Post Gordon ~ Thoughts, Commentary & Reflections

Super Singles + Automatic Tranny + Icy Hills = Dicey

Can sure see how I gained 15 pounds this summer. Had 3 double deckers after I logged out tonight, 2 in Ellettsville, one in Spencer. Probably wasn't my brightest move to volunteer for two of these runs back to back so soon, Saturday and Sunday, but they had the need and where does one fit in if not where needed? I ask you. Well, still wasn't real smart, either. \

But will it help me learn the run and the paperwork? Dunno...

Yuppo, paperwork goes with it. Doesn't it always?? Does it matter?

Mention was made about super singles and the automatic transmission, on an icy hill would tend to jerk truck with each shift, downshift. There's a digital thing on the dash that allows you to see gear changes as it runs through the gears, skipping some both up and down. Found it very interesting.

Tranny upshifts and downshifts differently based on lay of land (flat, downgrade, uphill) and weight of load (heavy, light). If light, like coming back empty, It might skip from first to 4th, then 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 12th (highest gear). Twelve speed automatic transmission. What've I got in the car?

Maybe 3 plus Overdrive? Overdrive, 1:1 or less, I guess??

Was told that in icy weather, take a gear you think you can take hill in, press 'M' (manual), which holds you in that gear so the shifts don't just shift you right off the road. That and turns in ice suggest you drive more like you would a smooth-bore tanker, the surges with a tanker being comparable to the automatic's shifts.

 

Edited my last post before I noticed yours. Sounds like you have experience with one of these! Did you pull a Mack or other flavor? Does Volvo run the same automatic tranny?

Odometer crossed 313,333 while I was driving back from Fort Campbell, always a treat. Usually, even if I know an interesting sequence's coming up, the driving distracts me and I miss it. Didn't this time.

Old girlfriend never understood what a kick I got out of these...

Seems like Manual Mode's necessary with the PeopleNet, too. Doesn't necessarily take you out of On Duty to Driving as you would expect. Plus there's an employee ID and a driver ID and they're different. Need to find my Pilot card or get a replacement... Oh, yada yada.

 

Scenic View

All in all the run to Fort Campbell would be more interesting if the trees had more clothes on. They stand in their nakedness, reaching into the sky above with myriad arms, hidden below all their pubic roots anchoring their great weight to earth without falling over. Quite a feat! Well, not feet, something like feat, roots don't travel far, no squirrel-like scampering about. Stationary sun-god worshipers.

When their clothes are on. Leaves. Photosynthesis.

Enough of that. Alarm kicked off at 4:45, got up at 5 am. Started some hot water in one of the chicken waterers and when I went back to it, was wrong one. This one doesn't hold a seal. Leaked all across the floor last time I brought it out. Decided screw it, let McDonald's make breakfast. Well, for me. Temp out was 20, so got the monkey suit on, they'll have to drink out of the dogs' waterer. Chopped up a head of lettuce--it'll freeze then thaw when temp's up to 40 this afternoon. Put chicken pellets out.

By 5:39 I'd passed by the McDonald's in Spencer and by 5:55 was in the McDonald's in Ellettsville. $7.78 for a Number 12, Steak and Egg Bagel, medium coffee ("Would you like cream as sugar?" 'Yes' "How many?" 'As many as possible, please.') and large orange juice. Could get a darn good buffet for that price... sheesh! It took 2 hours to get this far yesterday morning.

Up at the counter two guys are discussing car problems. One guy has had 4 batteries so far this year, talks about taking the new truck to Indy to get it fixed. "Or Florida," the other gent responds. The first one is so full of his problems and issues with this battery series (joke, Bright One) that he misses the other gent's humor. Sails right by him.

Still determined that the solution's in Indy, he is.

Forgot the CD's so wouldn't have to suffer the radio stations on the way. I like Frank and his Kentucky accent--despite that he's German-born and Bloomington (Indiana) raised.

Sure don't like that accent on the radio...

 

Sunday Driver

Sunday Driver today has good explanations, truck and paperwork. Good sense of humor, too. We ran out in two trucks that differed in about 100,000 miles, not much else. Day cabs. From here, I'm on my own so he and Trainer Frank said. This is the guy who knows me from Spencer, actually lives what he describes as '3 blocks' from me. We-e-l-l-l, yes, though, pretty long blocks. I've got 35 years on him. Had a good day. My load was 34K and his some less.

