Alcohol problem
 

I've been getting so much advice from this site for several months now and now am asking for help. My fiance and I are planning to run team. Our only option was to start with Swift, then move on (I know - I didn't head ALL the advice!). He finished his training and had been on the road solo (with me by his side as a ride-along to get to know the ropes and the road). After only two months, he finally got some home time. This is where I got off the truck and scheduled to start my CDL class this next week (Yes, with Swift) (we love the road and all its goods and bads we encountered)

After his days off, he was dispatched for a load on Monday morning, but had been drinking some on Sunday night at home. When he arrived at the shipper they called Swift and reported he reaked of alcohol. The load got cancelled, and he was told to stay put. After a horrible arguement with a D/M who turned out to be the head honcho of D/Ms, out of frustration he walked accross the street and had a beer.

Swift had already called law-enforcement who came out and had him walk the straight line, talked to him some, then decided he was fine, but suggested he didn't drive after the beer, which he agreed. He stayed put.

After the arguement with the D/M, they decided to fire him and pull his truck. Law-enforcement was called again and they came back out, same Sherriff, apologizing for having to do this to him and giving him time to get what he could off the truck, even giving him a garbage bag (which was very little with so much left on the truck which we're hoping to still be able to get), then the Sherriff was kind enough to give him a ride to the bus station. Luckily he was only 2.5 hours away and I drove up to get him in the middle of the night. He was devistated and has sunk into deep depression. He tried working with his own D/M and the safety dept within the next few days, but no use. He was fired.

We both have been working in the Fire/EMS field and need so bad to get out of that line of work. You can imagine why. You've all seen us out there on the side of the highway. Conflict and rough roads are not new to us, so trucking is right up our alley! In fact, my last shift I held a five year old boy who died after being ejected. He and his grandpa hit black ice while coming home from work on a downward grade. Grandpa was fine, with maybe some internal injuries and we extricated him and flew him out while Tractor-Trailer drivers watched us. As I looked up at the drivers, I knew it was time for me to be up there, and not down on the icey road holding this very broken five year old. That was a few months ago, and I'm still not over that call. I've also done my share of calming Semi drivers after awful jackknives and rollovers, once stood on a crate of grapes from the strewn cargo to lean into a tractor-trailer rollover to hold the driver up while he was being extricated - he cried like a baby because he thought he was going to die - I talked gently close to his ear to keep him calm, was up to my elbows with many Semi vs. four-wheeler fatalities, and transported many a driver for driver-related health problems. You know the ones. Even did CPR on an elderly woman driver who died in the cab while her husband went in to pay for fuel. Assisted the Sherriff once in searching a sleeper of a guy who obviously took too many stay-awake pills and was on the side of the highway hopping all over his truck like Magilla gorilla. Oh... I won't mention the many Semi drivers I became very angry at for running me off the highway (yes, while driving the ambulance), or the ones who wouldn't slow down for an accident and nearly blew me over while I carried a backboard! So, for you newbies who are reading this post, take this paragraph seriously. You must drive safely and pay attention to what is going on around you.

Back to the intention of this post... I'm not whining, as I understand Swift's position. My question is, since my fiance's CDL was not marred, yet he was fired for alcohol related and I'm sure some pretty rough words exchanged, along with very little solo drive time - will he have a chance to get on with another company? Or... did the road end quicker than it started for us? I don't want to give up, and will get on the road by myself, if need be. It was incredibly thereputic.

I thank you all in advance, as now I'm so saddened that our life-plan may now be.... gone? :sad:

Wow, sounds a lot like myself from the EMS stand point anyway. I am starting to look into getting back behind the wheel aftera 9 month break where I have been working as an EMT.

As far as the alcohol problem goes, it will really depend on what swift puts on your husbands DAC report. I worked for swift back in the day also and I know just how idiotic they can be so it would not surprise me if they left a stain on his DAC. The best you two can do is keep applying at "team" companies and explain the situation to them. Hopefully they can be a little sympathetic to your situation.

