What if it Snows?

I wash it by hand when it rains. I always log that “on duty equipment check”.

 

I figure if I can do it faster or sooner than a shop can then its worth my effort... Voluntarily take an hour or two of my time to fix a problem, so I can get back to making money... Or involuntarily sit for 3 to 4, or more, hours while a shop wastes my time.

Thanks but I'll fix it if I can... Thats why I carry tools and a few spare parts. I'm not just out here for a paycheck, I do my best to take care of the company too. A little of my time can save the company a few hundred for a shop visit... Or several thousand for a tow.

I may not see much if any extra cash for my trouble, but little things like that can go along way with the company when it comes to getting the runs I want, or the home time I need at the last minute.

Maybe if these type of simple repairs were expected of drivers we would not have as many wheel holders out here making the rest of us look bad. And we might even be paid better.

 

I understand your points.

One thing to consider is, with large carriers, it can be cause for termination if a driver works on the truck. Especially if the work is not authorized by the company.

 

I could absolutely diagnose and fix it.

The problem lays in getting the batteries paid for. I’d have to front the cost of the batteries, and I did that once with lightbulbs. Without a PO# I won’t get reimbursed....took me 2 months.

Now, I would replace all four batteries at once and the company wouldn’t pay for that. Nor would they pay me for my time.

Instead the decision is to get paid breakdown pay, and layover pay while I do a 34. I also don’t have a preplan yet...so rushing to get it done wouldn’t help.

I fix all kinds of things on my tractor and trailer. But those are things the company gives me parts for or won’t balk at EFS check for it.

 

And I understand this as well, but I dont agree with such policies.

One more reason I will not work for such a company.

 

Well at least you are paid to sit and wait. I'm glad I work for a small company... I could pay thousands of my own money and be reimbursed within a week. Provided that said expense was legitimate, and I could produce a receipt. Many times I have paid several hundred dollars of my own cash, and a few times on my personal credit card, for lumpers and/or repairs... Always reimbursed on payday.

 

Western is a starter company. Those of us who are new have few options that are readily available. Of course an experienced driver with a small tight knit company would do something different. Western currently has over 3000 drivers. Can you imagine the paperwork nightmare if people randomly decided to do their own repairs and pay cash for the parts?

Someday I’ll have my own truck. I’ll do the research on which batteries I want before I need them. As I will with most replaceable parts. I’ll do the work like it’s a machine I’m going to race. I love to safety wire things. Besides it looks cool.

 

Otter, just a question here. Does WE still have the
“ Driver conveniences “ line on the pay reports?

 

I understand your situation... It just saddens me that this is what the industry has sucken to.

To be honest though... If I were to go out to the open market looking for work as a driver, most companies would see 20 months OTR experience. Even though I have been driving truck on and off for over 20 years. I drove truck before I could legally drive anything. But all my experience before November 2017 cant be verified, aside from "Yeah he worked here, and he drove truck some"... And for much of my experience you couldnt even get employment verification.

I havent gotten a job by filling out an application since high school... The application has always been a formality that was filled out after-the-fact... If at all.

 

Five years ago I had a trainee in the truck westbound on I-80 in Wyoming in temperatures below zero. The truck started hiccuping and losing power. I found a a safe place to park and called Swift road assistance.

Now IF I was ALLOWED to switch out the primary fuel filter, we would have been on our way within minutes. Swift doesn't allow that.

Instead we had to get a toe truck to haul us back to Rawlins, drop the trailer, then we bobtailed to the TA. THEN another several hours of "mother may I!!!???" and the ultimate answer was to tow the bobtail to Casper.

My trainee and I spent a week in a hotel in Casper. Finally we were allowed to get a rental car and go get a truck in Grand Junction, CO. All that for a fouled up fuel filter!!! Swift spent thousands of dollars on hotels and towing because I wasn't allowed to change the primary fuel filter!