Am I wrong?

[Bluepopsicle]

I'm fairly new to the industry and already having issues with the company I work for. Allow me to start with a little background...After starting with the company, I received the insurance packet and found that they wanted to charge me $2000 per month for medical for my family of 5. That being said; my whole family is disabled and is on disability insurance. At 2k a month for insurance through the company, there is no way I could afford it. I spoke with my dispatch and told them what was going on and requested a cap of 2k miles per week and they told me it wouldn't be a problem. Since then, I've been getting an average of 1200 miles per week but with a hickup. After driving 5-7hrs in a day, they have me sit for 15-24 hrs before either getting me a backhaul or dead heading me home. I've spoken with other drivers and they are not having this problem at all. To me; this sounds like a form of harassment with an ultimate goal of sweying me to quit. Could I be right? Is there anything I can do?

[ghostof99]

Your entire family is disabled? Good grief! Though somewhat curious, I won't even ask how that came to be, but I'm surprised the insurance tab wasn't actually more than 2k a month. Besides, if they're already on some sort of disability, be it Medicaid or whatever, I'm not sure what you'd do with more insurance.

As far as how the company is treating you, I don't know what else you could ask. Assuming you're otr, or even regional, since you “capped” your mileage at 2k a week (WHY would somebody do that?) you're going to be doing a whole lot of sitting. If you were expecting them to provide 2k miles in three or four days, beginning and terminating at your front door, and then you flop at home the remainder of the week... dream on. It ain't gonna happen at the company you're with now – or anywhere else. The logistics involved in moving trucks around the country profitably just won't allow it.

And, unless you slop into some dedicated run which meets your criteria, it never will happen either. Those gigs aren't easy to land, because the drivers who have them tend to have them for a reason, and hold on to them.

It sounds to me, given your demands, like they're actually bending over backwards to accommodate you. Besides, if they want you out, they can quite easily find ways to make your life so unpleasant that you'll quit.

Frankly, your story is pretty weird. Are you trying to figure out some way to collect unemployment insurance or sue your company... claiming harassment? If that's not it, and since you now have at least some experience, maybe you should find something local.

[juno_hoo]

Originally Posted by Bluepopsicle

I'm fairly new to the industry and already having issues with the company I work for. Allow me to start with a little background...After starting with the company, I received the insurance packet and found that they wanted to charge me $2000 per month for medical for my family of 5. That being said; my whole family is disabled and is on disability insurance. At 2k a month for insurance through the company, there is no way I could afford it. I spoke with my dispatch and told them what was going on and requested a cap of 2k miles per week and they told me it wouldn't be a problem. Since then, I've been getting an average of 1200 miles per week but with a hickup. After driving 5-7hrs in a day, they have me sit for 15-24 hrs before either getting me a backhaul or dead heading me home. I've spoken with other drivers and they are not having this problem at all. To me; this sounds like a form of harassment with an ultimate goal of sweying me to quit. Could I be right? Is there anything I can do?

Blue, I'm sorry to hear about those disabilities but -- putting the bottom line up front -- there is something you can do. You can cancel the insurance and drive more.

I think Ghost nailed it in his post. Companies have a certain responsibility (unwritten social contract?) to their communities and employees, but it sounds like your company is exceeding the responsibility to accommodate you. Put yourself in the owner's shoes and realize that profit is determined by the number of miles that each truck runs. Bear in mind that the fixed costs of your truck remain the same regardless of how many miles it runs. How would you react to an employee that requested to run fewer miles and generate less profit for your company?

Really, I don't think you're being harassed at all. The low mileage is probably the result of trying to juggle trucks, loads and time off to accommodate you and that must be a real headache for dispatch. If you live in an "at will" state and don't have a contract with your employer you could be fired or laid off for any reason. It would be in the company's best interest to replace you with someone who can run the miles.

I know my response sounds heartless and I'm a big believer in the necessity for social safety nets but you might consider just running more miles.

[ghostof99]

Originally Posted by juno_hoo

I know my response sounds heartless...

Nothing new about that. And when you do take the occasional break from being cruel, you apparently keep busy by stifling free speech and shooting messengers... and bit(hing about your singing Cocker Spaniel.


Oy Vey!