I will say though that your husbands needs to learn that when you are a truck driver, he needs to stay away from the beer long before he is to drive. And he really should not have anything to drink while he is out on the road even if he is off duty. It isn't that hard to get popped for a DUI even while sleeping in your truck after having a few beers, so he needs to keep that in mind. And if you think even in the back of your head that he may have a drinking problem you need to confront it and not try and deny it. That will only make things much worse for you both and who knows who else out on the road.

I wish the best of luck to both of you, but please don't take this post lightly for all of our sakes.

I'm sorry, but I'll take the first shots at you.

1) A shipper calls and says a driver reeks of alcohol? The driver is f**ked with the company. No two ways about it.

2) The driver gets into a "huge" argument with the company over the accusation? Double-f**ked.

3) The driver isn't content with ignoring the old adage "When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging" - so after being first accused of reeking of alcohol and second arguing with the DM, the driver goes and has a BEER? Right then? After all of this? Are you f**king kidding me?


The subject of this post says it all - Alcohol Problem.

You're lucky the LEO didn't throw him in jail. Swift was completely right (and I can't believe I just typed that phrase). If you are lucky -and I mean get down on your knees and devote your life to the Lord lucky- Swift didn't blackball him from this industry forever by reporting this on his DAC.

Dreams gone? Probably.

Sorry.

-p.

Thank you both, so far, for your honest replies. I pretty much knew in my mind the outcome. And, so does he - that's why he's so depressed right now. Surely I wasn't looking for sugarcoating, that's why I turned to this site - I knew I'd get it straight. I didn't know where else to turn and didn't know if efforts to keep trying with other companies would be futile. We won't stop trying, but I'm pretty much heading down the road to being a solo driver.

As to my EMS co-poster... We have seen and experienced things that will ever be life-altering. Eventually I'll go back maybe to volunteer, but for now, I look toward open roads and big skies. Take care...

My first thought is that your partner does NOT need to try to get another driving job! We all know there is 3 sides to any story, the story teller's side, the companies side and the truth. While reading your account I have to believe that if he had not have walked into the bar and gotten the beer he would probably have been arrested for Driving while intoxicated. The only way he stayed out of jail was that by drinking that beer he sidestepped the fact that he was already drinking when he arrived, the LEO would not be able to prove that. Your partner apparently has a drinking problem and needs help. He obviously does not belong behind the wheel of 80,000 lbs to possibly kill some innocent person.

Strongly recommend to your partner that prior to applying to another trucking company he goes to substance abuse counseling and gets himself cleaned up. Alcohol consumption of any amount, no matter how small has no place in the trucking business.

Hopefully this hickup will wake him up and make him aware that he does indeed have a problem. As are as getting another job, yeah, there are too many companies out there looking for drivers that won't care a bit about the history.

Sorry to hit so hard but I've was a paramedic for 14 years myself and have seen too many people killed by drivers who only had a "couple beers." When drugs or alchohol are concerned, trucking companies should maintain a zero tolerance policy!

TheBaldEagle655... You are absolutely right. As hard as the truth is, it's definitely nothing to be taken lightly. I myself despise alcohol and it's outcome in every aspect. I've grown up around it and it has caused me nothing but pain and heartache... this situation topping the cake. I feel ashamed to get on here asking for advice, but I had to do it, out of desperation. I got the answers and pretty much the confirmation I need. He has no business on the road... and I have no business helping him to get back there. Like I said in my last post... Solo is the best for me and everyone on the road. Take care...

At a consignee reeking of booze, or even smelling faintly of booze, your man has a REAL problem.

I'm not a T-totaler. In fact, I'm a bit hammered just now. But I'm not going to touch a truck (or any kind of vehicle or power equipment) for 36 hours, and I will be stone cold sober by then.

Your story concerns me, because I might have to share the road with this guy. People drive badly enough sober, thanks.

As such, I have to agree with the other folks who suggest your man might need to get some help with his boozing.

I gave up alcohol when I got my CDL. I just don't want to take any chances. I never was much of a drinker anyway.

Same here. Along with the grace of God, I gave it up when I got mine. I used to drink like a fish. :?

