got a warning in indiana and got terminated, what next?
Posted by gengarjuice69@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 213 comments
as the title says, warning in indiana and got fired from it. dont care much, just a bit shocking cause an hour ago i was doing a drop and hook at receiver and now im cleaning out my truk at a terminal no where near my own home terminal. didnt even meet with anyone, just got told over the phone that i was getting fired and i needed to go to the terminal and clean out the truk. anyways, what repercussions come from this other than losing a job? will it be more difficult now to get hired? the warning itself was quite dumb, i picked up my phone to answer a call and that was it, just extremely bad timing cause a cop passed two lanes over right as i did it. most of the time i have earbuds that i call with but it was maybe 15 minutes after starting for the day and i didnt have them in yet. i feel like regardless of circumstances its a bad look, guess thats obviously considering im getting fired for it. how screwed am i?
rvilla1970@reddit
Drive it back to the home terminal. Don't leave yourself away from home.
Inside-Priority-4913@reddit
I’m gonna be honest with you driver!! .. it only takes a split second of phone distraction to hurt or even kill someone ,,it has happened many of times.. as truck drivers we all have heard or even seen the tragic stories of being on or fooling with phones while driving.. these trucking companies take tht phone rule very seriously,which is understandable.. I am a truck driver and i understand all the stupid safety rules they push on us ,but I i agree with with the phone rule 100%.. we all think we’re the best drivers until the day were not.. and i don’t want it to be my family that you hit or kill on tht day you find out distraction is a real thing…. But honestly I’m sorry to here your going through a job loss,but the good part is tht your going home and not prison 👍🏾
RedMoustache@reddit
Where I work (Union employer) cell phone use and DUI are the only instant termination violations. They consider it worse than failing a drug test.
Dragex11@reddit
Which is absolutely wild, in my opinion lol
UhOhAllWillyNilly@reddit
If you get a dirty test at least you can do SAP and get back driving in a few months. For a cell phone warning/citation I think the consequences are more severe and to tell you the truth I really don’t want to find out the hard way.
Fit_Hospital2423@reddit
Are you within an hour of Altoona Pa?
Shadowtrail1988@reddit
Never accept a warning. Ticket or nothing. Can't fight warnings. Also don't answer the phone next time without Bluetooth. It will probably be hard to find another job but, I'm sure someone will take you if you keep looking.
locolevels@reddit
I dont hold the phone in my hand for any reason. Once it's mounted, thats where it stays. Actually got a tablet now for maps. So I really only use my phone for podcasts thru my headet.
Sorry driver, those Indiana LE officers are strict.
LoopDoGG79@reddit
Isn't more convenient and safer to Bluetooth connect to your radio and listen to podcasts through the speakers? That my good to way to listen to podcasts
Good_Sailor_7137@reddit
After seeing all the Illinois plate drivers with handheld phones, they are not strict enough. Guess those drivers feel F U towards Chicago, Illinois, and Indiana.
Fit_Hospital2423@reddit
You guys tell him this guy that he’s unhirable. That’s not true.
Ill_Departure6045@reddit
What job? I live in Central Pennsylvania
tidyshark12@reddit
Warning for phone use? You're fucked bud, sorry to say it. You can't even fight that in court to get it removed since it's a warning and not a ticket. Every company you apply to will see that warning as a non-hirable offense and you likely won't get any calls back, regardless of any excuses you have for it.
mariamad89@reddit
That’s not 100% true. I know many drivers with 100 points already deducted still driving for many different companies.
mariamad89@reddit
Wow I’m sorry man!! But getting seen with a phone while driving a CMV is no better then driving drunk these days. You were honestly blessed it was just a warning tbh.
Meatbuns66@reddit
Time to get a desk job. If this happened to me, I'd go back to white collar lmao. Lower earnings ceiling but better work/life balance.
halfcow@reddit
Meanwhile, I see drivers holding the phone right in front of their nose, as if doing a video chat.
lowballbertman@reddit
I passed a driver in Oregon who had their phone mounted right next to their steering wheel with a movie playing on it. Like I could see what was going on in their mirror before I passed, and as I passed I could see…..full blown movie as he’s driving down the freeway. I’m not sure how you watch a show while driving but yeah they were doing it.
D-JonLamar@reddit
That’s crazy bc don’t most companies have cab cameras to stop this from happening? Unless it was an owner operator either still wild
kyson1@reddit
FedEx Freight is the biggest LTL in the US and doesn't have driver facing cameras. If they don't, I'm sure a lot of others don't either.
D-JonLamar@reddit
I drive for Werner and they technically don’t have driver facing cameras either but I’ve heard they catch drivers being distracted frequently. My guess is the front facing camera can catch the reflection of the driver in the windshield. Id bet it’s like that with all the megacarriers as well
kyson1@reddit
Phone reflections off the glass is about the only time you can see a driver doing something they shouldn't be inside, from the videos I've seen
lowballbertman@reddit
Some do some don’t. And some only have outward facing cameras. I’ve been driving for 16 years, have worked for 6 different companies, none of which had cameras. I have my own dash cam.
