How much privacy should a company driver expect in the workplace?

In my years driving, I can not remember being searched by my employer. I do remember hearing about drivers that were called in and fired after a mechanic or shop person was inside the tractor working on something and found contraband! I use the term contraband because it is a broad term that can also describe things and substances PROHIBITED by Federal Rules AND company policy from being inside that Commercial Vehicle.

I have been "patted" down several times from time to time, but in every case but one, it was on the side of the road after being stopped by a LEO!

This topic generally is something I try to stay clear of not only in these forums but also in my life outside! I do counsel people to resist the urge to become an Internet trained Attorney or "GASP" a Truckstop attorney. If you are asked to submit to a search to enter a customer's property and feel it inappropriate to submit then don't enter that property. Contact your company and let them solve the issue. As far as on company property like a terminal, I would counsel to use EXTREME caution when exercising your "rights?".

 

When I hauled hazmat, sometimes a security guard would look inside the sleeper and side boxes, but they never looked inside my personal belongings. I didn't say anything because the security guards don't write the rules. The ones I encountered were professional and some even apologized for having to do it. Of course, security guards at hazmat or chemical facilities aren't the same as those at grocery warehouses. Those at grocery warehouses would never be hired at hazmat facilities.
In the Navy, sometimes they would look inside our sea bag (duffle bag). Anything we didn't want found, we'd just mail it from the ship's post office. Those postal clerks couldn't care less what was in the packages.

 

You have no expectation of privacy crossing the border or delivering to military, nuke, or corrections facilities.

Some facilities, like chem plants, will check for pets.

As far as the trucking company snooping through your personal belongings: never heard of it, but you can bet your sweet bippy that they would find a reason if you give them suspicion you’re involved in illegal activities in their equipment.

 

Been searched delivering to prisons and they took my phone and knives until I left.

 

OP you started a thread earlier promoting the idea that truckers should legally be able to carry a weapon for their personal protection. Now you have started another thread about concerns of a truck or personal belongings being searched by the company. Are these two threads related?

 

Hard for them to steal it when you're wearing the battery out on it while they fix the truck.

 

I have had CHP want to search my cab once, I refused, I requested a Supv and the search did not happen. Never had a company or customer want to search my cab. But if your on there property, you have probably agreed to abiding by their policies. I still would not let them search and just deal with the consequences. It is not going to be a situation were law enforcement will have anything to say. Just drive away, those drop gates in the driveways tend to break easier than your truck, but be aware there will be companies that will count it as a accident or incident, I would tell them it was no accident I drove through it on purpose because I did not feel safe and felt threatened.

 

I have never had a problem with things being locked, I keep my personal protective devices locked in a case mounted solid to the truck, never had anyone question except Canada port of entry. If they are going to be working in the sleeper I would lock everything down,, what is in there is only your business.

 

It is not illegal for a driver to carry firearms in a truck as far as federal, legal transportation of a firearm is covered by state/county for the most part. This had been covered here multiple times.

 

Yes... no experience.