Open Letter to YRC Freight Drivers
4/8/2013
I will make this statement as my own opinion, if it disturbs you enough to be mad at me, then you are part of the problem, and it is time you became part of the solution.
This past week at ATL/402, we lost a 36 year Road Driver to a heart attack. After being way over due for his arrival, the Dispatcher started calling him and did not get an answer. He then got in touch with Police who started checking along I-75 for his truck.
He was found around the 147 mile marker south of Macon, GA.
What disturbs me; no what pisses me off the most about this is the driver sat on the side of I-75 for approximately nine (9) hours and not one driver stopped to even check on him. Nine hours Brothers and Sisters, that is unacceptable!
What has become of us as drivers these days?
That was a Brother Teamster who died on the side of the road. Have we become so unconcerned for one another these days?
I have many questions to ask of this, because I am still stunned and pissed that this happened at 402. It does not matter if you are an ex-Roadway or ex-Yellow employee. What matters is that was a Teamster Brother on the side of the road. When I started here 25 years ago today, it was an un-written rule to not only check on your own Company driver, but drivers from ABF, CF, Jones, etc. We should be looking out for our Teamster Brothers and Sisters, as well as other drivers on the road.
Many times I have stopped to check on a 402 driver, only to have him pull away as I stopped and walked all the way back to check on him. You could at least wave me own or contacted me that all was well.
How inconsiderate of you to do that after another driver took the time to check on you. At least have the decency to remain there until a driver gets back to you before taking off.
It does not matter where you came from, the fact you do not like the driver or you are in too big of a hurry to get in to get back out on a call-block……some day YOU may be the one sitting on the road sick, cell phone does not work, the battery is dead, engine will not run and you have no heat or a/c. But most of all, we have to look out for each other, even if the other person does not want to be bothered, who knows, your act of attention make win him/her over……But check on them just the same.
What happened last week is a tragedy for the driver and his family. The indignity for a 36 year Teamster to be locked up in a truck with motor off for nearly 9 hours and MANY 402 drivers reported seeing it parked there (I would be ashamed to even mentioned that I saw it, as my response would have been something I could not print here!) and passed it on by, some even twice, but did not even think to check it out or call it in.
We need to quit worrying if we are going to make a trip. We need to quit worrying if we are going to make a call-block. We need to get over all of this worry and hate over any issues you may have with this Company….we are still here and getting our paycheck. Don’t let all this consume you to where you forget what we as Teamster drivers are suppose to be about. We are considered to be a cut above the rest, but stupid, inconsiderate in-actions like what happened last Friday are unacceptable to me as a Teamster driver……no excuses…..don’t even bother trying to give one.
We have to be a better Teamster Brother and Sister than this!
Fraternally,
Jimi Richards
"Kennesaw Kid"
402 Linehaul Driver.