ItsSugarbear@reddit
I see that alot with FedEx and Amazon day cab drivers.
Gonzotrucker1@reddit
No you don’t. At least not with Amazon day cabs. They have driver facing cameras.
xxenoscionxx@reddit
Fedex has cameras as well so, not sure about the accuracy of that statement.
kyson1@reddit
Freight only has forward facing, no driver facing.
xxenoscionxx@reddit
Gotcha , that’s how it was at express. I guess ground is their own thing.
kyson1@reddit
No idea on Ground and Express, but I believe they both use the same AI cameras from some FedEx groups I'm in, I only know Freight uses Motive cameras that only face forward.
xxenoscionxx@reddit
Ya I don’t remember what express had , brand name wise. I got a few following distance beeps a few times. They were not nearly as aggressive as the Amazon cameras. This is from the package handling end.
Am at ground now and this camera is definitely pointed at me. However it’s not very sensitive as I can drink a Red Bull or use my vape and it doesn’t go off like amazons would.
kyson1@reddit
I just fix em lol, sometimes when we're slow I'll pull up all the critical incidents and watch em though, good entertainment every now and then.
xxenoscionxx@reddit
I had a good one at express , it was Christmas time and I had my arms full of packages. I didn’t have my ice cleats on and I ate shit so hard that my Apple Watch was gonna call 911 as it detected a wreck. So I called in to dispatch to see if they got it because it was pretty funny. Am sure they loved that one.
ItsSugarbear@reddit
Drive on I35 through Texas at night and you'll see Amazon day cab drivers watching movies.
Gonzotrucker1@reddit
Oh wait I’m apologize I didn’t read it correctly. The phone is mounted though, and not in their hands.
Creative_Shame3856@reddit
Worst one I saw was a probably 27" TV on the right side of the dashboard of a stereotypical white Volvo, with some pretty raunchy hardcore porn on it. Like what damn planet do you have to be from to think that's a good idea?! Changing playlists on my YouTube Music is too much for my brain to process while I'm driving, I can't comprehend how people don't splatter all over the place watching movies while driving.
Character-Hand-3359@reddit
Im sure he's not the only porno fan that does it.
Avalios@reddit
Who the hell "watches" porn. You use some porn when you need to, grab a tissue and move on with your day.
Watching it for pure entertainment is the strangest part of that story.
Few-Chemical-5165@reddit
He was watching porn for the articles.
pakman82@reddit
I'm done, you win the Internet tonight..
BowlOld1955@reddit
I am flabbergasted by what i just read
TheHookahgreecian2@reddit
You sure he was watching I usually run Joe Rogan or pod cast play while im driving but im not watching it im listening to it
COATHANGER_ABORTIONS@reddit
Honestly I don't care if it's in a holder, and they're not just staring at the thing. It's insane to me when I see other drivers just holding their phones flying down the interstate at 75.
pattop@reddit
I saw themis the other day in SC. Then i saw also TT commenters talking about what is a distraction. One dude was bragging he watches videos and it wasn't an issue. This younger gen thinks they can multitask everything.
NOLADGE@reddit
I saw a driver the other night playing call of duty on their phone. Had it on the horn of the steering wheel. Almost took out a car parked on shoulder and he serves at the last second and keeps right on playing
pakman82@reddit
It scares me how many people in cars hold it in front of the airbag.. half hiding it. .. WHEN they get rearended or t-boned because their not watching their mirrors or peripherals... Airbag is either going to embed their dismembered hand and phone in their chest or.. well I can't imagine what side curtains might do if they deploy alone. .. might be ok..
nexusprax@reddit
We know not to do it in Indiana,Tennessee and Kentucky 🤣
Virtchoo@reddit
I was on 294 on the north west side of Chicago the other day, and this asshole kept wanting to share my lane. Get next to him and the mother fucker is texting with both legs on the passenger seat.
Jermaphobe456@reddit
One of our drivers flipped his tractor and trailer because he had his attention to his phone as he was dumping asphalt millings. Didn't happen to notice he backed his rear passenger trailer tandems up on top of a pile and just sent the box up
joepancakez@reddit
yeah, that can be a 10k fine for the company and $2750 for you, worst case scenario
E_550@reddit
Cell phone violations are devastating, unfortunately you might be out of luck for a few years until it falls off.
cryingJor@reddit
Even if it’s just a warning????
E_550@reddit
If it’s a verbal warning, no problem, however if it’s a warning on an inspection sheet, it’s a giant problem.
Inspection warnings are actually much worse than tickets, as you can’t even fight a warning, atleast you can fight a ticket.
Terrible-Emu-2683@reddit
What company was it?
gengarjuice69@reddit (OP)
swift lol
Upstairs-Ideal-6117@reddit
They made you give up the truck in the Gary or manteno terminal?
iTsDaagua@reddit
Wow you’re upset that you got fired from that joke of a company?! Bro go local and do food service. People with felonies even get these types of jobs!
truckguy724@reddit
Id be driving back to my home yard. Fuck them.
gengarjuice69@reddit (OP)
i was tempted, just didnt want them trying to pull some bullshit saying i messed up the truck or something
Upstairs-Ideal-6117@reddit
Which company did u drive for?
