Can you refuse a truck assignment?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by MSWS, Jul 20, 2022.

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  1. Val_Caldera

    Val_Caldera Road Train Member

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    Cornbinders were, for ME, MYSELF & I, a whole heckuva LOT BETTER than Any Mack I eva Drove.
    Of course a Pete or KWhopper would have sufficed, long as the Heater and A/C were fully functional, and a MANUAL Trans.

    Refusing to Drive what's Offered, unless IT IS UNSAFE, is the Same as Your New Tag Line: "You Want Fries With That?"
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2022
    Val_Caldera, Jul 20, 2022
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  2. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I was in a 386 Pete and when then offered me an International LT, I jumped at it. It drives nicer, rides better, is way quieter and it doesn't take 2 acres to turn around.
    No matter the brand, the main thing is that is keeps you running. Treat the truck as if it is yours. It won't take long for you to recognize immediately is something isn't right so you can contact the right people to get it fixed. I seen guys drive a truck into the ground then whine because it's taking too long to fix.
    On the other hand, if the truck is unsafe or turns into a shop queen, raise H and get out of it.
     
    kemosabi49, Jul 20, 2022
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  3. MSWS

    MSWS Medium Load Member

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    Honestly, I didn't have a preference going in. I had no trucking experience before I went to CDL school. Since then, I've had the opportunity to drive a Kennworth, Freightliner and an International. I had heard bad things about the Internarional, but I tried to keep an open mind. I can say from personal experience now that the criticism of those trucks is 100% warranted.
     
    MSWS, Jul 20, 2022
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  4. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Right now you are a commodity, so if they give you a corn binder, drive it, you need experience first and foremost.
     
    Ridgeline, Jul 20, 2022
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  5. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    When I started with Swift 10 years ago my first truck that was assigned was an automatic. I asked for a manual (I wanted the experience) and it took an extra day but they had no problem giving me one, once it was available.
    Now days the only truck I refuse is one that doesn't pass inspection.
     
    ZVar, Jul 20, 2022
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  6. Concorde

    Concorde Road Train Member

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    Does that company have better equipment you could possibly move into in the near future? If they do then stick with it for a bit. If their entire fleet is old worn out Pro Stars then I would move on.
     
    Concorde, Jul 20, 2022
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  7. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    it's called "entitlement", everyone thinks the best of the best to drive is a Pete, or KW, and nothing else matters, and if they don't get what they want, (again entitlement), they bash everything else.

    i have driven many different makes/models, and to me...a truck is a truck, is a truck.

    it carries the load, it gets you from one point to another.

    again, in my opinion, this lends itself to entitlement...."i gots me a brandy new CDL and i am OWED a real neato super truck., like all my buddies at the truck stop counter".
     
    buddyd157, Jul 20, 2022
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  8. MSWS

    MSWS Medium Load Member

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    I'm not there any more. My wife is fixing to get her CDL and then we're gonna team drive. That's a big part of why I'm curious about this. Truck problems are bad enough when they affect one driver's income, but they're even worse when they affect two. I'm hoping the next place we go will have the sense not to put a team in an International, but I have heard of it happening.
     
    MSWS, Jul 20, 2022
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  9. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    christ, i can smell the "i'm an entitled newbie CDL holder, and imma gonna cry like a little girl if i get an IH truck", all the way here on the east coast...
     
    buddyd157, Jul 20, 2022
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