AG Exempt (theoretically) and moral duties.

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by 2Tap, Jan 14, 2025.

  1. 2Tap

    2Tap Medium Load Member

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    Background:

    You drive for an LLC exempt from HOS. You do what the boss says, when he says or you're on the outside looking in. The hours are grueling but the pay is on time and for every hour worked. The equipment is garbage with some leeway in what you drive/pull if the equipment is to egregious.

    That environment results in the death of a young man (33) with a newborn and wife left behind.

    Question: Would you feel compelled to provide potentially valuable testimony to that families attorney assuming they have one?

    My moral conundrum of the decade. Hard to say no when others depend on you.
     
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  3. Albertaflatbed

    Albertaflatbed Light Load Member

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    Absolutely, I will not stay silent and protect the company at the cost of the deceased persons family. They already paid the ultimate and untimely price.

    Most likely I'd look for other work as well as a result of the dangerous work environment.
     
  4. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Loaded question.

    Circumstances of the young man's death?

    First - cause no harm.
    Second - tell the truth.
     
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  5. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    Depositions are easy. Sit in a comfy chair and answer the questions, honestly.
     
  6. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    Was the death the result of the equipment or something that happened on the farm or was the death the result of his own choices?
     
  7. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    Ayup. Frankly i wouldnt come forward unless it was so obviously the owners fault there was no question in my mind. But if approached i wouldnt shirk and lie either. There are two sides to every story and without more details its hard to make a moral or reasonable judgment call beyond be honest.

    Dont embelish for either side. Dont downplay either side either. Because even if the dude died at work, would it be correct to jail and bankrupt an otherwise innocent owner just because someone decided to drive with a BAC multiple times the legal limit due to has young family? Even if the poor equipment contributed to it?

    Just keep that in mind.
     
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  8. Accidental Trucker

    Accidental Trucker Road Train Member

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    “Equipment is garbage”. That’s a meaningless description. That can be recaps, leaky door seals and rusty rims, or it can be no brakes on the trailer.

    Which one is it?
     
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  9. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Too many details are left out, needed to be add if you want any answer.
     
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  10. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    Common sense says if your tired go to bed regardless of hours.
     
  11. 2Tap

    2Tap Medium Load Member

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    Many drivers there and in that industry fall asleep. Talked to quite a few that have wrecked over the years. Recurring theme with that type of hauling. I myself did 12-20 hour days. 3, 20 hours days in a 6 month span, you don't forget those.

    Admittedly that's the problem. Three sides to every story and the dead man cant tell his side. I knew Gus and he was seemingly affable and yet gullible. Again hard to say no in those circumstances and when i did i had another job lined up with only 6 months of experience and moved on.
    I cant even find a news article (paywalls) on the accident but talked with 2 other drivers that knew him like me and were equally as shocked. The fatality occurred somewhere 12/29-1/4. The owner is wise enough to keep his lips zipped and i don't blame him as much as the AG industry/HOS exemption crap because a gallon of milk or pound of cheese might cost a buck more.

    Recaps & Leaky seals, lol.

    Trucks that shimmy & shake like they had previously been through a ditch at 50 a dozen times because they had. ABS/Tractor brake issues, barely touch the brakes and they lock. Put your own wipers on, even if your borrowing a truck for the day. No air. Bare minimum drive tread and large reason why i probably had to chain so often. A couple of cowboy drivers i refused to drive their trucks, cowboys = ditch jockeys there. Pretty obvious mechanically speaking.

    Trailers no ABS lights. Low hanging fruit for the dot dude and i #####ed both mechanics out several times over their excuses. They had zero clue of my mechanical background until i demanded that they remove said connector that gave them such "grief" solder the wires, shrink tube it and wrap 'em in that good stretchy all weather electrical tape. Problem solved. It wasn't the "connectors" however but probably the trailer abs sensor module that's pricey but i don't believe in educating the enemy.

    Very bad trailer brakes. I'm not an expert in this area but i would think stabbing the Johnny bar all the way down should equate to hitting the brake pedal aggressively. Not like your trying to skid and lose control but 80%'ish? Sad, sad sad air leaks that barely pass a leak test but if the truck isn't running during offload/wash plan on several minutes to get the auto to shift and several more to release trailer brakes. Other haulers certainly didn't have these issues and kind of embarrassing when the intake workers are trying to keep the line moving/stay warm and you need 5 minutes to air up, lol.

    Common sense! I certainly got my rest at my families expense. Did the bare minimum for my 2 kids and wife and got the hell out of there with 6 months experience. I don't live in a small town rather a decent freight market between Chicago / Madison / Milwaukee. Even with that though i'm making less than half but my beauty rest is worth it. I can see why people that have never made 50k a year will kill themselves for it let alone making over 100k a year.
     
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