[juno_hoo]

Originally Posted by ghostof99

Nothing new about that. And when you do take the occasional break from being cruel, you apparently keep busy by stifling free speech and shooting messengers... and bit(hing about your singing Cocker Spaniel.


Oy Vey![/font]

Busted! Darn!

Where did "stifling" and "shooting" come from? I'm pretty slow on the uptake today... as usual.

[ghostof99]

Originally Posted by juno_hoo

Busted! Darn!

Where did "stifling" and "shooting" come from? I'm pretty slow on the uptake today... as usual.

Well, to be honest, I've never witnessed you doing such things, but I read about it somewhere.

[juno_hoo]

Originally Posted by ghostof99

Well, to be honest, I've never witnessed you doing such things, but I read about it somewhere.

Yep, I missed that one but I am a nasty SOB.

Slightly off topic (as usual) I have never been able to figure out why people feel compelled to comment on things they really don't understand. I wouldn't dream of going on some forum and posting something about bass fishing, butterfly collecting, jet engine repair, gardening or tantric sex because I don't know sh!t about the topics.

Even so, truckers (with plenty of time on their hands) will not read a single book, or take a single class about government and politics, yet they'll come on these sites and yak about it endlessly. Every element of their opinion is based on some sh!t they read on a "blog" or heard on talk radio/Fox. Is it any wonder that our grandkids are in for a rough time?

[bungafoo]

[QUOTE Every element of their opinion is based on some sh!t they read on a "blog" or heard on talk radio/Fox. Is it any wonder that our grandkids are in for a rough time? ][/QUOTE]

Even if it were true, the above statement exceeds being nonsensical and falls under the category of stupidity.

Wake up Rip...books and propaganda sheets (newspapers) are on their demise and blogs are here to stay until censured by you and your buddies.

I would defy anyone to read from the blogs below and not have a pretty good understanding of politics even if they NEVER READ A BOOK.


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[ghostof99]

Originally Posted by juno_hoo

Yep, I missed that one but I am a nasty SOB.

Slightly off topic (as usual) I have never been able to figure out why people feel compelled to comment on things they really don't understand. I wouldn't dream of going on some forum and posting something about bass fishing, butterfly collecting, jet engine repair, gardening or tantric sex because I don't know sh!t about the topics.

Even so, truckers (with plenty of time on their hands) will not read a single book, or take a single class about government and politics, yet they'll come on these sites and yak about it endlessly. Every element of their opinion is based on some sh!t they read on a "blog" or heard on talk radio/Fox. Is it any wonder that our grandkids are in for a rough time?

Yeah, I figured you had overlooked Shock's gem. As I read it I'm sure I had the same look Ernie flashes me when I tell him to change the oil in my car. I can only guess that as many times as bung has bawled about being persecuted (ironic, huh?) on this forum, some of it had to stick... to somebody.

Like you, I don't understand why people wax ignorant on blogs, but I'm glad they do - it's the reason I read them. As for blowing about stuff, without knowing anything about said stuff, I'm afraid I'm going to have to invoke my “glass house amendment” rights.

Example – since you broached the topic; I think the reason many get their education at EIB, Faux, and the like, is that it's simple. It's easily digested, speciously seductive, but mostly it's just simple. Forget the fact that no one, most notably the sanctimonious scammers blowing that bulls h i t, can or do practice what they preach... the simplicity of the message trumps all that. No books are required.

One more example - I don't think you're a nasty SOB.

[Bluepopsicle]

Thanks for the responses; I really appreciate it. To respond to a couple things that were asked and simply stated...

My wife and kids all have a genetic disease that's been passed down for 3 generations (that I know of) so far. They all receive Social Security Disability which comes at zero cost with zero co-pay. Financially, it's not worth driving more miles and losing the insurance they currently have. I had to "cap" myself because the way that Social Security is set up; they would lose the insurance they have if I make more then x-number of dollars a month.

After reading a couple of you with the same thaughts as to the treatment...I guess it's just what I need to expect. I don't know the business aspect of the trucking industry and I guess it's the ignorance that's making me frustrated. As suggested; I am currently looking for a local job since I'm not a big fan of being away from home. I've been told that it's not for everyone, and I suppose it's not for me.

I'll try to make the best of it, until a local gig comes available.

Again; I really appreciate the responses and I wish you all the best.

Drive Safe!