Had a minor incident in training. Will they send me packing?

Shat happens...
I had a colorful start in phase 1 and still with em now solo and accident free and tryin my damnedest to keep it that way. The problem isn't going to be the accidents but the points behind em unfortunately. Definitely wanna get a copy of your DAC and see what all is on there.

Steven's is very forgiving as long as you can show you learned what not to do. One benefit to a "training company".

Just chalk it up to experience.

"Experience is a ##### of a teacher, she gives the test first and the lesson afterwards"

 

OK, so we're airing our dirty laundry.
It was many years ago, but during my first year of driving, I pulled doubles and triples in line haul work for a company called ONC. Most of my trips were Portland to Salt Lake and back, but we mixed in some Seattle and Spokane (and points between) in there.
I was at a ship terminal in Seattle and dropped a trailer there on the dock. A common trick when hauling doubles is to close the air valve from the air line to the reserve tank so the brakes won't set when you disconnect. This is so you can get a little slack in the pindle hook and disconnect easily. What you're SUPPOSE to do is chalk the tires, disconnect, then open the valve to release the air and set the brake.
Dummy here forgot to chalk the tires, and you can guess what happened.
run away trailer.
It rolled off the dock into Elliot Bay in Seattle.
Fortunately it was empty and I gave a crane operator $50to pull it out. (That was a lot of money in 1972)
Thought I'd gotten away with things, but the next day (after returning to Portland), my boss asked me why there were 'tide' marks inside the trailer.
I should have had the trailer washed out.
He walked away without my answering, but turned a few feet later and said, "next time, don't forget to chalk the tires!"
I didn't dare ask for the $50 either!

 

Chalk it up to learning.. and stevens reports NOTHING to DAC/USIS while you are employed by them.. it cost Stevens money to report you to DAC. They only report upon termination, and then only if you are a real screw up. U-turn will get you DACed.

Dirty laundry, 3rd week solo, backing into Tyson, a street dock, I misjudged the concrete barrier, and took the bumber and fog light off the passenger side of the tractor...
3 months solo, backed into the hood of a volvo, punching a hole in the wheel well...
1 week later, hit a deer in tennessee... broken turn signal...
6 months solo, strong winds, blowing the flexiable construction signs all over the place, I hit one, gouging out the right steer and rim...did not blow...

Had to do the 3 hour road test around dallas during rush hour traffic...
don't try to hide the mistakes, man up and admit them, take the retraining, and it will pass as emulsified says.

 

Learn something new every day. Thanks TL.

 

Was waiting for my escort my my cup test, and they were discussing who to DAC and who not to with the lady that maintains our files... very interesting to be a fly on the wall, or a contestant for the wizz quiz in the corner.

 

Will be our little secret

 

Haha I think im gonna hold off selling off my belongings and quit worrying about the dreaded Grey Hound ride. Still can't figure out how that door came off not evidence of collision to be found at the crime sene in Danbury or on the trailer. Well hope I stay on this NYC dedicated fleet is pays pretty well!

 

sprung hinges, broken hinge.. and when you pulled out from the dock, the door fell to the ground? chalk that one up to metal fatigue.

 

reading you folks stories about accidents made me remember this.....

Harry Hogge: All right. While we're still under a caution, I want you to go back out on that track and hit the pace car.
Cole Trickle: Hit the pace car?
Harry Hogge: Hit the pace car.
Cole Trickle: What for?
Harry Hogge: Because you've hit every other ######### thing out there, I want you to be perfect.

 

First week solo I backed the trailer into a guy's headlight. Took out his marker light too and dented his fender. It was a super tight dock (for this newbie) in PA.

I heard that I'll probably have to pay the deductible, talk to safety, and do some backing on the hill.

Is that right?

I feel like I'll be paying Stevens to work before long once they start taking the money out for the meatlock and load locks. LOL