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EEOC forces Transport America to accommodate service animals

Mike

Well-Known Member
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has settled a dispute between a trucker and Transport America after the company required him to pay a fee for his service animal.

On Oct. 2, the EEOC announced a resolution of a suit against Eagan, Minn.-based Transport America. The suit alleged that Transport America required one of its drivers to pay fees to have a service animal in his truck, despite the fact the dog “was required as a reasonable accommodation for the driver’s anxiety,” according to an EEOC news release.

Court documents reveal that the driver suffered from social anxiety disorder and depression. Mental health issues limited activities such as interacting with others, sleeping, brain function and thinking. The service animal assisted the driver in coping with the disabilities.

 
As if I didn't already have enough reasons, here is another reason I will likely never have company driver, or company employees of any kind. No way I'm spending $150k or more on a piece of equipment and then being forced to allow animals into it, especially for free.

These rulings have gone too far, IMO.
 
Should you even be in a truck if you need a service animal?

Mental health issues limited activities such as interacting with others, sleeping, brain function and thinking.

Should a guy who has a limited capacity for *brain function* and *thinking* even be behind the wheel? All jokes aside. If you need an animal because your brain stops otherwise...
 
Should you even be in a truck if you need a service animal?

They let you in the truck don't they?

Should a guy who has a limited capacity for *brain function* and *thinking* even be behind the wheel? All jokes aside. If you need an animal because your brain stops otherwise...

Ummm... the megas probably couldn't roll more than one or two trucks *total* if they limited drivers because of minor stuff like "a limited capacity for *brain function* and *thinking*..."

:toothpick:
 
If trucking companies quit hiring drivers with limited brain function, we'd finally be able to organize a prolonged shutdown and force some positive changes to the regulations that oppress the industry.
 
If trucking companies quit hiring drivers with limited brain function, we'd finally be able to organize a prolonged shutdown and force some positive changes to the regulations that oppress the industry.
It would be inevitable... not enough drivers with brains available to run loads. Mass chaos would ensue...

Yeah I literally said all jokes aside. So...

I wasn't joking. Slight kidding perhaps, but joking? Not even!
 
As if I didn't already have enough reasons, here is another reason I will likely never have company driver, or company employees of any kind. No way I'm spending $150k or more on a piece of equipment and then being forced to allow animals into it, especially for free.

These rulings have gone too far, IMO.
1. Being a veteran your self why would you have a problem with a veteran having a service dog for post combat trauma therapy? It’s not that they can’t competently do the job but in some situations a service animal is instrumental in preventing panic attacks or flashbacks.

2. Blind people are allowed to take their dogs into stores, what’s the difference here?

3. Don’t see anything where it says they can’t be charged for HVAC duct system cleaning, truck cleaning or repair of any damages made, so how is that a loss? Sure you might not get a $500 deposit up front but you hold the last check to recoup the loss once the truck has been inspected.
 
On another note. Say they wanted a deposit. Just charge every company driver the same deposit. Then you don’t have an EO complaint. I dunno I see a lot of ways they could have avoided the lawsuit entirely.
 
Just a truck usage deposit not a pet deposit. To ensure you’ll turn in a clean undamaged truck. Like paying a deposit on an apartment. And just like with a space to live you can choose to own your own. 🤷🏻‍♂️
Not paying a deposit to use a company truck. I'm not renting the truck.
 
1. Being a veteran your self why would you have a problem with a veteran having a service dog for post combat trauma therapy? It’s not that they can’t competently do the job but in some situations a service animal is instrumental in preventing panic attacks or flashbacks.

2. Blind people are allowed to take their dogs into stores, what’s the difference here?

3. Don’t see anything where it says they can’t be charged for HVAC duct system cleaning, truck cleaning or repair of any damages made, so how is that a loss? Sure you might not get a $500 deposit up front but you hold the last check to recoup the loss once the truck has been inspected.

My truck, should be my rules. If I want to charge up front for a pet in the truck, or not allow an animal in the truck, that should be my right.

And frankly, the use of therapy animals has been abused to the point that I am not interested in even trying to accommodate. If you allow a dog, you have to allow other sorts of exotic animals.

A combat vet, that I feel is responsible and will look after the truck and keep it up, that's one thing. That said, if I allow that, I also have to allow anybody who feel unstable to the point they need a therapy skunk in their truck. Literally anybody can get any animal registered as a therapy animal now.

It's bad enough that when this person quits, i will likely have to go recover the truck at a huge expense. Just adds insult to injury to pick it up only to find out I'm also out a ton of money because the seats and carpet are shredded and covered in crap.

To take it further, as soon as I withhold money from this person, they are likely to tie me up in court over that as well.

No thanks.

This is something, that I , as a business owner, the one who stands to lose lots of money based on this decision, should be able to decide on a case by case basis, based solely on my decision.
 
And frankly, the use of therapy animals has been abused to the point that I am not interested in even trying to accommodate. If you allow a dog, you have to allow other sorts of exotic animals.

A combat vet, that I feel is responsible and will look after the truck and keep it up, that's one thing. That said, if I allow that, I also have to allow anybody who feel unstable to the point they need a therapy skunk in their truck. Literally anybody can get any animal registered as a therapy animal now.
I'm going to "identify as" a minority female with PTSD and use the EEOC as a weapon to force you to hire me. Then you'll have to spend another $150,000 to stretch out the frame and add a big water tank for my emotional support dolphin. 🐬
 

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