Dispatcher tries to force driver to drive tired. *MUST SEE*

Give me 20 hours off & I'll be ready to go. If it's really late I may need a nap to get through to the AM. Then again I wouldn't spend my 20 off in the truck stop playing video games.

 

I would have refused the load from the get go, or at least tried to work out a different delivery time or relay. I'm a day driver, and it's brutal when you all the sudden have to pull an all nighter. I avoid it at all costs.

 

You should post this in the new drivers forum too so new drivers can see what goes on sometimes, imho.

 

This is typical in the meat business. I've done it a thousand times. Basically you pick the majority of your loads late at night and run all night and deliver in the morning. Most of my runs were 2 day runs so I had leeway but there was them overnight runs.

Why didn't this driver not see the problem before hand? Why did he accept the load if he knew he couldn't sleep then wait until the very last second to tell his dispatcher? Oh BTW you have to fix this right now!

I usually could get 3-4 hours sleep right before the load came out. If I got sleepy like he done I would lay down for 20 minutes which was enough to refresh me. Most of this night driving your eyes get tired and not so much your body run down. You have to give the eyes rest if needed. Two day runs I would sleep as needed and make up the difference the second day.

Hirschbach is just like K&B and there are many more just like them. Meat doesn't have the convenience of sitting on a lot. You have about 12 days from slaughter to consumption. Any delay is less time the store has to sell it.

Things really haven't changed with all the regulations. It takes a special driver to make things work in the meat business. You do a lot of sitting but when you run you run hard. I've ran hurricane loads 3 in a row before from Waterloo, IA to Houston, TX with minimal sleep. The body can only take so much but you have to manage your sleep. To this day I'm still up most of the night and it's from my meat hauling days.

Can they change things? Maybe go all team but they won't like splitting 900 mile runs. Companies like Tyson calls the shots. They set the appointments. Be late and your company is fined $400 and they pass that negative savings on to you.

What do I say about the video? It might bring some attention to drivers but it won't change the system. That driver doesn't need to be a meat hauler. Maybe produce or ice cream but not meat. MI to Wi? I could of ran that with my eyes closed. Try running MN to FL wide open. Or IA to TX or LA. There's a huge difference between how a van runs and how a meat hauler runs. Not saying it's right but that's how it's done. That driver should of stayed up the night before instead of snoozing. Very rarely will a meat load come out during the day. Back hauls are a different story. He knew he was gonna get a meat load.

 

I would let them fire me over at especially with it on video & audio...I'm sure a lawyer would be chomping at the bit to nail them in that...one thing a lawyers loves is a case they know they'll win hands down...this is definitely one of them if they fire a driver like that.

 

Wow....no way would I stand for that...but at the same time dude is a little bit of a candy butt too...I wouldnt have took the load in the first place..to much down time...no forced dispath for this cowboy...

 

How long would he last as a bullhauler...??? Lol

 

And this is why KB is a terrible company. Hope this video gets forwarded to OSHA and the DOT. Be nice to see a trucking company get what they are owed.

 

The first dispatcher this gentleman talked to was Doug who was also my boss.I never had any issues with him.We got along real good,but like I said I wasn't otr either and never would go otr with kb.This is totally messed up on the dispatchers part.

 

Members,I think it would be great if you all send Abe a message on his facebook page to show your support.Hes online now.