Am I the asshole?
Posted by SawyerJWRBLX@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 46 comments
I was driving a salt truck for the very first time last night. At a certain point, I was told I had to keep driving up to 20 hours and not sleep or anything. I told them how uncomfortable I was doing that and got told I was being a dick, not willing to work the "big boy hours," and got all the nasty looks.
In my mind, knowing my limits and caring about my record if I get caught for driving way past the limit is better than appeasing the contractor I was working for. Am I the asshole?
Mystery_Chaser@reddit
No
jmzstl@reddit
The long shifts are part of the job, but you're not the asshole if no one told you about it during your hiring and training.
I'd be pissed off too if I went into work thinking it was going to be a long 12-14 hour day, and then finding out I'm not even going home until the next day. Like at least give me a chance to pack enough food and drinks to make up for the multiple meals I'll be missing.
GreyGhost878@reddit
It's an art striking that balance between doing what's needed and knowing when it's not safe to continue. My company has had two drivers in the past year or two doze off at the wheel. Neither hurt, they both got very lucky and woke up when they hit the median. Both very young, still learning good decision-making. My point is driving drowsy is a legitimate concern. You are right. In your situation, I would say "I'm willing to do my best but when I don't feel safe anymore I'm done" and stick to that. Then you don't look like a wimp up front, but when you know you're getting drowsy please stop. No job is worth your life.
Are there exceptions to the hours of service laws for plow trucks? Are you even allowed to drive over 11 hrs?
SawyerJWRBLX@reddit (OP)
I'm pretty sure there are exceptions. I drove 12 hours straight, but regardless there's no way in hell it was gonna be ok for me to work that long. I should add this was my VERY FIRST driving alone too
-no-condoms@reddit
You never answered my question. What type of vehicle are you driving? Pickup with a plow and Salter on it?
SawyerJWRBLX@reddit (OP)
No. A CDL white volvo, air brakes and everything, probably around 35,000 pounds
GreyGhost878@reddit
20 hrs behind the wheel is completely insane. When I drove motorcoaches (tour buses) I would often have shifts that were 20 hrs long but I wasn't driving that whole time, we were doing things, taking breaks while our passengers were busy, even taking naps.
Montreal4life@reddit
That’s snow removal life sadly. Same over here. Only lasted one winter there, now I get overtime after an 8 hour shift haha… it gets better!
mwonch@reddit
HOS is different for plows and salt trucks. Clearing roads is considered a public safety issue. It isn't like running freight when you have automobiles everywhere. Still, fatigue strikes everyone. Stop if you have to, just be sure to communicate that to dispatch/shift supervisor. Take a power nap, continue when you can. On those shifts, you definitely will not get a full night's sleep. That is part of that gig. Normal CDL HOS does NOT apply. They likely told you this when hiring in.
If it's not for you, that's fine. They can replace you if you leave. Or...they'll remove you from the schedule.
AbuTin@reddit
It's the same thing with running cattle, it's not for the weak.
Some jobs just require you to do that, if you fail to do it you will be removed
trucker96961@reddit
Responsible and correct answer right here.
robexib@reddit
I don't know the rules specifically around salt trucks, but one thing is universally true with driving: Tired drivers fuck shit up.
Better fired than dead, always
Efficient_Ostrich_54@reddit
Fake.
Humble_Length5150@reddit
I'd have told them: "big boy managers make sure to have coverage so they don't work their employees unsafe hours and conditions".
Ok_Pin981@reddit
Cowboying for salt? Lmao laughs in food grade flour $6/per mile pay - I cowboy paper log daily but not for shitty pay.
Monicatt-1971@reddit
Lol..yall looking for any cowgirl? Own my own right. Pulling a step deck running freight for 2 years now...
Ok_Pin981@reddit
Absolutely- but we run pneumatic tanks
crudeshag@reddit
As long as you can READ and WRITE AMERICAN and NOT wear FLIPPYFLOPS you are NOT the asshole! Murica!
MuphDiesel@reddit
I don’t believe you
Photon6626@reddit
Ask for it in writing. They will be unwilling to do it and come up with every excuse not to, which tells you everything you need to know.
Whitehoneybun666@reddit
I’d do the job lomg as it’s payin well
GRSAuctionsLiquid8@reddit
The best response to that sorta newbie bullying is "Till I hear that you're paying my insurance and would be my lawyer if i fall asleep on the road and kill someone...." They can fill in the blanks from there.