Got six years on Trainer Frank. Had Frank's truck, ate a package of his Ritz crackers. Left him the rest of my chocolate chip cookies. Hafta find him replacements, too. Should.

Have not seen a live deer yet. Quite a few dead ones not picked up yet. They do that, don't they? Cart them off... Hope so. Saw a coyote today, young fox yesterday, quite a few red-tailed hawks, a couple stork-like large birds, not sure if hurons or what. The usual deceased raccoons and opossums along the road, one rather fresh, dead skunk. Or what was left. (Not much.)

Pulled in with 2:59:00 left driving and 3:14:00 left available on duty. Means it took a while to get both trucks unloaded. This is not a bump-the-dock job like the Prairie-run outfit--a good thing, too little exercise in trucking

This outfit has a strict confidentiality policy so I'm going to have to think about filtering what might step across that line. Policy had been, for example, no dash cams on company or customer property. That's changing because a driver had 2 accidents almost one after another and his dash cam showed they were both staged, drivers pulled right in front of him (in Chicago) and slammed on brakes. Pow!! Ching!-Ching! Not this time.

Apparently the video is a normal day in traffic with Christian music in the background. Then all Hell breaks loose and an audio cloud of blue and black exclamations over the religious music.

So that part, dash cams, they're looking to adjust.

Proved driver was not at fault in either accident. And mighty upset about it...

 

Daily HOS-Hours of Service

For those who might not know--every day before starting out we need 10 hours off duty between runs/shifts. Had to wait 10 minutes to go on duty Sunday morning because my 10 hours off weren't done yet. I went ahead and logged in, which caused PeopleNet to remind me that I needed 10 minutes to complete my 10.

With PeopleNet, you select MENU, scroll down to LOGIN, it asks for DRIVER ID, enter it with keyboard, it then asks for password, enter that. Unlike QualComm, does not know me by name. It only knows me as my 4-digit DRIVER ID, not my name, after I successfully enter my password, which is my initials and last 4 of Social.

Stayed 'off duty' until my 10 off were up. Once I put myself 'on duty' a little later, starts my 14-hour clock and I began my pre-trip inspection of the truck--DVIR--Driver Vehicle Inspection Report. Each truck has a book of carbonless DVIR forms. Trainer Frank--I had his truck--keeps his in a storage compartment above the steering wheel.

With PeopleNet, you press MENU, then select DRIVER LOG, then select CHANGE DUTY STATUS, then scroll down to ON DUTY, select that or VEHICLE INSPECTION, then scroll down to PRE TRIP, select that. Right now I'm fuzzy on how to end the PRE TRIP, certainly does when I start driving--or shortly after. Need at least 7 minutes on the PeopleNet for a valid PRE TRIP. Probably you cycle PRE TRIP, then manually put yourself ON DUTY. Not sure yet. Have to ask my taller but younger big brothers.

During the next 14 hours from when I started DVIR and/or went 'on duty', I can drive a maximum of 11 hours.

Since I had only 15 minutes more left of my 14--3 hrs 15--than I had available to drive--3 hours--when we pulled back into the yard, means we were about 3 hours at Fort Campbell... and that I drove right at 8 hours out and back to FC on Sunday.

That is, 11 possible driving hours with left 3 available means I drove 8 hours. And 14 possible on-duty hours with 3 hours 15 minutes available, means that I had been on-duty for just 15 minutes short of 11 hours of my possible 14. PeopleNet keeps track of my hours--off duty, on duty and driving. Thank you, Mr. FMCSA--Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Clear as mud? HOS--Hours of Service--rules our days, our driving, and not driving. At least time-wise. Very important.

 

Loading Dock Safety (Online Orientation)

Types of loading docks. Hand docks (dock plates). Chain docks (dock levelers). Pole docks (edge of dock leveler plates). Scissors docks (lift docks).
Common injuries. Company has had 7 injuries between January 2012 and July 2013. Most popular. Hand and foot. Crushed fingers or toes caught in pinch points. Foot injuries between plate and dock floor. Foot injury due to dropped plate. Back injuries from pulling or pushing dock plate. Head/body injuries. Scrapes from metal parts on dock, dock plate. Dock plate handle strikes employee. Slipping, tripping or falling onto exposed edges.
Cue music. '...Sweet emotion.' Aerosmith
Dock plates are small, portable aluminum or steel plates.
When using dock plate. chock wheels. check dock plate for cracks or damage. Should rest firmly on dock and trailer. Stability lip should be planted firmly to prevent moving. Jacks should be used on lowest possible setting.
Tips for avoiding injury. Back injuries can occur with improper bending or lifting. Bend at knees or ask for assistance. Assistance can help avoid injuries. Hand and foot injury can occur if plate dropped when moved. Check footing and avoid foot placement that could cause injury. Make sure hands and fingers are clear when making dock plate move.

