Celadons new scale Rules

Sorry, but it doesn't offend us. What does is the constant bickering that goes with it. We try to keep a civil forum and not have CB trash talk. Therefore, we have to control certain topics that continually draw fire. Most members appreciate it.

Take any two truckers, mention politics, religion or unions and you have an argument.

 

I think some people are confused about CSA. That is a company safety score, not for individual drivers. Drivers get a PSP and all inspections and tickets are on it, including over weight.
I learned that in an interview after I said I didn't have any tickets.
"Well can you explain this over bridge law ticket in Florida that's on your PSP?"...........

 

I'm REQUIRED to scale all of my loads where I work (Poly Trucking), if I understood correctly at orientation (just started Tuesday). All of our outbound loads are scaled at our facility. I scale the back hauls at a certified public scale (preferably CAT) and turn in the top copy with trip sheet to get reimbursed. In addition, if I get a certified scale weight stating I'm legal and then get a ticket at a DOT scale, all I have to do is stop at the next closest certified scale (CAT, for example) and scale the load again. If it says I'm legal, then I turn in both copies and Poly will fight the ticket on my behalf and pay it if it comes down to it. I'm good with that policy.

 

That is absolutely correct. It is something drivers should take note of as most all citations start off with a overweight ticket. After citing you for overweight the DOT officer will often take the time and look closely at the rest of the truck and find more tickets to fill out.

The mega-crap companies and ata lobbied hard to keep the overweight tickets out of the CSA scoring and from public view. You see, they like the money from hauling the heavy loads and they are happy to place the blame and the cost with the driver.

They need to have another csa category for the overweight violators. That way we as drivers know what companies are pushing drivers to run overweight and subjecting us to their other injustices.

If so you best believe Celedon would have a different scale policy.

 

unreimbursed scale tickets or other expenses can be deducted on your taxes as a reasonable business expense. TRUE it sucks to shell out for htier frieight but it s your license at risk.

Makes me glad I work for an outfit that says scale anything over 30K and doesnt question it anyway.

 

I get reimbursed for the scales. I was just commenting that we have to scale all loads, no matter the weight. I specifically asked in orientation about scaling a 10k lb load and was told there's no way to tell if it's truly 10k lbs. That's true, but I can darn sure tell if a 30k-40k lb load from a 10k-20k lb load. I think maybe they go after additional money if the load weighs more than is on the bills. They will know if they have the scale tickets because every tractor and every trailer is weighed empty when they buy them and they allow 500 lbs for driver and gear.

As far as deductions, you are correct. You can deduct those items, but as a retired accountant I think I should point out that tax deductions do not mean you get the money back. They may or may not mean anything as far as your tax return goes. There are a lot of factors that play into that. My general advice to folks when it comes to that sort of thing is a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. In this case, the bird would be the $10.00 scale reimbursement.

 

writing it off doesn't get you your money back as far as I know, it just lowers your taxable income.

 

I don't know Celedon from a box of cornflakes, I've never worked there. But I do know that what counts is your working conditions and pay.
If your general working conditions are acceptable and is your pay, then quit complaining. Paying a scale ticket is cheap.
it's not different (in my mind) than buying your own tire pressure gauge or air hose to fill your tires.
A cost of earning a living.
Now if your pay is not acceptable, go somewhere else. You'll be happier and we won't have to listen to a petty complaint.
I'd rather read a post where someone has something positive to say, asks other drivers how to improve a situation or our collective opinion, than a whiney butt post about such an insignificant cost.

 

I'll work for an outfit that pays for scale tickets, that solves that problem. Even the sewer I started working for after my school payed for all scales and tolls within reason. It all boils down to not doing research and jumping into a job before you know what is truly involved. If bottom feeders like Celedon are your only option, I would find another line of work unless you really want to drive a truck that bad.

And some more food for thought: as long as rookies and experienced drivers continue to work for bottom feeders, it will just keep the standard lower for the rest of the companies out here to measure up to. Pay, benefits, equipment, everything.

 

so is owning a car and buying a tire pressure gauge part of your job? Not even close to being similar ro covering a scale ticket. If you worked in a chemical factory would you pay for printouts of a lab analysis? One big problem with our society is we allow and promote spending all this "insignificant money"