Abandoning Your Truck? The Kiss of Death For a Truck Driving Career!

[@SmartTrucking]

Hey there Big Strappers! MAN, I am so sorry we are late for today's upload. Technical issues. All fixed and ready to roll! So how 'bout ya? Ever been involved in a 'truck abandonment issue' or know of anyone who has? How did it turn out? Love to hear from you.

[@someperson7]

When I was still at trucking school I overheard a conversation between an instructor and a former student who came back to visit. The student had gotten mad and left his truck (without finishing his 1 year contract to boot IIRC) and now couldn't get another trucking job to save his life. He was hoping one of the instructors could use their connections to help him out. I don't know how it turned out, but I asked about and was warned then... Whatever else you do, DO NOT abandon that truck, or your career is dead in the water.

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

For my entire 27 year driving career, I've always worked for/been leased to one small, regional company so I have no issues myself. On the other hand, this company LOVES hiring QUALITY rookie drivers after they've gotten in trouble with the mega-carriers. They won't hire someone with safety violations but, since they know how the megas really work, they'll seriously look into abandonment reports on the DAK to see if they're legitimate. Even though, or maybe because, I'm an owner operator, I'm also a driver trainer. I've actually trained many rookies from megas over the past 20 years and I've heard all the horror stories. These drivers ALL proved to my company that they left the equipment at a company terminal and still got charged with abandonment on their DAK. Most of the people that I trained are also still working for the company that my tractors are leased to in one way or another-fleet driver, leased on owner operator, one even went into dispatch but still takes a run now and then. Those that aren't have obtained their own authority and are fully independent.

[@cbpercy06]

Hey Dave, what do you think about the old Chevy trucks? Mostly wondering about the C90 and the Bison.

[@mannyreyes1340]

Love your vids thanks for the advice

[@ademirdizdarevic6434]

Dave, back in the late 90's my family started a trucking company and not much later maybe a year or so into the business, we had a new guy coma on and shortly after starting might have been the 3rd or 4th weekend of his employment that he was off on the weekend, out of Joliet IL, and when Monday came to get him dispatched for a load he was nowhere to be found, wasn't answering calls didn't check in nothing. My dad sent the police to check on him and they couldn't find him but they also couldn't find our truck either, the trailer was there parked on the street but no bobtail. Once it was apparent that the guy had run off with the truck, it was reported stolen. About second week after that we got a call from the Las Vegas police informing us they found our abandoned truck in Vegas. It turns out the guy took the bobtail out for a weekend trip to Vegas, he had full tanks of gas since he fueled full prior to going home, it was enough to get him to Vegas but not enough to get him back I guess he might have lost all his money for the trip back because he didn't use the company fuel card after that. But the truck was in a total mess, the interior was completely cut up torn apart and gutted out. It was just too much damaged to be saved for an older FLD. We also had a truck left on the side of the highway a few years later, apparently another new guy starting out figured out in his first couple of trips that it wasn't for him and was apparently too homesick to get back of the road so he just left the truck on the side of the highway and left got a taxi to an airport and flew home.

[@richardmcavoy6413]

I once got so upset with my company that I abandoned my truck. It wasn't until the next day I remembered I was an owner-operator!

[@mumbleIntel]

😆😆😆😆😆

[@erikseavey9445]

That's funny xD

[@mystikgaming2k]

Ha H A

[@tonyresonno]

Lol too funny

[@SoCal780]

🤓😳🤣🤦🏻‍♂️

[@briandarazs6620]

A guy I know picks up , then drives abandoned trucks back to who ever it belongs to. He does this for a living and he is VERY busy.

[@RicArmstrong]

Sounds pretty cool.

[@rollingacresfarmstead206]

@@RicArmstrong pretty cool yeah until you end up like a buddy of mine. guy died in one back around the 2000 mark. didnt locate the truck for 3 weeks. windows down the whole trip and threw his clothes away when he got home

[@boricio74]

Confirms how the trucking industry treats drivers until they get fed up

[@DRNT940]

And yet they can abandon you hundreds of miles from home alone.

[@la48k]

What about trucking companies that abandon drivers lol? This is an issue with the industry. The drivers once again gets no protection...

[@campshortclip]

I wouldn't drive a truck the second a company folds.

[@martincarroll7470]

Thank God for my boss who on retirement day asked me to take a local load and when I got back had this amazing lunch spread for me, also gave me a 2500 dollar bonus for being a good driver.

[@DanMcD80]

ALWAYS have your new job lined up with a green light to start before giving your notice so if they say "we dont need you anymore" then you can start the new gig the next day

[@mumbleIntel]

Exactly!!

[@cementer4life]

Bingo

[@gallezzo6650]

I've done it twice. They're lucky I didn't set it on fire.

[@Maoud2]

right lol

[@jeffreyes1568]

Lmao!!

[@boricio74]

Correction. Sioux Falls, SD. In 7 below 0 Temps. They ignored the wrong driver that day. Guess I was suppose to freeze to death out there

[@Elk4758]

Unpaid seems like a pretty good reason to abandon a truck. A contract is you get "paid this to do this" if you are not being paid that seems like a complete reasonable reason to abandon a truck.

[@inthejcurve7968]

Great advice!! Get the carrier to sign something that proves you turned your truck in in good condition. I didn’t, and my carrier kept my last paycheck. When I asked why, they said due to damages, but there weren’t any. They just wanted to keep my last paycheck.

[@Martin280967]

I had a couple of situations with my company but I made sure I did the right thing by bringing the truck and trailer back to the yard. You don't wanna help me out, I don't wanna help you out. And the truck is right there where it should be, have a nice day. After a couple of days I get the phonecalls if and when I get back. Make sure as a driver that you do your job well and you'll see who has the power.

