I was leased to Nationwide and I was the only white independent contractor based out of Charleston, South Carolina. The two agents, Mike Thomas and Sandy Miller, were trying to get rid of me because some of the other Independent Contractors were jealous and complaing to them. Rumors were that I had a nicer and bigger truck than they had, maybe so but it is a 1988 T-600 that I take very good care of. Although it was the oldest truck in the fleet and I was only 25 years old, their trucks were only 2 or 3 years old but they did not take care of them resulting in them looking worn out.
I left my house one night to pick up a loaded trailer from Nationwide's yard in Charleston S.C., and I stopped to fuel my truck up, when I discovered my company issued Comdata card was turned off! After several hours on the phone with Nationwide's main office, my local office, and Comdata, no-one would turn it back on.in my opinion, that seems like DRIVER ABANDONMENT!
I paid for the fuel with cash that I had to get someone to bring from my house, the whole ordeal taking about four hours. I called Nationwide's main office in Cincinatti and informed them I was going back home, seeing that the load was going to late now, and that the customer does not accept loads that are late without re-scheduling for the next day. I never picked up the load, and called into dispatch the next day and was informed that I had been terminated.
Now Nationwide has reported to DAC Services that I quit under dispatch, abandoned a load, and that I am not eligible for re-hire. My services to the trucking industry are as follows: 650,000 accident-free miles, no tickets, no late loads. I think that says something about me! And as always, DAC is only here to listen to the Companies that subscribe to them.
Referring to DAC Services, in my opinion, they should investigate the reports sent to them by their subscribing customers. Their customers pay them to publish any information that they give to them, whether it being true, or false. Most of the time, being false, hurting drivers from gaining further employment.in my case, DAC could have contacted Santee Carriers, Landstar-Poole/Schneider National, Star Trans, and Comtrak Logistics, all which are DAC subscribers. This would have given them personal references, and safety records which would have let them know what kind of personal work history I have, and have maintained in the past.
I have worked with many brokers, trip-leased my trucks, and services for several years, and have obtained many contracts with independent companies to haul their freight, such as: United States Post Office, FedEx, UPS, Airborne Express, and the list goes on. I always deliver unless there is a problem that is out of my hands.
I am in the process now of hiring an attorney to get this matter straight, DAC will not ruin me in any way! I found out about DAC's report when I applied for employment with CR England, and when they found the DAC report, their whole attitude towards me changed from potential business partner to a bum with a truck! I think more should be done so that people in my situation get a fair shake.
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