Should a driver pay for leaving their keys inside the truck?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by rpad139, Dec 2, 2019.

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Should drivers pay the bill if they get locked out of their truck?

Poll closed Dec 9, 2019.
  1. Yes, drivers are responsible for not carrying a spare key and should pay the fee

    92 vote(s)
    81.4%
  2. No, the company should pay for the lockout fee.

    21 vote(s)
    18.6%
  1. KANSAS TRANSIT

    KANSAS TRANSIT Road Train Member

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    At some point it would be nice if a person takes responsibility for a problem THEY caused, and just so you know, I pay all vehicle damages my driver may cause, I pay for any accidents my drivers may have, I pay for ALL down time, I pay W2, full WC, and all of the other insurances, taxes and everything else that goes along with providing a job, AND I pay my drivers OTR, BY THE HOUR,,,,,,,,But I'm sorry, If you can't take responsibility for being able to be capable enough to be able to get in and out of your truck without costing the company money,,,,maybe you shouldn't be in the truck to start with???
     
    haycarter, S M D, Ruthless and 4 others Thank this.
  2. KANSAS TRANSIT

    KANSAS TRANSIT Road Train Member

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    I hear ya, well have a great Holiday Season!!
     
  3. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I drove one of those trucks that the button would pop back up when you closed the door. So I had to use the key. Found out that I could put the lock button down, then if I pulled out the outside door handle while I closed it, the button wouldn't pop back up and it would lock. Told one of the other drivers about this and he just had to try it. And locked himself out.
     
  4. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    many cars and light trucks were like that as well. way back when.

    back then, it was most likely considered as a safe guard to not lock your keys in the car.

    the past several cars that i have had now, if the engine is running, or the key is still in the ignition, and i try to press the power door lock? it pops back out, so that we DON'T lock the car, with the key in the ignition.
     
  5. HazmatTanker

    HazmatTanker Bobtail Member

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    I locked my keys in my truck a total of one time. Employer never knew. Looked all over the ground for things I could use, asked a few drivers for supplies and got the truck open. Always made a spare key after that. These days my trucks dont lock the driver side door unless you use the key so it isn't an issue anymore.

    If I worked for you you'd love me. I don't say that in a braggadocious way. I just take my work seriously and possess common sense. Every employer I've ever had has recognized that. It's just something rubs me the wrong way about asking your employee to pay for something. Just pay for it and tell them it'll be a write up. One more time they're fired. Most likely you will end up with a higher quality worker after that write up.
     
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  6. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    many of you recall those small vent windows every motorized caged vehicle had.

    it was common place to pry open that vent window to get in.

    but sometimes, the glass would crack, or the lock would be broken.

    a shop mechanic was working on a truck this one time, i was talking to him, and he was ticked off.

    driver broke the glass, he said he'd wish that when this happens, that we use the passenger side instead, as the shop never has ENOUGH drivers side vents.....:biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559:

    so what does that say..??

    too many company drivers, locking themselves out.....:biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559:
     
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  7. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    So you are saying the company should pay? The company does own the vehicle after all.....
     
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  8. KANSAS TRANSIT

    KANSAS TRANSIT Road Train Member

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    Funny how you would read that,
     
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  9. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    I don't really have an opinion, but you did imply the owner is the responsible party...

    As for me, I've been locked out of a truck twice. First time was my fault 100% and I didn't even think to call the company. I just went and got the stuff to break in. (It was an international so all it needed was a small screwdriver to pop the lock). The second time I was in a loaner and the key broke in the door lock. No I did not force it, just parked at the hotel and was locking the door with normal pressure. That time I did get the company to pay a locksmith as the way I figured it, they gave me crappy equipment.
     
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  10. KANSAS TRANSIT

    KANSAS TRANSIT Road Train Member

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    See ZVar, and that is why I said it's funny how you read that, I wasn't being a smart ###, it's just funny how different people interpret different things, case in point, you read that post as the OWNER of the vehicle is the responsible party, I wrote the post to reflect that "IF" you were responsible to pay for a situation you created in your own vehicle why would it be different in a company vehicle, but I can see your point, just depends on how you look at it I guess?

    But the poll at the top of the page does show an overwhelming number think the driver should pay.