Chicken little or Pinnocio

[puddle jumper]

One of the young guys at work the other day took one of our shop trucks on a run. As he was going through a parking lot (as he tells it) one of the parking lot light lenses fell right into the front window and destroyed the window. I am told that the lens from the light never broke and there is no marks on the pole or the truck. Just the front window with a hole in it.

This truck is worth about $75,000 as a shop truck with the work box and the rigging + the days loss of the truck getting the window repaired. The cost of the glass is not that big of a thing.

This is all of the information I got. What do you guys think the sky is falling in or is the nose growing.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

Ayuh,... If he didn't return With the offending light lens,.... I'd think Pinnocio....

 

[KRH1326]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

My Own Opinion-

No matter what you suspect, I think you should give the benefit of doubt, UNTIL proof shows otherwise.

This way, no matter who is right or wrong, you are still the man.

Just My Opinion.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

Seems like part of something would still have been in the truck, and some other marks somewhere. How long of a tme was it from the incident before it began to get investigated? Did you or a representative go to the lot and look around? Just wondering by whom were you told "the lens from the light never broke" ?

If something like that did happen I would think the owner/operator of the parking lot is liable. Would the owner of the parking lot have been able to fix it (the light/lens) before anyone got there to look?

Was it a sanctioned run? Is he checked out for that truck? Is he on the insurance? Does he have the CDL or any other special licensing required? Did he call it in right away or wait until he got back?

Probably need to consider all of that before hammering down.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

I would contact the owner of the property immediatley and ask for their maint log on the light fixtures.

Most places have maint agreements with lighting & or electrical contractors that do monthly inspections and change any bulb that has burnt out.

I am thinking that possible that lamp was recently changed? If so it would be a positive step towards the truth.

If it was a standard 400 watt HID fixture, the front lenses are quite thick and can weigh up to 15 lbs. Due to many fed regs regarding street/parking lot lighting it is very possible it did not break. It would however created such a scene where many passerbys or the property managers would be immediatley involved.

I would have called this in to my boss in a heartbeat with a "You'll NEVER believe this" followed up with cell phone pics and witnesses names & numbers.

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

I was driving my dad's truck once down a road where the municipal workers were cutting the median grass with huge tractors with finish mower decks. One hit a stone and at just the right time I was driving in the path of the thrown stone. Made a nice dent and I don't think my father believed my story. Next day he went to work and as he came in the front entrance of his work the same thing happened to him with a company car, although this time it took the rear passenger window of his car out. I guess your guy's story sounds far-fetched, but stranger things have happened.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

I had a huge tree branch fall out of the sky onto my truck as I was driving. Smashed the windshield, dented the A pillar and completely removed the side view mirror.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

Did he take you to show where it happened ???

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

No other damage to the truck? What is the angle of the windshield? Better yet, what exactly is the year, make, and model of this truck? Got any pictures of it, pre and post damage? Chicken Little is possible, but Pinocchio is more likely.
I'd sure love to see the truck and this lens.

 

[skargo]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

Why are you even questioning him. Has he given you reason to believe he might be lying?
Why would he make up such a tale, I'd think any broken window would be accidental during the course of the work day.

 

[rbh]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

It wasnt him, he was attacked by the lens fairys.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

I'm just curious. If he is Pinnochio, what is the alternate explanation?

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

To put some things in order. He was on a work related run and the night shift charge hand went to the place where it happened and collaborated his story.
The young guy also called in the mishap (so I was told) right away and the truck was brought back to the shop.

What makes it wishie washy was no one was up front with me about it with out me asking and about two months ago he was driving down the road and the back window of the truck got blown out. Both of these trucks have cranes on them. I am thinking that he or some body at the job sight was using the crane both times when the widows got damaged. Its not uncommon for our fleet trucks to get damaged and no one will own up to it or blame the other guy.

I guess the part that makes me mad is I now have to deal with it time and time again and these guys just shrug it off.

 

[JB]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

You have nothing but your imagination to go on.

Any pronouncement at all opens you up to looking like an idiot.

My opinion is that the window got broke.

 

[rbh]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

Knuckle or conventional cranes,
in my younger days I did a really really stupid things that cost me a days pay and alot of beer. Man baskets that mount on the tips of digger derricks should be stowed properly, so when you move the truck ten feet to finnish decorating the 60 foot christmas tree they dont swivell back and take out your windshield

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

I feel your pain, puddle. But you have nothing to go on, at this point. Short of installing video recorders in the trucks, you'll never know, it sounds like. Unless you change your damage reporting policies, and place punishments on the guys. But you may not be contractually or legally able to do that. Good luck.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

I know unless your there you cant prove it and if you make a stink over it your the bad guy.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

Back in the days of serving, four of us guys on a three day leave had the bright idea we could drive from Ft Hood Tx to NY and be back in time for monday morning formation LOL. Anyways after driving what 'felt like' 20 hrs we hadn't even left TX yet when we hit a cow in the road {head & shoulder shot at about 70mph}..got out inspected the damage{quite intense but still drivable} and with no cow to be found anywhere, lots of blood & bits of raw leather but no moo moo...go figure and try that on your insurance guy....

Take his word unless proved otherwise IMO

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

I know unless your there you cant prove it and if you make a stink over it your the bad guy.

It can be disproven or at least disputed with an expert physical examination of the truck.

I charge $75/hr plus mileage/expenses! he he he

 

[Maclin]

Re: Chicken little or Pinnocio

and the night shift charge hand went to the place where it happened and collaborated his story.

Did you mean "collaborated" ? or "corroborated"? Pretty big difference, but ends up being an ironic play on words in this situation.

The first one means he had help being Pinocchio. The second one implies evidence supporting the facts was found and the story is legit, and the owner of the parking lot owes you some reparation! But, the second one can also be a bunch of BS if no evidence, i.e. pics or descriptions of incomplete light fixtures or eye witness accounts, was at least noted by the night shift charge.

The only forensic evidence is the hole in the windshield AND the lack of other damage to the truck. That points to something other than what the story supports. Quizzing them is the only way to find out.

Suppose they did finally give a different story, what would you do? The answer to that may give an insight to why they would stick to a story that does not match the facts!