Stopped for a Level 1 inspection, printed a Level 2 report

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by KANSAS TRANSIT, Jul 19, 2012.

  1. cdub304

    cdub304 Light Load Member

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    Nothing really just a little "pun" intended.........i mean really to say they could not find anyting is a bold statement because we all know that the dot inspections and application on federal statutes are very very subjective to everything except the safety of trucks on the road. Just adding humor to a touchy subject. Figured they felt like me @ da scale. Apologies if it was taken out of context.
     
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  3. not4hire

    not4hire Road Train Member

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    Beat me to it.
     
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  4. KANSAS TRANSIT

    KANSAS TRANSIT Road Train Member

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    This is part of the problem Rat, we ALSO pay a bonus for different level insp, I WILL pay this driver for a Level 1, but I feel cheated that the equipment didn't get stickered. I guess next time I get pulled over for an insp. I need to ask first what level insp are you doing, and then if the answer is a Level 1 I guess I have to ASK if he has stickers!!! LOL
     
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  5. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    I have a copy of the ETA manual in my briefcase.

    When I was stopped last week due to my own silliness of not having slid my trailer, I got tagged in WI for being over axle. (They allow you to fix it under 2000 lbs and if you can, nothing but a warning) He said he wanted to do a Level II inspection and I pulled out the ETA and he saw it as well.

    Took about 2 minutes for him to complete the walk around.

    Was a rather interesting 20 minute discussion with him about PrePass, Weigh in Motion, weight laws and other things. Think I shall make it a point to just stop at a POE in different states if the coop is not busy. Just for a "professional' conversation.
     
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  6. CAXPT

    CAXPT Road Train Member

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    Interesting information you can glean from talking with the "enemy" isn't it? :D

    I make a point of it whenever I see/stop, to ask things that I'm curious about how they interpret things.
     
  7. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    yeah it is. The guy I talked with couldn't tell me enough about prepass and weigh in motion. he almost forgot about writing up the level II report.
     
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  8. Scalemaster

    Scalemaster Heavy Load Member

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    Really?:biggrin_25523:
     
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  9. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    I know little enough about the "levels" of inspection that I keep the ETA manual in my truck with me. On page 100, it has a description of a Level 1 and a Level 2.


    I pulled it out in my insomnia last night and reviewed the manual to better understand why an inspector might only write it up as a level 2.

    So I have to ask you.

    did the inspector actually crawl under the truck and pull brake chamber measurements or anything like that?

    Because if they didn't actually crawl under the truck and all. It's really only a level 2 inspection.
     
  10. KANSAS TRANSIT

    KANSAS TRANSIT Road Train Member

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    According to my driver, and BTW this guy has been with the company for OVER 12 years, he simply would not make this up.

    Did visual walkaround, checked load straps, checked all driver,load and equipment P/W, checked all lights. Got UNDER truck and checked sup. steering, brake chambers for leaks and adj.

    Then got under the side of my trailer at each tandem, checked susp, air chambers and adj. (you literally CAN'T get UNDER my trailers as they sit VERY low. Unless you are built like Gumby.

    This driver DOES know the difference between the insp. levels, I did ask why he didn't question the officer, but as you know, drivers feel intimidated at that time.
     
  11. Rat

    Rat Road Train Member

    In my circles, the stickers seem to mean nothing. I have had stickers installed for level 1s and still got stopped the next day. So I don't fret about the sticker deal. I have been level 1ed many times and not gotten a sticker. The main thing is that I passed a level 1 inspection and this looks good for the company and the companies CSA scores. That and I love making the DOT man do some work for a chance. LOL

    My favorite thing about getting stopped for an inspection is the comments. They open the side box to see the fire extinguisher and they say WOW, everything is so organized, they look in the cab and see nothing but organized and clean, they start walking around the truck and notice that everything is dam near perfect. "looks like you take alot of pride in the equipment" is another favorite. The boss jokes about how he wishes I would not get DOTed because he is sick of having to pay me a bonus for it everytime.

    I love it when I am stopped and told that they are going to do a level 1 and half way through the inspection they come up to me and say that all looks good and they give me a level 1 printout to sign.

    There was only 1 time I did not pass an inspection and it was because I did not feel the need to double check our shops work. I had just gotten the trailer out of the shop for a 6 wheel brake job. I did not feel the need to crawl under the trailer to check the slack adjusters since they were supposedly just set up do to the new brakes. I was wrong I guess, I got a warning for two wheels being out of adjustment. The officer commented on the new brake shoes and hardware. I was fuming about it because it just got out of the shop. He only gave me a warning. I grabbed my wrench and crawled under the trailer and set them up right infront of him.

    The boss was not happy either, he gave the shop foreman a good chewing out about it and I still got the bonus.

    Some might call me annul but I use the yearly inspection sheet as my guideline when going over the truck daily. I do this because I am not perfect and might miss something. When the truck goes into the shop I, I make them go over the lugs with a torque wrench each and everytime since I don't carry one myself.

    It really pisses me off when drivers comment that they won't do this type of check overs on the equipment because they don't get paid for the extra time. We have many drivers in our fleet that won't check over their trucks like this because Marv(the boss) won't pay for it. Then they get pissed because Marv won't give them a new truck or trailer. The bosses comment is, they get to drive what they get to drive because of how they take care of what they drive. "Why should I give them new stuff when they won't take care of what they have now".
     
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