[@tonyresonno]

You just gotta document everything when you quit a job. Some of these companies will try to stick it to you no matter what. The wonderful world of trucking

[@michaellotz7875]

Never tell them anything. ask for home time or at the next terminal you attend while sitting out a 34hr reset.... Quit, and have them sign off on everything. Never ever give the company advance notice, don't do them wrong but don't give them the advantage.

[@nighttrucker628]

They dam sure don’t give you a 2 week notice when they’re letting you go. They don’t give a shit about your finances! So do what’s best for you

[@ukownit]

That what I did i was in a small bad company than video tape where Usually park than went home told him I quit because I try quit his way didn't work so yeah ...

[@realistmw]

Not paying drivers well, not letting them go home,stealing from drivers.

[@wayiqra4399]

After watching all kinds of videos about trucking. It all sounds so criminal. May as well work for the cartels.

[@DeannaBaileytheRavensFan]

If I'm going to quit a job, I'd rather park it at the terminal and hand them the keys. It's just the right thing to do and I'm petty enough to not want to give them the satisfaction of shitting on me as an employee.

[@kevinbrown967]

Then you take cheapest way home , don't you ?

[@johnm6642]

Being professional

[@johnm6642]

Good video Dave as always. be professional even if the company does not deserve it

[@mumbleIntel]

I got shitted on when I quit a tanker job with Highway Transport. I parked the truck at a terminal near my home, turned in the keys and id badge and even nicely cleaned the inside. Started a new job and the new company says that Highway Transport claims I was fired. WTH!!

[@sirvilhelmofyonderland]

Companies ignore home time, short paychecks, abuse drivers to no end. Do get into trucking in the first place.

[@heinzkitzvelvet]

I don't give resignation notices. The day I'm done, is the day I'm done. They don't give notices they're gonna shit can us out here. They don't deserve a notice unless they're been really good to me. The company I'm with now has treated me the best of any of them so far. If I decide to leave, I'll do them right. All I've worked for before this one, noooope.

[@woodsbikes6130]

That is excellent advice. Thank you for putting that info out here for us to remember. My question is, what should a driver do when the situation is reversed and the company abandons the driver by telling them to park their truck at a designated location or just somewhere, clean out their belongings, and find your own way home. That situation has happened as you may have heard via KZbin and other sources. Thanks again for the advice. Stay safe everyone.

[@dannyixoye262]

Just so you know. Abandoning a truck is sometimes a smart move. I know because I did it. I was driving a 2007 Int. 9400 at the time. The thing broke down more in a years time more than I can remember. After having it fixed over and over, in different parts of the country, I went to an International dealer in Akron Ohio. One of the fixes was a broken leaf spring on the front on the passenger side that kept me sidelined in Delaware for a couple days. That worked only for 2 hours when something went pop and the front side was leaning again to the right. No spring was broken and I couldn't see anything that would prevent me driving back to Akron. When I got to Akron I took it like I said to the International dealer. The mechanic told me that I needed to take it to a suspension shop about 30 miles away because the rear suspension was bad causing too much pressure on the front of the truck especially to the right side. He told me not to drive it far or fast because it was dangerous to do so. So I limped the truck where I park it and called the company the next morning. After a bunch of Blah blah blah from them and after they told me I had to drive it back to the yard, l called the Ohio State Troopers office and just so happened to talk with the guy who heads up the commercial division. I explained my situation and he asked who the company was and then told me that they have been on his radar for months with violations after violations. He than asked what I was going to do and I told him that I was told by the dealer that it is not safe and I am not going to drive it. He said, that was a good idea and told me that if there were any problems with the company, just drop my name because they know who I am. Well I called the company and told them I am not driving the truck and they can come and get it. They told me that they would blackball me from driving for anyone else. I then told them that I spoke with a certain Ohio State Trooper and they then asked me where I parked it. I got my things out of the cab, left the key where I told them it would be and said goodbye.....no blackball from that job.....so sometimes ya got to do the abandoning thing. P.S.. a couple of the guys that worked there filed a class action suit against the company a couple of years after I left, due to them not paying what they should have for certain things. Because I worked there during a certain time in question, I was included and we won the case and received monetary compensation.

[@erikseavey9445]

Like they won't mark you as unhirable even if you do everything right just out of spite.

[@waltwynn-sandiegonorthcoun8475]

Yep!😷

[@hamstar_88]

You know what sucks, is when you actually return the truck with everything, keys fuel cards etc. Come to find out a year later that the company actually put on your dacreport that you abandoned the truck.

[@williamcarey8529]

Great video and great advice given by you!! I loved the story at the end!! I have a number of similar to your bridge story!! I drove in Europe for a number of years and it could be a real problem getting into the United Kingdom with people trying to stow away in the trailer!! I remember one time I got a load forthe Modena, Italy area and my trailer was not completely full. I drove off of the ferry in Calais, France and stopped to get a good meal at a restaurant in Calais. I took off about a 1/2 hour later and drove on 4 hours later and when I stopped there was a lot of yelling and screaming coming from the inside of my trailer!! I called the Gendarmerie and they arrived with a mini bus and took them away!! They all thought I was going to the UK when actually I was going to Italy!!

