runawaytrain
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Are you suggesting that SAIA should not provide coffee to the road drivers? I just want to be sure before I respond to your post.
SAIA | Driver facing cameras
- Thread starter bareknucklebrawler
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The only thing I am suggesting, and this is a very broad generalization that I'm sure will be taken out of context, is that Saia tends to be its own worst enemy time and again. Too often, practices, procedures, rules, etc...are followed on a "when convenient" basis. Then when the time is right, a new procedure (in this case the cameras) is implemented as a means to "catch people in the act." Now, if I'm a driver taking a sip off of my company provided coffee, and I get into an accident, wouldn't the company at the very least be somewhat responsible? That's all I'm saying. I'm sure I will be vilified and many (if not all) will be totally on defense and attack my statements. Oh well.
runawaytrain
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Buck, because I know your a female I will try to be considerate. And I know what you have been through in our exchanges in private conversations. I could never understand what you have been through in your sexual harassment case. But you strike me as being very negative in nature. We can never know the true meaning of other people's actions. We can only know their actions as seen through our eyes. Let me put this in terms of a couples relationship that you as a woman should be better able to understand as opposed to a man. Sometimes we have something without truly knowing what we have. Sometimes we hold something without knowing completely what we hold. Sometimes we are given something without fully appreciating what we are given. But that knowledge usually comes when we realize what we have lost. I've often wondered but I guess I'll just never know why one person looks and sees the rain while another is seeing a rainbow. Fate determines what comes into our lives. Our attitude and actions determine what stays in our lives. I appreciate the coffee. I will use professional judgment when I take a sip and would never sacrifice safety. The benefits of coffee far outweigh the negative. Do you think that if the company stopped providing coffee anything would change? I can assure you the road drivers would not appreciate it and attitudes would turn negative when they had to bring their own. You shouldn't be so judgmental about the companies policies and think they are always out to get you. Many look at the cameras as an invasion of privacy and a form of babysitting or micromanagement. I see it as a learning tool that will help this company move forward in a positive direction. Oh, well. I see the rainbow darling, while you just see the rain. The difference in you and me is attitude. Period !!!!!!!!
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This is where I have to drawl the line BB. If they take our coffee away I think I'll cry. It's pretty good in DLS.
All valid points and I really appreciate the advice train. Believe me, it doesn't fall on deaf ears.
I do not think they should get rid of coffee. My thought process is for the drivers who aren't quite as safe as you. Let's say I was a road driver, at night with Saia. Saia provides me coffee. I take a sip, and at that moment, an accident occurs and there is serious damage to both equipment and other drivers. There is an investigation, and as part of the investigation, I am terminated based in the evidence provided by the in cab camera (distracted driving). Now, I am unemployed. Is it possible that I challenge my termination, based in the enabling that Saia did while providing me coffee? I'm not saying it's right, but it has happened to big tobacco, for example. People who smoke a pack a day for 40 years have sued, and won.
I loved my job at Saia. Honestly. But I took the best skills Saia gave me and turned them into something bigger. I just don't want something bad to happen to Saia if they get caught with their pants down.
Back to my other point. There are too many policies/procedures that don't get consistently followed. Smoking/chewing on company property, padlocks on city runs, pre and post trips...I could go on, but you get the idea. I wish the best for Saia and its employees, and only want the best. But, if you are going to have a policy, enforce it or get rid of it. That's all. Enjoy your day folks...I'm in the desert today!! Nice weather!
I do not think they should get rid of coffee. My thought process is for the drivers who aren't quite as safe as you. Let's say I was a road driver, at night with Saia. Saia provides me coffee. I take a sip, and at that moment, an accident occurs and there is serious damage to both equipment and other drivers. There is an investigation, and as part of the investigation, I am terminated based in the evidence provided by the in cab camera (distracted driving). Now, I am unemployed. Is it possible that I challenge my termination, based in the enabling that Saia did while providing me coffee? I'm not saying it's right, but it has happened to big tobacco, for example. People who smoke a pack a day for 40 years have sued, and won.
I loved my job at Saia. Honestly. But I took the best skills Saia gave me and turned them into something bigger. I just don't want something bad to happen to Saia if they get caught with their pants down.
Back to my other point. There are too many policies/procedures that don't get consistently followed. Smoking/chewing on company property, padlocks on city runs, pre and post trips...I could go on, but you get the idea. I wish the best for Saia and its employees, and only want the best. But, if you are going to have a policy, enforce it or get rid of it. That's all. Enjoy your day folks...I'm in the desert today!! Nice weather!
runawaytrain
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I believe it's this Wednesday and Thursday in DLS and GRL ... I'm sure the VP in our region will break it down. Our terminals are the top money producers in the SAIA SYSTEM so I'm sure we will get the facts. Our VP shoots straight and doesn't BS us. I will keep you posted. I hope they utilize this system to its full potential. Maybe it will cut down some of the smoking that goes on in these tractors. And the dipping as well. Nasty bottles of spit and the stink of tobacco is horrible. Just one of the benefits of these new cameras. If you hear any facts before we get them please pass them on.
runawaytrain
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We really don't have many problems here. Just a few guys that think the rules don't apply to them and smoke in the tractors. I won't call names but we know who they are. They try to mask it with sprays but you can't get rid of that smell. It's something that's kind of hard to prove as well unless you catch them in the act. DLS and GRL make the big money here at SAIA. HST too. But D-FW rules. These cameras will just fine tune an already smooth operation. SAIA has always put safety first. But it's time they cracked down on smoking in our tractors.