MostOriginalNameEver@reddit
They aren't fucking around anymore with trucks and phones.
MutedPoetry539@reddit
Yeah, this ain't good for OP. A warning kind of sucks too, because you can fight a ticket. I don't think there's a process for fighting a warning. Companies take cell phone violations pretty seriously.
ibringnothing@reddit
Yeah this needs to be a class action lawsuit to get some kind of appeal process for warnings. You are harmed by getting a warning, It affects your ability to make a living. You should definitely have a way to advocate for yourself.
Dezzolve@reddit
Yeah I agree, it completely disregards our right to due process. All of the punishment with no way to fight it.
IfIKnewThen@reddit
"completely disregards our right to due process."
That seems to be really gaining in popularity lately.
HuskerBruce@reddit
Been going on for years
FilthyNasty626@reddit
Cell phone violation carries nearly the same amount of points as a DUI. Also, correct, you can not fight a warning. Agencies are figuring that out and are just issueing warnings now. 3 years for the driver, 2 years for the carrier. Record of employment, 10 years is what you have to report but carriers go back 3 - 5 years on average. Yea, that driver is cooked.
xxenoscionxx@reddit
So I know to ask for a ticket if am pulled over for whatever. Can the police officer refuse to write a ticket and only issue a warning ?
FilthyNasty626@reddit
Its at the officers discretion usually. Tickets you can typically get pled down to a lesser infraction. Im sure that varies by department policy and federal guidelines. What those are I couldn't tell you accurately.
xxenoscionxx@reddit
Ya I could just see a scenario where I tell the cop , no I don’t want a warning , write me a ticket and him just saying “nope”.
legendofthegreendude@reddit
Ironically, Indiana Staye Patrol is apparently pretty fond of doing just that.
xxenoscionxx@reddit
Maybe they can use that revenue from screwing drivers and fix there goddamn roads lol
FilthyNasty626@reddit
They have been 'fixing' their roads for 15 years. 65, 70, 74 have been in a perpetual state of construction the entire time.
xxenoscionxx@reddit
I think they just don’t won’t people on i70 , my back flinches just thinking of it. I lost a microwave on that road and my dog if he could talk would have some shit to say…being bounced off the sleeper multiple times lol
FilthyNasty626@reddit
I retired partially due to 70. Every damned week I would go denver-deleware oh-aberdeen md-boston-farmingdale ny, pickup edison nj, elizebeth nj, down to 70 and back to denver. FUCK THAT ROAD! Between the military and trucking, at 40 years old my back os fuckin D O N E.
xxenoscionxx@reddit
Man coming into Denver , maybe 30 miles past the border, I swear to god there is a ski jump west bound … it got me every time too.
FilthyNasty626@reddit
Thats why everyone that knows that route gets in the left lane or straddles the fog line at the KS/CO border. We know whats coming. Just underneath the overpass at Limon, if you didn't know how to hit that hole right it would launch you into orbit. CDOT finally fixed it two or 3 years ago. Right lane, just past the EB scales.
RepresentativeAd560@reddit
Not likely. That corn swamp seems to love having shit roads.
Hairymike6340@reddit
A ticket for a phone would have cost $ 2500 for you and $2500 for the company. Those are minimums
xxenoscionxx@reddit
Ya but at least I have a shot at fighting it , I thought that was the deal. As you can’t fight warnings ?
Hairymike6340@reddit
Their is a low probability of any grace when it comes to this infraction
xxenoscionxx@reddit
Ya it’s pretty bad, you’re probably right. It’s why I have a phone holder and if I can’t get my air pods in fast enough to answer a call, I just call them back.
Fatguy503@reddit
Up to the officers discretion what they write.
Snoo-6053@reddit
It is the same CSA points - 10
SaltAndBitter@reddit
If it's on a level 3 inspection (which it should be), OP could try to DataQ it... doubtful this one results in removal, tho. Seems pretty cut and dry, no grey area to argue within during the phone interview
Actual_Handle_3@reddit
If it's not an inspection, then it's not on csa, and no need to dataq challenge it
legendarygarlicfarm@reddit
https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov/
You can DataQ it to contest the accuracy of the data. It's worth a shot. My company will DataQ everything and usually has about a 50/50 shot of getting a warning removed.
Snoo-6053@reddit
Correct. OP needs to elaborate. Was it a warning ticket from local police or DOT on an inspection form?
Only with this can we determine how screwed he is.
Cheap_Speaker_5481@reddit
This will not effect you at all this industry is so choked for reliable drivers. Don't ever give it a 2nd thought and move on. That company don't give 2 shits about you anyways. Look for a local job so you can have a life.
BigSchmitty@reddit
Not sure if other states are doing this, but Georgia has portable devices set up at random spots that sense cell phones as you drive by. They hang over the lane and have cameras on them. Typically, within a few miles there’s a few cops waiting to pull you over.