Cue Aerosmith again. " Sweeet Emoo-ootion. Talk about things nobody cares..."
Chain dock. Chock wheels. Pull up on chain until leveler is released.
Walk forward on lip until lip sits firmly on dock floor. Wear gloves.

More Aerosmith. "...You're wearing other things that nobody wears..."
Pole dock. Positioned by lifting a self-storing lever. Latch assembly opens lift and handle lowers lip to floor.
To operate pole dock safely. Chock wheels. Pull up on dock pole. Push pole handle forward to release lip. To remove pole dock, pull up on pole, until lip clears dock floor. Lower to correct height.
Injury prevention. With proper method, a pole dock can be used without injury or amendment.
Tips to avoid injury. Wear good, slip resistance shoes. Back injuries can result from improper lifting. Avoid handle.

The music was pretty good while it lasted...

 

Pre and Post Trip Inspections

Second video on Pre Trip. (I actually started the first one up and, yup, different guy's voice. Not a professional voice. Oh, well.)
FMCSA 396.13 requires driver to ensure that vehicle is safe to drive. Must review prior DVIR. If any defects or repairs noted, must add his/her signature that repairs have been made.
FMCSA 396.11 requires, among other things, company keep DVIRs for 90 days. DVIR books are assigned to power unit and must stay there.
If any defects noted on DVIR, DVIR must have 3 signatures. Reporting driver. Repair mechanic. Follow-up driver.
Company policy requires at least 15 minutes on log for inspection on line 4 and noted in comments.
Standard stuff. Yada yada.
Air brake audible warning at 60 PSI. Dash valves pop out at 20-40 PSI.
Written post trip DVIR required daily with driver signature whether repairs needed or not.
3 signatures required on DVIR that had repairs needed. First driver. Certified repair person. Follow-up driver.

Pre Trip inspections save time (waiting for roadside repair).
Pre Trip inspections save money (less expensive to make repairs at home terminal and DOT fines if declared OOS--Out of Service).
Pre Trip inspections are safer (than roadside repairs and typically are more thorough).
Pre Trip inspections save future violations and reduce DOT pull of company vehicles over for inspection due to good record.

Post Trip must stay with power unit.
Post Trip must be signed by driver.
Post Trip must be logged.

Good stuff perhaps but nothing new here... FMCSA does not require written pre trip but company policy does. BTM (Bloomington Terminal Manager) called. Another Fort Campbell tomorrow. Okay, fine. Has already started to rain here this afternoon and expected to do same tomorrow.

Better than snow...

 

PeopleNetOnline

Thought I would take a look at PeopleNet web site, maybe find a tutorial there. Found something even better, I think. An article breaking down the so-called driver shortage into generations.

Boomers (1946-1964), Gen X (1965-1976), Gen Y (1977-1998)

You'll find the article here http://www.peoplenetonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/DriverRetention_BP.pdf but let me point out some take aways.

Average driver age hasn't changed much: 53-54.
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) retiring 10,000 per day.
Stricter medical requirements (and poor health--that wasn't mentioned) may prevent Boomers who want to continue driving from doing so.
Negative effects of aging can affect driver safety of Boomers.
Gen X and Gen Y not as interested in isolated life, long days and weeks of a trucker. (Well, that's not how the article says it but that's how I would.)

Great Recession has forced many Boomers to delay retirement. (2008-2009 wiped me out!)
Does NOT translate into sustainability for carriers.
By 2015, Gen Y (1977-1998) will outnumber Boomers (1946-1964).

Claim is 70% of college grads leave their first job within 2 years.
Might trade $35K-$40K desk job for $55K-$60K to hold a steering wheel.
Culture determines a firm's ability to retain drivers. (Pay, don't forget pay.)
Firms with latest cabs and current technology have a big leg up.

Intentional over promising and under delivery fuels distrust.
(For sure, but do the meat grinder megas give a flip? Not yet, I think.)

A profound observation:

And where is this enlightened outfit? I ask you...