Driver thought he was doing a good deed then got fired for it

It was plywood fer CS, not gold bullion

 

Well, .... I suppose that was bound to happen sooner or later. How long have you been around here now?
Eight years? That's quite awhile.

Besides, anyway, I don't object to being disagreed with; it makes for stimulating conversations.

Yeah, I hear what you're saying and I realize that technically you're correct.

I think that would be unfortunate all the way around.

And I'd agree with that assessment.

This is where I agree the plywood wasn't his property and he wasn't legally allowed to distribute his load among those in dire need when the HD store was closed due to the storm. In this case I think the extenuating circumstances should enter the equation when considering what's right and what isn't.

Homie Depot was closed due to the approaching major storm. When HD would reopen would depend on the weather. Those folks needed plywood right now. No time to be waiting for corporate permission over the phone. If anybody even answers a call seeking emergency measures.

If this event receives enough coverage by news sources, even if only locally, and HD presses the issue of theft when the thief didn't profit financially nor did he use the material for his own benefit. He gave away material to help those in need during a disaster, HD could cause a boycott of their stores by those who experienced the ravaging storm and desperate circumstances. In that case HD stands to lose a lot more profit than the cost of a load of desperately needed plywood that HD could honestly say was a donation and write it off on their taxes. If that isn't satisfactory, deduct the cost as an uncollectable debt. Homie Depot is a rather large corporation not likely to suffer financially from the loss of the plywood. Considering the re-construction that will be ongoing in that area for quite awhile, I'd tend to think HD's profits are destined to soar sky-high, making investors happy.

I think those who received said help are probably the ones to ask their opinion of what Tim McCrory took upon himself to do.I doubt they'd think kindly about criticizing his actions.

When every precious second counts, relax.
A corporate decision is mere hours away.

In post #35, NorthernMechanic put it this way,
"Unless you've actually been in the middle of a major natural disaster you have ZERO grasp on what goes through a person's mind.

It's all about the greater good at that point."

Well said NM.

What good is plywood that's badly needed if it's sitting, all wrapped up on a trailer, unavailable for use until the store opens, after the need for it no longer exists?
I think humanity should come before profits.
Handing out that plywood was the humanitarian thing to do.
IMO, of course.

 

Sorry. I don't care. It's a cargo that belongs to the customer you are delivering to. I don't care if there is a 1943 steel penny taped to your trailer floor or a load of bullion with gaurds. Cargo theft or allowing cargo loss is a great great parasite loss to the entire industry.

When I ran for MBM, there were people who tried to get the valuable seafood off me if I stopped to make a call. Cell Phones took care of that liability. Far as I know they did not get a case off me. Because it comes out of my check. A case of market rate lobsters can ruin my week.

If you gave me a load of ... guns or something quite valuable and I steal it... or allow someone to take it and know about it? There is going to be a big problem. This industry will make sure you wont drive again a 18 wheeler. Or even be employed in non trucking things like Banking.

Moral or matters of the heart does not law make. I have already shared that yes I have feelings for the driver, but ultimately he willfully did several things that he must be held accountable for.

 

If I had a million in the bank and so on as a very successful driver I would be able to buy that load outright when WE comes to me demanding the value of that load I "Gave away" to the needy during a storm. I might still not have a job after I wrote that check, whatever the amount is. Because I willfully allowed cargo to go bye bye.

 

The right thing to do in this situation was to hold onto the property. It was not his to give away. He shoulda called and sought out permission, or talked to WE about buying it off of them or something, but doing it the way he did, while it was good hearted, was wrong. I hope he does not face court over it. Let the firing be enough.

If it had been me I woulda called and see what I could have done to give it away, then if company gave me permission. I woulda doled it out.

 

Quite often consequences often have a domino effect. That domino effect can last for many years, sometimes a lifetime.

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

 

Amen.

Ive been hit over the head before by companies... sometimes fair and square othertimes not so but you do what you can to move along and try again.

I talked about that case of butter inside NYC as currency. It's already my butter to eat. It's come out of my pay. Something like 50 dollars. But I saw it as a chance to give a bunch of loads on in 15 minutes if they want this butter. It's loaded in 15 and rolling. THANK god, made the GWB outbound before the worst of the rush settled in that day.

 

I agree the driver is ultimately responsible for the delivery but one has to look at the size and cost vs the nature of said loss.
PS. Truck driver jobs are bout a dime a dozen.

 

It is not so much what the product was, but the principle of the situation on hand.

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!