Fired For Accidents, Will I Be Able To Get A New Job?
Topic 11688 | Page 2
I can only speak for Swift, since that's where I work, but I bet most larger companies have a similar system.
I had my backing bumper (punched a hole in a warehouse. a small hole!). This required a safety conference with my DM and a class in close quarters driving. At the conference, my DM showed me the "list" of how things go. Small fender bender type accidents get 3 points, more serious ones get more. You live with those points for a year from the accident date. Once you accumulate 18 points, you are "in danger" of termination.
In Swift's system, Todd already had 12 out of 18 when he had a serious accident (jackknife). I think at Swift Jackknifes are pretty much out of the park themselves. So Todd has to pound pavement. Like Old School suggested, start applying now. There are a few "second chance" type companies out there. Good luck, Todd!
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Just curious how fast were you driving when it was pouring down rain? Many places the posted speed limits are "when conditions permitted" A heavy torrential downpour would have me driving well below the speed limit with my hazards on.
I was actually going only one mile under the speed limit, but it was not raining anymore, there was a lot of standing water, poor drainage in Dallas area. I thought I was actually going slower than that, but they knew my exact speed thru the qualcomm later. I drove all last winter in much worse rain and snow, I don't know if there was a tire problem that I missed, but I never had any problems like this where I just started skidding out of control. The thing that I don't get is that Covenant doesn't report any of the accidents minor or otherwise to DAC unless they fire you, it seems to me they are just protecting themselves, their insurances rates and CSA scores until they sever ties with you. It seems they should report any accidents they want to as they happen, not only if they fire you.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
That must have been really frightening. Sheesh.
That bad drainage is why I didn't like driving a CAR in the rain when I lived there years ago.
Don't be afraid to apply to companies you might be interested in. You never know till you try.
Good luck
-mountain girl
The thing that I don't get is that Covenant doesn't report any of the accidents minor or otherwise to DAC unless they fire you, it seems to me they are just protecting themselves, their insurances rates and CSA scores until they sever ties with you. It seems they should report any accidents they want to as they happen, not only if they fire you.
This is very interesting to me. So you're basically saying that the choice to report an incident rests solely on the company? The same company that can be negatively affected by employing drivers with these reported incidents? That by choosing to hold their cards, they can basically game the system and keep their CSA scores artificially high? And once a driver leaves, they can then report said incidents way after the fact, in effect maliciously sabotaging the driver and their own competitors?
Who came up with this system???
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
According to the FMCSA Part 390 FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS; GENERAL:
Accident means—
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this definition, an occurrence involving a commercial motor vehicle operating on a highway in interstate or intrastate commerce which results in:
(i) A fatality;
(ii) Bodily injury to a person who, as a result of the injury, immediately receives medical treatment away from the scene of the accident; or
(iii) One or more motor vehicles incurring disabling damage as a result of the accident, requiring the motor vehicle(s) to be transported away from the scene by a tow truck or other motor vehicle.
(2) The term accident does not include:
(i) An occurrence involving only boarding and alighting from a stationary motor vehicle; or
(ii) An occurrence involving only the loading or unloading of cargo.
So certain types of accidents must be reported, other types do not.
Commercial Motor Vehicle:
A commercial motor vehicle is any vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property with either:
- A gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
- A gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more which includes a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Intrastate Commerce:
The act of purchasers and sellers transacting business while keeping all transactions in a single state, without crossing state lines to do so.
Intrastate:
The act of purchasers and sellers transacting business while keeping all transactions in a single state, without crossing state lines to do so.
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
I ha e a similar situation maybe I can help. I was fired for 3 preventable accidents in one month after having 6 months with no issues. First I was in Phoenix getting into the left turn lane in a surface street. There was a flatbed in the lane to the right of me and his left wheel was on the line I pulled up along side him and our mirrors colided. No police involvement or anything we just exchanged information and went on our way.
Less than a week later, I'm in a fuel island and I was backing up so I could reach the DEF hose and I hear this guy honk. I think must be hinking because I got too close. Because I didn't feel anything. Sure enough, I barely tapped the front of his truck, the kind of damage that you can fix with a paint brush. He decided to tell his company and it went on my company record.
3 weeks later I'm backing into a parking spot that is unlit at midnight, and it's snowing pretty heavily and I was really tired. I got out and looked. There where 3 empty spaces and I missjudged the distance of the guy on my right and ended up slamming into him pretty hard. After that I ended up getting fired. I know it sounds bad, and it is but not all is lost. Luckily I worked for May trucking at the time and they don't put anything on your DAC report unless someone gets killed or injured. They are also self insured which means they can decide who they hire. So that is a good place to start. Companies that are self insured. May trucking and NAVAJO are 2 that i know of. NAVAJO actually started my orientation and I passed their road test but we couldn't move forward because I take adderall for adult ADD.
There are also companies tha look at only your mvr instead of your DAC report. These are your mom and pop companies. Usually they want to see more experience than 6 months. I was actually able to get my foot in the door with an Arizona based hay hauler called southwest farm supplies. The trainer refused to train me because I use the clutch sometimes when I shift, and he recommended to his boss that I don't drive for them. Then I found a company called KW international (not to be confused with kkw) they are a Korean forwarding company that moves Korean goods across the U.S. They took a long time to process me but they eventually hired me and I am writing this from the sleeper as my team mate drives.
When you get fired for accidents your options are severely limited So you have to settle and put up with some bull. With kw the thing that sucks is almost everyone there only speaks English as a second language and you have to drive team for the first month or so before you can go solo. But the fact that they are based in Korea means they have Korean insurance which I'm imagining has different rules considering they were willing to hire me. Find a company that will hire you and show at least 6 months of clean driving and companies like swift, western express, interstate May and a few others I can't remember will hire you.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
I passed my learners permit class A about 3 weeks ago. In Miami Fl, so now I just need to pass driving part anyone have any ideas on how I can take the driving test.
Are you doing this on your own? Your school should provide the truck and instructor for the skills part of the test.
If you're on your own, two things:
1. You'll need to get your own truck, either borrowing from an owner or rent one with a "real" driver to accompany you.
2. If you did the whole thing on your own, and you are interested in diving for any larger company, you'll still need to take a class with at least 160 hours of classroom.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Paul R asks:
I passed my learners permit class A about 3 weeks ago. In Miami Fl, so now I just need to pass driving part anyone have any ideas on how I can take the driving test.
Paul are you planning on attending a school; either private, community college, or company sponsored? I would strongly advise you against trying to get your CDL without attending any school. Without a valid training certificate, your job opportunities are seriously limited as an entry level driver with no experience. Here are some options and additional information:
Company-Sponsored Training Programs
- Article Category: Choosing A Truck Driving School
- Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing A Truck Driving School
- Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Truck Driving School"
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Company-sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
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Covenant Transport CSA DOT Driver Responsibilities Hard Lessons Learned Trucking Accidents
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Just curious how fast were you driving when it was pouring down rain? Many places the posted speed limits are "when conditions permitted" A heavy torrential downpour would have me driving well below the speed limit with my hazards on.