Any states to avoid during DOT week?

Lol do you really think looking like a slob doesn't increase your odds of an inspection?

 

You got it twisted, homie. Definitely dapper is the way to go.

Just not sure sporting the bright neons all day and night is part of the DOT-repellent wardrobe.

Me personally? Can't wait to tear that vest off as soon as I get out the gate of a port or safety commune.

 

I used to be that way. The one time I found myself trying to throw on my safety vest while handing the inspection officer my insurance and BOL, and I realized that at that point it's already too late. So I started wearing it whenever driving. Then I realized that a safety vest and tee shirt is way more comfortable than a button-down.

Did you ever notice that cars seem to exhibit a whole lot more "yes sir, you go right ahead sir, I'll hang back here and wait for you to do whatever you're doing sir" when you've got hazmat placards on? Turns out, people behave much the same way in the grocery store when you're grocery shopping in a safety vest. I don't want to deal with the scurrilous little BS people sling. I want humans the hell out of my way.

If I ever had to do any espionage or infiltration type stuff, I'd strongly consider wearing a safety vest while doing it. Imagine yourself walking around in the restricted areas of a library or office building. The odds of someone asking questions plunge if you're wearing a safety vest.

Honestly I'm regretting responding to this thread and trying to convince anyone of anything. I want other people to get inspected so the inspectors are busy when it comes time for me to slide on thru. So yeah guys, throw all your trash on the dash, but make sure to leave enough space for your flipflop-wearing foot. Mr. DOT doesn't care at all about appearances.

 

Consider me a convert, sir. At least in ideology.

I'll take my inspection like a man, though.

 

Yes. Met a few that were looking for dirty windshields. Claimed if your not cleaning windows or mirrors, he knew he would find something.

 

You go right ahead. I'll honor your memory as I roll thru the bypass lane.

 

When I was driving in the late 90s ,
I would often wander around in the factory because machinery fascinates me .

If you wear a shirt with a collar , a hard hat , glasses and earplugs and carry a clipboard , you can usually walk anywhere you want in the place.

oh and do a good pre trip and post trip inspection , I’ve seen a driver ONE time do any post trip inspection when he parked in a truck stop. Once, in my entire career.

you need to do the post trip to spot hubs or tires that are too hot etc .

if you’re not the kind of driver that keeps your truck ready to pass an inspection at any time, then you’re gonna have problems.

and even then you never know .
I got inspected in KY and passed, and got pulled for an inspection in TN about two hours later and got put OOS for loose U bolts on the axle. Either the first inspector didn’t touch the U bolts or they loosened up during that time.

I got one inspection a few weeks after I bought the truck and put OOS for the turn signals being crossed.
The wires in the pigtail were backwards , right turn on the tractor lit up the left turn on the trailer,

and I never noticed because all my walk arounds I used the flashers, not the right and left turn signals since that requires two trips around the truck.

 

Before I wore my vest regularly, I kept it in view on my passenger seat, on top of my portable file cabinet. One day as I pulled on to a scale in California, I suddenly realized that my passenger seat had deflated, and the vest would not be easily visible from outside.

So the officer is giving me instructions thru the speaker to back up because I'd overshot their little scale with my steer. As I'm backing, I'm looking with the corner of my eye, gauging when the vest will be visible to him in the shack, as the passenger door window is lower than the windshield. The vest comes into his view as I'm still rolling backward. He gets on the speaker and says "OK you're good to go, have a nice day."

He didn't even make me weigh my drives, even though my steers were 12k+.

 

Ok, maybe I read things wrong. I can only stand to wear one if a site, or facility demand it. Mine stays put away.

I just was agreeing with dressing appropriately in general. Look presentable.

 

Or maybe I read wrong, thinking when you said safety commune, you meant scalehouse.

I'm careful about appearance too, but giving the illusion of presentability is good enough for me. Black sweatpants and a grey tee shirt may not be 'presentable' by themselves, but I find that a safety vest on top of that particular combination conveys adequate illusion of presentability while still delivering maximum comfort. Any other color on either piece of clothing and the illusion doesnt hold up. Gotta have the work boots on to make the ensemble complete though.