Pre-trip & Post-trip reports

My company requires a written pre-trip inspection. I usually fill out the paperwork, but dont tear the sheet out of the book until I get back to the terminal. That way I can include anything that I have subsequently noticed while out driving. Sometimes if I have handed in my pre trip inspection sheet that day already, I will make a note and include any driving problems in my next days inspection.
This is just my way of making sure that all the problems are documented, should anything happen down the line.

 

Ahh yes LogRus! I recognize your point and applaud a well formed response however you are still looking at this through an ltl perspective. Allow me to expound. Ltl drivers return to home base daily. Ltl drivers utilize slip seat operations. Ltl operations have a "shop" open 24 hours a day. Now lets compare this to irregular route truckload carriers. Drivers are assigned to a truck meaning "no slip seat." Drivers are out on the road and may not return to "home base" for weeks or even months. A driver will get to know his vehicle over time and will detect problems immediately through observation AND will make arrangements with the home office to "repair" said defect when the driver has reached a suitable repair shop (usually a truck stop). If the driver is a good time manager he will in fact take his 10 hour break while the truck is being repaired.
To do a thorough inspection on any vehicle a driver must have enough light to see by. I believe a daylight inspection is far superior to a middle of the night inspection with a flashlight in the hands of a driver that has been up all day and only wants to go to bed.
You have the verbiage of the rule on your side and I acknowledge it. Just 1 more example of a politico making regs with a bias (obviously influenced by someone from the ltl end of things) towards his (lobbying)constituents. Look at the whole picture and you will come to the realization "1 size and 1 rule does NOT fit them all."
Just be happy that the companies are in fact now requiring their drivers to sign an additional "document" attesting to a vehicle inspection (all in the guise of "safety" but WE all know it is simply another way the states can attach a drivers wages (ex fines)for "an equipment violation." Also note the "inspection form" requires the odomoter/hub reading and time the inspection occured. Sounds to me like 1 more piece of information to help "trip up" the drivers that "adjusted their logbooks." When the 2 documents (the drivers log book and the vehicle inspection form) do not match the result is further "fines" to the driver from log falsification. End result? More money for the states.

 

jlkklj777, you hit the nail on the head..................

Mark

 

jlkklj777 you are absolutely correct. As an LTL driver, I totally see the value of doing 2 inspections, especially driving a slip seat truck.
In my case 95% of the time, I am the only one to drive the truck assigned to me, and therefore my pretrip inspection on Tuesday would be identical to my post trip inspection on Monday night. The mechanics where I work, also work office hours, so the truck will only be attended to the day after the item is reported assuming its not an automatic Out of Service problem!

 

Pre-trip inspection is a physical inspection requiring at least 15 minutes of on-duty not driving to be logged unless you can do it in less than 7.5 minutes, no other paperwork need be done. Daily vehicle inspection report is a form filled out at the end of the day that does not require a physical inspection, rather list all the defects found during the day, no logging is required.

 

LogRus,
Again you cite examples for a "SLIP SEAT" operation. Perhaps recognizing 1 size doesn't fit all will start you on the path to understanding.
First and foremost the rules were written by individuals with a decidedly ltl (slip seat mentality)bias. Secondly the rules are written in such a manner as to try and "trip up" drivers to place liability and blame squarely on the shoulders of the driver. The driver is "compelled" to sign a legal document which is to be retained for possible litigation at a later date by attorneys. Can you now see why I have such a low opinion of the verbiage in the regs?
Now for some basic english definitions PRE: meaning before. POST: After or later. Now let us consider the ramifications of these 2 words in the proper context; Joe driver reviews the post trip of the previous driver who stated and attested to the fact the vehicle was and is free of defects by signing the inspection form. Joe does a basic "walk around" inspection and "assumes" the vehicle is good to go. Joe takes said vehicle out on the road where he summarily gets chosen for a "random DOT inspection." Officer Friendly discovers the vehicle is unsafe for the road due to a cracked brake drum and slack adjusters out of adjustment. Surprise!!! Joe gets cited and the citations are in HIS NAME. Joe is now shut down, placed out of service and has some hefty fines to boot.
Still think a POST TRIP inspection is the end all and be all??? After all he was driving and claimed the vehicle was safe to be on the highway through the fact he was operating it.
Face it LogsRus if you drive it you better be checking that truck out BEFORE you take it out on the road. So you go ahead and advocate the POST TRIP inspection till your blue in the face. The regs are in fact on your side.
For me I will never work at a company that slip seats. I will always inspect MY truck at the beginning of my work day and will get anything that breaks down fixed when it happens rather than sit on it "waiting to get back to the terminal." While this may save the company money it is shortsighted and dangerous.
From a safety stance alone my way is better. If you want other examples of moronic rulings and regulations from the goofballs in the FMCSA just consider the split sleeper berth fiasco. Just 1 more example of know-nothings attempting to regulate an industry they have no clue about it.