GypsySoul???

There is a much more pressing issue than your fiance's driving career. I want you to re-read what you wrote, and ask yourself this question:

"Why is this loser still your fiance???" :shock: :shock: :shock:

Alcohol has caused you nothing but pain and heartache, yet you are betrothed to a guy (I'll not call him a man!!) who places drinking as a higher priority than his job, AND, worse yet, as a higher priority than YOU!!
:evil: :evil:
Do you REALLY believe that that will change??
Do you REALLY believe that he deserves you??

Gypsy, BOTH OF YOU are in DIRE NEED for of some very intensive counseling!!

You REALLY need to start attending Alanon!!

Peace,
Useless

Useles..... Definitely NOT useless info. With tears running down my cheeks I know you ALL are right. And, no, he doesn't deserve me... and I don't deserve THAT. And... he doesn't deserve the priveleage to be out on the road. I really doubt if he will... now. He knew it would be a problem for his new driving career, and for his relationship. 'Nuff said... I start my CDL class on Wednesday. Even tho it's with Swift, it's getting me out on the road and I can pick and choose from there. I'm somewhat familiar with Swifts ways and know that if I keep my nose clean and become a d*mned good driver, you all will be proud to have ME on the road. I promise not to get on here and complain about Swift once I'm there. But, if it's okay, will post progress. Thank you all again for setting it straight. Be safe...

BY all means post your progress, and if you find things you like or do not like about Swift post that too. There is nothing wrong with posting information of any kind so long as you fully believe it to be the truth.

One thing I have learned... Bad news does travel faster than good. I've spent hours upon hours pouring over posts on this site and every company has it's problems. I have to say that the Swift academy did my fiance good, and being a newbie on the road, they treated him better than expected and his D/M was wonderful. So... the moral of the story is... follow the rules, continuously perfect your driving skills, be aware... always... remain curtious, open-minded, awake and (whew) patient. Know that it's not going to be all roses, and enjoy the roses you do receive. I do have a few month's bills tucked away, and know that being a female may be a little harder... maybe not. No family at home who needs me. And a thirst for a new life and an adventure. Okay... will you all have my back when I come on here crying because Swift really did me wrong? Just kidding... :lol:

a lady will always find a sholder to cry on here.

best of luck

I don't think anyone here will say Swift is a bed of roses but if it gets your foot in the door, hey there ya go.
For what it's worth I did meet a few truckers who had been with Swift many years. Most of them were O/O's, but one or two company drivers.
Anyhow, just because so many here had bad expeiernces doesn't mean you will. Just do your best and learn as much as you can. Being a woman has no bearing on your possible skill level for driving; I met many female truckers who had forgotten more about the road than I'll ever know.

First of all who is a shipper/receiver to decide that someone reeks of alcohol?
Some people stink like garlic.......I guess they are Italian.
If fiance was smart, he should have called and insisted the police give him BAL test and if Swift fired him, he should have called a lawyer and sued both Swift and the shipper.

But he screwed it by getting ticked and going to a bar.

GypsySoul,

everyone has pretty much covered all that needs to be said about this situation. Therefore, I just want to say I am sorry for what you and your b/f are going through and I wish you both the best of luck. Keeps us posted on your progress with Swift.

I think the point made was there a very good likelyhood that he had been drinking and he went to bar and had a drink to cover the fact he had been drinking and driving before. The shipper/receiver has every right to control what occurs on their property.

I completely agree with Useless. There will definitely be no sueing going on. There is no reason for that - both the Shipper and Swift were in the right, and Tim was way far in the wrong.

Even tho law-enforcement showed up twice, letting him stay with his truck the first time after giving him a partial sobriaty test, then giving him a ride to the bus station the next because the tuck was taken way, they still didn't arrest him and apologized for what was happening - for some reason they didn't see a reason to thro him in jail.

