More smartdrive foolishness

I've already sent this thread out to various social and technology provocateurs. It's like one of my worst my nightmares coming true. Truly Orwellian and shocking on so many levels. I guess I'm getting old. I haven't read the New Driver thread in so long because it's usually just the same questions and answers. But this is a breathtaking account. Good writing, for the most part, and conveying of the haunting reality of being subjected to this, and portraying the sense of being an algorithm in training.

I became an O/O when I began to feel more and more like I was becoming a computer. But there's no great refuge in becoming an O/O. The risks are great and payoff not always commensurate. And you often sign on with a company that makes you feel like a company driver anyway.

But I hope to see more posts in this vein detailing our slow descent into this dystopian reality in the trucking industry. Obviously we are now just subjects being used to develop the algo's and AI of self driving trucks of the future. I believe that is actually way further out than many predict, but we are essentially being used to train the software that will eventually be implemented.

 

If I felt anything like that, I would have already found another way to make a living, there are really lots of choices.

 

Because of my experience with a Freightliner automatic, I thought for sure my experience with an automatic from a Peterbilt 579 was also going to be very negative. Turns out the automatic Peterbilt is pretty decent, and much superior to that Freightliner garbage.

You know without looking when a Freightliner automatic is pulling into the fuel island next to you. Well, you don't get that annoying creeking sound with a 579. Shifts well, too. For the most part.
And I haul juice in a smooth bore tank.

I can even hook to a loaded tank without slamming into the kingpin. For the most part anyway, depending upon the height of the tank apron. Engaging the axle interlock helps.

Like you, I'd rather have a manual, but I doubt you'll want to end your trucking career over an automatic from Peterbilt.

 

We have a couple trucks with those cameras.

Tape on the camera and drive it like you stole it.

They can’t fire the whole staff. Make sure you hard brake a lot too.

 

All that stress and worry just to get out from under a trailer. Sheesh.

Urge to go computer mode is the last thing you want with a Semi. It should move exactly how you want it to. Very little bit or whoa #### it!!!

 

Jesus.....is this what the industry is coming to? I've interviewed with companies before and they tried their damnedest to convince me these on board "safety" systems, equipped with driving facing cams were the best things since sliced bread. NO thanks. Maybe my mindset is too old fashioned, but I have zero, I mean ZERO tolerance or time, to be worrying about setting a camera off for some petty BS, which will ultimately result in the boss man slapping me on the wrist, telling me how I should drive, or hell firing my sorry ###.

The more they continue with this technological crap, the less I enjoy this career. Do I sound pessimistic? Probably. Are there companies that use the cameras correctly? Sure. Do I care? Not really. On one hand, I can see some of the POTENTIAL benefits companies boast about by using said cameras & systems, but on the other hand I've heard a WHOOOLE lot of negative from drivers who have been reprimanded, or fired for some pretty silly ####. We all know there are drivers out there that are real pieces of work, but I don't need someone holding man hand or watching me do my thing, when the camera goes off for some willy nilly nonsense. You hired me to get this truck & trailer from point A, to point B safely. So allow me to do that without the nanny cams and other nonsense. IF companies are using said systems, I simply walk away because the several I've come across, aren't paying enough or have the perks that make me PERSONALLY feel the headache is worth it. But hey, that's just me.

Unless I'm running local and making a #### good per hour wage, with AFFORDABLE benefits etc, then you won't see me putting around with a driver facing cam, with on board safety crap in a #### auto truck. As they old saying goes, everyone has a price, but I have yet to find mine in regards to this particular situation.

Part of the reason I got into trucking was to NOT have someone watching over my shoulder, holding my hand and telling me how I need to get things done. As they say, different strokes for different folks. Some guys are boob fans, whereas I'm an ### and thighs man all day long. I won't give you #### for liking what you like, but that doesn't mean I have to agree with it and do the same. Flame away.

 

We have it in our contract you can’t talk to us about anything you see on camera unless we’re in an accident.

Only like four trucks have them but it’s still too many.

 

So if so many companies are buying into this, and more are added daily, what are we all going to do? We have within the past year gone to forward facing camera, now if your a bad driver getting incidents, accidents they will turn on the driver facing camera. Not very many have driver facing cameras here at CFI. I'm technology literate, but as I say to people everyday, what you gonna do when the Internet fails!! Many old school ways aren't so old school if you know what I mean.

 

The whole point of driver-facing cameras is to eventually eliminate anyone from becoming a trucker.

Then autonomous trucks will be the norm. Cars will follow.

Agenda 30.

Let's make George Orwell fiction again.

 

Quit early and do something else?... Lol...hey the desk jockies say well we have cameras throughout the building all day 24/7.....they didn't know what to say when I said okay now they need to install workplace cameras right at your cubicle... I said if your loafing or doing something dangerous a video will be sent.... They do make wireless cubicle style camera like you see at Walmart in the very aisle shelf sections