So, yesterday I had two third party haulers come into the shop to haul a couple frac tanks to a shop for refurbishment.
Both drivers were fresh out of driving school. Couldn't perform basic tasks that you would think a tractor trailer driver should be able to perform.
These skills were:
1: make sure the king pin is latched (one had hers latched, but then released it
)
2: Hook up air lines
3: hook up lights
4: perform a basic pre-trip inspection.
Both drivers expected to sit in the truck and have someone perform those duties.
I pulled both drivers out of their trucks and explained to them exactly how stupid of an expectation that is.
It is their responsibility to make sure they are safe going down the road. That includes what they are pulling.
One of the drivers couldn't climb up on the back of their truck to hook up the air lines, and lights. Had to get them a ladder.
Told my boss this morning, if I get any other drivers in like that, then they forfeit their load, and load center can find us someone else to haul the equipment.
Your missing the things I have seen in the last 2 weeks
Can’t get the trailer into the dock
Unable to change a light bulb
Doesn’t know there are breakers and fuses
Does not have a clue how to adjust mirrors
I’ve seen some that can’t even check thier own oil but not in the last two weeks
When picking up a container with 3 lines- they connect to the service line and emergency and wonder why the brakes won’t release
Drive over every curb on the site
Back trailers in and leave without ever opening barn dorors - even after the warehouse employee has cut the seal for them
Writing the trailer vin number on paperwork rather than the trailer number that’s in big bold letters on the trailer
Have no understanding of the brakes, can’t understand that you don’t release the red one if you don’t have a trailer. Can’t seem to understand why they have an air leak.
Turning tight and way too soon as they leave the dock, hitting the trailer beside
Not doing a tug test, or checking the latch and looking at us stupid after they drop the trailer
Haveing no clue how to line up for a good back on anything but a perfect world and even then they can’t get it right.
Wrong door again, usually due to no English again
Can’t read a simple do not enter, one way, receiving sign with an arrow and shipping with the arrow the other way
Can’t get the trailer in from that spot as they keep hitting the curb with the truck and running out of room, so they try over and over again from the same spot, with the same exact steering 22 times in a row and still don’t want to listen to your free advice so they do it 2 more times before you leave wondering if they ever got in or are still there trying a week later. (
By the way this one was supposed to be the trainer) The trainee actually listened and asked me to show her in my truck before I left.
Moving fluorescent barriers and then sitting at an exit gate that had been closed off for years wondering why no one will let them out of this yard. Actually called thier terminal to complain!
One of my favorites is the trailer almost 2 ft off to one side of the door then they get upset because they have to move it or it can’t be unloaded. Last one I saw they were covering the lights beside the door.
Pulling into a lot full of cars instead of following the trucks this way sign with the big picture and arrow pointing the way.
Asking an other driver, how, where, when they are confused or having trouble then not listening to or arguing with the advice or direction. Sometimes asking multiple times as if they are hoping your answer will change to Make thing easy for them somehow.
In most cases I am afraid to ask how they got there in one piece!