When does the 72 hours start?

If you think I'm getting a bonus, do you think I would take time off to be on here? I couldn't tell you what the directive is. It's the same for me everyday, 365/24/7. I go out and remove junk off of the highways. Haven't changed the way I do it this week, last week or 6 months from now. I think a big misconception is this is the only time we work. Unfortunately I work rotating shifts that cover all 24 hours during a month. I may work a few days in the middle of the night, some during the evening and some during the day. I laughed at each driver that has asked me this week about the 72 hr deal. I ask them what's so different from the 365/24/7 deal I deal with every day. Hey can you talk to the powers to be and get me a bonus, I would appreciate that.

 

I've been driving for 3 years and only once given the red light at a scale during the blitz, and never inspected. My inspections have always been random out-of-the-blue at scales.

I prefer those, because it keeps you on your toes. Any day, might be your day.

During the blitz, I always get the nagging feeling if I get called in for an inspection the WILL find something wrong simply because they'll look hard enough until they deem something substandard.

I'm pretty confident with the equipment I drive. I have paperless logs and am no scrooge when it comes to on-duty time. But, I just know how people are, especially people in power. And that's my biggest concern with the way the inspections are done, and how there's really no recourse to them. What the DOT says is the word of God. No disputing tread depths, brake lining thicknesses, whether airlines pass, etc. If they've deemed it, even wrongly, that you're in violation. Then you're in violation. No judge or jury to save you from the cost to your pocket book and your good standing with your company.

 

North Dakota scale west of Fargo. 10 DOT bears. Plenty of captive traffic.

Usally works only 6 hours a day, 1 person.


North Dakota south of Fargo. 5 bears and plenty of captive traffic.

All of the scales in South Dakota on 29 open and working. Usually not a soul in sight.

 

I got it today just north of Decatur, TX. The officer pulled me over on the highway (while I'm wondering what I did wrong...) and said he'd like to do an inspection. He led me to the facility where they had about eight other trucks already processing.

I came out okay...no violations. He did ask to see my electronic log and made sure I had a proper 10 and not over my 11 or 14. The officer in the pit noted an engine leak without any other details. I asked the guy doing my writeup whether it could be condensation on my air conditioning compressor because if that engine was leaking I was going to have a serious case of the ##$ with Detroit Diesel since I just got it out of the shop a couple weeks ago.

He said we should take a quick look. Popped the hood, no leaks on the motor itself, but water dripping from the compressor. I thought it was cool he took the time to look for himself. I requested CVSA stickers and even though he had run out, he scrounged a couple up for me in the office, put them on the truck and trailer and sent me on my way with a handshake.

Later, I got a little giggle over the writeup. Says I'm a White Male (*snicker*) and the Prime trailer is licensed in Iowa. (MO, actually) 'S all good, though. He was fair with me and nice about the inspection.

 

I went by the scalehouse on I-4 just outside of Tampa today and they had the fundraiser in full effect there. I had never seen so many trucks pulled in for inspection there before, and I hit that scale at least 3x a week.

 

What are these stickers I keep reading about? Are they just the federal anaual inspection stickers or are they something else?

 

I'm guessing CVSA decals. Which means you passed your inspection.

 

I was going to tell him to go into the Minnesota scales and ask to purchase a set.

Of course it would not have been good advice though.

 

I voluntarily requested a dot level 1 inspection and was given it, I was then handed a bill for $50 due payable right then and there, they told me, inspections are not free if you ask for one. Smoke on that one for awhile brothers and sisters