So frustrated...PLZ HELP! Fired for using GPS

GPS units are not illegal. That isn't the issue. The issue is its against company policy to use a GPS unit. Why can't you rookies understand that? I said it once and I'll say it again. If you don't want to follow company policy, buy your own truck and make your own policy. The teammate is not responsible for her termination. Look at it this way. If she was reported by someone other than her teammate they both would have been terminated. It's called "covering your ###". If I was running teams and my teammate was breaking policy I'd warn him once and if it continued I'd report him. I have a family to support. I'm not risking my job for anyone!! You rookies won't last long anywhere if you don't start taking responsibility for your own actions!

 

Very well said, I hope they get it sooner than later. Rules are rules, if you don't like them, try to get them changed[the right way] or learn to live with them, its what life is all about!!

 

Company yes men really irritate me. I'm sorry but if a company policy is unreasonable I will not follow it. If they want to fire me then by all means. She was just trying to do her job and deliver their freight.

Like I mentioned before i used to work for a ####### comp that required GPS to be windshield mounted. Well my is in my cell phone. I am not running out and buying a $100+ GPS unit to satisfy their absurd rule. If they want to pay for it then by all means I will use a windshield mounted unit. Until then I use what I have to get the job done.

 

Yeah and company driver policy re-writers really irritate me. What's your point? You had a gps in you phone......what's the problem again??

 

She had just started driving though, it's a safety issue for her to know where the hell she is going, for a super trucker that knows every pothole and lot lizzard from New York city to San Francisco it is a useless thing on their windshield. A company that can not see that, that has a policy like that which causes what to happen if you use one... company policies are just like excuses if you know what I mean. As far as the teammate, if someone would have done that to me, I may lose my job and she would lose her teeth. See if her family is okay with that. If a teammate has a problem with someone they are with, just tell them things aren't working out and get another teammate. Same thing happens if you get someone fired, the company has to get someone else to ride with you. Just seems kind of messed up when you would consider your family and your job but have no consideration of others, seems just a little selfish and disrespectful. I do have to agree, it is their truck, they have a policy...which is always just a way to fire someone, but if you get caught not following the policy you are gone. I have never seen such a lame policy myself, just seemed wrong to think of a helpful device being made out to be a policy violation.

 

I might be reading this all wrong but I don't believe the problem was her using a GPS. I think the problem was her actually messing with it while driving. If I am reading it right what's so bad about that policy. The drivers eyes and focus are not on the road they are on the GPS. This is a saftey issue. Punching buttons on a GPS is no different than texting while driving. You are distracted and your eyes are not on the road. I don't allow messing with electronic devices either. How would you like to be riding with someone and they are sitting there driving down the road texting. You wouldn't feel very safe. You would also have to try to sleep behind that person that isn't paying attention driving down the road. If this is the case then no it is not a bad policy. If it is actually because the driver just had a GPS them yes it is a bad policy.

I will also say you don't need a GPS. It is not a necessity. We didnt have GPS not to long ago and we did just fine with old rand McNally. If you rely totally on your GPS you will get into trouble and GPS' do not always route you the shortest route or the quickest route. I have drivers all the time tell me that the GPS doesn't say the route that is suggested. Yet they always say the route suggested is shorter and faster.

 

Not all necessary in your statement. A GPS is meant to be only a reference TOOL.

Draped up and drifted out. Know what I'm talking about? Three in the morning, just stashed up my stash spot.

 

Boy, this thread has gotten so long I bet the original poster has tuned out, or even gotten a job elsewhere. In the event you haven't and you're still reading, look into something oilfield-related. There are quite a few women drivers, roustabouts, and other jobs in the natural gas field up here in PA.

 

Sincere condolences on the passing away of your father, it sounds as though he was an incredibly great person!

UNFORTUNATELY, both of my parents are also deceased. My father passed away 7/2/1981, over 31 years ago. My mother passed away 9/30/2007, over 5 years ago. They had been married to each other for over 25 years. My mother was in her 26th. year of widowhood when she passed away. She had been a widow longer than she had been married. They were both incredibly great people.

What trucking company do you currently drive or work for?

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

 

The safety issue is playing with the GPS and not watching the road. Lemme ask you this since you have so much experience in the trucking industry. What did truckers do before GPS?