[@jugaloking69dope58]

that's even better lol

[@erikseavey9445]

That's awesome Haha

[@Ryan-xq2ot]

The last company I worked for I was prepared to abandon their equipment. My wife was pregnant and they kept giving me grief about going to the doctor with her (not an otr company). She was due to have the baby anytime and the appointment date was the only day I'd get off in a week if I didn't end up working that night. A blessing in disguise they tried to bully me into hauling over weight and I quit on the spot. Had she gone into labor while I was on the road I know they would have told me tough shit. In that case yes I'd abandon the equipment. It ended up not long after I quit we went to a routine appointment and they sent us straight to the hospital to have our daughter. I may have come close to missing that had I not quit

[@ErnestJustice]

I remember the first company i started with. The last week with them I was feeling sick and I couldn't get hardly any sleep because of it. So after I finished the load I started home time. During that period they would let us bobtail the trucks home as long as it was in a safe spot. But when I got back I let dispatch know and checked into the hospital. A little over week later and finally was released. When I attempted to return to work, they said I quit and abandoned the truck.

[@OTRTrader]

A number of years ago, I left two weeks notice, cleaned the truck like showroom and left it AT THE TERMINAL! They STILL not only put "equipment abandonment" on my DAC, but also that I abandoned a load. I sent them a very legal, yet extremely nasty letter. The bad marks were removed. It was the company with red trucks (with dry vans) in one of the southern states. Not all companies will do this, but for those that might, you should ALWAYS check your DAC. Otherwise, your advise is very good. Take pictures, because the company is more than likely NOT going to give you that letter, or to sign as acknowledging the good condition of the truck. Photos and credible witnesses on your side will go a very long way in your favor.

[@herbertscott9575]

I totally, feel your pain.

[@ajwilson605]

Company I worked for had a recovery division. They would put out lists of tractors and trailers that weren't accounted for with a bounty, the amount depending on how long the equipment was missing. Average bounty on an empty trailer was $1000, a loaded trailer could go as high as $2500. I'd pull into a distribution center and cruise the lot after dropping my incoming load. I made a bunch of extra money that way. The last year I worked for them I worked local out of the terminal. I worked it out with the terminal manager to pick up abandoned tractors. The company had 3 terminals in Texas and I'd take a abandoned tractor to the closest terminal. I had a Jeep with a towbar on it and a custom hitch that would bolt to the tractors frame rails. I averaged 2-3 tractors a week. They paid me flat rate on the tractors depending on how far it was from a terminal. Minimum was $500....... Best I ever got was a tractor and loaded trailer abandoned in a rest area in Wichita Falls,TX. The load was auto parts going to Mexico, a JIT load. I got it and drove it to the Laredo terminal then rented a car to get back to my Jeep. Made $5000 plus expenses on that one. Now retired....but I miss the good old days..!

[@mumbleIntel]

I abandoned a truck at my home with J&R Schugel after 5 weeks of employment. I never made over $450 a week and just could not afford a trip home from their Minnesota terminal. A ton of verbal incintives (15k) and guarantee $1200 a week. Never had any issues with employment afterwards. Nowi seek out companies within 500 mile radius of home to make it easier to go home if I'm not happy. Says a lot about a company if my personal vehicle gets repossessed due to payment issues😆

[@jamesspafford5985]

I’ve always kept enough money on me to get the truck home on my dime.. I have had a carrier refuse to head me to the terminal once an agreed upon date occurred. As expected, they cut off the fuel card, so I pulled my debit card out, fueled the truck up on my dime, and deadheaded to the terminal. Even then, they still wanted to accuse me of hijacking their truck, but having a receipt for the fuel and notice on the Qualcomm saved my bacon there... Good riddance to pain in the behind and worthless carriers!!! I was so fed up with them I didn’t even fight them for my last paycheck, got a better job and closed the door. They got their truck back, which was actually a dang nice truck, for what it was, and hired someone else!!!

[@aviatortrucker6198]

OK so what happens if they cut off your fuel card and you don’t have the money? Are you then abandoning the truck or they are abandoning your ability to move the truck? That is not really truck abandonment is they basically parked your vehicle without fuel and know you’re leaving they have been giving you permission and you no longer have responsibility for the truck. I will take a picture of the fuel gauge and try to get a picture of the level of the tank by using some sort of stick. Then you can document on the QUALCOMM that the fuel card was turned off and you no longer can move the truck and you have basically fired me, therefore I reserve your right to claim your truck and I have no responsibility at this point as a non-employee to return it.

[@jamesspafford5985]

Aviator Trucker, here’s another one to consider, I had this happen to a friend of mine. A large refrigerated carrier actually abandoned a friend of mine at a Freightliner dealer, I want to say it was in Kingsport, TN. It’d be interesting to put that on a carrier DAC report!!! After sitting for 6 days at Freightliner, they sent a recovery truck and towed his assigned truck out and told him it was up to him to get back to the terminal to get another truck because he was at the hotel when they got there for the truck... Damnedest thing I ever did see!!! To your question, I’ve pondered that a few different times, and for a person that can’t come up with that kind of money, I don’t have an answer. I deadheaded from the PA line to Southwestern MI in my case, so it wasn’t major, but I’ve just always committed myself to keeping, at least, $700 for such an emergency as the fuel card is cut off and I’m going home!!! That’s also why I drive to any carrier I work for now. All I have to do is get the truck to the terminal... That, and 20 years of doing this job, I’ve learned what to look for and run away from it as quickly as possible!!!

[@arcticwanderer2109]

Imagine if you are a new driver and Dave is your trainer for a month! You will be a pro right away.

[@mcoutis]

even if they refuse to put you on a load that goes to your home city after a 2 weeks notice, just get the next job lined up and drive back anyway when you need to come back to start the next job. Free transportation home. Take a picture of the equipment on their property and problem solved. You have proof to refute abandonment on your record if they try.

