DOT Inspection methods

I feel for ya on that one,, but not all of the DOT are as less learned as the ones you've described, most will at least listen to your explanation and then make a judgement call based on their knowledge/experience, and what you've presented .

 

You might try asking Scalemaster or Diesel Bear what would be the appropriate thing to do as they seem to be well versed on the goings on at the scales.

 

depends on the officer. air bags can be suspion parts. any defective susp. part can be classified out of service. above that they have the gun and the ticket book, they can write anything they want, welcome to the real world.

 

I guess that is part of my point. I personally feel that DOT officers should also hold CDL's and have a minimum of 2 years OTR experience with 3 years of total truck driving experience, before even considered for a DOT officer position.

I used to drive for a company that had a retired State Trooper now turned truck driver. We would tease him all the time and ask him what it was like to come over to the "Dark Side". LOL!

I got to talking to him one day and it turns out that as a Trooper he was in Commercial vehicle enforcment. Mind you, he had been driving truck now for well over a year. I asked him, point blank... what he thought about Truck driving vs. the enforcement side of things.

He said, "If I knew what I know now, I can tell you, I would have been a lot easier on truck drivers when I was a State Trooper".

In other words, he now understood what truck driving was all about because he lived it.

 

So he "overworked" his position as a Trooper? I was a driver before I was a Trooper, while I was a Trooper and since I moved to the CC. Troopers who enforce CMV regulations and drivers both have a job to do. It's a shame that there are those who see opposing sides rather than a cooperative effort.

Best regards

 

well...my truck is my house and I dont want Them in my truck and I do ask about probable cause and I dont yes sir, because the current government tells me that just because Im a trucker I dont have the same rights as everyone else.And they can put holes in airlines so I perfer they go under my truck with nothing in their hands.And if you trust DOT ask any driver that paid 300.00 at a cali scale for a airline,til they was busted

 

I agree, however your in a unique position that you know what it's like to be a truck driver. At the time he did not, that is until he bacame a driver. I guess what he meant is he felt a lot more sympathy for the plight of the driver after he became one himself.

 

Years ago PA required Troopers to go thru school, not sure if they still do but it gave them a better understanding of why we did the things we do.

 

For an air suspension to be placed out of service, one or more air bags would have to be "deflated". An audible leak would not an out of service item in and of itself.

Actually, here in the real world, just because I have a badge and a gun I can not do "anything I want". The days that some could get away with that kind of law enforcement are long gone. There is oversight on everything I do, and serious consequences if I take enforcement action improperly.

 

He's 100% correct,,(Scalemaster),, and just remember, all of the DOT compliance officers are HUMAN just like us, treat them with respect, they WILL return the favor. They have family and friends on the roads with us also. Run legal and do your "best" to inspect and find/fix potential problems with your equipment, you'll be ok. Even if you miss something(which WILL happen) and DOT finds it, hey, don't get upset,,, thank the officer for taking the time to help you find that possibly dangerous item that may cause someone to be injured down the road.

Just remember, "It could be your child they are helping to save their life"

I've lost my wife and 3yr old from a driver who was over his HOS , fell asleep an hit them head on.


So THANK THEM