I was hired by Swift (first truck driving job) and worked for 15mo.s, around 140,000mi, OTR, 48states. I was fired 3/23/08 for accumulating the 4 following non-DOT recordable, but preventable minor accidents.
#1) after 7mo. driving, while backing into a door at customers wharehouse; I grazed an adjoining trailer and crumpled old placard holder (no placards inside). But didn't even scratch paint on surface underneath.
#2) 2 mo.s later I took a wrong turn into residential neighbor hood, narrow street, parked cars. long story but could see what I was doing and had to run on edge of a lady's small lawn to get out of there. Didn't really do permanent damage but she was drunk and upset so had to give Swift claims number
#3) one week later, while backing into parking slot at a truck stop, hit another trucks california mirror, folding it back. Mirror unfolded back to usable original position but did damage to black plastic housing.
After these first three accidents I was routed to home terminalto meet with fleet mngr. He said,"these are nothing; but line of reason is: If he's having these little ones, he's heading for a big one. The DMs here like you and say you're doing a good job; so we have fought to keep you from getting terminated;put on probation instead".
Had to take some training classes and videos etc. I got out to lmuch more at this point,BUT.....5mo.s later I had my last minor accident
#4) at a customers wharehouse. I backed into (touched) a chain link fence behind a row of parked trailers. I pushed one of the posts back enough so top of post was tilted back about 6in. LOng story but was not getting out to look enough on straight backs like this and was overly concerned with getting nose of tractor out of the way.
Received my DAC report yesterday; it lists all 4 accidents but for description just says "backing" and for work record: unsatisfactory work record.
On the positive side; ON day I was terminated my DM said " You were one of my best drivers; if I had 75 guys like you,I'd be doing great. You have a great work ethic, it's just this safety issue. we fought to keep you last time, but this time we could do nothing".
He was probably referring to rhe fact that I didn't hardly take any home time. only twice for 3 or 4 days each. And i accepted all the loads, communicated accurate ETAs etc. on the Qualcom. I took this job seriously and was productive. didn't get out to look enough yes, but did very minor damage.
I was up to 35cpm and was assigned a brand new truck after 6mo. Made 33k in '08, so ihave no beef with Swift. Customers everywhere and dispatch to keep rolling. Need some advice on how to approach co.s now with a DAC like this. Won't someone give me a chance?