Husband/Wife Team to start with Covenant

About those pesky unsafe driving violations...
As I noted in a previous post, Ron & I both received citations within the
first few weeks driving as a husband/wife team. As you will learn or already have learned,
THERE ARE PLACES (such as Oregon, Washington, California, etc ... that are KNOWN to target OTR drivers
due to the weak economy or greed as I believe is the case in some areas. In Orientation, one of the presentations by the Citations Department actually brings this to our attention and then we also have the lovely presentation by US Legal
and how they will be there for you when that day arrives.

THE 1st CITATION:
Driving down I-84, heading east with a load, I was apparently clocked at
65 in a 55 zone on a highway coming down a hill. (Imagine that....Doing 65 on a highway!)
This was Arlington, Oregon (Gilliam County). Yes, Oregon. Who I now have this Love/Hate relationship with.

We then utilized our US Legal service, since we had signed up for it in orientation, but frankly,
I was not impressed with how this US Legal appointed attorney handled things.

US Legal's attorney basically told me to do what I had already read done (you just have to read the back of the ticket).
I prepared the letters, sent all submissions to the court and personally had the items notorized and sent copies to the attorney, covenant's citations department and to the Arlington justice court.
I emphasized that I wanted to be present, but that was repeatedly discouraged.

Above even that....the thing that got to me most was NOT the fine I had to pay, but the CLEAN inspection that
the officer conducted after writing up the ticket.

He looked a the elogs, check our Bill of Lading and permits, my license and medical card (of course)
He also looked inside the truck and all around the trailer and found everything was in order,
but then he proceeded to write the speeding violation ON the inspection report. By doing this,
it made what was a CLEAN inspection, a DIRTY inspection, which was directly followed by
............................Covenant deducting $50 out of my pay (Remember those papers you signed in orientation?)
............................It was disconcerting to me that the $50.00 was taken BEFORE due process of the law.

I did of course state my concern, but I suspect since they see this pretty much on a daily basis, they already
know the scoop on what will occur once that citation is issued.


Well, what is done is done. The fine is paid, the CSA points have been assessed, including the points
from the Now DIRTY inspection. This is the only thing that I can challenge, which can be done
through the DataQ system.

One thing I did do is cancel US Legal. My conclusion after dealing with them twice is that they do get paid well,
but that their loyalty does not go to you, the one paying the tab.

Ron and I felt better finding another prepaid legal program that specializes in Commercial Drivers.
This way, we are still covered, but they will work directly for us.

So my advise to anyone is READ THOSE SIGNS!!!! Especially in Oregon!

Now I know why our trainer kept saying over and over...
"The Signs will Set you Free!!" AND "Cover your butt with BOTH hands!"
(said with a bit more colorful language)
He said a lot of very funny, yet good things.
Wish those 2 things would have floated to the top the list in my head.

As for THE OTHER Citation....
I'll have to save that for next time. Have to get some rest. My turn to drive soon.
The only title I could possibly give the next post is "Our GPS day from Hades!)
so until next time...

 

Well, that sounds about right. I was happy when we got the $75.00 CLEAN Inspection bonus, but shortly thereafter,
we found a deduction for $76.00 for a Toll Advance that we never asked for. We do not do advances. Never have and never will.
The $1.00 charge extra as I understand is a processing fee for the advance.
Presently, I am trying to have this rectified. Hopefully it will be corrected.
I did check our Comdata card and sure enough there is $75.00 on the card. But we never asked for it.
This is the second time we have had this occur with the added extra charge deducted from our pay.
If neither of us requested these advances, who did? That is what I am trying to find out.
My dad has a great accountant who is going to look over all our settlements for us, so hopefully we can get to the bottom of it.

 

Well before I post my team partner's GPS experience, I wanted to share something amazing.
I am sure others have seen this, but I wanted to post some pictures that we found breathtaking.

We found ourselves at a rest area for a quick break and it happened to be a National Park. It was the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
In the picnic area there were about 5 Bison grazing around the picnic tables. Close up and personal.
Absolutely Beautiful!!!

 

Yes we are Rocks. Thanks for asking. Sure hope things are going well for you.
Just got back from home time and had a rather sad time with the loss of a friend AND
one of my favorite pets passed away while in the care of family. I have been quietly working through it.
We are still learning each and every day. Will post again soon.