Gordon Trucking GTI lies during orientation Pacific, Washington

I jumped thru all the fiery hoops that Gordon Trucking required to bring you to Pacific Washington for Orientation.  I will have to say, treatment so far was fair to good.  Orientation is 3 days long, with allot of information of how Gordon is not the average trucking company.  They brag on how their equipment is better maintained, and how they take care of their drivers.  Lemme tell you, they sure did talk the talk.

But when it came down to where the rubber hits the road (almost literally in this case) they sure didn't walk the walk.  Out of an orientation class of 14, it looks as if they didn't have 14 trucks ready to go. 

I was given a totally filthy, grimy, disgusting piece of crap.   I would like to say the truck was mechanically sound... but truthfully, I wouldn't take possession of it.  So I honestly don't know.  Outside, the truck was filthy.  Grime and grease covered the truck, body, windows everywhere.  It obviously had not seen the wash rack in quite some time.  Inside... it looks as if someone did make a decent attempt to clean it up...at least a little.  There was not a layer of dust, but there was grime (you know when sweat dries and leaves that coating on the shifter and steering wheel) almost everywhere.  Some only in tight corners, because the person cleaning did not apply themselves or know how to clean corners.  Floor mat was very clean though.  It had a lot of broken trim pieces.  The one around the CB area had been forcefully removed, as evident by the screws still in place, and broken plastic attached, but the part itself missing.  A piece of dash trim fell on the floor when I started the truck.  Trim around the TV area pulled loose and hanging.  Several snaps missing from around the window privacy curtains.  And most of the dash was peeling the last layer of paint so everything matches.  Just gave it a bad look cosmetically.

Let's go to the back of the truck.  The 5th wheel mounting area...completely rusty.  And I don't mean some surface rust.  I'm talking about that layered rust that flakes off when touched about an 8th of in inch thick.  Not a day before, they were bragging how if you see some Gordon equipment with fresh bare metal, please let them know.  Because their mechanics do touch up paint when they are done working.... hmmmm.  Not so much here.

Under the hood.  Wow, someone hit this with the power washer.  But a totally crappy job.  You can see where they missed... obviously.  But, what concerns me, is like around the valve cover, air pump, power steering pump, steering box, dip stick tube, oil fill... etc... (we all know where the leaks are), they didn't bother to get it clean or take any mechanical action.  You know, like replace those pesky gaskets or seals, and then clean up the area so you can see if it is leaking somewhere down the road.  In my professional opinion as a 35 year veteran mechanic, Shoddy workmanship.

Oh...Oh yeah.  Passenger mirror held together with wire ties.  "Not a citable offense" was the answer they told me.  Ahh. No biggie.  CHP would NEVER use that as a reason to pull you into the inspection station...right?

When I asked if some of the problems could be fixed, I was told I was being too critical.  Oh, by the way.  As a company driver, I'm physically, and financially responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of this truck... inside and out.  Yes boys and girls.  I have to PAY out of pocket to get this company truck washed.  And, it is a requirement.  If they see you in a dirty truck, action will be taken.

Of course, they jerked me around until 5pm on a Friday, when they were flocking to their cars to go home.  Did I take the truck and suck it up?  Hell no.  $280.00 and 2 days later, I'm home on my own dime.  Oh yeah, they didn't pay me for my orientation either.  But, I had to log my time as On Duty, not driving.