Consequences for by-the-book newbies

WitchingHour · Aug 8, 2011

ronin said: ↑

Have them ask themselves - on their own car, if they needed oil, would they add it? What about a headlight bulb - you're getting ready to go on a trip, are you REALLY going to pay a shop $50 to twist in/twist out a light bulb?

The guys that say "I'm not a mechanic, I'm not fixing &^*" are idiots - they obviously don't realize they're costing themselves valuable running time, time off their 14, and MONEY.

You just can't can't fix stupid. I'll throw that lightbulb in, get the load delivered, and get another one... while the other guy spends half a day waiting at the shop... and we'll see who has a better check at the end of the week.
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Yeah, I never understood that. They'll kill half a day waiting in the shop for the most menial things, acting as it won't impact their paycheck in any way, but then they have the audacity to whine about their paycheck.
I think I'll try that next time - ask the question you put forth. I have a feeling more of them would be inclined "not to worry about that ####" than you might think.

Emulsified · Aug 8, 2011

davenjeip said: ↑

I have to wonder if some of these drivers really don't have the knowledge to do these simple things.

Worked for a local company last year where it was company policy that we were not allowed to open the hood on the truck for any reason. That did not just include adding oil, but also for doing any sort of inspection as well. Their claim was that it was a mandate from the insurance company, since it was known that we had a couple people get hurt over the years opening hoods improperly. I also always had the assumption that there might have been some issues in the past with people screwing something up while adding oil, and damaging the motors. Something like changing a light or airing up a tire would have had you fired on the spot.
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Huh?!
Can't open hoods? That's a violation of your PTI.
you sign a document daily (a legal document) that says, amongst other things, you've checked your liquids, steering linkage, belts, hoses, brakes and other things under the hood.
I don't believe the insurance company said that. The company might have, and sloughed it off as an insurance requirement, but that's bs.
If you fail to pop your hood daily, you're faulsifying your log book.
Go directly to parking and don't move for 34 hours while you figure out how to pay that fine!

Allow Me. · Aug 8, 2011

It's to your advantage to do what it takes to get the load delivered. As to what's legal and should YOU fix something to get going rather than waste time finding a shop, well that's your call. If you're going to be a truck driver, you should realize that a lot of NON-TRUCK driving duties will come your way, such as fixing minor things yourself or fudging on your log book etc.

I always figured if I could save the company $$, it was to my advantage. One thing you should understand. Management knows who the hustlers are, who the slow pokes are, who the whiners are, who they can depend on, who they CAN'T depend on, who plays by the rules, who doesn't ask for much etc.

When you go to orientation, usually the "Big Kahuna" gives the class a speech. ASK him questions about logging legal, doing repairs, what the company expects from it's drivers etc. There will always be a riff between dispatch and safety, Dispatch says get it done. Safety says get it done, SAFELY.

A_Simple_Man · Aug 8, 2011

WitchingHour said: ↑

I understood the question as you worded it. It just sort of led to me letting with a mini rant about that. Some "drivers" out here are so useless. Like the one guy who told me he was worried because he was getting "low oil level" messages. But he won't add any oil himself, because, as he put it, "I don't mess with that ####". Or the guy who decided it was worth it to wait for almost three hours for the people at the Bosselman shop in Sioux Falls to get his truck and trailer in, because he didn't want to replace two light bulbs on his own (although he did at least get them replaced).

People who display that sort of laziness aren't just going to limit it to matters such as engine oil and light bulbs. It's a reflection of their demeanor as a whole, and probably a reflection on how they actually drive the truck, as well. Which is a large contributor to the advent of the CSA2010 system. Someone who doesn't care enough to do the most simple upkeep on their truck isn't likely to be overly concerned with ensuring that their truck is safe and compliant.
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No problem with the mini rant. I might need to rant sometime myself. lol

blktop-bucanear · Aug 8, 2011

Allow Me. said: ↑

When you go to orientation, usually the "Big Kahuna" gives the class a speech. ASK him questions about logging legal, doing repairs, what the company expects from it's drivers etc. There will always be a riff between dispatch and safety, Dispatch says get it done. Safety says get it done, SAFELY.
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the boss will give the safety correct answer. "of course we run legal" line he has to!

you will find out by talking to other drivers and fm's

robngraves · Aug 10, 2011

I drive locally forties company I with. We have our own mechanic that works at our location and also a fleet shop mechanics at another location. When our trucks go go for anything at our local mechanic the drive is there doing most of the work from changing oil to changing out brake shoes to air bags. If I told them I can't take a load because oil light or broken light needs fixing they tell me to hurry up and fix it them take it. Not okay send it to shop and we will send it another way.

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