Boss has me driving a death trap.

I would advise you to get out while you can, and while you record is still good. I went to work for a local company since I wanted to be home every night. I was told I would work 30-35 hours a week and given a flat salary. It all sounded great, but the reality set in. Half the dispatchers were foreign that I could barely understand. I was being sent out at all hours, day and night. As long as I got 10 off they thought it was fine. I was never able to get into a sleep routine, and felt punchdrunk all the time. After being informed that the dispatchers are always right and I have to do what they say, I was woken up at 1:00 AM told I had to leave for Louisville. I looked on my phone and it said the load didn't have to be there until 10:00 AM. It was 3 hours away. I asked why I had to leave now and got the same answer-you have to do what we say. Short story is it was raining and I was tired. I put a wheel off in a ditch in a construction zone where the shoulder was not marked and water had partially come over the road, hiding the edge. I had not had a ticket or accident since 1986. I have had a CDL since 2001. Truck had to be towed, but I disconnected the trailer, got another truck and made the run. This company ran me to death locally, working crazy hours, sometimes I would leave early, other times be called in after lunch and work until 2:00 in the morning. So technically I was getting hours off, but we all know when sleep patterns are disrupted you are never quite right. Long story short, I was dismissed because I complained about the weird hours I had to work. Now my record is ugly, and insurance carriers don't care about the details, they just see the record and decide you are a risk. I would advise you to get out while your record is still good. That is what companies will look at, not what your boss says. The others on here are correct and giving you good advice.

 

I assume the OP is still working for the company.

 

Time ta grow a pair an tell that fool to kick rocks! When somethin goes really bad and someone gets hurt, where ya gonna be then?

 

Survey says.......YOU are putting your entire future career on the line. Get another job and bail.

(And I look at the first picture you sent, and can't believe that is what someone calls bodywork?)
"What; I fixed it??"
That's not even a good joke.

 

Good for you! I just read this. I found myself in a similar situation early in my career. It's almost a "I will beat this guy" kind of feeling, but everything else suffers. He'll never change, you can and should. I now have a real good job, and have had a few other good jobs. Your CDL is your life, don't let any CRAP company ruin it for you. If you're as dedicated to a good company they will mostly take care of you, sometimes you will get crapped on, but they should make it up to you.

 

I save that for new Co-workers that I can't stand. Working for a small company, and being #1 in seniority, my name has come up in several exit interviews, (if we have such things). Most new hires show up expecting to get what I've earned over the last few years. (The gravy runs, the new truck and trailer, and numerous other perks) Once they figure out that they gotta earn such things, they get all pissy and try to do things to take me down. But, it never seems to work for them. It becomes sort of a battle, usually starting off as friendly, with the typical joking around. Then, after a while, usually when the work slows, it usually gets ugly. What they fail to realize is that because I show up for work everyday, I don't tear things up, and our customers usually request me when something is different, I tend to receive the best the boss has to offer. He actually treats me almost like a son. And I hear about it all the time from the other guys.
Do I occasionally screw up? Absolutely. But, I usually don't hear much about it. I think it's because it's not often, and usually very minor. I usually get screamed at for things that have nothing to do with me. Which is entertainment for me.

One guy actually almost beat me. He was slowly building a great reputation with the boss, and customers. We were, and still are friends. I honestly believe if he wouldn't have been going through a divorce, he would have caused me to quit. He now owns a small fleet of trucks. We've discussed me working for him, but the move would be a sideways move, money wise. So for now I'm staying right where I am, at least until I grow up and buy my own truck. Or the company I work for.

Where am I going with all this? I dunno, but I will say this. I love what I do, and who I do it for. I run great equipment, and make a very comfortable living. It's no longer work for me, it's what I do to support my family. And it's fun, sparring with co-workers and occasionally the boss. Once you find such a company, give 1000%, everyday, because it becomes VERY enjoyable.

 

Unless you get caught on a scale by the DOT, the owner can't do anything to your career. Run far away as fast as possible. Put in your notice and refuse to drive a truck that should be put OOS. It'll hurt the wallet, but not as much as the DOT can.

A company can't do anything to a driver's career outside of give a bad reference... but AFAIK they are required to tell the truth when it comes to your work history. They can call you a negative person, but they can't argue with the facts.