Swift Screwed My DAC Since I Deadheaded Back To Terminal 220 Miles Without Permission.

So about October of last year I quit from Swift because the truck I was driving had constant issues with idling and it gets way too hot down here in Texas to be in the bunker without the AC working obviously. I literally had this kensworth sent to the shop about 3 times just to have the idling fixed so I can hit the road. So when on the 3rd time I had it go through the shop I thought it should be fixed by now but that was not the case. So I had a route go about 220 miles away from a terminal and the truck would turn off when it was on Idle again when the weather was in the 80's. I honestly got tired of the issue so I just drove their truck back and quit. But they put down that I was terminated which is something I don't understand when I had been patient with them in regards to having the idling system fixed so I can properly sleep in the bunker. I'm not quite understanding what the issue is when I feel like I've been doing things correctly with them for the 7 months that I drove for them.

You don't mention when and if you communicated this issue with your truck for shop repairs. Nor the turning around and deadheading back without any communication....This all could have been avoided with CONSTANT communications between you, and your driver manager.....

When I drove, ANY time we had issues with the truck (rarely) a simple message to our DM or the shop/safety got things handled swiftly.....

Rash decisions like turning around and going back without speaking to someone had harsh consequences in your instance it appears.....

Welcome, Anthony I wish you had come here alot sooner asking for advise. But it is what it is at this point.

I understand equipment issues but unless you own the equipment you have hoops to jump through. Yo may think you gave detailed info on the situation, but you haven’t. As Stevo said communication is key. It needs to be written and through your chain of command. If the situation isn’t resolved then you go higher in the chain trying to get a resolution.

From your writing you were not getting the satisfaction you wanted and you acted emotionally. We all see where that got you. There were plenty of other options you could have choosen.

A very similiar thing happened to me with the first truck I ever drove. The difference was the AC quit working altogether. It went in the shop for repair and 2-3 days after getting it out it would quit again.

I sent very detailed messsges to my DM each time. After the 3rd time I was in So AL. I was very unhappy with the situation and that message I told them I had no idea why this was happening but I either needed that one repaired correctly or a different truck. They routed me to their Atlanta terminal about 3 hrs away and issued me a different truck.

I’m sure if you would have handled this more calmly you would still have a job. Lesson learned hopefully.

As for your DAC , you can contest the entry, but if Swift refuses to remove it then it stays there. You have no due process rights on DAC reports.

If you haven’t driven since oct your license is getting stale and with only 7 months experience you will find it harder to get another job. I would recommend applying everywhere and hope someone gives you a shot.

BTDT A/C quit in Florida. 1st shop couldn't fix. FLiner shop then took 5 days. Stopped an hour after next pickup. Company directed me to return to FLiner. But took very little effort to get routed by the terminal 650 miles away. Told them would rather sweat out the trip than return to the incompetent shop.

At a guess, there was nothing wrong with the idle feature, as usually mega carriers have it set to not idle when ambient temps are 30-80 degrees. To give the APU a shot at keeping it cool, you HAVE to use the curtains, and in my case, I also used the quilted window covers, and fans to move air. (Simple USB powered from Amazon)

In short, they checked it over, found no actual fault. Instead of asking questions and communicating, you made a rash decision, of going unauthorized empty 200 miles (sooooo, how much did that cost, at 9mpg, humm?) and quit. Now you are Surprised Pikachu face that they had something to say about it?

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

The 1st thing that should be checked is the low pressure sensor/switch, those are the 1st failures in a normal a/c system no matter what type of vehicle it's in. I've lost count on how many a/c systems in anything I've repaired,or replaced

That's what used to bug me sometimes about some shops cars or tractors lol.....They don't always employ the brightest "technicians" just parts swappers....With my trainer, his 2016 FL lease truck had major issues 1 time. It would derate and stop moving ,until it sat a bit and restart. So we camped out til he could get us to our OKC shop. Well I decided while he slept to pull the codes and google them all. Was the DEF system sensors and I forget what else. I wrote em down and some of the testing to be done. Ok now, I know the mechanics don't know me at all or what I know, so they ain't gunna take my word for it.

Of course once they took it in the shop, they spent over 3 hours on their computer, looking this all up AGAIN. Turned out they had to replace the exact things I said they would hahaha. Another 6 hours pfffft they were done, total down time was around 12 hours.