AdventurousLawyer646@reddit
I'm frm ga n I've seen these. Thanks for confirming my suspicion lol. 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
DieselPunk97@reddit
You wouldn’t have happened to have worked for TMC by chance did you? 😂 just received a fleetwide message today about the importance of not using your phone while driving and that an employee of ours got terminated for said offense.
If not, I wish you the best of luck man. I’ve been scared to even touch my phone while driving for this reason so I just Que up some podcasts and songs on Spotify for the day and leave it in the sleeper hooked up to my radio via Bluetooth and just use the steering wheel controls to change song or skip podcast.
Check out Western Express or any 2nd chance company, you won’t make GREAT money but you will make some money
HerburtThePervert@reddit
I’ve always had respect to The Marine Corps. Keeping shiny standards with a fleet that size is hard work. I still want to be a flatbedder but I just don’t want to be stuck at 65 or worse…
DieselPunk97@reddit
I joined the company when it was 62! Honestly after 4 years of driving, I don’t have a want to go faster than 65. It can be grating sometimes, especially in the western states but it never bothered me.
DaSaw@reddit
You lose a lot of fuel mileage going much faster than that. Heck, you lose quite a bit just going over 55.
For curiosity's sake, I've been resetting my trip once a season to see what various seasonal challenges do to my mileage. I average about 8.4 (or used to, when I had a lot of flat plains miles in the mix, but now it's 8.1 in the mountains). But when I reset it last winter I started with a trip that went into California. I averaged 8.9 on that trip.
skeletons_asshole@reddit
I do wish I could pass those guys that go 58 until you get up near them. Drove a truck with passing mode enabled once at another company, omg that was nice.
BowlOld1955@reddit
Passing mode? My trucks never had that option 🤣
skeletons_asshole@reddit
Yeah, comes standard on a lot of trucks but the ones I drove were Cascadias. Pedal to the floor all the way and fully released 3x in quick succession and it’ll go 68 for a while to pass. Lets you do it for a total of 30 min a day, or however they program it.
Then they gave me a truck where it was disabled and I drove that for a year 🙃
BowlOld1955@reddit
What was your truck governed at?
skeletons_asshole@reddit
That one was 65
skeletons_asshole@reddit
I think that’s the easy part honestly - blue beacon once a week, I just watch.
Now if only I didn’t have to roll up and stow the straps every single damn load 😭
skeletons_asshole@reddit
Lmaoooo I just commented the same thing. Hi TMC friend! Don’t tell corporate I’m here 😬
DieselPunk97@reddit
Howdy friend! I ain’t gonna tell no one 😂
Frankdouglas95@reddit
Make sure you double check with HR that your profile/release paperwork DOES NOT say abandonment under reason for leaving. Having that on your driving profile is like being on a no hire list. If they won't tell you, you can check at Driveriq.com for free.
Ambitious_Air_6103@reddit
Doesn’t matter at all . I’m an OG trucker (7 years) . Go to a company where you are needed now . It’s trucking dude … do you think you are the only damned trucker with a phone warning ? Safe travels rookies !
Ambitious_Air_6103@reddit
Waiting to get loaded had to add to my previous comment. By the way I do not condone being on the phone but you were accepting a call so in your situation what can you do? Be safe out there guys but don’t let DOT or the state troops make you feel like a criminal we are some of the hardest working guys out here . They work 8 hours and go home so take it easy on yourself . Safe travels !
Effective_Heat_1650@reddit
I got a ticket and inspection for almost the same thing in February. Got fired and can't find a job since. I used CDL Legal to help me fight it and they told me it's an antimasking court I'm assigned to and they won't hide any CDL driver tickets so the legal team told me to just pay the ticket and wait 3 years. I said fuck that and bought my own lawyer and we're going to court tomorrow to fight it. No clue what the outcome is gonna be, but if I lose I just wasted about $3,000 plus whatever court fees are going to be. Been unemployed for a month and a half so that's money I can't afford to lose so I'm on the same boat as you, you're not alone.
gengarjuice69@reddit (OP)
damn man, good luck to you tomorrow. im sorta bummed after seeing that three years is the waiting period basically, even after that i imagine there will be questions while searching. think im just gonna take it as a sign to get out of the industry. was going to quit my job at the end of the year and look for local but seems unlikely to find anything at all now. definitely caught me off guard but i'll figure it out
Effective_Heat_1650@reddit
Im glad I hired my own local lawyer because he GOT IT DISMISSED! LET'S GOOO!
gengarjuice69@reddit (OP)
gggggggs! thats awesome man, sounds like its time to get back to work lol
jaylew1981@reddit
I don't understand...was that phone call really that important? ALL my friends and family know to call me. If i don't pick up, there's a reason, and I'll call when I can. Hell, my own mama surprised me with a second set of headphones so I could use one while the other was charging.