[@nighttrucker628]

Just say that there was an issue with the truck and take off so they can’t take you to court. 🤷‍♂️ Don’t ever just leave without a good excuse. If that doesn’t work just tell the courts that you were under so much pressure and stress it would’ve caused aggressive driving. DOT clearly states if you feel stressed DO NOT DRIVE!

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

Still gonna be an abandonment on your record.

[@cohacyn]

Here is my "abandonment" story. Was working for about a year for a company out of southern Ontario - this was about 15 years ago or so. Did pretty much whatever they wanted including team and east coast (NY - NJ). I had got home late Thursday night and was looking forward to a nice weekend however I got a call Friday morning and was asked to get a load to NY for early Saturday morning. The dispatcher used all his normal tricks to get me to take the load and I eventually accepted. Got to the delivery site, took my break / got unloaded and headed to my pickup for my back haul. Everything went pretty smoothly and I was on my way back to the terminal when I get a call asking if I could deliver the load in the Toronto area on Sunday. We normally drop the loads at the terminal and day drivers did the final mile delivery. Being Sunday they didn't work so again I said yes told the dispatcher to send me the details on the Qualcomm. I noticed there was no delivery time so I called the dispatcher and asked when the load needed to be there by and he said just needs to be there on Sunday. I end up parking at the scale in Oakville on the QEW and get a buddy to pick me up. Stayed over, went for a nice breakfast and had him drop me off at the truck. Problem was the truck was gone. I call up the dispatcher and explain the situation. He bitches me out and leads me to believe the truck had been stolen. After a few minutes of this he changes his tune and tells me that load had to be delivered by 7 am and they had to get a driver to pick the truck up and finish the delivery. They ended up firing me for abandonment. Tried to get me to sign some documents saying everything was my fault. Of course I didn't sign anything. That was my last OTR job. Mainly been hauling fuel since.

[@erikseavey9445]

That legitimately makes my blood boil.

[@KozmikEl7]

This reminds me Of a job I worked under contact and they waited until I was scheduled to come back to work and canned me over the phone with no reason. Then when I applied to another employer as a company Driver they referenced me as them doing me a favor for telling the other company I was rehirable go figure. They are the worst among humans ever since I promised myself to owner operator only work for myself and not to allow these carriers and the pencil pushers to hold control over me.

[@jeffb957]

I used to work for a mega carrier for the road service department. I was the guy who would go recover equipment. I'd recover units where the driver had been fired, abandoned units, and trucks that had suffered major breakdowns and they decided to bring the driver back home and put him in a different unit. We had one jackass abandon the truck in a state park forest in northern PA. The guy didnt even live up there. He just figured we would never find it. (Qualcomm was a brand new thing then) The available flight landed in Harrisburg. After I got off the plane, I called the RS manager and asked him, "how do I get up to where the truck is?" Manager said, " call a cab." I said "holy shit dude, it's like a 4 hour drive. That will cost a fortune. Are you sure?" Manager said, "I dont give a shit. In the end, we aren't paying for it. The guy who abandoned the truck will pay for it after we sue him." Yeah, dont abandon the truck. Its way WAY cheaper to just drive it to the terminal and get dinged for the out of route miles on your last check.

[@robertbowersock3471]

When I quit Schneider 20 years ago I just made up a family emergency to get home. Didn't trust them. I was afraid they would have me get out wherever I'm at if I gave them 2 weeks notice. Luckily they had a drop yard near my town so they told me to drop it there. Never gave them notice and never came back. Already had another driving job waiting for me when I got home. I'm not a job hopper. I've only had 4 driving jobs in 20 years.

[@dannyflemings864]

It may not be a smart move to abandon your truck. But I've been driving for 40 years I know three drivers that have done it and they all went on to get better jobs at better company so it is not the kiss of death

[@pointnIaugh]

Truck abandonment is idiotic. However, I disagree because companies are pretty damn desperate these days.

[@williamroberts8470]

Some trucks have abandonment issues.

[@someperson7]

With all the drivers parked? I wouldn't count on it

[@someperson7]

@Serge .L Same. Lot's of drivers have gone back. But some jobs just got cut outright. Other companies went under. And it's not over yet.

[@marioncobretti8210]

Yes I agree. I left Werner on a Sunday but I cleaned out my truck and left truck at terminal. And this man is correct becuz normally your dispatch and fleet manager will have a change of heart when your talking about leaving. So just return truck unless you plan to get out of trucking lol. Driving Locally now and making more money than over the road. Love trucking

[@Ur_Mothas_Lova_716]

Did that shit in 95 still haven’t found a job

[@troybingham6426]

If a company labels you as "Do Not Hire" with no good reason (let's say they just did it out of spite because you quit for a better job) do you have any legal recourse to get it removed from your record?

[@robertdz2381]

I abandoned a truck in Gary, IN in 2009 and so what.

[@Lamia7609]

I work for a small trucking company. We had a guy who said “I can’t do this anymore your truck is at the Walmart parking lot” Walmart called us told us they were going to tow our truck. The owner had to pay someone to go with him to retrieve the truck which was three hours away. So he had to draw a contract that if they abandon a truck they forfeit $500. The other time a guy abandoned the truck with a load because they overloaded him and we told him he had to go back and get reloaded properly he threw his tablet in the parking lot and left the truck unlocked luckily the truckstop lady picked up our tablet and mailed it back to us...another four hour trip pay two guys to go pick up that truck and deliver the load.