At this point, I feel it's best that it happened the way it did, thanking God nobody got hurt or worse, and a very hard lesson learned. If it were to happen at another time, God only knows the outcome. Maybe God's plan was for it to happen this way. Hopefully any potential or new drivers who read these postings will learn something too. I sat at truck stops and watched drivers toting twelve packs back to their trucks and I wondered how that could happen. But, unfortunely it does.

I'm not looking for a shoulder to cry on, either for this alcohol-related problem or for my starting with Swift. I am looking to professionals who can confirm and who have knowledge that I didn't have. I thank you all for that.... Be Safe....

I still think he should have gone straight to a hospital and had a blood alcohol level done. There is no reason for drinking and driving, but what you do on your off duty time is your own business, as long as your not under the influence while driving! It was definitely a mistake to have a beer after they had suspected him of drinking though!
One of you cut and pasters go and find the rule in the regs about how long before you come on duty can you consume alcohol.
I believe if he had had his 10 hrs off the blood alcohol level would have reflected this, and he would have had a leg to stand on. To the rest of the readers, we don’t really know what the facts really are; so don’t be so quick to point your fingers. I myself like to have a drink every now and then. If I am on the road, I will generally get a hotel room before I drink. Sometimes I will sleep in the truck with the keys locked in my briefcase, what ever the case is, you have the right to let off steam on your off duty time, but to say a driver can no longer partake in libations because he now has a CDL is just wrong!!
Remember the key words here “ you should not be under the influence of alcohol or ANY kind of narcotics while driving ANY kind of motor vehicle ”!!!!!!!!!!

§382.207 Pre-duty use.

No driver shall perform safety-sensitive functions within four hours after using alcohol. No employer having actual knowledge that a driver has used alcohol within four hours shall permit a driver to perform or continue to perform safety-sensitive functions.

Thank you for the happy Easter, and right back at YOU.
I don’t have any problems with you Useless, you know that, I like what you bring to this forum!
Like I said in my post, going to get that beer with the problems he had with his company, and shipper was wrong! I myself wouldn’t have done this. Maybe he has some problems, I don’t know, but reading here on this forum for a while I know this, to make a better observation we need to know the whole story, and we rarely get this here…lol Therefore I can not judge his motives for what he does till I hear his side. Well be good, I have a lunch date with the most gorgeous woman, Ya I will have a drink, what the heck 50 yrs old, and its my turn…lol Have a great day….

I knew it was 4 hrs, just wanted someone else to bring it up....lol
Takes the weight off of me...lol

I'm confused by this story. Why didn't the sheriff perform a breath alcohol content test? A BAC. He had probable cause. This story doesn't add up in that regard.

While Swift receives almost exclusively negative reports, this is one instance where they did the right thing.

BTW, after re-reading the OP's first post I believe that she wasn't present with him during this incident. I would be real hesitant to believe his version of the story verbatim. :shock:

Moderator.... You're right. I wasn't with him when it happened and I don't know how much time had lapsed between his drinking Sunday night and his arriving at the shipper, or if he was intoxicated while driving. Tim had been so adament on following the rules... he's so maticulous on everything he does.... he surely scrooed the pooch on this one. I've never seen him so happy as he was while driving a truck. It has been a livelong dream for him, and when he found out it was for me, we took God's signs and followed them - everything, until he messed up, had been pointing in the direction for us to drive a truck.

Yes, to those of you who call him a LOSER, he is by far a loser in that department this week. I'll be the first to admit that, and so will he. We've split up over it and I can't even seem to get out of bed out of shame and depression, except to get onto this site. But, in his defense, he isn't a loser in life. As a Firefighter/EMT for the past ten years, and a Hazmat Tech for the last year, he has risked his own life to save more lives and people's property than so many can ever say they'd even get close to. This is what he chose, I know, but he did it just the same. While no longer working in this field and waiting to start his CDL class, his neighbor's house caught on fire one night. He didn't think twice to get dressed with no shirt, jump the fence and pull the passed out neighber from the burning living room prior to the fire department arriving. When the fire department arrived, he didn't stick around to collect a Kudo or a write-up in the paper. Loser? No. Stupid. Yes.

