I chatted briefly yesterday with fellow drivers at the restaurant/bar over dinner and drinks. The Pilot parking lot (which holds roughly 20 semis with trailers and as many bobtails as humanly possibly) was packed with over half of the trucks belonging to my company. I have never seen so many here or at the company lot so that tells you that there are many of us with no place to go. And as the sun slowly set, the rumble of engines became louder as the night air got colder.....expected to get below 15 degrees tonight.
The discussion of APU's came up and one driver stated that he would idle his truck until he is fired as he doesn't have one. He is a trainer with a student and as far as he is concerned, his truck shouldn't be idling as he should be working. Team drivers run 24/7, there is never a need to park.......unless there is no work. And as far as he is concerned that is the company's problem, not his.....he is doing his JOB.
Another driver compared his life with the company on a sliding scale between gypsies and the homeless. Depending on the seasons, with no APU, you are forced out of your truck to seek shelter from the weather conditions and he will be damned to do so and will idle his truck, as this is what he calls "home". We are paid very little for what we do, risking our lives every time we sit behind that steering wheel in order to move products from producer to consumer. We deserve a better life. All we ask for is a few small comforts of home in our home, a safe haven.
I woke this morning to the comfort of heat. My truck on the other hand was an ice cube. Everything inside was frozen including a gallon of water (in just a period of 12 hours). I am afraid to open my cooler and find my produce frozen. Can you imagine, a new young driver, being bullied by the company about idling, needing this job desperately, sleeping in such conditions? Now imagine him or her driving, sleep deprived and ill, hauling a heavy load down a busy interstate. They could have been the truck I saw yesterday, on its side, in the middle of the freeway.
You know, that letter I sent to dispatch was returned as undeliverable (imagine that). I think I will add today's blog to that letter and resend when I get the right address. It may find deaf ears but it might bring a little enlightenment to those who are open to see it.
Your thoughts??
3 comments:
My thoughts are the same as they have always been. Screw this company. You have your experience now, use it to find better.
I am a month shy of getting my year in James. Hey!!! When are you getting a phone?? I miss talking to the both of you :(
We have a phone now, I thought mom gave you the number. 406-293-9182. The phone we have is quiet as hell so if we don't answer, its most likely because we can't hear it.
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