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runawaytrain
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We have a great team in GRL. My TM and dispatchers are the best in the business. You never know when the TM will be standing at the guard shack checking that you have your pad lock on your trailer. They have a job to do just like us. And if they don't do it they will be gone just like us. We have no special treatment here. He will give you a verbal then next comes the paper. The TM is a great guy and always carries himself in a professional manner. We are lucky to have him. Just do your job and follow the rules and you will be fine. He has his hands full with 80 P&D drivers. He keeps us on our toes. And I respect that.
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NewTruckGuy
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I'm sorry but your whole coffee sipping analogy is rediculous. By your logic checking your mirrors is a driver distractiin. You know exactly what they mean by driver distractions.
Drivers are messing with their cell phones, GPS units, head sets, etc etc. I promise you that's 98% of the dirlstracted driving issues. If you've been driving a truck longer than a day you don't need to take your eyes off the road to grab your coffee from the cup holder that's right next to the steering wheel.
I assure you that the driver facing cameras will bear out the fact that that drivers are still texting and making phone calls on their phones when distracted, not drinking coffee.
I swear some drivers really grasp at straws when discussing these topics.....
PS: Oh let's not forget about the real elephant in the room for linehaul. Drowsy driving. No telling how many drivers in the line haul industry, not just Saia, are out on the roads with 4-5 hours of sleep. Wonder how many drivers the cameras will catch dosing off at the wheel.
The point was the "enabling" factor as a point of contention, not the essence of the thought as a whole. It's just a possibility, that's all. If you read my posts, I'm not advocating getting rid of coffee at all.
Furthermore, regarding your statement of checking your mirrors...the Feds have specifically mentioned practices/activities that fit the definition of distracted driving. Eating and drinking is on that list. You, as a driver, are supposed to have both hands in the wheel at all times, unless you are actively engaged in shifting.
And thank you for bringing proof to my thoughts on company policies. You indicated that "drivers are messing with their headsets." Hmmmm. As a Saia driver, the policy was (is) that drivers are not to be using cell phones while the truck is moving. Why would you need these headsets in the first place, if that rule is truly enforced.
The whole point is that if you pick and choose what to enforce and when, you open yourself up to a whole laundry list of issues. Discrimination is very real, and can get very expensive very fast. Drive safe, be safe, and be well! It's 85 in the desert today!!!!
Double Nickle
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Make no mistake, that if cameras are activated and used, in ANY COMPANY, and an accident happens. That company WILL use any/all video taken, in order to make it appear as if the driver is at fault. It will not lessen the problems for the company, but it will lend a hand in getting a message across to the public.....we were not at fault, our driver was and that is why we implemented the camera use. COUNT ON IT.
runawaytrain
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Remember in a case of liability issues if it's on the driver then it's on the company. They can fire the driver easier but guess who's paying. I would think they are also checking for other things besides the driver that's causing safety issues (ie. drivers getting cut off... front steer tires blowing .. etc) I look at them as a way of covering your ass if your in the right. And if your wrong then it doesn't matter anyway because your done working for SAIA and any other LTL company for that matter if it's serious. Once it hits your DAC REPORT and MVR you will be blackballed. The cameras will have no effect on the way I do my job. I will use the SMITH SYSTEM even without the cameras because the last thing I want to be responsible for is the death of another person. There will always be things beyond our control. It's those things you want the cameras for too. Be safe.
Precisely right. It's the "deep pockets" theory of law. Don't get the driver, get the company.
Point is, that those that have nothing to hide have nothing to worry about. But, who knows what percent that actually is? Cameras can help and hurt, because they have no emotion, no dog in the fight. They just provide facts without influences.
It will be interesting to see how things transpire, and to what degree these cameras are used. Accidents only, seatbelt use, smoking, phone use...the list goes on. We shall see. Keep it between the lines.
joes bar and grill
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What a dumb statement, a driver, any driver or leased operator has zero civil liability. take Tracey Morgan vs Walmart driver clearly at fault but as an "agent" for WM they assumed all civil liability ,yes the driver is facing criminal charges for his GROSS negligence but zero civil charges. So tell me what a company has to gain by outing their driver?
My guess would be to create separation between the driver and the company. Saia (or any company) is banking on their reputation. In the event of something catastrpohic (Tracy Morgan), the company immediately terminates and then goes to the public showing how the driver, not the equipment (company), is at fault and they have taken appropriate steps to get rid of the "problem" driver. It's a classic defensive and save face move that companies make everyday. That's your "why".
Double Nickle
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You missed it. Never said the driver was liable. The company will use the video to give the percieved image of the driver being responsible, only to give them the "clean" image. The company will undoubtedly pay, but will do everything possible to make the real world understand that THE DRIVER DID IT....no excuses....BAR NONE.