You're told to drive on a flat by a DM, what would you do?

You're a 30 year driver with a clean record

You're told to drive 25 miles on a flat by a DM or be terminated.. You started at the company five months ago...

The same deal happens at the next company within four months..

Now the trick question: How do you get a CDL job as a "job hopper" in 2024..

:evil grin:

 

They're duals. If you need to get off the road, or hell, even to the destination it's sometimes the best option you have to drive on it. Did you tell them no?

 

I had a flat not too long ago and I decided it was safer for all concerned if I drove 15 miles to the Love's.

Barely any shoulder on that stretch of interstate and the flat was on the left side. I didn't want to put the repair guy at that much risk.
I left a trail of debris for a bit and kept the speed under 50, but got there OK.

There have been other times when I have said no, I will not move the truck so send out the repair truck.

The thing is, they can threaten you all they want. It is your call in the end. And it is not the DM that will be firing you. Heck, they are not even your real boss.

 

I'd take my chances depending on where I am. I've driven 25 miles to get to a shop on a flat. Roadside is costly, and I can understand why a company would prefer you to drive to the shop. It is a bit risky because DOT can stop you, but I like the chances of making it to the shop. In Colorado, I got to Limon and tried the TA. They were so backed up I decided to try to get to the Love's in Bennett. As soon as I tried to turn to get on 70, a DOT in an unmarked car stopped me and told to get it fixed or he'd do an inspection and put me out of service.....begrudgingly, I say, "yes sir." Lol. It is a risk that I will take. Hell if it's in the evening time, and you got time on the load, I'd wait til late and limp it in there.

 

Doesn't matter what they say, if YOU decide that it ain't safe and tell then that and they proceed with a termination? You got a easy lawsuit there my friend! Because you are the captain of your ship and if they don't abide by that, they're breaking the law! Wished I was in that situation, I'd be on a tropical island somewhere typing this out!! No bs!

 

We've all driven on flats, whether we knew it or not. Greatly depends on the situation. Some ball buster mega load, not a good idea, but a light load or empty, I see no problem. What would concern me, is if they have that policy for flat tires, what else is going on? Good companies take the safe route, fly by night try and get away with everything.

 

I tell ya, that fifty foot air hose with a glad hand on one end and a quick connect on the other end that I bought in a T/A truck stop sure saved my bacon a couple of times, even a four wheeler on the side of the road down in al that had a flat, he sure was glad that I pulled over and put some air in his tire so he could drive it home!

 

The company that I was recently hired with told me that in the event that I had a tire issue they would prefer that I "limp" to the nearest service facility if I found it feasible. They don't have any issue calling out someone for roadside assistance, like someone else said it is ultimately our call as the driver and frankly I have driven on a bad tire before and made it just fine to a Petro to get a new tire.

 

As the guy who used to dispatch tire trucks out to stranded drivers on the road, let me be the first to tell you that choosing that option over 'limping it' to the nearest tire shop will take easily 3 times longer, and cost your company 3x as much money. Sometimes there's no choice, sometimes there is....