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being left out in the cold?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Incogni87, Sep 27, 2008.

  1. Sep 27, 2008 #1
    Incogni87

    Incogni87 Bobtail Member

    12
    0
    Sep 26, 2008
    0
    Im not OTR(yet)so i just have a few questions :


    (1)-i've heard about the woman who crashed her truck and after she was released from the hospital she was stuck with no way home-is it true that the trucking company can fire you thousands of miles away from home and you'll just be left with a "good-luck"?

    (2)-Does working for an OTR trucking company require you to sign a contract or is it "at-will" employment?

    (3)-After you've done working for a trucking company can the company really charge you for normal wear and tear to a truck?can they take back the money you've earned?

    I've been considering going OTR but after reading the forums im considering otherwise.......hell my first option was to go swift.........lol....


    Thx
     
    Incogni87, Sep 27, 2008
    Incogni87, Sep 27, 2008
    #1
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  3. Sep 27, 2008 #2
    ssbowles

    ssbowles Heavy Load Member

    708
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    Sep 27, 2007
    High Desert,CA
    0
    I think you're putting a lot of weight into what the exception is rather than the norm. Sure, there are a lot of horror stories about companies putting the screws to drivers, and I'm not saying that they aren't true. But I don't think it's as common as you'd think. Bottom line is, IMO, do your job, maintain the equipment, and keep your nose clean, and you don't have much to worry about.
     
    ssbowles, Sep 27, 2008
    ssbowles, Sep 27, 2008
    #2
  4. Sep 27, 2008 #3
    rookietrucker

    rookietrucker Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Jul 15, 2007
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    Unfortunately companies do things like this. If the company has any compassion. They will offer a bus ticket BUT most likely it will come out of your last pay statement. You will have to ship your belongings home.

    No, your employed at will. UNLESS, you get there driver training from said company and sign a year commitment with them after completed training. Another reason you could sign a contract is because you signed a lease on a truck with said company.

    No. When your assigned a truck, you will fill out a condition and inventory form of the truck. You should note EVERY nick, scratch and tears inside and out. When you turn that truck back in. Don't just drop keys and run. Make sure they go over that form you turned in when you received the truck. Get something back from them accepting it in the condition its in before you leave.

    Driving big truck is not for everyone. You do make a lot of sacrifices to your marriage and yourself. It can be very rewarding and very challenging. Good luck on your decision and be safe out there..........
     
    rookietrucker, Sep 27, 2008
    rookietrucker, Sep 27, 2008
    #3
  5. Sep 27, 2008 #4
    Incogni87

    Incogni87 Bobtail Member

    12
    0
    Sep 26, 2008
    0
    Normal wear and tear.....im not talking about cig burns in the seat or anything like that.I've been thinking about OTR for awhile now....im single no wife or kids to take care of...hell i just graduate HS a few years ago at age 19 so i think OTR is not a bad opt for me.......although i am naive(i admit) so i dont know for sure...
     
    Incogni87, Sep 27, 2008
    Incogni87, Sep 27, 2008
    #4
  7. Sep 27, 2008 #5
    ssbowles

    ssbowles Heavy Load Member

    708
    287
    Sep 27, 2007
    High Desert,CA
    0
    Sorry, I should've explained what I meant there. What may be normal wear and tear to you may not be to the company. Like Rookietrucker said, make sure you get a condition/inventory form filled out when you get a truck, and keep a copy of it. And then when you leave, have someone inspect the truck and fill out and sign another one so they can't come back and say anything after the fact.
     
    ssbowles, Sep 27, 2008
    ssbowles, Sep 27, 2008
    #5
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