CSA 2010: How will the Driver Rating System affect you?

I don't know what to tell you. I do know that I personally would still Quallcomm and start a paper trail on this particular trailer...if it's unsafe...and your CDL/record is at risk, then I would request another trailer and get the companies reaction to that. If they call and say to run it as is, then I'd make another paper trail and repeat what they just tol;d you verbally.

Yeah yeah yeah I know...but I have bills to pay...and MY DAC!

Well one thing I can asay after being in the business world for the past 25 years is this...companies do not want any of their illegal/ilegitimate actions exposed.

By you taking this unsafe trailer, you risk too much. Is it worth a OOS violation? Is it worth an accident? What is it really worth to you?

I know that there are many issues in this business...but if the companies are allowed to divide and conquer drivers like they have been allowed to do over the years, then your job is worth nothing...and you contuinue to run scared.

 

You know, I am sure these thing's happen. I do not doubt it. No, not at all. Not in this field. Let me explain to you how I cover my rear end. I love records. Paper trails. Recordings. In this business, you have to.

They sell phone recorders for cell phones. Every conversation will be recorded and saved. Every Quallcomm message will be stored and logged. Every bit of evidence will be saved. No company can force you or punish you for refusing to run a load illegally. This is THE LAW.

Yes, the load will be late. It'll be late due to problems beyond my control. I will not haul a screwed up trailer or drive a screwed up tractor. Period. End of story. I will not do it. Is it worth the DAC violation? Sure is. Because if I have good records of the events that unfolded, said DAC report can be fought. And it will not effect my CSA negatively.

It's my CDL at risk. My food ticket. I'll be ###### if any company is going to ruin me for that. STAA again protects me up to a point, OSHA is a phone call away, and with proper record keeping, you have a good poker hand to play.

 

They will chew you up, and spit you out. Both of you good folks will be part of that 85% that don't last a year.

 

You sure talk like you know this industry and yet I question - were you ever a truck driver? What experience do you have?

 

Yes, 17 years currently also some in the 1970+1980 eras. Have also worked in the safty department. But I do think you'll see what really goes on, after a short while..

 

Read this thread: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...truckers-advice/92112-running-99-legal-6.html

Start at post #52 where he talks about his steering tire, then continue until it is finally resolved. There are pictures also. This will show you what these big companies think of your concerns and safety.

Also read his other thread and see how much money being 100% legal made him.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...89589-my-experience-running-100-legal-if.html

 

You guys are living in a fantasy perfect world that doesn't exist! When "old hands" try and give you advice as to the real world you might want to actually take what they are telling you seriously because you will find out soon enough for yourself that the "real world" and the world you live in are far different out here on the road.

 

I work the the same company, here is a real kicker. If you have steel showing on your steers, you are fired. Had this same issue, different truck happen, and after replacement it took quite a while to get into a shop to get the front end worked on. After having 3/4 inch toe out, and almost needing another set of steers, I was fixed.

Safety is a joke for these people, they don't care, even if it is a steer!

 

I appreciate your response.

That being said..the "old guys" you refer to are saying that if you don't run a trailer that is OOS bait then the company will screw over your DAC...so what they are saying is this: Risk your CDL, risk a fine, risk the customers products and risk your future...just run the load.

Right?

 

I wonder how much money they "saved" by not having the front aligned when the wear was first noticed. I guess at least two sets of steer tires is a lot cheaper than a front end alignment. Spend thousands over several months to save a few hundred right now.