a big truck over 100? The load got there and safely.

 

Exactly, and thanks.

 

That is my plan to a T. No accidents, no tickets.

 

For me the answers are no, and for the second. I am willing to move on if they insist on firing me for not doing something to compromise the law and my own judgement. I need money like everyone else, but I can't earn if I don't have my license or I end up paying more in fines and tickets.