Schneider

I've always learnt that unless it was the exact same truck that dropped the previous trailer not to assume that the trailer is at the right height to hook up, specially if its one of those yard shunters think they get a cheap thrill out of watching someone high hook. So always back under about 2/3 of the way, get out of the truck take a look at the fifth wheel and the king pin to see if there's a gap then regardless drop the landing gear so that the trailer is firmly resting on the fifth wheel, don't raise the landing gear all the way up in case there's an issue and you moved to far forward and the whole trailer would crash to the ground, ideally leave about a 1/2 ' gap between the landing gear and the ground, back up and hook onto the king pin, do the tug test at least 2 times, get out hook up air lines, lights, raise landing gear, check to see that the king pin release lever is locked in place, chain attached if one is available. You should be good roll out.

 

The point being just because it’s durable doesn’t mean it can’t be broken. If there is something that is sturdy and well built there’s a pretty good chance that there’s someone who will find a way to break it!
(See FedEx Ground or Amazon for reference)
Remember,there were people who thought the Titanic was unsinkable-we all know how that story went.
The young lady that damaged the trailer didn’t get out and look and literally “gung-ho’d” it moving the tractor in reverse at about 3 mph! When she jumped the 5th wheel she also almost damaged the HVAC fan on the back of the tractor and almost damaged the reefer too-the HVAC fan housing was pushed into the reefer access panels!

 

Ouch. You didn't line up right when you bent that release arm. We all live and learn. I can't add much to what the others have said, and I agree with all of it. You'll land on your feet. In the future, take your time, get out and look if your uncertain. We all high hook at one point or another, but you live and learn. Also, I'd improve that attitude also. Drivers with terrible attitudes either find themselves out of the industry, or complaining at the truck stop. Either way, you ain't making money.

 

Common misconception. As a former spotter, I can guarantee that they aren't getting out to crank the legs just to mess with somebody, they rarely want to dismount more than needed. Imagine climbing in and out of the truck 2-300 times in a shift... and then think about if you even want to touch the landing gear.

The fact is that the trailer will likely be at a different height if not parked on level ground. If the ground fell off toward the front when originally parked, your tires will hit the kingpin plate. If the ground was starting up hill when dropped, you will overshoot the 5th wheel on level ground.

 

Are any new drivers trained to LOOK and FEEL!? When you don't see or feel your trailer rising up on your 5th wheel, that's a high hook right there. You can tell even with an empty trailer. Look, feel, and then get out to see those those jaws clamped to the kingpin. I know it's dirty and scary under the trailer, but grab a flashlight and get out and check. Oh crap, I forgot. What's a flashlight?

 

Avoid going to railyards like the plague. BNSF is very corrupt. If anything happens to you in their property they will not care about you. Their inside cops employed by BNSF will pull strings and talk to outside detectives to ignore you if you want to press charges.

 

Never seen (or heard of) a kingpin being "sheared off" by simply jumping the 5th wheel, and I did Mentoring for a Mega Carrier. We almost never ran under 36thou (auto parts). Sounds like you labeled a driver, for a defective kingpin (yes, "new" can still be defective). If you termed her w/o an independent mechanical inspection (regardless of what any camera may have seen), you guys could be open to a lawsuit.

Most Carriers (just read these forums) are lucky drivers don't take or make the downtime to find good attorneys... but that also lends to why there's such an abnormal turnover rate in the industry. Drivers getting labeled for company BS, & then not having the time/money to defend themselves. That lends to higher wages needed to attract drivers & experienced / responsible drivers leaving the industry or deciding to retire. Then the overhead costs of recruiting & (lowered productivity while) training are passed on to the Shippers & Receivers, and onto the products purchased by the consumers. Funny how that lack of corporate (leadership) accountability has such a negative cumulative effect on Society, huh?

Personally, I'm wondering when the Feds will actually get serious about "degraded" critical infrastructure's actual cost, upon the general public. Seems like a bad long-term business model... being a slumlord & letting neighborhood violence become the norm?

 

Appreciate the heads-up, but You know most Rail Yards are Federal property, right? FRA Clarifies Jurisdiction Over Private Track Owners | Thompson Hine