Our main shop in Riverside, Ca. the day tech's spent a lot of time goofin' off n BS'ing... Joking with 5 of 'em by the rear axle tires of a truck inside, chewin' the fat n slurpin' coffee..... I said "snap, snap, boys!, let's get bizzy" I made 'em crack up... My dad always told the guys we worked with at WM "You're lucky I ain't the boss, or I'd fired most of your asses !" And for the guys on days or nights with me that was a fact, most flaked by for a paycheck, and didn't fix diddly right.

Anthony, none of us like what happened to you, but...

You give us a classic example of how NOT to quit a trucking job. So many rookie drivers screw themselves royally when they get fed up and decide to quit. You made all the wrong moves.

Allow me to break it down a little. I don't know that we can help you, but this analysis may help some future newbies who are frustrated and considering taking action like yours.

Your first big mistake was letting an issue with the truck make you decide the company was not interested in taking care of you. I'm in a similar situation. I run a lot of miles in some of the coldest parts of the country. My bunk heater has not worked all winter.

Three times, I've had it in various shops with no success. That has nothing to do with my company being bad. I am just having an unusual problem that the average mechanic can't seem to diagnose properly. I just have to put up with it until the right person figures out what the real issue is.

That's trucking. We learn to deal with the issues that are common to all who participate in this crazy business. We never make a rash decision to quit while we're frustrated. We wait until we have a clear head, and are enjoying a really good day on the road, before making a career decision like quitting.

Your second mistake was just taking action without approval. If you are going to drive to a terminal and quit, you need to send an electronic message requesting approval. Then, you need a response.

You can't force things in this business. Trucking won't bend itself to your whims or wishes. When you try to force something it will not turn out like you thought. That's why they say you've been terminated.

All those times you thought you were being an ideal employee got washed away from anyone's memory. Drivers are almost always remembered by their last mistake. That's a harsh reality, and the reason you need to stay calm and bring your "A" game each day.

Communication and trust are huge parts in the formula for a driver's success. You broke them both with a rash decision to just disregard what they wanted you to do. You just did what you thought best at the time, but you found out the hard way that it continues to hinder you.

Here we are five months later and you're seeking help online. That was a costly mistake. I'm sorry it's taken this toll on you, but all you can do is throw applications everywhere.

Try to learn from your mistake. I still learn from my mistakes, and brother I've had more than my share. Maybe that's why I'm always trying to teach people. I've learned a lot through the years. I always want to help people avoid the harsh realities of trucking. There are just so many problems that it's hard for me to stay ahead of them all.

To my knowledge,Swift doesnt have APUs... I dont think Kenworth has opti idle... so im guessing it would need normal idling... so my guess is the A/C didn't work at all.

Contacting the Safety Dept would have been the best option. Driving the truck into a random terminal could result in an abandonment.

Terminal:

A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

What did they put on your DAC? Are you able to be rehired, yes or no? Did they put on tractor or load abandonment? I resigned and it shows termination on my DAC report. It really doesn't mean much unless they put safety issue or abandonment on your report. It's at will and all termination means is parting of ways unless specified.

So about October of last year I quit from Swift because the truck I was driving had constant issues with idling and it gets way too hot down here in Texas to be in the bunker without the AC working obviously. I literally had this kensworth sent to the shop about 3 times just to have the idling fixed so I can hit the road. So when on the 3rd time I had it go through the shop I thought it should be fixed by now but that was not the case. So I had a route go about 220 miles away from a terminal and the truck would turn off when it was on Idle again when the weather was in the 80's. I honestly got tired of the issue so I just drove their truck back and quit. But they put down that I was terminated which is something I don't understand when I had been patient with them in regards to having the idling system fixed so I can properly sleep in the bunker. I'm not quite understanding what the issue is when I feel like I've been doing things correctly with them for the 7 months that I drove for them.

The KW t680s depending on the year, have autostart, using the thermostat in the sleeper, set to auto, with ac on, it will virtually run all night.

23 and later next gens t680s have a high idle switch that will over ride the 5 min idle restrictions. It's done by turning on the cruise, then hitting the accel button on the wheel.

If it's an older one, simply invest in a box of hand warmers, tape two to the sensor on the bottom of the drivers mirror and place a beanie over it, good for 10 hours of idling.

I idled my truck 24/7 at Knight if I chose to.

Part of being a driver is improvising, overcoming and adapting. Most carriers treat repairs like triage and interior comfort is the last on the priority list. It is what it is. You learn to accept it and get on with life. Things like curtains breaking, ac not working are not going to get attention.

As was said, communication would have alleviated any issues. Those it can't, learn to solve yourself.