covenant to start charging drivers for idleing??

It is possible.

However, I believe there will be a class action suit against them if they do. Second, any deductions such as that might be a violation of labor laws. They are providing sleeping quarters in a way. It must be safe and comfortable.

 

I knew of a company that sent out a letter to all drivers stating any damage to truck or trailer even wrecker bills and company decided it was drivers fault then driver paid.Never heard if it happened or not.I know Joe D.Hughes had to have a signed permission before holding anyy from check.

 

Central Ref. is one that will do that if they feel it was the drivers fault.

 

I guess the burning question I have is,who would be gutless enough to continue to work for a crap outfit like that after they received the letter in the first place?You could make more money picking up cans beside the road and have a hell of a lot more class than working for one of the "BIG' companies anyway.

 

Lol, so their answer to high fuel prices is to take it out on the drivers. Drivers already looking for miles being told they are going to pay money to idle their truck?
Last year, my company decided they were going to enforce a 5-minute idling rule. In other words, like some or many states have. So, when I arrive at a construction site (most of what I deliver to), I have to shut the truck down.
I was asked my opinion (by those making these rules) of this new "regulation". The enforcement of it included possible termination of employment to any driver that violated this rule.

My response? I took the civil approach. "We're going out to jobsite in the summer with temps exceeding 110 degrees. There are many times when we have to wait to get unloaded - as in - they don't even show up with a machine to unload the truck for quite a while after we get there, even though we call in advance. I'm 44 years old and really - I don't want to sit in a truck that is approaching 140 degrees inside because of the baking sun outside. Or, conversely, go stand out in that heat waiting for them to show up." I went on like that. I will have to guess this rule was never adopted because there has been no word of it.

Now, for OTR, it would be MUCH worse. I can't imagine sleeping in a hot truck in the middle of summer - whatever the temp is or the high humidity in the northern and many eastern states is - without having that truck running and the ac on. Or the generator deal that runs an ac unit.

I would immediately find a new job if an OTR company sent that kind of crap out to me. If they ALL do it, time to find a new line of work.

 

$5/hr? Geez, fuel isn't even that much yet. If they did that then they are trying to make a profit off the driver. If they did and I worked for them. I would surely file a claim againest them. That's BS. Glad Prime has APU's on their trucks.

 

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=PR&date=20080421&id=8514677

If this link doesn't work search msn money central for "Covenant Transportation Group Announces First Quarter Financial and Operating Results"

Bottom line is like a lot of companies, Covenant is losing money. Drivers who have bills to pay will keep driving for less than ideal companies. That is just economics.

Here is an ontopic quote but I encourage ALL drivers to read the entire article as it will give you a picture of the reality trucking companies are facing.

"The Company has established several initiatives to combat the rising cost of fuel. First and foremost, the Company has invested in auxiliary power units for its tractors that provide heat, cooling, and power for its tractors without idling the engine. These units had been installed in approximately 15% of the Company's tractors at March 31, 2008. The Company has also reduced the maximum speed of many of its trucks, implemented strict idling guidelines for its drivers, encouraged the use of shore power units in truck stops, and imposed standards for accepting broker freight that include a minimum combined rate and assumed fuel surcharge component. At the same time, the Company is approaching shippers with less compensatory overall freight rate and fuel surcharge programs to explain the need for relief if the Company is to continue hauling that shipper's freight. Despite these efforts, however, fuel expense is expected to remain a major concern for the foreseeable future."

BRI

 

Personally, I'd LOVE to see some of these companies go belly-up. In fact, a LOT of them. Cheap freight would start to disappear, a lot of change would occur within the trucking industry, including, hopefully, more favorable conditions for OO's.