Thinking about USA

If this IS the case, why wouldn't your "friend" contact someone regarding these allegations?

Please don't get me wrong, as I'm not trying to discredit you. However, I'm a driver that left USA and am now returning, I have experience listening to multiple drivers who make statements such as your "friend" has made, but the other side of the statement is what is their failure in the situation? It's always the companies fault......is that possible? The company wants it's trainers to teach and require students to drive outside the law?

Students.....entry level people. Low wage? How much should an entry level driver make? Should the company pay the complete training costs for a driver and pay the same entry level driver the wage that, let's say, a driver with 1-3 years experience makes?

Would a phone call to headquarters regarding the instruction to run illegal log books be the right thing to do? In the era of CSA I certainly disagree with any statement that a company would not take any action against a trainer if they found this to be the case.

You see, while not to "pump sunshine", your friend could have caught a case of classic "BUYERS REMORSE". They go to a C-1 type driving school, sign some agreement thats states the terms of their obligation with USA after they get their CDL, and then for cause or not, decide that they are not going to honor THEIR agreement. Then of course, USA is the devil who caused the demise of the employee. Further, they try to convince everyone around them and whomever will listen why the company is at fault.

I'm not saying USA is perfect, no place is, but the reality is, former employees are just that for multiple reasons. Their reasons are many, the truth..........it's in the details........all the details.

 

USA Truck does NOT require their drivers to run illegal, simple period!! There might have been some history there of USA Truck doing so, but in the day of CSA2010 and the FMCSA getting tighter those days are long past. I just read where the FMCSA and the state of Maryland shut a carrier down.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-clock-transport-shut-20111125,0,7411455.story


USA Truck has a tough safety dept today whom will NOT let operations by with this crap. All a driver has to do is call safety and they WILL correct said FM. One more thing. USA Truck is not perfect as is NO other company. However if you want to be taken seriously by most of the people that post in these forums. You need to be specific about your gripe and be first person. Saying my uncle frank quit because of so and so or my brother quit because of this or that, or makeing broad sweeping generalizations don't help you with being credible. I know I have reported some of my conversations with mostly active USA Truck drivers, however I don't remember making comments like USA Truck sucks etc etc.
My basic problem with USA Truck is their management. I feel these men are driving a good company into the ground. It bothers me not because it's effecting me, but because I still have some good friends that are both drivers as well as people in the Van Buren , Spantanburg and Vandalia terminals. As I said in one of my last posts, I pray daily for this situation to change for the better and the company get back to being a good stable profitable company. The stockholders as well as the employees all deserve no less.

goodchoice10 I hope you all the best in your coming employment with USA Truck. I wish you more miles then you can drive and no serious problems with you're equipment. Please keep it between the white lines.

 

I tell all my students the truth when it comes to their logs. Logs are to be done as you do it, how you do it with a straight edge and neat. If you think you are going to get away with cheating, then you might as well quit now. All USA's trucks send a signal whenever they are turned on or off and it includes the location. It also sends info every so often. Now you also have the trailers sending signals also. USA paper logs are reviewed by computer and compared to the electronic signals, fuel stops, and toll locations, and all possible violations are pointed out to the logging/safety staff. If and when they decide you are using "creative logging" you are brought in for disciplinary action. Please remember, an intentional false logging charge by DOT can carry a $10,000 fine. Is it worth the few extra miles you might get by doing it?
BTW, I received a week or so ago a notice that they are now tracking your 10 hour breaks. Those not taking the full ten hours will be contacted quickly and told to shut down.

 

glad to hear your coming back goodchoice,i really would love to run into you someday out here.I like your attitude alot

 

TY T0810, I had to head to the house to take care of my daughter. It's all good now so back to the road I go. I didn't consider any company except USA. It's coming around, I know it.

I plan on returning mid December. Maybe the week of Christmas. I will hit you up when I arrive.

 

I can't remember the name of the company USA Truck uses to compile this information. And I am too lazy to go back through my posts to find it. However I do agree they compile this information and it's available to safety. This is why most of the drivers I know about have been fired by safety. Companies that force their drivers to, or allow their drivers to, violate the HOS rules are on borrowed time. The feds are really starting to watch this very closely. I hear drivers at truck stops bragging about using multiple log books justifying this because the HOS rules limit their income, makes them late for pickups and deliveries. I just smile hoping most of this talk is just hyperbole, because in the not to distant future I have a serious doubt they will be doing this. If you can't make a living under the HOS rules I seriously recommend you find a job where you are not under the FMCSA HOS regulations.

 

It's called RAIR or RAIRG, something like that. I've seen it, it flags logs that show violations, not just HOS. General Form & Manner are shown too! (i.e. no signature, no date, no miles, no daily total of hours, etc.)

I've been spoken to about my logs once. I was 15 minutes over (1) day and it was flagged. But let me tell you about the logs. If the fuel stops match the log, typically your o.k. Am I saying that the QC does not ping you or this and that? Nope. What I am saying is that I drove 104K miles in 8 months. I had (1) logging error, that was a stupid mistake because I drew the line too far. Otherwise I never was spoken to regarding my logs (or anything else for that matter).

I didn't drive from coast to coast outta hours, but sometimes in the course of a day or week there are times when you make things work to your favor. Alot of times actually. I was inspected (3) different times this year by DOT, twice in NY (they are not kind), no violations at all. Logging is an acqiured talent. Yes, talent. It takes time to figure out how to utilize your time, yes your time, because it can be wasted very quickly if your are not flexible and prudent.

So now will come the comments, so be it. But I contend that if your using your time wisely and logging correctly, you will go far. I have and will continue to do so. As well as I know many drivers who do the same. It's all legal.

 

Things are changing fast. I know things like 15 mins here and there are sometimes over looked, but they aren't going to be much longer. In a recent trainers meeting it was mentioned that NJ police recently had a USA driver in for inspection and requested his electronic records to compare to his logs, that hasn't happened in the past. I also received a QC message that 10 hr breaks are going to be closely monitored electronically and those not completing a full 10 hour break will be called quickly by safety and shut down.
It's just too easy to follow the rules and still make good money once you learn to plan your run properly, why would you not do it. I don't care how others do it, by as for me and my trainees, it's logged as you do it, how you do it, with a straight edge and neat.

 

GC, Wouldn't you rather go to a slightly better company and get paid a lot better?

 

its where I'm comfortable, USA is fine, I think good people can make a difference.