Should a driver pay for leaving their keys inside the truck?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by rpad139, Dec 2, 2019.

Should drivers pay the bill if they get locked out of their truck?

Poll closed Dec 9, 2019.
  1. Yes, drivers are responsible for not carrying a spare key and should pay the fee

    92 vote(s)
    81.4%
  2. No, the company should pay for the lockout fee.

    21 vote(s)
    18.6%
  1. Fold_Moiler

    Fold_Moiler Road Train Member

    1,926
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    Mar 17, 2017
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    #### spreaders only have 4 key patterns.
     
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  3. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    I would have assumed the driver would pay for the service. I was lucky the one time I locked my self out, it was in a Pete and a TA mechanic told me how to break into my own truck. It was easy to get in, but it was very difficult to put everything back to normal.

    Once I started carrying my dog with me, I not only had 2 spare keys on me at all times I was out of the truck. My dog likes to stand on the plunger when I was outside of the truck.

    I would NOT tape or wire a spare key outside of the truck. I guarantee any place you think will be convenient or clever is the same place about 75% of other drivers hide a key.
     
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  4. tarmadilo

    tarmadilo Road Train Member

    1,367
    3,467
    Dec 12, 2018
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    I keep a spare key in my pants pocket!
     
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  5. TankerYankr

    TankerYankr Medium Load Member

    303
    470
    Jan 16, 2010
    Central US
    0
    Unless the company furnishes a second key when the truck is assigned the company should pay.
    If 2 keys are furnished by the company then the driver pays, and I don't mean the company says go and get a copy made even if they would reimburse the driver. Why should the driver have to go to the hassle?
     
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  6. Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    Sep 17, 2012
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    I worked for a company and the first time the company would pay. The second time or more the driver had to pay. I thought that was fair.
     
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  7. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

    8,293
    80,469
    Aug 28, 2010
    The City.
    0
    The new driver will be there shortly with a spare key.
    You figure you’ll remember at the next place of employment?
     
  8. skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

    8,737
    12,179
    Jul 17, 2011
    The Village, Portmeirion
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    Nobody else locked the keys in the truck but you. Why is it not your fault? If the load is late because you had to wait for a locksmith, paying them out of your pocket, that's on you also...
     
  9. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

    19,720
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    Jul 6, 2009
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    Having a spare made is cheaper.

    Memory doesn't improve as you get older.

    I've been leaving the house forgetting my keys more and more. Good thing the garage door has a keypad on the outside. Even if it only works when it wants too.
     
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  10. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

    16,185
    62,453
    Dec 10, 2014
    omaha , ne
    0
    Happened to me once in my driveway in Fargo ND in 1989 ...minus 20 something with my k100e .
    Locksmith and I dam near froze to death .
    Hasn't happened since !
     
  11. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

    34,017
    42,098
    Mar 5, 2016
    White County, Arkansas
    0
    In my time you took the ring gasket out of the side windshield pane. Easy in. New gasket in a few minutes. Don't drop glass. And watch that knife picking. You can get hurt playing with it.

    Remember to have several keys either on you or somewhere that you know about. There are a thousand spots around a big rig. Never have more keys than you can remember and keep track of.

    If you are ever handed a key fob and told it's a entry device with no keys , decline and go home and find another job. No battery, no truck with you out in the cold.
     
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