JayGT1@reddit
Yea this is something most carriers have implemented that no devices and if so you're terminated
jennoford@reddit
This happened to a friend and they got with a new outfit not too long after. Violations happen all the time. For insurance reasons they have to fire but it’s not a career ender.
egeorgak12@reddit
I have a question... European here... Speeding tickets, speed cameras, and tickets for overtaking in no-overtaking zones are a monthly occurrence here for most of us. HOS violations are also just another fundraiser for local police. Yet these don't get reported anywhere. We all know that most of these sre just cash grabs and a part of the job...
Nobody will ever ask you, and nobody will ever care when hiring you.
The only country I know of where cell phone use is even treated as anything more than a couple hundred euros is in my home country of Greece, where they will suspend your license for two months no questions asked.
I say all this to ask the following... Are tickets really that big of a deal in the States? Does the same apply to Canada? This sounds so crazy to me as a foreigner. I find it so hard to believe that nobody speeds, and that anyone who speeds risks not being able to find another job...
What am I missing here?
Leaf-Stars@reddit
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/driver-safety/distracted-driving/mobile-phone-restrictions-fact-sheet
egeorgak12@reddit
Nice. Thanks! So mounted and bluetooth headset is ok. That's good to know. That's already how I operate anyway.
Leaf-Stars@reddit
It’s not worth the $2750.00 ticket.
egeorgak12@reddit
It's not just the ticket cost... If you're gonna be basically black balled and unable to work, that's way worse than any ticket known to man.
Are hours of service violations that damning as well?
Leaf-Stars@reddit
You would have to look those up. I know there are different levels of severity, but that’s the company and the driver both getting fined. And those fines can be far far worse than the cell phone ticket.
egeorgak12@reddit
I mean in terms of employability. Do they basically end your odds of finding another job? Like what does one do if it's late night and you run out of driving time? Life doesn't always go according to plan, and in Europe cops know this. They write you up a couple hundred euros to make their bosses happy, and you go on your merry way with no major career ending consequences unless you are doing crazy 20 hours straight driving stuff.
LandscapeDue1031@reddit
They are brother, wish I could go back and drive in Poland maybe one day.
egeorgak12@reddit
What happens if you get written up for an hours of service violation? I'm not talking about driving 4 hours over the limit and other crazy stuff... But basic stuff like 15 minutes half hour maximum the way we do all the time here in Europe to make an appointment after a big traffic incident.
Is it game over for you? I'm getting my license in Canada and I need to know how I will have to adjust haha.
_FearMose_@reddit
OP, was the warning attached to an inspection? If yes, you will be unhirable.
gengarjuice69@reddit (OP)
rip, looks like a short lived career in the trucking industry, on to the next i suppose
VenaticGnu60@reddit
Straight up, I work with PGT and they aren't the best but I mean. Jobs a job, you'll prolly get on over here
SOTF777@reddit
Mom and pop companies will still hire you. Or if it’s not on your driving record you’re good to go! Just keep your mouth shut when asked if you’ve had any warnings.
KingNebyula@reddit
Check out plumbing
FeatureKey2095@reddit
Naw, go get in someone's dump truck and keep making money. You're not the first person to get a messed up ticket and ylu may find that local dirt work really ain't that bad.
xj5635@reddit
This… 3 years beating up a dump truck looks way better on a resume to trucking companies than 3 years in a factory or office.
legendarygarlicfarm@reddit
Look into local stuff and class B work
_FearMose_@reddit
If it’s really your passion you could come back in 3 years and try again. Just keep pushing forward and learn from the mistake. We all make them
18WheelerHustle@reddit
How much experience do you have?
gengarjuice69@reddit (OP)
9 months
KingNebyula@reddit
Call One 2 One Transport in Chicago, they’ll hire you(probably)
Meezyftc@reddit
You can still find a local job don't give up if your in the Chicago area you definitely can still find work easily with a dump truck or construction companies
xj5635@reddit
Oof, honestly not trying to discourage you but 9 months experience and a cell phone violation/warning is going to be tough.
If you truly want to stay behind the wheel look for some small mom and pop dump truck, paving, garbage truck, log truck, etc companies. The smaller the better. You’d have a better chance there.
If you had 9 years clean exp and just the 1 cell phone warning you may find a small otr company that would hear you out and maybe give you a chance but 9 months…
clarobert@reddit
Warning? Did you receive an FMCSA inspection report listing a violation or not? A citation from a municipality is a warning on your driving record, but if you got an FMCSA report, there isni such thing as a warning - you and the company eat the CSA points.
Zestyclose_Falcon111@reddit
That warning wasn’t dumb. You get in an accident, someone dies and they find out you were anywheres near that cell phone, it’s a quick way to catch a manslaughter charge and ruin not only your career but your life.
With that said, you aren’t the only one to get a warning like that. I would try with a smaller company that will have looser policies regarding driving records than a mega company. It’s gonna boil down to what your insurance quote is with a smaller company. No one wants to pay an extra 1k a month to have you signed on because you got a cell phone warning.
stormofthedragon@reddit
You can try covenant. They at least listen to why you got screwed.
tstate183@reddit
Find an owner op to hire you. They're normally more relaxed about stuff like that.
santanzchild@reddit
If that charge pops up even as a warning noone is hiring you. That os zero tolerance pretty close to everywhere.
