Go See What You Can Scrounge Up

We received this question through our site.

My husband is a trucker who was told at his new job, "Go see what you can scrounge up" regarding trying to find a working truck and trailer amidst the junk on the yard with which to work.

To my way of thinking, this sentiment summarizes attitudes about

• the drivers (who have been treated disrespectfully);
• the equipment (which has not been maintained, repaired or replaced as needed);
• the customers (who have often been inconvenienced by loads that arrived late due to equipment breakdowns); and
• ultimately the company itself (which is gaining a bad reputation for its unreliability and continual driver turnover).

My husband had 1 delay and 3 breakdowns within one week which cost him a total of 15.5 hours of drive and delivery time.

One unloading situation caused him to have to do clean-up work twice because the equipment is failing.

Should he keep working there?

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Response from Vicki:

Thanks for asking a question about this part of truck operations on our site.

First of all, please let me say that I am sorry that your husband has faced a situation like this.

This is not only distressing to him but to you.

Your husband is fortunate to have a caring home support team member to want to do right thing by him and the reasonable thing by his employer.

Based on the scenario that you as a trucker's wife have provided, I'm going to ask you some questions:

1. How long has the situation above been going on?
   
   
2. How long is it likely to continue?
   
   
3. Has your trucker husband experienced any "bait and switch" situations since starting to work there?
   
   
4. Has your husband ever felt unsafe working there?
   
   
5. Has he expressed his concerns to management?
   
   
6. If he has expressed his concerns to management, how have they been received?
   
   
7. Can your husband find another job quickly?

Please refer to these pages of our site for more insight:

• Captain of the Ship;
  
  
• Whistle blowing;
  
  
• Being exploited.

Your husband

• should never be placed in harm's way on the job;
  
  
• must never drive -- let alone be asked to drive -- unsafe equipment;
  
  
• should not have to put up with an excessive number of breakdowns which harm his ability to earn money; and
  
  
• should never work for a company where he as a person and his credentials as a professional truck driver are disrespected.

There are plenty of trucking companies from which to choose.

Be sure to ask recruiters the right questions.

I wish you and your husband great harmony on this matter and hope that he successfully finds a truck driving job that is worthy of him.

Please let me know how this goes for you.

In the meantime, I wish your husband safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.

Best regards,
Vicki Simons

https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/

Note: This article -- which was originally written and published on July 8, 2015, by Vicki Simons -- was updated slightly in 2018.

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