I drive for a small company here in Iowa (32 company trucks and 0 O/O's).
The Safety Representative has recently (today) gott'n ahold of me and asked when it would be a good time for him to "ride along".
I said; "never".
He wanted to know why not. So I told him, I am a loner, and if I wanted someone in my truck I would run team or have one of my kids ride with me (wife don't really like going).
I also told him, I don't need a baby-sitter or someone telling me how "they'd" do it.
Well, he told me it was part of his job, and I had no choice---I told him I do have a choice...I can move on.
Needless to say the conversation ended with him all pissed off.
About 30 minutes later the Vice President calls and asks' "how's it going?" I said-"you tell me",
and she says she had heard there was a problem, and began to explain why he needed to ride along (something Safety did'nt bother to mention) she said, if they can document within one year that the Safety Rep. has ridden with each driver, that they can get a discount on their Insurance.
In ten years and several companies, I have never in my life heard of such a program---have you?
I told them I'd think about it and we are to meet at 7 a.m. tommorow.
I have always been set in my ways...I am bull headed and hate to give in to nonsence.
I don't like the thought of him spending 2 or 3 days in my truck and gettting shorted on miles to stick close to the terminal so he can get back when he needs to be back.
The guy is a chatter box and a dork. He does not smoke, and I do, he is also crippled and can bearly walk let alone climb in and out of a truck (will I be waiting and waiting for him during bathroom and shower stops).
I can pile on the reasons why this guy is going to get on my nerves, but I think you can get the idea.
I have been told that I can refuse to let him come with me, but could not get an answer as to what might happen if I do. (ie.-lose my job etc...)
To me, driving jobs are a dime a dozen, and I have other prospects out there as we speak---so it ain't like I'd miss even one day of work.
However; I actually like it where I'm at, and have had absolutely no discrepencies in my checks to date. I like small companies like this one and the variety of runs I am making.
That's not to say I could'nt get it like that somewhere else---but I have it here now.
What would you do? Let the dork bug the heck out of you for three days, by invading your sanctaty? Or refuse, and see what happens next?It's apparent this place is never going to change....then again; why should it? It gets the clientel it deserves.
Bette Midler
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That is how Mr.Wally-World found his President.Jim Glass drove for Wal_Mart.Jim got ready to leave out one day and they told him they had a co_driver for him.So Jim and co_driver leaves out for their run.Co-driver puts his feet on the dash of his truck.Jim tells him not to do that.C0-driver decides he is going to smke his cigar.Jim tells him no he isnt smoking in his truck.The co-driver done all kinds of things he shouldnt have.When they got back to their terminal Jim was called into the office of his Boss.You see his co-driver was Mr Walt and Jim had no ideal who his co-driver was.Mr.Walt told Jim if you take care of my truck that way I amn sure you can run my company.You know the rest of the story
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Make sure you blow smoke in his face, every chance you get, if he doesn't smoke he'll want get out of the truck real fast.
What an intrusion of your privacy. Where is he going to sleep? In your bunk? Unless you truck is equiped for training it is going to be very uncomfortable for him because I would make it clear that he is'nt going to cause you to miss out on the much needed rest that you need at the end of the day!!! The company would be forking out some extra cash to pay for hotel rooms every night. One for each of you!!
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.... a buddy who is retired from this outfit now is a safety officer for a small trucking outfit, and he was telling me awhile back about having to do the same thing ... for the same reason. They too, had some drivers who were less than enthusiastic about it (and he wasn't happy having to ride with some of them either) ... but it was work and they found a way to accomodate each other, or at least survive the trip this go round, but he thinks the next time might be easier for everyone now that they know it's going to be a ritual type deal.
We have to have a Sgt. ride along periodically too (for acredidation, not insurance as we are self insured), sometimes it's fun, sometimes it's a "real pain in the wazoo".
I survive.
"I'm just a doin' my job, I'm the ..." (well, you know) ...
... and whatever you do, have a SAFE TRIP...
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Sandy; I doubt I will ever run the show, I'm the second to the bottom rung on the o'l ladder...they would'nt be disappointed if I did though---I am good
Flatbed wife; I don't think I can blow it in his face, I can't be that rude...but I will smoke as offten as I do, and if he rolls his window down and I get chilli, I'll ask him to roll it up and live with the smoke.
As far as sleeping arrangement, I have a single bunk sleeper, and I don't want him even to sit in it let alone sleep there---that's my bedroom, so the company assured me they will get him a hotel room, and I will have to sleep in the truck at the hotel (goody, so now I have to plan my trips to end at a hotel at night instead of a truck stop or rest area like I'm used to), also the VP sai that the Safety guy has been known to sleep in the passanger seat when a hotel was not feasable...(perhaps I can plan to have him sleep in the seat all the nights)
You're right, it is an intrusion and it sucks.
I still have not said yes!!!!
And CP; why would I not like to here from you? We may dissagree once in a while (or all the time), but, I do want to know if this kind of thing is happening to others...it is good to know I am not just getting picked on---I thought it was just a way for them to see how I operate...but maybe it is lagit, since you know of it being done at another small company.