[@xxxCawsomenessxxx]

What kind of actual leverage do you get then

[@carloslugo9457]

Literally exposing why no one should work in that company of yours

[@BradWeber82]

Well done guys another great video. Thanks for the info keep them coming. Have a great day

[@gaypreator8547]

You over looked the the snotty dispatcher that has you fuel card turned off because you’re coming home, with or without his/her blessing. Happened to me after planning, for a few days off, for six weeks. No no going to eck one-two-three more loads out of you. One of my favorite - they did what!!!! stories. You’re right though sometimes it’s hard to hold it all in..😄

[@michaelbierlein5642]

I’ve always been good about making the truck clean on the inside before I returned it. Usually cleaner than when the truck was first issued to me.

[@chadchapman7986]

I've did it twice. They left me no choice. Now I haul asphalt and make more $ in 8 months than I ever did OTR. Home every day and no winter driving.

[@SoCal780]

Great advice, Dave. I wonder how many fools out there killed their driving career because they did something like this in a huff without thinking through the consequences of their hasty actions? Not worth it and I’m damn glad that I never did it. He’s absolutely right people, don’t do it!

[@SquirrelTruck84]

My friend was hired onto a new company. After a few days of waiting, they had him flown to pick up an abandoned truck. He said there was a huge pile of shit on the seat, piss jugs n trash everywhere. He cleaned it all up himself n hit the road.

[@SmartTrucking]

Wow! Above and beyond the call of duty!

[@kevinbrown967]

Some companies have truck recovery divisions (Schneider) for instance

[@miguelrobb5719]

Recovery devision? Hmm I wonder why drivers are doing that lol it’s obviously something unattractive about the company.

[@Geronimoosceolamaccabeas]

Gee I wonder why

[@davidpayton8336]

After dropping off a trailer in the Portland, Or. area, my company sent me north of Vancouver, Wash. to pick up one of our companies trailers. The driver had just decided he didn't want to go to where he had been dispatched to so he just picked out a company along the road & preceded to back up the trailer to their loading dock and dropped it off there, just the trailer. The folks at the small manufacturing company were really nice to me about the whole thing, I was expecting a lot of bitching. :-)

[@aviatortrucker6198]

The best and most effective way to terminate from the company is to know your termination date approximately and plan you’re home time on that date. When you get home, you take out everything in your truck except the bare minimum that you can put in one or two suitcases. This might include leaving your toys and CB radio etc. When you’re home time is almost over you call your dispatcher and tell him there is a change of plans. You have an ill relative and you must take a leave of absence, perhaps up to 30 days. You then tell them you need a load to, through or relay able from the yard as you wish to return the equipment because you know that they do not want their truck parked for that length of period. They will assume when you come back, they will reassign you either that truck or a different one if that one is not available. In the meantime after you drop the truck off and you Crackhound it to your next jobs orientation they will not question your return and in most cases not even try to recuperate the sign on bonus installments that they paid you. They think you’re coming back. I have done this many of time in my career and never had an issue and they get their equipment back in the yard safe and sound.

[@joerangel611]

Good afternoon This is a golden worth piece of advise A truly professional driver will act as a gentleman with courtesy and kindness even then when the employer representatives are rude The main reason being that a professional driver lives from his trade Thank You

[@canadiantrucker9574]

Another golden rule. Have an alternate trade at your disposal. HVAC, 310S automotive ticket, welding cert, etc. Trucking companies and their industry are weak but those trades are reliable. You'll never be out of work. My favorite was when a former employer thought sitting me at home for 2 days was a great punishment. He called up on the second day and said "Need you to run a load", I said" sure, in a week when I'm done doing all these brake and engine jobs for my new customers". He didn't like that, but he got the point

[@canadiantrucker9574]

@Serge .L If you make more than $50000 a year than it's not a shit trade.

[@charleshanna2089]

I'm not for abandonment of a truck Many times it's over equipment safety The driver can refuse to drive it on a daily inspection report

[@edwu8253]

In the old days before tracking systems trucks sat for along time before being found

[@curtisscissons1836]

I pick up abandoned trucks all over the country. You would not believe some of the conditions drivers leave them in. I could tell you about the one where someone had cats, and instead of using a litter box, he just spread cat litter all over the carpet in front of the bunk, and the cats used that. And yes, it smelled as bad as you might imagine. Or the guy who had so much trash piled up, it covered the bunk so you didn't even know the truck HAD a bunk and he slept in the driver's seat every night. Or the guy who had 30 bottles of urine piled up in every corner of the truck, and lined up all around the mattress. I have pictures of all of these. Or the guy that got in a fight with a lot lizard who then knifed him, whereupon he started flailing around, covering the interior with blood.

[@mjpthetrucker9485]

yikes at getting knifed by a lot lizard. You should write a book on this.

[@deborahchesser7375]

My buddy had one of his trucks abandoned, and the motor had sand in it. He must have been treated pretty bad

[@allgasnobrakes123]

I don’t think these new drivers are interested in having a trucking career. It’s just a job where they’re making money

[@Maoud2]

Its an extremely unattractive line of work unless you’re with a small company or running your own authority.

[@Teadon86]

Minimum wage, long hours, no power over your working hours, no power to control your schedule, dangerous job, people treat you like shit, and dispatch/company/costumer will shift blame to you if possible - and people wonder why most new drivers aren't interested in the job beyond the pay. Odd that.

[@CesarRamirez-cn5fw]

Yup I'm a year into trucking, I can confirm this statement.

[@ctfinneman]

Some company's deserve it.

[@DaLightBlue]

Nice video that was funny that last story, thank you !!

