its time the dot make the shippers have scales on their properties

A scale at a shipper? No, I wouldn't expect the driver or carrier to have to pay for weighing on a shipper's scale. Almost every place we load has a scale and we're never charged for using them.

As far as the cost of installing and operating the scale...it's a write off, a business expense for the shipper. It also saves time...if the load needs to be reworked you know about it right away, not two hours later when the truck gets back from check weighing someplace else.
It's also protection for the shipper. Most shippers won't let you out if you're heavy. Too much liability.

 

Whole thread must be a joke........

 

I know of a couple of produce houses, Salinas and Brawley, that try to charge to scale their loads....

 

I know 4yrs isn't long, but I've never had a load I couldn't get to scale out...Most places ship the same thing or close and load trucks all day, they know how to do it without having problems or it would be a constant issue, it's just not...I am aware it happens but I believe it's by far the exception, not the rule...

Maybe some products have more of a problem than others(i.e. logs or rock, I'm unfamiliar with those), but in general, I think I can stand behind the above...

It's nice when someone has a scale on premises but it's nothing to fret over, pull up closest CAT on GPS or phone(free apps, no excuses now for not knowing where they are ALL at and the closest) and handle it...

Sorry, but I'm not into asking for more govt for any reason, this one included as it's just not something we want them involved in...

I've personally found the biggest problem people, well, me, have had with scaling is lousy equipment(trailers)...I worked for 2 companies where it about took an act of congress to get the tandems to move on any trailer and 2 where every tandem moved like it was on melted butter...

JMHO & Experience, yours may vary!

 

Been to several places that had pallet scales, what they do is set the pallet on the scale then load it into the trailer. When they hit 42,000 or 44,000 they are supposed to stop. Many times had to return to have a pallet moved around or taken off and the guy in the office came out the chew out the forklift guy for not using the pallet scale. I hate going and scaling then returning back.

 

I'd say a better solution would be to get carriers to pay for work the driver's do that doesn't involve driving. It's much more cost effective.

 

If you're a professional driver, you have an idea what your truck and trailer weigh and direct them to load it accordingly. If it's off when you get to the nearest CAT scale, which you knew was there before you loaded because that's something you do, you go back and have them fix it, scale ticket in hand. CYA all the way around. But that's if your were a professional driver. It makes so much more sense to just wing it and then demand government action.

 

After you gain some experience, you'll know your truck and loads well enough to not need to bother with a scale for most loads.

 

i must not be that bright