Handling frequent breakdowns
I have been solo for about 3 months, but have spent half of that time in the shop due to various breakdowns. My 1st truck was a 2005 Volvo. I had it about 2 weeks when the auto shifter broke. I ended up sitting for 2 weeks in Baltimore, because the techs at the Volvo dealership couldn’t figure out how to fix the thing. So, I was sent up to Harrisburg, PA to pick up a 2004 Freightliner Century.
One week later, in Chicago, the Freightliner stalls out and dies on me in rush hour traffic. :sad: This time they say it's the clutch and I sat for another 8 days. 1100 miles later in Jacksonville, Fl the truck won't shift past 4th gear. So I sit again for 7 days. Now, it won’t start. :evil: :twisted:
I have talked to my driver manager (dispatcher) and he gave me a little extra layover pay. But, it still doesn’t make up for all of my lost wages. I have even talked to my driver relations manager and she says that there is a waiting list for new trucks right now.
I really don't want to changes jobs right now because I know that it will make me look like a job hopper and hurt me in the future. But, at the same time, I can't justify being away from my friends and family for $40/day layover pay either.
So what should I do? :?:
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