Trucks Left on Road (unseated)???

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by williemays, Feb 24, 2011.

  1. williemays

    williemays Bobtail Member

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    Jan 11, 2011
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    I am researching the frequency that trucks get left on the road by their drivers. In other words, trucks that are 'unseated' by someone who for various reasons, illness, bad company, fired, just up and walk away from the truck.
    Does anyone know if this happens and does it happen very often? And does anyone want to share a story they heard or were part of?

    Thanks,

    Willie
     
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  3. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Trucks do get "abandoned" by drivers, usually at a truck stop. I picked one up one time in Jersey at a small truck stop with only 4 bald drive tires. One time, a driver left his truck out in the Ca. desert headed into a deadend ravine. Can you say "pissed off"?

    When I worked for FFE, we used to get "BOLO's" for missing trailers, they usually had 6-8 un-accounted for trailers, hadn't a clue where they were.
     
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  4. Flying Dutchman

    Flying Dutchman Road Train Member

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    Local concrete mixer driver a few years back, just got done batching his 9.5 yard load, drove across the street to the parking lot, shut the truck off and left.

    Sucked to be them!
     
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  5. Ridgerunner665

    Ridgerunner665 Road Train Member

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    It happens...more than one might think.

    For me to do that, they'd really have to piss me off...bad!
     
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  6. o.m.d.

    o.m.d. Heavy Load Member

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    so what happened to the concrete? it hardened? did it ruin the mixer??

    i dont know what it would take for me to abandon a truck. if someone pissed me off to that point i would rather drive to where they are.
     
  7. o.m.d.

    o.m.d. Heavy Load Member

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    i sort of did something like this though. the last job i had i never quit or anything, i called in sick one day, once i got the definite start day i never showed up again. come to think of it i wish i had abandoned the truck mid way threw the day hahahahaha that would of been great. this was also a local job so it wouldnt be that big of a deal but even so, i wish i thought of that.
     
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  8. bleach driver

    bleach driver Light Load Member

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    in some instances its a felony to abandon a truck with a load in the box as you signed for it its your responsability to make sure it is either returned to the customer , to the companies property , or the consignee , and then return the equipment to the nearest company shop . we had drivers who quit at satalite terminals ( basically a mailbox and parking slot ) and left the equipment there , I had a driver quit after he was diagnosed with cancer , I went to his house and picked up the equipment ( he was in no shape to drive anyways ) when I quit my last employee job , I drove the truck to the home terminal and cleaned it out . and dropped off the paperwork only after it was signed for . releasing me of it .and one of my drivers quit while on the road , I told him to stop , sit down and think it over ( eat diner or take a break ) and give me a call back . and if he was going to continue the load to let me know so I can get hold of the customer and cover for him ( AKA he blew out all the tires on the trailer deal ) and to come back to home office and we will talk it over , being I was a driver too I understand people get pissed , including me at times , never had one abandon a truck , I told drivers if they abandon the truck they would get billed portal to portal to have me send 2 drivers out to pick it up . but I rather have them drop it off at the shop and Ican talk with them , maybe there was something I was doing wrong .

    I know with the ABC roating door companies this is different , but even when I worked for the ABC companies , I still returned there equipment to there home domosile ..
     
  9. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    I've worked for a few of the big companies, and I get getting pissed off, or just not being able to communicate when there is a problem. However, I have NEVER abandoned a truck or trailer. Company equipment was always returned to company property. Loaded trailers had paperwork turned in to dispatch or fuel desk, per co. policy. Empty trailers were swept out and ready for the next driver. Truck was cleaned out, swept, and in one case even washed for the next sucker...er...driver. Just because I'm done with that particular company's BS (yeah, I'm looking right at ya, Werner!) Doesn't mean that the next driver should have to deal with my crap! That's just being professional, in my opinion.
     
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  10. jokerl90

    jokerl90 Light Load Member

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    While being interviewed for a job was asked if I was the type of person to abandon a truck. My answer out loud was "no sir". In my mind I said, "nope, thats my ride back to the house,screw riding a bus"
    Used to, not only would a driver abandon the truck, but sell everything they could off it, fuel, tires, etc.
    Had a friend once who didn't abandon a truck and trailer. He just took it for about 6 months. I assume he hauled loads with it, but there's really no telling what he did with it. When he brought it back there was no charges filed. Guess the owner was just glad to get it back on one piece, and also Rick was a very scary individual.
     
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  11. o.m.d.

    o.m.d. Heavy Load Member

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    he must have instilled some serious fear into people to have them not file a stolen property report with the cops and have the truck tracked down hahahaha.
     
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