[@threehemis5566]

I can understand completely but I'd rather drive the truck back empty just to get home. One time at the Windsor/Detroit bridge I was in the mindset where I was going to walk away right there at the booth after being turned around and sent back to the USA side broker for the second time and having to pay the toll twice! Each time broker said you are good to go. As I rolled up to the customs guy for the 3rd time I said in my mind this is it im done here and now with trucking! thankfully it cleared. I didn't have 30 guys in the trailer either lol.

[@iCANT_BELIEVE_YOU_SAID_THAT]

Hey, as long as you're driving the truck over a cliff with a fireball for dramatic effect is still better than abandoning it in a bad neighborhood with the doors unlocked.

[@richardmiseljr2413]

The POS's at NORTH STAR now CALLED MINN STAR the first company I drove for starved me out then told every company I applied to that I abandoned the truck. I turned in at the terminal and had documentation from 3 office managers to prove it. They destroyed what should have been a financially rewarding career. I was not able to get into a good company because of them blacklisting me.!

[@kevoneone]

I've done it before in northern island. Was working there for 8weeks suppose to be only 2 weeks and they kept messing me wages up for 5weeks in a row so left me truck at the airport and got a flight home back to England. They where lucky I didn't set it on fire before I left. I never effected me finding another

[@jayrider2726]

Drivers should have a place to report company's.....just as company's have DAC to bad mouth us. I started a job with a company...on my first run out my right side mirror was shattered and bent when I came out of a truck stop 1k miles away from my terminal. Someone obviously hit It. I called to get permission to have it fixed at the truck stop...they denied me and said it was to expensive....they said it would get fixed when they got me another load back to the terminal...I refused to get another load and they fired me....they told me to leave the truck at the truck stop and they apparently had someone else pick it up. They said leave the keys in the truck. They reported me as abandoning a truck. This happened my first week on the job....maybe if I was one of their long term drivers they would of had the mirror fixed at the truck stop.

[@sstevocamaro]

Damn man that’s horrible! Where you able to find another trucking job?

[@KozmikEl7]

As expected when they hit you with refusal to work they'll tell you almost anything then claim everything to their benefit which toasts you in the end!! Best option is to do the best you can do in those situations and get the hell out of there when possible with the very least liability as you can.

[@wormwoodfive398]

Name the company ... help others not work for snakes

[@xxxCawsomenessxxx]

I'm gonna invest in some serious ass saving equipment when I start, dashcams, call recording a good point and shooter and the like

[@Geronimoosceolamaccabeas]

Yeah that's the best idea iv heard we need something to to put these people out of business and stop with their lies

[@cheknecht3092]

You can avoid all of this by not doing OTR. In Texas there are a lot of jobs or your home every night.

[@James-qq2vq]

This is bullshit... Drivers have a right to do as they please. As a former business owner and employee it's in my experience drivers who are respected, treated well and not told empty promises don't quit and abandon their work vehicles. I've abandoned an employer and the truck at one time due to empty promises. Had a driving job a week later as well as told new employer what I did. Drove with that company until I formed my own company.

[@junkiexl86]

I think it boils down to circumstances. Where was it abandoned? Why was it? These are the things that are weighed for the potential outcome. Was this the result of a known issue that's been brewing between employee and employer that finally boiled over and the employer was at fault and pushed the employee over the edge? Carriers know if they've been exploiting or lying to a driver and to the point they will half expect an abandonment by pushing the matter. Its different if it's an out of the blue abandonment, out in the middle of nowhere, with little to no previous knowledge of issues regarding the employee and his employment by middle and upper management. This is guaranteed to end your career vs the first example where the issue(s) have been escalated up the food chain and not rectified (pay, mechanical issues, mistreatment etc). I think at the end of the day if middle and upper management knows they alone forced the hand, they will be less likely to blackball the driver.

[@chddrone]

After giving my notice. My last company did everything to get me to leave the truck, not answering phone, not responding to messages. Ran me out of hours trying to get me to be late. Putting me on short miles delivering 4 days later. Filled it up with fuel, drove 900 miles back to terminal. They got their truck, but wouldn’t pay me a dime for my miles.

[@xxxCawsomenessxxx]

Sounds like lawyer time

[@OTRTrader]

Some here are talking about carriers that fold while drivers are on the road and under loads. Unless there is already one,, maybe you can do a piece on that subject as far as what drivers' rights are, and what they should do in the event of something like that?

[@marklittle8805]

I heard of a guy with my old carrier who left a truck and load on the Queenston/Lewiston bridge. He was pissed with the company and life in general and just been told he wasn't getting his days off . That was common. We were mainly all hourly guys hauling auto parts into GM . We would often to Tonawanda or Lockport NY to get parts for GM Oshawa. Not sure what run he was on since this was before my time, but pulled the brakes, shut It down and tossed his keys into the gorge below and hitched a ride home . Not sure how he bullshitted his way past Customs on the Canadian side but apparently is what he did .. Can't imagine he drove again

[@aaronjones3837]

This is the Problem!! Everyone Believes the company and Not the Driver!! Who made trucking companies God over the Trucker? This should be a Crime Against Truckers!

[@greenhillscustomlawncarell1139]

Trucking and career don’t belong in the same sentence. Most people who drive trucks are on their last options for work.

[@2009korz]

One time I was admitted to the hospital at a drop due to a Mini-Stroke and I had no way to move the equipment. That company listed on my DAC as Abandonment. I rebutted to Hire Right and The Company. I had proof of my Hospitalization. Both rejected my rebuttal. No company would touch me. I got re-hired by a previous company providing I have proof of Hospital Report with reason for the situation. Saftey and HR got me to Orientation and during a break, I brought the Hospital Report for proof of why I abandoned that equipment. I found out through the Appeal Process that Hire Right is paid by the carrier to keep the DAC Report in either Positive or Negative standing.

