9 days of breakdown!

You know when I first got into trucking, the old time driver at the school told me about 100 times you’ll be learning something new in this industry for as long as you do it. And he was spot on with that advice. I’ve been out here four years and I still come up with a new question every once in a while. Lol this being more of a scenario. I mean I posted the thread not to ##### and complain even though it kind of had that tone. It was more of “is this normal, and should I be putting up with this or should I say something or has anyone else been in this situation and how did you handle it“ because I really don’t know what the hell to do. Lol

 

What town @Lennythedriver?

 

Was stuck for seven (7) days in SLC while Freightliner fiddled with the oil pan drain plug. I think they had to replace the oil pan, not sure. Rented a car and went sight seeing.
Company wanted us to load all our junk in a rental car and go get in a truck up in some forrested region in Washinton state. We said thanks but no thanks -

Hope you get going soon -

 

You didn't know on day one how long this was going to last. But it's lasted too long and they are disrespecting you by expecting you to sit there and survive on the wages of a 35 thousand dollar a year man.

It shouldn't take more than 5 minutes of reading by someone at your company to know if the repair is going to be covered by the warranty or not. And DEF issues generally don't take that long to fix. Parts can be shipped in overnight. Some problems can be bypassed for a later date.

What is your yearly wage going to be for 2022? 70...80... 90? Is it worth it to wait around?

What is your BIG reason for working there?

Do you have five thousand to tap into if you parted ways tomorrow to go work somewhere else?

 

I think you just found out how much your company values you!! I would be at the yard Monday morning asking them about their weekend!!

 

Lenny, in todays trucking with DEF and a whole hand basket of sensors, wires, and what nots, no it is not normal, but it does happen. not to mention too, that some repair shops just do not know how to diagnose or repair such systems.

not even all the dealerships have expert mechanics.


"back in my days" of long haul i just did not have any breakdowns, cuz the trucks just did not have these computerized systems. i recall losing maybe all of 2 days, due to a PM that had to be done, and the truck needed tires, but the shop had to wait a day for delivery of those.

the only other times i was broke down? blow outs, and waiting for a road truck to come on out.

so my down times have been nil compared to yours for sure.

you have choices, suck it up, and this may not ever happen again

or quit, but "what if" the next job, it's worse...???

like NO food for miles and miles..>?????

so you give up one thing, for a possible better situation someplace else???

now if that ain't a gamble, i don't know what is....

look at it this way too...

"what if you were the owner of a truck, and this happened, what would you do, what can you do, with your owner-operator budget being close to the red"...????

 

I see both sides of the issue. Agree that this happens. I lost some days due to a repair and couple other things. But companies have recovery drivers for a reason.

After day 3 or 4. Assuming you can fit most of your gear in the rental. They should have agreed to getting you back to the yard and in another truck. Grab the rest of your gear. When it gets back to the yard.

However, the shop could be jerking the companies chain. Saying that it'll be done tomorrow. So you both are suffering from the shop.

 

Parts could be back ordered and no one knows when the truck will be fixed.
The driver should be paid something, the company doesn't want the driver to leave, $100 per day plus room and board should be minimum.

Negotiate with the company. You settle for the couple bucks now for a raise in pay.
I would ask for a raise after this situation is resolved. Too many sore nerve endings right now. Everyone is losing money now.
Good luck.

 

I don't know that I would go as far as quitting over this. His company needs to step up, and either pay him a bit more, or work out a way to get him back to the terminal, or start hounding the dealership to get this worked out. Right now, he has the short end of the stick, and ain't liking it, and I don't blame him.

 

well, as i told him, the choices are his. this stuff can and does happen. if it happens weekly, or daily, then he knows what he should do.

he'll be up and running in time.