Driving a "POS" after mechanic says it's safe?

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by thedragon, Feb 18, 2007.

  1. thedragon

    thedragon Light Load Member

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    Mar 18, 2006
    Wadena, Mn
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    Here' my question..
    Let's say your truck has a flat, a leaking oil pan, busted out windshiled, etc. So you mark is on the trip inspection sheet and give it to your mechanic. He looks at your truck and says it's not a safety hazzard and signs your copy of the inspection sheet stating that. So now what????


    Cause the other day I had a coolant leak he handed me some coolant and signed off that it was ok to drive.
     
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  3. elharrison

    elharrison "Iam on my way"

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  4. Hitman

    Hitman Mr. Gamer

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    Tioga, PA
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    and safety.
     
  5. pro1driver

    pro1driver Heavy Load Member

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    dispatchers wouldn't really say anything other than, get going, or talk with safety.

    so, start with safety first, if for whatever reason the safety manager isn't available, the talk with the terminal manager.

    without seeing the actual rig ourselves, we don't know how badly that windshield is. it may be as bad as you say, or it may just have a crack, and you are embellishing that. as for oil leaks, so what........that's not a safety item, you may get a ticket at a DOT scale if they look for it, but otherwise, its still drivable.

    and i can't believe the mechanic let you drive out on a flat tire. nope, sorry, he couldn't have done that. maybe it only needed air...........

    and as for the coolant leak........again..so what...........that's not a safety item either. sure, you may breakdown and it may cost them money to get you back on the road, but its not safety realated.

    getting back twindshield, if it was busted out, you never would have left the yard..........so i now doubt it was as bad as you say it was..........
     
  6. elharrison

    elharrison "Iam on my way"

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    yeah i forgot to add saftey manager:thumbup:
     
  7. 2xR

    2xR Medium Load Member

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    Ol' North State
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    So the broken windshield, flat tire, and oil leak is conjecture? All you actually had was a coolant leak? How bad was it? A gusher would have been likely to cause you to have a breakdown, thus, the truck would have required repairs prior to leaving. However, a little dribble (gallon, or less per day) may have been an acceptable risk to allow until the repair could have been scheduled. Maybe, the mechanic had to repair another unit that indeed did have a flat tire (or other severe problems), and a gallon of coolant put you on the road, and out of the shop so he could take care of the real breakdowns. Did the coolant leak cause you to breakdown prior to returning to the shop? If not, the mechanic was correct with his method of prioritizing the needs of the fleet.
     
  8. LogsRus

    LogsRus Log it Legal

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    Indianapolis, Indiana
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    If it is a safety hazzard you should go no where and contact safety department or your maintenance dept at the main terminal to get their advice in the next step.

    If it is not a safety hazzard you should continue to write it down on every inspection form until it is fixed.


    If you feel the company is not repairing your equipment that is UNSAFE then you need to report that to DOT.

    Let me add to drivers when you report something to DOT! They do check into the issue you complain about and then he/she will check into your logs etc to complete the audit! In other words if you are going to complain make sure you have a legitt complaint and you are also doing what you should be doing!

    They always say that someone who will complain is doing the same thing wrong or more! I believe I said that right. l.o.l. it is late for me on a Sunday!
     
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