Question:
recently,i picked up a trailer that had a hole in it.frieght got damaged and i got blamed for being in an accident.i thought that the previous driver had reported the hole in the trailer.needless to say that the company dismissed me.How do i go about writing an appeal??any and all information on this willk be greatly appreciated
RONALD EADES

Answer:
A lot of us regulars in here are people either interested in driving or going to driving schools. The Drivers RT has more active drivers and you probably have a better chance of getting answers there.
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy."

Answer:
Originally posted by sometimetoday:
recently,i picked up a trailer that had a hole in it.frieght got damaged and i got blamed for being in an accident.i thought that the previous driver had reported the hole in the trailer.needless to say that the company dismissed me.How do i go about writing an appeal??any and all information on this willk be greatly appreciated
RONALD EADES
Are you being dismissed for the accident? What are the circumstances? Are you new with the company? Have you had other accidents, tickets etc.... Most companies you would go thru the safety department to start.
As for the hole in the trailer, did you report it to the company when you found it doing your pre-trip, and before you left origination? If not, sorry to say the hole is your baby!!
I had a pre-load trailer sealed, that when I reached the consignee a hole was found, luckily no damage to goods. Called my company, then had to have it fixed before my next load. Remember C.Y.A. so as not to get bit in the "A!"
Good luck to you, hope all turns out o.k.!
Drive on! bandit58....

Answer:
Don't want to be a bad guy on the response with this but someone has to. During pretrip you should have noted this and told you dispatcher either by Qualcom or phone, and then told maintenance. If you the driver accepted the trailer and got under the load It is ultimetly your responsibility.
I really dont know of any recourse. Suggestion though: If your company utilizes Qualcom have them look up any messages on damaged trailers with that numberand see if any other drivers reported it earlier.
If not you will have to take the heat.
John

Answer:
Was this a preloaded trailer or was it a trailer you picked up and then went and got loaded. do not assume (assume means you made a A$$ out of u and me) the other driver reported the hole, he might have been the one that damaged the trailer, CYA (cover your a$$) report it yourself and get it fixed.

Answer:
There are a lot of what ifs in this. Too many to provide you with any specific advice.
As far as writing an appeal, if you are talking about writing an appeal to DAC simply contact them directly and ask them how to go about it. They will be happy to tell you. Just remember DAC only passes on info provided to them so don't go and blame them. DAC Services
It seems strange that a company would fire you for this alone ( I am assuming here the hole was a small one). However I do not know the details of the load, any specific instructions etc.
In the future however, as already stated, be sure to do a good inspection of any trailer you pick up. Also be sure to inspect your trailer every time you load and unload as some of those dock monkeys can do a lot of damage with a fork lift. Report any and all problems before moving the trailer. Also be sure to note all damage on your inspection reports.
Trucking as a big time Cover your rear occupation. The only person you can count on to look out for you is you.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
i got blamed for being in an accident.
_________________________________________________
You do whatever you feel you have to do, but if I was in your position,the company would have to prove in a court of law the accussation. A hole in the trailer could be very easily overlooked. I have missed bigger things than that during pre-trip inspections. Where was the hole at? In the roof? How can you see there? There are too many "ifs" here for a driver to be terminated over, legally. The company was probably just looking to terminate you anyway and this was their reason.
Just a grouchy old man.

Answer:
Originally posted by Nocount:
Where was the hole at? In the roof? How can you see there
Ummm, gee....open the trailer doors and look up?
I do agree with you, tho...way too many ifs here. And for the company to release him after this incident it would seem that there were other issues prior and this was just the final one.
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.

Answer:
Ummm, gee....open the trailer doors and look up?
========================================
Trailer may have been pre-loaded and sealed.
Peacekeeper
America's original homeland security.....
The 2nd Amendment...
Truck drivers are not considered professionals or skilled labor except when they are on the witness stand.
www.howtobuyamerican.com


Answer:
Appeal? Appeal to who? The sad fact is if your
not a member of Organized Labor,the Carrier can fire you for any reason,real or imagined, they damn well please and you have no recourse.
I find it hard to believe a"fellow trucker"
would leave you holding the bag.
Mike
Answer:
Originally posted by Peacekeeper:
Ummm, gee....open the trailer doors and look up?
========================================
Trailer may have been pre-loaded and sealed.
Good point...didn't think that far.
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.

Answer:
Think you are sca-rude on this one. But, the one that got you was you! You thought the previous driver reported the hole? Evidently the hole was where you could see it. You definitely did not cover your arse on this one!
Appeal to whom??? Take your lumps and learn from the experience.
"We have met the enemy, and he is us." pogo