Hes Quitting Without notice... advice please

[ksmithand3]

Hi all. I could use some advice on how to handle this situation. (besides leaving the man lol)

My BF has been an OTR driver now for only three months and has made a choice to quit tomorrow and go to another company.

He wants to work more local and have weekends off.

But what worry's me is he plans on just quiting without giving notice (like a two weeks) and he says hes just going to drive home and basically said well screw them I'm coming home wither they like it or not.

I think this is incredibly stupid to do. Am I being paranoid or is there something that I don't know? Here are some of my fears. If you agree or know that this can happen please let me know

1. The second company he is looking to drive for he has only spoken to over the phone. Since he is on the road he has not put in his app in ofically.

2. I think the chances are high they will call the company hes getting ready to walk from, so not giving them an official notice is pretty stupid.

3. I think they could report his truck stolen, garnish his wages, or fine him

Is there any consequences you know could happen? Hes pretty fed up and I honestly don't think hes really cut out to be an OTR driver. But hes the only source of income and I am trying to gather facts to prevent him from making a situation worse. Thanks for you help to all.

[juno_hoo]

You are right on all counts, K.

I'd recommend quitting the juvenile boyfriend without notice. With a whopping 3 months of experience he has nothing to offer another company and the quitting without notice thing is crazy... You will be supporting him; count on it.

Regardless of how pi$$ed he is with the company/his situation, he must gain some OTR experience and always, always give notice and leave on good terms when you have the next job in the bag.

Your post hints that you can do much better. I wish you BOL.

[blacksheepdawg]

Originally Posted by ksmithand3

Hi all.

Howdy!
What's up?

I could use some advice on how to handle this situation. (besides leaving the man lol)

Sounds serious.
Tell me the story,

My BF has been an OTR driver now for only three months and has made a choice to quit tomorrow and go to another company.

It's generally considered unwise to quit a Big truck truckin' company with less than one year's experience. There are, however, exceptions to almost any rule. Does your BF have good reason for quittin' the company he's with now?

He wants to work more local and have weekends off.

Oh, ...... is that all?
He just wants what's offered to Big truck truck drivers with more time and experience than he now has, --- without paying his dues first?
Is the second company offering him more local runs with weekends off? And if they don't, will he take another unannounced walk? Is he aware that the Big truck truckin' industry frowns on job-hoppers?

But what worry's me is he plans on just quiting without giving notice (like a two weeks) and he says hes just going to drive home and basically said well screw them I'm coming home wither they like it or not.

Really?!
You have good reason for worry. If he's not worried, --- that's a red flag. I'm afraid your BF is headed for a heartache and he'll have plenty to share with you.

If he quits while under a load, and just drives the Big truck home, ..... if the company doesn't cancel his fuel card first, .... he'll likely be hit with an abandonment charge that will appear on his DAC report. Abandonment is one of the most serious offences a Big truck truck driver can commit, and will cause other companies to reject his application. Combined with not giving sufficient notice prior to quitting, your BF will have at least two strikes against him. With the recent glut of applicants from desperate wannaBees, no reputable company, local or OTR, will give his application a second glance. Why would they? Your BF will have already proven that he's an undependable flake who lacks responsibility and maturity.

I think this is incredibly stupid to do.

I think you're incredibly correct.

Am I being paranoid or is there something that I don't know?

I don't know what you don't know, ..... but I know what you're feelin' ain't paranoia, --- it's the awareness of reality, --- something your BF seems to be out of touch with

Here are some of my fears. If you agree or know that this can happen please let me know

Before you begin, ..... does your BF realize how fortunate he is to have you in his life?
That bein' said, fire away.

1. The second company he is looking to drive for he has only spoken to over the phone. Since he is on the road he has not put in his app in ofically.

I think you already know the answer.

I assume that the second company isn't aware that your BF plans to jump ship without giving a proper notice, and when that information is made available it could very easily erase any interest that company had in hiring your BF.
Rejected.
Now what?
In three months time, your BF will have gone from employed to unemployable in the Big truck truckin' industry. Well, ..... except for the bottom of the bottom feeder companies that aren't noted for providing a pleasant workin' environment because they know their drivers are desperate and no other reputable company would hire them. Basically, it'll be miserable workin' conditions with little hope for improvement.

2. I think the chances are high they will call the company hes getting ready to walk from, so not giving them an official notice is pretty stupid.

Stupid is as stupid does.
Again, your instincts are correct.
Any bone-headed stunt(s) your BF pulls at the present company will undoubtedly be reported on his DAC record which will follow him for all potential employers to read, ..... and they DO read them, BEFORE hand. The not-so-serious incidents reported may be overlooked if the applicant has a lot of attributes goin' for them, --- but an abandonment charge is an industry no-no, and rates right up there with a roll-over wreck.
That information can't be swept under the carpet either.

3. I think they could report his truck stolen, garnish his wages, or fine him

Depending on how it all goes down, it's possible your BF would be arrested. Because OTR Big truck truck drivers are required to cross state lines, (Interstate), the charges against your BF could be federal offences with federal prison time if convicted.
Add bein' a felon to the other blemishes that must be explained to a potential employer and I'm sure you can see how that would affect a decision to hire your BF, or not.
Personally, I'd bet big bucks on "not".
It sure ain't a pretty picture.

Is there any consequences you know could happen?

Other than have a negative effect on his future employ-ability, risking possible incarceration and monetary judgement, and draggin' you along for the bumpy ride, --- for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, so long as you'll tolerate it?

Hes pretty fed up and I honestly don't think hes really cut out to be an OTR driver.

That's a real good possibility.
If you don't mind my asking, why did your BF decide to give Big truck truckin' a try? Was it more out of desperation rather than any real desire?
While we're on this subject, it's well known that drivin' OTR isn't easy for many folks. Of all that a driver must endure, I think bein' away from the family is the hardest, --- not just on the driver of Big trucks either. In my opinion, to which many agree, is that the one who remains behind to keep the home fires burnin' has the hardest job. That's you.
Are YOU "cut out" for that lifestyle?

Forget special occasions like birthdays, graduation, anniversaries, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, family get-togethers, vacations, ---
you get the picture. An OTR driver can be away from home anywhere from a week or two, to a month or more. Then, when they finally get home, it's only for a few days, --- of which a few days will be for resting up for the next adventure looming on the horizon. How many years are you willin' to put up with a routine like that?
Who will be there to give you a needed reassurance hug?
Who will know how often you cry yourself to sleep at night, wishin' someone was there to hold you, to tell you everything will be alright?

But hes the only source of income and I am trying to gather facts to prevent him from making a situation worse. Thanks for you help to all.

Is that what your BF is to you, --- your (only) "source of income" and you're just protectin' your investment?
If so, I'd say the situation is already "worse", and not too likely to improve, unless you trade places with your BF. Have you ever considered drivin' a Big truck?

At any rate, I hope you can talk some smart into your BF's head before he gets it chopped off. One way or the other this is gonna be a learning experience for both of you, ---- and I wish you both good luck.
Please keep us informed.

[don55]

Good ,clear and true advice from Dawg . If the BF doesn't listen to it he might just as well cut up his CDL now because he will never get back on the road again with any reputable company. I personally have over 3 yrs OTR experience myself with a couple of not so reputable companies and have always left them with a proper 2wk notice and a return of there equipment to there secure facility know matter how far away from home it might be. A little cost to me but no BLACK marks on my DAC. For your sake I hope you can knock some sense into him before he screws himself for good

[pjsnickers]

Send him back to his mommy. He's not ready to be an adult yet.

[bigjoe]

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