_daddyl0nglegs_@reddit
Problem is, no one will be able to see he got a warning except his prior company disclosing it to them. OP should have shut his mouth.
jmzstl@reddit
The type of warning is very important. If he was pulled over by the state police and they wrote it up as a CVSA inspection, he's fucked because that will show up as a major CSA/PSP violation. If it was just a verbal warning or written on a standard universal citation form, then it's as if it didn't happen.
clhchewy81@reddit
I wonder how the company found out. My guess is that there was an inspection and the company was notified. Either that or OP called it in.
bogey9651@reddit
Most companies require you to report moving violations even if they don't involve an inspection.
Mindes13@reddit
Violations will go against your MVR that the carrier has to check yearly.
Warnings do not go to your mvr.
Warnings attached to an inspection go against the carrier and the driver and are not able to be fought or data q'd.
_daddyl0nglegs_@reddit
This is 100% correct.
Snoo-6053@reddit
It depends. If the warning was from a DOT on an inspection report it will show up on the Pre Employment Screening Report
Also potentially reported to DAC
santanzchild@reddit
That's what I am unsure of. Never got a warning for anything so no idea if it shows on mvr.
alldayeveryday2471@reddit
Damn
Own-Statistician6774@reddit
It won’t hurt to go to FMCSA website and DataQ the violation. You might get lucky and have it dropped.
Lost-Astronaut-8280@reddit
Can we get a 6 month up update
gengarjuice69@reddit (OP)
maybe, dont have any high expectations
Lost-Astronaut-8280@reddit
Well whatever path you take good luck with it man
Remarkable-Mix8937@reddit
“The warning itself was quite dumb”.. what are you even talking about? why would you even “pick up” your phone to answer? In this industry you can’t take anything as a joke. It wasn’t dumb, you’re just reckless.
gengarjuice69@reddit (OP)
me and half the drivers i pass then i guess? you cant tell me youve never once touched your phone while driving. picking up a call is far from the worst thing you can do while behind the wheel
Leaf-Stars@reddit
First move would be to stop making excuses for stupid behavior and hold yourself accountable.
Turdfurgason1@reddit
I’d scratch shit with chickens before I’d work for a company like that.
NomadTruckerOTR@reddit
Anything cell phone related most mega carriers won't touch you
Bergamoted@reddit
Apply to central before it comes up on your record 🏃♂️
Bergamoted@reddit
Time to go local.
Hypnowolfproductions@reddit
When you say we're ing? Is that a warning on an inspection? If so it carries the same weight as a violation. Difference is a violation. You get a ticket. Warning isn't a ticket but still a failed DOT inspection. Hence for phone in hand your DAC now looks very bad. It'll take about a week for it to appear on the DAC report. But check it and dispute it asap. Yes a phone violation is heavy points on DAC so if there it'll keep you from being hired most likely.
Here's info to dispute a DAC. It's easier to fight a ticket than a failed inspection though to be honest.
If you believe your DAC report contains false information, you have a right to dispute that information by filing a report with HireRight, Inc. Follow the link below to file a formal dispute on HireRight's website about a false entry on your DAC report.
https://www.truckersjusticecenter.com/dac-reports#:~:text=If%20you%20believe%20your%20DAC,entry%20on%20your%20DAC%20report.
azziptac@reddit
Don't let these mouth breathers in this thread kill your spirit. They are all corpo bootlickers. Yeah if you stay in corporations they will obviously not hire you, if it's on your record. But small companies like 2-5 trucks don't care. I run a company this size & don't care if you use a phone. OBVIOUSLY be smart & use Bluetooth. Search for smaller companies. They will pay in 1099 tho, so FYI.
xj5635@reddit
When one of your guys/gals t bones a minivan and kills a few kids because they were on their phone and your staring bankruptcy in the face due to the lawsuit you’ll start to care.
In a small company myself, as a manager not owner, but I care about cell use, I care about rolling stops, I care about seat belts… not because I’m a corpo bootlicker but because I care about our drivers and don’t want to have to call your emergency contact to inform them you’ve just been airlifted to a hospital. And I’m not naive enough to think that your mistake cant cost several other guys in the company their livelihoods, if your a small company your one major wreck and a good attorney away from losing everything you have.
Desperate_Tourist554@reddit
Just tell them you are in the country illegally. You'll get set up with a cdl with no name on it and the same birthday
Foxlen@reddit
Idk how it works there but here violation leave a mark on the carrier profile which is huge
axiom-@reddit
Indiana is notorious for this. It does go against the company's csa score with no real way to fight it like you can with a ticket/inspection. However, it does not show up on you and will not affect you getting hired somewhere else.
skeletons_asshole@reddit
TMC by chance? Got a safety message about this today.
The_Nervous_Gamer@reddit
Yo seriously, that fleetwide message has me wondering.
