Considering applying with Millis

I had the same concerns with the camera facing the driver, but after attending the safety meeting this past Thursday some of my concerns eased a bit. Was shown a clip of the camera facing the driver the only view was the driver seat nothing else you couldn't see into the bunk area, even Craig the instructor in cartersville voiced his concerns about the driver facing camera only to be insured there was nothing to be worried millis is not spying on drivers that is not the intent of the driver facing camera.

 

I have been driving a city bus in Nashville, Tn for about 9 months now. They have a total of 5 cameras in them (1 facing the road, 1 on driver, the rest inside and outside of the bus) and I have never heard a word from dispatch about anything I'm doing. They are set up just as the ones that neil described. They can tell how fast you are going, if you're hitting the brake, gas, etc. They also record 30 sec segments and start at hard breaking events, starts, stops and so on. I was all against it when I started, but I have seen instances where it helps. Like a 4 wheeler cutting in front of you and slamming on the breaks, causing a rear end collision. They tried to say the bus came over in their lane and made contact. After the review of the footage it was determined that they were lying and therefore could not sue the company. If no camera existed, then there would have been a lawsuit and possibly could have resulted in termination. As far as the camera in the cab goes, if you're doing nothing wrong, then you have nothing to worry about. Yes, I'm not a big fan of it, considering the cab is our "home." When I am in the sleeper the curtain will be closed to make sure the camera can't see me. I would also probably put a piece of tape or something over the in cab camera when I am stopped on my break or a reset, just to ease my mind a little. As soon as the truck starts rolling, take it off and drive safe. It's not rocket science. All the people talking about leaving if you get one installed on your truck have to think about this. Eventually every company will integrate something like this into their trucks for safety or insurance purposes. So you have to ask yourself. I work for Millis and they have been great to me so far. They seem to be above most other trucking companies. Pay decent and treat me like a person, not a truck. If they put a camera in my truck, I'm gonna go to another carrier that is worse from the get go. Get treated like ####, probably make less money, and in a few months or a year they start installing cameras in their trucks also. Now you think ####, I should have stayed with Millis from the start and just drove safe. Now I'm stuck working here at yatta yatta yatta broke and miserable. That's just me 2 cents on the whole camera thing.

 

Since I no longer drive it's no big deal to me and I also think before it's over all trucks will have them at all companies. I just cant understand why the audio recording devise will stay on an hour or two after the truck is turned off. Your obviously not driving and incurring any infractions. why would it be necessary to be able to hear what the driver is saying on his or her own time off duty? Or an I wrong and it doesnt have that capibality. I'm interested in what Dan Millis talked about that. Who knows I might some day want to come back to driving.

 

That id a good question Old School but wrong info from my understanding. You know how in your 4 wheeler you can turn the key off but the radio and power windows still work for about 15-30 minutes? The camera is the same thing. It continues to function for a half hour after the truck is turned off. The video of the cab does not cover the sleeper only thr drivers seat. It isnt just audio...its both but if the vehicle is not moving there should be no critical events. One more thing Dan told me...if you have a concern about what is being recorded you can see your safety guy when you come in the terminal and your safety guy is suppossed to give you full disclosure and let you see all of the clips they have on you.

 

Whether or not the trucks have an APU in them is something I will have to ask. I know they come with bunk heaters, refrigerators and I asked about Idling the truck. Harold told me there are times the company prefers you to idle...such as below 32 F because a lot of what we haul is beer. If the truck idles...the vibration from the idling keeps the beer from freezing. Maybe that answers your question? As for the full list of flagged actions...I didnt think to ask. I will see if Harold knows on Monday. However...consider this...as I said before. Carriers have to bear the weight of liability. As the safety benefits of the cameras become obvious and known...the liability issues and insurance savings will force EVERY carrier to install them. The cheaper the company the longer they will hold out...the better the company the faster they will comply. You can only run from this so long...but look at the QUALITY of the company you will have to run to in order to avoid it. Also consider that Mom and Pop outfits won't be excempt either. As insurance companies apply pressure these outfits may well jump on board faster than you think as doing so will cost them less overall and net more gain. You can only run and hide from it for so long.

 

No APU's

That is utter bull####

 

Agreed, Sounds like their brainwashing the incoming students

 

SoloSeat you can say this is bull but its not. When I was young and i went out with my dad they didnt have cell phone tech or gps tech or Qualcom tech but as technology increased those items came into play. Technology does not always work to your advantage. Traffic cams became the norm as soon as technology could support it and traffic enforcing cameras soon followed. The D/FW metroplex got sued as drivers fought the use of traffic enforcing cams...but they remain. Why? Because the benefit outweighs the negatives. Businesses are run by maximizing every dollar and minimizing every loss. Using these cameras...still a relatively new tech , gives huge insurance discounts as well as absolving the company from responsibility from many rear end collissions. That in itself is huge, and something never before available. Remember that ifbit absolves the company of liability it also absolves you. If you are involved in a company vehicle rear end collision there is no separation of responsibility if you are guilty the company is guilty...period. They will pay the fine, take the hitbon thier ACS and settle out of court. You will be out of a job with a preventable on file. However if you are exonerated...which is now possible then so is the company. That fact alone and no other factor dictates that sooner or later EVERY carrier will comply as it does not make business sense not to. You do not have to like it but you can't avoid it. Common sense will tell you that bbw the best carriers will voluntarily get on board first. The cheapest ones will hold out longest. Common sense also tells you that mom and pop outfits have a much tighter budget and less wiggle room than megas...but the cost of implementing them is also less and the benefit in insurance savings greater.