[@hamishkay3010]

When I was in America 2 years ago I saw a beautiful R Model Mack abandoned on the highway, saw the driver storm away from it. That was such an intense thing to see especially with a classic truck, I'll never abandon my truck when I become a truck driver.

[@Kilted_Kansan]

I was driving a truck that ended up breaking down a total of 11 times & was towed in eight of those times & the last time the company left me sitting in a cold frozen truck I could not move. I had no food nor water nor toilet, & they did not put me in a hotel they left me sitting in a frozen truck with the temperature below freezing. They then towed my truck to a repair shop & sent me home & while I was home I found a job a couple days & their truck was still in the shop when I went to work for this other company But they put me down for abandonment of truck

[@gerardomendoza9688]

Return the truck to the terminal empty or loaded just drive back or to the terminal and leave there thing there, that's the most i would do if I we're a company driver, that's what I did in mi first driving job back when I was a company driver

[@ravenvince2]

This is what I did with Schneider. I had a load going from Texas to Columbus Ohio where I lived. I planned to quit there. More than half way there my truck broke down and the repair said they didn’t have the part. At this time I was already pissed at Schneider for making me run over on my HOS many times. I told my manager the Texas is 17 hours away he was like well just run until you have about 15 mins left. I wouldn’t do that so I would stop about 1 or 2 hrs till my time would run out. Next morning he’d call and start bitching me out for not listing to him. When my truck got to Ohio I called them up and said my truck is at their Columbus terminal with my tablet. They were happy and thanked me for not leaving it somewhere. I can also be rehired any time they said.

[@truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb4793]

What if they leave you out there on the road with no money or fuel card, what do you do? Drive the equipment as close to the yard as possible, still on the side of the road.

[@RicArmstrong]

Yeah, that's a good question.

[@klaidenmorad103]

the best thing to do is don't be truck driver . my father and my both side uncles were truck driver so i grow up in trucker family and in my young age i found out that you may drive million and million miles but in the end you get no where ahead and that was in 80s that was best time as truck driver and forget about it now with all bs trucking today .

[@genedrakes686]

Did a few years in late 90's. When renewal due went back to shunting!

[@18wheelchef61]

I have not went through customs with a truck, but did with Border Patrol in Texas, their infrared cameras showed 2 heat signatures in truck so he ask me if I was alone, I told him no I got my hubby in truck with me and then my yellow lab jumped up in my lap with his cheezy smile the agent started laughing and just used his hand to wave me on.:)

[@wainber1]

I found out just hours ago another video on truck abandonment, with The Truck Driving Channel having posted late last March a video titled “What happens if you abandon a truck.“ There’s no doubt that it’s wrong to abandon trucks but also that there are ways to deal with companies that choose to exploit their drivers while still returning, to a terminal owned and operated by the company, any equipment in the driver’s possession. A company driver has the right for a company for which he or she works to treat him or her with respect but respect is a two-way street. There’s no doubt the trucking isn’t all roses and honey. One of my favourite videos of truck breakdowns has to be the one filmed last December titled “On the hook,” put up by the Trucker Josh KZbin man. The breakdown in question occurred in the south of Manitoba when some valve underneath the truck apparently froze, resulting in a significant drop in air pressure. The company gave the trucker, for the following day (documented in a video titled “Friday trucking“) another day cab to drive while the main day cab the trucker had typically been using had been undergoing repairs.

[@TNG64]

Can a past employer be dishonest on a DAC report? Is there a level of protection from this for a driver?

[@michealheavy1240]

I work for a local equipment company and at times it blows my mind of drivers that reject loads or blow up at dispatchers. I ask my self if you're not comfortable with these loads then why apply for the job?

[@STScott-qo4pw]

my employer and one of the despatchers said to me recently that i never complain about not getting weekends or which places i'm sent. i knew getting into this gig trucking that many would be the time i wouldn't be able to get home at a certain hour - trucking doesn't really work well on a precision time approach (traffic? DOT stops? breakdowns?). there have been three places i've refused to return as the docks were not built for anything as big as us but the asshole shipper wants to save money and send everything in one 53' unit rather than two-three straight trucks. one place the receiver was an ignorant, abusive little prick. told the number two about it - the owner was told immediately. he pulled out his crackberry and telephoned the shipper then and there. holy shit! problem RESOLVED permanently. if i don't want to return somewhere almost always it's because the place was never built for vehicles as big as us and the risk of crunch-and-crack is simply too high. It's not a matter of being cautious; it's a matter of there just not being the real estate needed for the geometry of backing up a truck. Even trucking cannot "harry potter" the laws of physics. nevertheless the two despatchers with whom i've worked for almost 11 yrs have been EXCELLENT. if there are problems that need time well, there are problems and despatch is working on it, mindful i'm there. many is the time i have taken resets Out There but when hired i told the company i was fine with it provided i had notice at the start of the trip - stock up my sleeper's pantry, extra clothing, more water, medication if needed. clear communication at the beginning of employment can help sort out stuff but there are also a lot of lowlife companies out there that view (and treat) drivers as just a buncha warm bodies. anyway, if it's not safe to return to a place i say so very clearly and state what is the issue over the ELD and take a picture of it along with the read-receipt symbol clearly visible. CYA.

[@mystikgaming2k]

Be safe out there truck drivers !

[@macmikey]

I was tasked with recovering a rig from mobile Alabama and then finish the delivery to Texas. After that, I dead-headed back to PA to return the rig. Took me a couple days and had to fly to Alabama. Hated the guy who did that as soon as I heard he did it.