SomeMidnight@reddit
Was your "warning" actually a violation (possibly FMCSR 392.82) on a MCSAP / CVSA inspection report? If so, then the points follow you for a certain amount of time and WILL more than likely affect your hire potential because the insurance company increases premiums for hiring an "at-risk" driver.
However, if there is no MCSAP / CVSA report, i.e. no violation, and you indeed only received a warning then it should not affect your ability to get hired with another company.
EddieV77@reddit
Warming for what speeding or during inspection Either way you shouldn’t have been fired and should be find getting a job . Just explain to the new job what happened and you should be fine
derpmcturd@reddit
what do you mean "warning"? warning about what, and from whom? elaborate please.
BONERFLEX_@reddit
Find a job with a small company. As long as they can insure you that's all that matters. You might even get paid more. My company is small. Guy I work for only owns 4 trucks. I get paid good. Only downside is that they can't afford health insurance. But I can afford private healthcare on my own so fuck it. Plus I'm local home every night making as much as most otr guys.
RKK-Crimsonjade@reddit
Indiana is a work for right state. You have no rights. They fire you any day or any time
12InchPickle@reddit
A warning is as bad as a citation. Since you can’t contest it. That being said. Many companies will see cellphone usage while driving nearly the same if not equal as a DUI. So you’re cooked.
_daddyl0nglegs_@reddit
This is incorrect.
Warnings often go nowhere.
I received a written warning in California years ago and there was no trace of it, my company at the time even told me not to worry about reporting it to them. I was with Old Dominion Freight Line. I suppose this can vary by state, but I would have kept my mouth shut if I was OP.
Now if the warning was part of a level 1, 2, or 3 inspection, that would be different.
1morepl8@reddit
That should be it. If it's a standard warning from the cop it shouldn't be an issue at all. I highly doubt a standard leo busted out paperwork for a cmv inspection.
_daddyl0nglegs_@reddit
It happens sometimes. But, yeah, a written warning and sent on your way? Cop did OP a favor and OP said too much to his employer. Shit happens in life I guess
gengarjuice69@reddit (OP)
didnt tell them until they called asking for the paperwork yesterday. cop did a 2 second inspection so he could add that to his paperwork, guess he knew what he was doing. kinda seems like what everyone else is saying about being fucked for three years is the case
1morepl8@reddit
Food service or water hauling beckons
Crzymk101@reddit
A fedex ground contractor will hire you trust me... fedex also has front and rear facing cameras and front bumper sensors.. Keep your head up, everything will be OK. God Bless..
xxenoscionxx@reddit
That’s not 100% true. I drive with a driver facing camera.
_daddyl0nglegs_@reddit
Okay so he did an inspection, that's very much different than a regular written warning. You did the right thing and disclosed it to your company.
I'm sorry dude but this will follow you for about three years. Sooner than later, find other employment outside of driving then come back once it ages out.
I know all about this very thing because a buddy of mine from trucking school got pulled over in AZ for having his phone out and he got it on a roadside inspection. Knight Transportation had to let him go, and he couldn't get another job until about 2019-2020. Phone tickets are massive deals when there's a paper trail.
If it was JUST a written warning and nothing else, you would be okay. As part of an inspection? It's been recorded.
UhOhAllWillyNilly@reddit
I think the operative words in your comment were “years ago.” Things change over time (like paper logs). Things that didn’t use to be severe become extremely severe. I think cell phone usage is in the latter category.
_daddyl0nglegs_@reddit
This was just a few years ago bub. CHP is still writing the same handwritten tickets, nothing has changed here.
Effective_Heat_1650@reddit
Actually hand held device is 10 points on your CSA whereas a DUI is only 5.
lord_nuker@reddit
I'm happy that in Europe tickets are a private matter with very few exceptions. So if I speed, use my phone, get a blow job, coast downhill my boss and company won't get any notice. Only notice they get are if I fail to have the truck in legal condition if I need to drive in on a weight station or they have random controls on the road. Heck you can even lose your drivers license without the company getting any info!
Known-Brain-6862@reddit
Sadly companies are pretty strict about that, then again people are jail for just looking down at their phone for a few seconds! Learn from it, never do it again. It’s not worth it, people can get hurt or die including yourself, you can also lose your cdl. You can still get hired but it will be hard because it will be reported on your dac, you may want to look into smaller mom and pop companies because very few larger carriers will hire
karrimycele@reddit
It’s going to be hard for you to get hired by big fleets for a year. I found out the hard way when I got fired for some bullshit, no tickets or anything. When they said they were going to fire me, I didn’t bother to argue because I didn’t care about the job. But, I also didn’t know it would cause me problems getting hired, otherwise I would’ve said something because I was really fired unfairly.
You can call smaller outfits, container or tanker haulers. They’ll give you a job. Or, if you can afford it, take a year off and collect unemployment.
Antique_One7110@reddit
Terminated for cause, probably will lose the UE case.
WhiteShiftry@reddit
Was it the cop that caught you or the company camera?