Hxncheaux@reddit
Nope. The contractor isn’t the one taking risk, you are.
stevenmacarthur@reddit
Is that contractor gonna attend your kids ball games and recitals if/when you fall asleep at the wheel and roll over into a ravine? Is that contractor gonna walk your daughter down the aisle at her wedding?
You have to decide how badly you need the work, but you're not the asshole!
d1duck2020@reddit
One of the drivers where I work just had a lapse in judgment-didn’t have the brakes set. Well, he pulled the button but forgot that they weren’t working. Thankfully nobody was killed but ignoring safety is a slippery slope. A few extra hours, make one more run before the repair, whatever it is, never do anything you’re not comfortable with.
Pot-Roast@reddit
When I used to plow I worked 48 hours with no sleep. Only stopped when we were done. Crashed at the office for 4 hours got back up and back out. When it snows it's magic money that is only here for a short bit of time.
Unfair_Fisherman_605@reddit
Tell them to feel free to Fuck right off and they can gladly do it themselves. I’ll be napping on an overpass.
-no-condoms@reddit
In a pickup, or in a big rig?
itsybaev@reddit
bro nah, you’re not the asshole at all.
that’s straight up unsafe.
20 hours behind the wheel in a salt truck? that’s how people end up in a ditch or on the news.
they’re mad because they wanted a warm body, not a brain.
you did the only sane thing - you said no before you turned into a hazard.
their “big boy hours” crap is just someone trying to guilt you into doing something illegal and stupid.
you were right. they were reckless.
NotMeUsee@reddit
There are legal limits to the hours you can drive. Tell them to fuck off and let the big boys handle it then
redditthrowaway663@reddit
49 CFR 392.3
SuccessAutomatic6726@reddit
No you are NTAH.
The other drivers are bitching because that overtime is a decent chunk of extra pay.
Someone rocks the boat for “safety” reasons, that could cut into their cash cow.
But…
You can bet your sweet ass that when you damage something or have a wreck due to exhaustion/excessive overtime, that contractor will hang you out to dry for it.
CronoXpono@reddit
and EVERY one of those tough guys will back right off, hands in the air, saying “we never said to work more hours than you can handle man, that’s unsafe!”
Former paralegal here; if you’re setting your self up to be liable, DON’T. No one will come to your rescue.
hiplainsdriftless@reddit
I used to do that knowing damn good and well if the 💩 hit the fan I’d be on my own.
CronoXpono@reddit
Which I would accept if the shit hitting the fan was you being put out of service or popping a tire. I’m sure a family being decimated or someone else’s livelihood being permanently hurt is too high a cost. 🤷
hiplainsdriftless@reddit
HOS laws are totally a waste of time when the law is “if you’re tired you can’t drive”. That negates all HOS rules. If you had your 10 off and are tired legally you can’t drive. No you’re not the asshole.
cheesenuggets2003@reddit
If you are safe then you almost certainly won't be standing by your wrecked truck listening to a woman wail over her 5-year-old's bloody corpse.
If you listen to your coworkers then I suspect the chances of that scenario playing out are significantly greater.
OkEvening87@reddit
Drive the hours you’re comfortable with. I stop whenever I get tired regardless of hours. Yes there are sometimes legal exemptions due to “state of emergency” or whatever but it’s yours and those around you safety at the end of the day.
zzooooomm@reddit
Also emergency hours of service exemptions don’t mean you’re obligated to work more than you feel is safe.
IgnoringHisAge@reddit
That “real man work” shit is 1) how people go to early graves and 2) perpetuated by business owners that don’t want to pay for enough employees to actually cover the workload.
Sometimes, it’s just gotta get done, regardless. When “it’s gotta get done regardless” is the daily expectation, though…nah that’s irresponsible.
Justin_peacemaker@reddit
Testing the new guy to see how much shit he will take and if he can be bullied.
amazingmaple@reddit
Are you working for a municipality or the state?
Deep-Opportunity-170@reddit
Well, do what you can to keep the job and not endanger the public. Just don't feel guilty when you make a decision you know to be true.
ThickLight5599@reddit
Put on your big boy pullups and drive. Don't stop for nothing
Cornfugga@reddit
Nope. Sounds unsafe. I’d bet the people telling you to do it wouldn’t do it themselves. Fuck that and fuck them for trying to normalize that shit. Huge red flag.
MrStrype@reddit
You are absolutely NOT the asshole! Whoever was saying those things to you are in the wrong and THEY are assholes. Do yourself a favor and start recording your conversations with them.