Taking a Mid Trip inspection

The OP sounds like a typical pencil pusher probably doesn't even know that a semi truck has wheels. Companies talk about driver retention yet some don't walk the talk. Let's say you want drivers to stop once a week to wait in line at a TA for 6 hours to go into the shop , this is costing the driver money and time so what will he do? He will get on the phone and call lonestar and say im needing a job that pays more than just miles. So he drops off your truck and catche a flight to a orientation where he will be paid a yearly salary. While you watch your company's revolving door spin faster and faster until you say ok forget this mid trip check it was never worth it. Drivers have Soo many options just the way the toilet paper feels at a terminal is enough to make them go elsewhere. You need to start worshipping the grounds your driver's walk on if you want to be successful, and no paying 25$-50$ , even 100$ isn't enough to sit out a half wasted day waiting on that loves truck stop "mid trip inspection"

 

Let me first say this is long, might upset some, and may come off as mean.

Here’s the way I see it. These “drivers” are NOT doing their required tasks (to be noted by the FMCSA of making sure the truck is in SAFE OPERATING condition) thus they are now having COMPANY REQUIRED inspections. To be frank, good! These drivers need to learn that you shouldn’t get rewarded for having to pay more money to have someone do their required tasks.

If you do your job and take pride in what you do, then we wouldn’t be having this discussion. Instead of paying the drivers for unnecessary down time, they could be paid for performing their job and bonuses. To be noted this isn’t just this company, but any company.

“but drivers are needed and should be paid for turning the key and, and, and...” is ridiculous. It’s flat out sad that a good 90% (I’d think even higher) don’t thoroughly look over their equipment... daily! I mean hell I get funny looks when I put my coveralls on to crawl around before I fire it up. Check tires? Hell I’ll bet my house majority don’t know how to read a pressure gauge or what the PSI should be. Lights?!?! The EASIEST thing to check (I know god forbid you walk around your truck and run the risk of losing a few pounds) and most still run with lights that don’t function.

“hey driver your lights are good on high power but not low power”... “you got a signal out”... you get the idea, and half the time “okay I’ll change it this weekend” or a “yeah I know it’s been that way a while”.

So how about we look at the root of the cause. Do a proper daily inspection (I mean we sign off that one was performed, so you’re half way there) and there won’t be a need for additional inspections unless your carrier (those that are leased) required at 30/60/90/120/xxxxxxxx day inspection. Then it’ll cut down on the failed inspections the OP mentioned.

So sorry but why should drivers get paid even more to make up for a poorly done job to begin with? Seriously instead of lowering the standards for the lowest possible, get a grip and keep standards high! I always say I’d never expect someone to do something I would NOT do.

I have had plenty of time to think up a reply to this who thread, and I’m surprised reading half these comments. I’m sure I’ll get flack for mine, hopefully the OP takes into consideration.

 

What does mid trip do that drjver can't .

 

Well said. Desk jockeys have zero clue.

 

Focus on those drivers then. If they're not reporting the problems, write them up or something. Don't punish the entire group for the actions of a few.

If this is a huge problem for your company, you need to set stricter rules and procedures with real world consequences. Pre and Post trips are just common sense, if they're not doing the basic necessities of the job, fire them and get better drivers. When you fire them, make sure you report it, so these drivers have a harder time getting hired by the next guy. Not doing a pretrip can be deadly, and if they're not being safe drivers you don't need them and they don't need to be on the road.

Some companies require their drivers to take pictures of truck and trailer as part of their pre and post trip inspections, maybe that's something to consider. Also, you should be walking the yard looking for problem with your equipment, being proactive can save everyone. Second, require all truck to go through your maintenance barn once a month, top of the fluids and make sure everything is good to go.

Doing any or all of those things will help a lot.

 

Instead of sitting there all day long and thinking too hard. Do something useful for a change.
Go out there to the shop and ask mechanics if they need water or something, offer your help in changing tires, clean the trucks inside and out, bring drivers some pop and snacks upon their arrivals and wave them goodbye when they leave, comfort them, tell them they'll be missed and give them a hug maybe.

 

Hell they are federally mandated to take a 30 minute break. Now how many do?

Pre trip
30 minute break
Post trip
Chain checks for flat bedders

There is 1.25 hours unpaid minimum for a driver that is paid per mile.

.49cpm at a 50 mph average is only $24.50 per day. Say at 6 days its $147.00. At 49 weeks it's only 7200.00 per year they are short.

 

Incorrect way to address this issue: ask a bunch of total strangers on an internet message board to solve it for you.

Correct way: individually, one at a time, buy each driver coffee or lunch and talk it over with them.

Yeah, I know. Too much work.

Hey, OP, at least you risen to your level of ineptitude.

 

Nah, I'll give him credit. He is asking questions.

 

If a person asks questions about...what was it? ...Ehhh...Ehhhh....oooohhhhh yeah... mid trip inspection, that person needs to be given something real to do.