[@steezy7460]

Dispatchers working from home nowadays lol cant even talk to them face to face

[@buddyhawkins9883]

I think you need to do more investigation. I know a driver who has abandoned at least 10 trucks in his career,and one of those in another country.(. Canada) And has never had a problem getting into another truck. Still has offers. And do not forget to inform people that if you return the truck and quit, it is up to you to find your way home, most companies will not get you and your belongings home.

[@andrewkellerhals1361]

Both times I've resigned from a company, I made sure that my home time before I planned to resign that I emptied the truck and had nothing but a duffle bag, pillow and sleeping bag, so when I dropped it off at the terminal, it was 10 minutes to be gone.

[@markhart1516]

The other side of this is some companies are claiming truck abandonment even if it's not. They put it on your dac report and then it literally takes months to get it removed.

[@lordenki9429]

I’m guilty, I abandoned a challenger truck. On the application it asked if there was anywhere I didn’t want to go, I answered “New York City”. So in 3 to six months I was only dispatched away from that damn city once. So one day on my way to cross the border, I stopped at a small trucking company on the outskirts of my town, I talked to him, told him the truth, he admired the crappy challenger Volvo piece of crap, and he hired me, I parked the challenger goofy mobile in a lot not far from home, and was in a truck, on a job I stayed happily at for ten years

[@bengiforte265]

I know a driver that has abandoned 6 trucks over the years. And he still drives now. Abandonement isn't a career killer. But the best thing for a driver is to stay away from those typical OTR companies. They are crap places of employment!!!

[@pbmartinfencing]

A little bit of sand in the engine oil does wonders long after you leave the truck at the terminal. throw a handful in 5 miles from truck drop off ….

[@SmartTrucking]

Yup, that would do it!

[@truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb4793]

Touchy thing advertising for a carrier. If you think they are worth it, thanks for the information.

[@cbylsma626]

Nicely stated, I'd suggest that if you want to get the point across (specifically if many or all the drivers are being treated wrong) have a civil conversation with the dispatch and your manager, include the higher up's in it and BE HONEST AND APPROPRIATE! By doing this you make it clear their behavior is not acceptable. Also be willing to allow time for them to make changes if they show true consideration for your issue. A respectable driver is always desired by employers and that doesn't just mean how you look. Many larger carriers have "fleet managers" under the direction of corporate level managers, if they won't listen.. go above their head! No upper manager wants to deal with employees complaining about their manager being disrespectful and will deal quite quickly with them, if that causes more problems take the time off to find other employment and move on, be sure to send your notice of employment to the uppers as well as your manager, and again be specific as to your reasons for terminating their employment of you (yes, I mean you write you are "firing" them for their poor performance/behavior). In a nutshell, treat them like they would if they were terminating you

[@STScott-qo4pw]

many companies COULDN'T GIVE A SHIT. that being said there are employers in this industry if such a thing happened - walk into the bigshot's office and "fire" him, explaining why, the shit hit the holy fan. the driver who did that had well over 35 yrs under his belt, over 25 of them with this one carrier. when "the old man" was told the driver was quitting and why it was resolved goddam quick. a terminal manager and two despatchers canned that afternoon in person with this old guy sitting quietly in the corporate office. no smirk, no smile, just saying his piece clearly. he was absolute class.

[@longwhiteline3308]

Long story short if you just put in your resignation and communicate with higher up you'll live a less stressful life. Keep your experiences and move on.

[@wolftrainservicesltd6418]

That's why I have one truck and one trailer. I considered a 2nd truck and trailer for about 10 minutes. Ian Wolf train services ltd.

[@lowkey3820]

I remember when I gave a 2 week notice once when the time came to be done with the company they apparently wasn't able to get me right to a terminal they wanted me to go 600 miles away to deliver a load. I told them no I'll bring the load and tractor to the terminal and they can get someone else. Well they basically told me that if I do that they will consider that load abandonment. Like even if I bring the truck and load to the terminal it's still abandonment!!!!! That was the last time I gave a 2 week notice. I won't abandon the equipment but I won't give a notice anymore either. I just tell them I quit on the spot and to either deadhead me to terminal or get a load relayed to terminal

[@mikebastoni4490]

I was under a load I had a blown up heated confrontation with my dispatch on the computer he refused to bring me home. I absolutely had enough. I drove truck straight back to Florida and handed keys back to them ignored dispatch came home

[@TheIrishRushin]

I left crst without notice. I heard bad things about people being abandoned far from home so I lined up a job and had my co driver drop me off at home then called them the next day to say I quit. From my experience they most certainly would have screwed me over if I put in a notice. Didn't diminish my rep either. Scew em.

[@eugeneklemenz]

Great advice as always

[@paulgeishert9995]

The truck I'm driving now is brand new . The company I work for said I can drive it, I just had to go to Akron Ohio to pick it up. A guy abandoned this brand new 2021 and 1 year old trailer.... It's gotta be what $225k truck and trailer.. I couldn't believe it... But I got it now... 😁

[@SmartTrucking]

Cool!

[@se9865]

Yeah, I saw a not so funny version of that story. My wife and I were on vacation in Guatemala, and we were near the El Salvador border when we saw a tractor with a rail can on the side of the road surrounded by police. The doors were open and you could see rows of bodies in the trailer. It turned out that the driver had abandoned it there for days and didn't open the doors before walking away. I'm wondering if he was supposed to leave it there, and maybe someone else was supposed to come by later, or if he just got spooked and ran away.