As for the superior riding with you, that would also suck---nobody needs a baby sitter or needs to feel like their superiors are openly spying on them.
But at least you don't have to find a place for him to sleep at the end of your shift, you just drop him off and see him the next day---still gotta suck though.
Like I said earlier, I don't know that I will say yes.
So far I got:1.) Maybe they'll promote you(?)
2.) What an intrusion(no)
3.) I survived(yes)
Any more please.It's apparent this place is never going to change....then again; why should it? It gets the clientel it deserves.
Bette Midler
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...so the company assured me they will get him a hotel room, and I will have to sleep in the truck at the hotel...
That would end all conversation right there. What are you supposed to do while he is in the lounge telling all the lizards what a great driver he is? Where are you supposed to shower...eat...relax?
If they require that he goes to bed, then they would put me to bed also...in a seperate room.
If they are so hell bent on observing your driving (with an unqualified observer), then they will have to accomodate both of you during break. Why can't he make his observations on a day trip?
I once drove for a company that would require its' dispatchers to ride for a week. But both men were put to bed.
At the very least, they should pay you training time for the wages you are going to lose...
_____________________________
Battered Truck Dweller Syndrome
- Work one hundred hours (plus) per week...
- Log said activity within the allowed seventy...
- Get paid (maybe) for fifty of those hours...
- Be really smart and enter a Lease-Purchase Agreement...
Don't Forget Dwellers...
...Log Smart...Log Often...
And Be A Team Player
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Two excellent points Bedspread!!!
I belive that will be my nagotiating point with the "big guy" tommorow.
If they absolutely insist on the "ride along", I will insist on a hotel room also.
Do you think I should push the pay issue for the time I will lose running short to accomidate 'his' need to stick close to the one and only terminal we have???????
Because I will if you want me to!!!!!It's apparent this place is never going to change....then again; why should it? It gets the clientel it deserves.
Bette Midler
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There are times when Uncle Sam may ride along.
Example: Carrier logs 10 hours driving time round trip from Hinsdale, IL - Saint Louis, MO, The actual mileage is about 557 miles.
I say it can't be done in 10 hours of driving while maintaining the speed limit. The carrier argues it can be done legally.
All righty - - When does the next load leave?
Carriers don't welcome it but it has been done.
Several carriers have safety ride alongs. I believe you will see it more often as carriers look for ways to cut insurance cost.
John Q.
Disclaimer: The views posted are those of the author. The accuracy of the rules posted are subject to the status of rules and regulations posted by the GPO and other Government Agencies. The author accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies of any posted regulation or interpretation. Readers should seek legal counsel for all legal issues.
[This message was edited by John Q. Public on February 18, 2003 at 19:01.]"If men were angels...No government would be necessary."
51st Federalist Papers
"Nichols' Fourth Law says, "Avoid any action with an unacceptable outcome"
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to your problem, you offer a compromise and that way don't come off like a horse's butt and you didn't refuse, sounds like a fair solution for all to me.
"She'll Leave You With A Smile"
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I agree White Dog..if they (carrier/insurance co.) have a question about your driving ability that should be addressed by putting you through a road test with a qualified examiner. Two or three hours should tell the tale about your driving ability...no need to go out with some half lame safety guy for three days..would serve no useful purpose other than to assuage the questionable criteria of an insurance company.
Stand your ground I say..
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Because I will if you want me to!!!!!
Think positive White Dog. It should read "I will, because I want to!"
Let's ask Connie if she has any experience with type of cost cutting company feature in her dealings with carriers.
How long is the Safety Director tentatively scheduled to ride along? Chances are whatever truck he is assigned to will be scheduled a short out and back. Whatever way it goes, he will need to work with same HOS you are, taking into consideration YOUR sleep patterns. It's all in the name of safety so arguments should be few on his end.
He wouldn't, by any chance, have a pre-trip on his agenda for you would he?
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I'm in the process of doing some research on this one and will let you know.
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Not to offend you whitedog, but you have a lousy attitude and your the kinda driver that makes the good guys look bad!
I would have fired you on the spot!! you have to work together and with an attitude like yours around it makes it unpleasent for all.
I think it's a great Idea, this way you and your safety director can work on problems that occure on the road together, you should have seen this as opportunity rather than a inconventance.
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I did some checking with the insurance companies we have. None of them offer a "discount" for the described situation.
Now, there are companies that may, however I've not yet found one.
What I was told it that perhaps an insurance company would provide some type of "consideration" in their pricing for above average safety measures, but it would probably be discretionary.
Hope this helps.
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Quote:
so the company assured me they will get him a hotel room, and I will have to sleep in the truck at the hotel (goody, so now I have to plan my trips to end at a hotel at night instead of a truck stop or rest area like I'm used to),
How about YOU sleep in the hotel room and let him sleep in the truck, of course not idiling to save fuel would be good to put into play while he's trying to sleep..