Mysterious_Ad4689@reddit
I started putting a magnet on my steering wheel and phone so that I could interact with it when needed. Never have to hold it for anything.
gengarjuice69@reddit (OP)
yeah i have something similar, pop socket that sits in a holder on my steering wheel. had a map up on my phone prior to getting a call and kinda feel like maybe he thought i was holding it. idk tho
Agamemnon323@reddit
You have your phone on your steering wheel? My guy. Maybe this isn’t the career for you.
gengarjuice69@reddit (OP)
better than in my hands i suppose. tbh i find its a lot safer than leaning over to switch a song or something on a dash mount
Artistic_Alfalfa_860@reddit
Sounds like your company is just running low on freight and looking for excuses to reduce head count
FeatureKey2095@reddit
Hop in a dumptruck and start running local. Shit happens but don't let that stop you.
SirKevin_Xx@reddit
Why are you spelling “truck” that way?
FossMan21@reddit
Because you can’t use the word “truck” in your post.
SirKevin_Xx@reddit
That’s odd. I didn’t see anything about it in the rules.
gengarjuice69@reddit (OP)
for some reason the sub wont let me post anything with the word truck in it lol
SirKevin_Xx@reddit
Haha oh Reddit. Sorry about your job bro
mikem4045@reddit
I don’t get what is so hard to understand. Most companies have zero tolerance for phones. Bluetooth or handless. Is it really that hard? We can answer one touch steering wheel. If we pick it up it start texting its over. It needs to industry wide fire in the spot for violation.
jfuller44@reddit
Yea, a warning on a DOT inspection still gets you CSA points. That is something that will be on your PSP for 3 years and will be a direct impact to your eligibility for being hired elsewhere. Many insurance companies have that as a knockout. I've seen other companies not be as thorough to check PSPs like they should , so you might be able to squeak by somewhere!
freudsdriver@reddit
Sorry, but that warning wasn't dumb. People die every day in this country because idiots are yapping on their phone, and are distracted. Ear buds not in? Don't answer the phone. You put your ear buds in, and call back! That trooper gave you that warning with that outcome in mind. You've been driving a year, and already developed bad habits. I don't believe that this is the first time either. He knew you, a) had to report that warning to your company, and, b) couldn't fight a warning. Cops work to keep bad drivers off the road. Especially those with an 80k lb death machine. Do better.
jgremlin_@reddit
Getting another driving job won't be impossible, but your options are certainly going to be more limited than they were yesterday. How limited will depend on what other warnings or tickets are on your MVR, how old they are, how long you've been driving and how steady your work history is.
Otherwise clean MVR, several years of driving, no more than 3 jobs in the last 5 years? Someone's going to snatch you up no problem. A couple other warnings or tickets in the last 3 years, or only 6 months of experience or 8 different jobs in the last 3 years? Yeah you're going to have to look for a while before you find someone who will take you.
Maleficent-Client579@reddit
If it’s not on your record never mention this again like it never happened this companies won’t give you a chance for being honest
Endoreight@reddit
Search 2nd chance companies. I'd start looking at smaller local companies first, might get lucky.
AcanthocephalaNew791@reddit
Always Chicago L/P.
Incarsus@reddit
The company can be fined up to $11,000 for that warning ticket. It is also a huge insurance issue that likely would of had them dropped by their insurance if they let you keep your job.
thesheepthatwent_moo@reddit
FYI a little birdie told me SOME companies don’t do background checks.. so put that you didn’t get fired you just quit because you didn’t like the miles or whatever idk. And if they find out just say it was a misunderstanding or just be straight up. I knew someone that tried getting into Marten Transport but they told him that he had to wait 3 years to apply because HE disclosed that he was fired. He asked them if they did background checks and the recruiter said no. So there you go. Just test your luck. Some of your smaller companies don’t check or don’t really care if you got fired as long as your under their point threshold which is usually 3 or below.
Mechanik_J@reddit
To insurance (and trucking companies that need insurance to operate) that's pretty much a dui. Plus all those csa points that they got, that they can't fight... oof.
youngdiamonds15@reddit
Atleast they told you was being fired, no one told me and they acted all hush hush about it. When they said a driver was coming to retrieve the truck I packed my stuff and called my fiancee to come 6 hours to get me that night. They even had my badge shut off before we got back to the terminal. Luckily the other driver was cool and used his badge to let us out. Never will I join a company who isn't local near me just for this reason alone. What happened to me was got pulled over for speeding and the DOT put it as a warning. Another truck was merging onto the interstate and wasnt yielding, so as a quick reaction i decided to speed up to be infront as i was empty pulling a pup trailer. The company called me next day asking if I got a ticket for speeding. I said no, it was a warning. Then the rest followed. Basically warnings if documented are impossible to fight. I tried and failed (worth a try) my PSP record is stained for the next 3 years. I'm still driving but it's a shit job and considered doing something else career wise until it dropped off. With yours being a cell phone you might be blacked balled for awhile.
Entire_Office_6700@reddit
go to the southern border plenty of companies don't give a shit and will hire you..