I'm not a religious person, but have turned enough to God lately to see that He does give signs, and He has. I awoke this Easter morning with the first thought that maybe this was a sign... too. I have to think of it that way. It'll keep me from going over the edge from losing yet another dream, and give me the strength to keep going after what I know is meant to be. I owned a flooring store for several years and just lost it a few years ago. It seems the more you lose, the stronger you become. I'm not a stupid woman. You have all given such good advice, but please think about your own mistakes in life. I'm not saying this to justify, by no means. But neither he nor I are losers... we have made some bad decisions, and are willing to pay for them.

Tim shouldn't get out onto the road if he can't get this taken care of and realize that drinking, anywhere, and getting out into public is a no win situation for everybody involved. But, he has a big heart.... and now, a big problem.

Useless.... I appreciate your comments more than I can express. And, counseling for both of us is definitely in order.

I'm in the process of checking on a few more schools, and possibly financing from other trucking companies to attend the local CC's driving school. There is not a whole lot available in this area, it seems. I'll keep posting.

I came to this site for advice, and got it. Not to condone Tim getting back onto the road. At best, it makes for a good topic, and hopefully a learning post.

Take care all... enjoy your families this Easter day...

Scoe... I can't help but comment on your avatar or image. I am a huge fan of those cavemen and pulling up your post made me smile for the first time this week!

ok
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regul...engtesting.htm

in part.
WHAT ALCOHOL USE IS PROHIBITED?
Alcohol is a legal substance; therefore, the rules define specific prohibited alcohol-related conduct. Performance of safety-sensitive functions is prohibited:

While using alcohol.
While having a breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 percent or greater as indicated by an alcohol breath test.
Within four hours after using alcohol.

and in part
HOW WILL ALCOHOL TESTING BE DONE?
Two tests are required to determine if a person has a prohibited alcohol concentration. A screening test is conducted first. Any result less than 0.02 alcohol concentration is considered a "negative" test. If the alcohol concentration is 0.02 or greater, a second confirmation test must be conducted.

Scoe asked "Why didn't the sheriff perform a breath alcohol content test? A BAC. He had probable cause."
what probable cause did the sheriff have..? sitting in a CMV "maybe drunk" on PRIVATE property is not something a sheriff can do anything about "HE didn't see him driving ON the road"

it would be the same as if you had a few beers AT HOME and went out to YOUR drivway and started your truck to charge the batt's, can a cop give you a BAC in YOUR drivway...? any good lawyer would love this.

now if the shipper asked him to leave then as soon as he hit the road he could be stopped and should be

also remenber that if you drink (a little to much)until 23:00, that at 0800 you will still blow better than a 0.04 BAC and in TN it's still DWI if you blow a 0.04 BAC even driving your own car if you hold a CMVL. :dung: so when we go out i have my son drive home. better safe then unemployed.

now as to the shipper calling swift (good job) thay should have just as YOU would call the cops if you see a drunk driver on the road....RIGHT.

lol, Useless... we must've been posting about the caveman at the same time! Man, I LOVE that guy!

I would like to add another comment, tho not related to the subject of my post. Why has no one commented on the bad driving of truck drivers I received while working with the ambulance?? I have been run off the road while driving code 3 with patient(s) and medics in the back on a few occassions. I could have had those driver's grandma or child in the back. Many many times not even a courtesy of a big truck to pull to the right lane and let me pass. And, a word of advice to new truckers... please slow down for accidents. People are trying to do their jobs just like everyone else, it's dangerous enough and too many big trucks have put my life in jeopardy because they are in a hurry. Not to change the subject.... but, why no comments on that?

Now, of couse I don't have all the facts, and maybe I never will, but for some reason when the Sherriff showed up the first time and gave the partial test, Tim was on the shipper's property. Maybe they didn't arrest him because he was on private property? When they came back the second time to get him off the truck, he was at a nearby truckstop or gas station. Is that also considered private property and goes by the same rules? The same Sherriff both times saw no need to arrest him. Was that due to the private property thing? I'm asking out of criousity and wanting to clear my own questions of the incident.

I'm guessing now... guessing... that the shipper must've asked Tim to leave, rightfully so. Else he wouldn't have moved the truck. Shouldn't the Sherriff have arrested him then, knowing he'd moved the truck? The shipper did the right thing, and so did Swift. There are definitely no qualms on that.

[quote="GypsySoul"]

lol, Useless... we must've been posting about the caveman at the same time! Man, I LOVE that guy!

I would like to add another comment, tho not related to the subject of my post. Why has no one commented on the bad driving of truck drivers I received while working with the ambulance?? Not to change the subject.... but, why no comments on that?[/quote]

GypsySoul,

Most indubitably, that is a topic worthy of discussion, and there are threads here that broach the subject.

At the same time, in regards to THIS thread, our most immediate, and pressing concerns are for YOU, and the issues of alcohol which have caused you so much pain.

You are a paramedic, I am a degreed RN. (BSN) I also grew up with an alcoholic, drug addicted mother. I know the pain first hand.

Rest assured, Tim is in my prayers as well. Hopefully, this will be where he hits bottom, and decides to take a long, hard, look at himself. Perhaps calling him a loser was excessively harsh on my part, but while I think that it is admirable that you have not lost sight of his strengths, my family has to share the roads with drivers, and there are others out there like him. Irrespective of his strengths, or good qualities, had there been a wreck, someone's child, someone's mother, or someone's father could have been killed, and they would be just as dead, no matter what good qualities Tim has. Death is an equal opportunity employer.

You are both EMT's...you both know what I am talking about...you have both experienced it....Tim knew better.... Sorry, but in that respect, Tim is a loser.

Don't lose sight of his strengths, but don't delude yourself into believing that with enough love or loyalty, you can change him; that's HIS do!! While I can see that you love Tim, you DO NOT deserve the pain or suffering that his drinking has brought, and will continue to bring. He HAS to be hit hard, square in the face, with the ugly reality.

My advice??

Take his ring off of your finger, give it back to him, and hold steadfast in telling him what he must do in order to earn the honor of placing it back on your finger. Harsh?? Yes!! Tough Love?? Absolutely!! Necessary?? Without Question!! Yet, you have a right to peace in your life, and he has a very heavy obligation. If Tim can not see that, then it should be his loss, and most deservingly so.

Peace,
Useless

Thank you Useless, I guess I lost sight there and was stung by the "loser" thing. I apologize. After checking this string, I was going to head to his house and do just what you suggested. Seeing it in writing gives me strength. I haven't turned to my family because I feel this is such a failure and I can't face them. Tim called this morning asking what he should do... At this point tough love and hitting bottom will be the only answer. You are wise. Loving him and sticking by his side will only make him think what he's done is okay. I will never lose sight of his strengths. Take care...

the shipper is private property ( gate, guard maybe, not open to the public) like your house/land. the truckstop or gas station is also private property (but open to the public) like a bar. the sheriff couldn't arrest him for DWI as he didn't see him driving (on the road) and he passed the partial test at the shipper. (cop cut him some slack maybe) the cop most likely smelled it but it is hard to tell if someone is over 0.04, thay are used to looking for 0.08 and if Tim wasn't in the truck he couldn't be arrest for DWI, the only thing he could have been arrest for was drunk in public and he wasn't that drunk.

that said if you can smell it he NEVER should have been driving. IMHO

Thank you, Flood... Useless posted into perspective too. I was losing sight, possibly due to my oversensitivity right now, that the matter isn't the legal limit of his alcohol intake.... but, that he had even been drinking at all. My original concern was whether he would be able to drive for a company again, but I neglected to see the entire picture. I was so wrapped up in my own loss that I didn't even consider the loss to others out on the road. Take care...

Hey GypsySoul, Boy you have some tuff choices to make now. I feel you pain, I have been, done that. It will be hard no matter what you choose. Your boyfriend made his choice, so it's up to you now. Best of luck and good wishes only! Oh, and thanks for all the years of public service too. There is most likely alot of people alive because of you and your boyfriend that can say thank you too.