Made stupid $52 mistake today with scaling

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by walstib, Jan 14, 2013.

  1. walstib

    walstib Darkstar

    Loaded in west Baltimore this morning heading to Weirton, WV with 44,300 in the can. The closet CAT to me was 20+ miles behind me and I knew I needed to scale. I decided to head west on 70 planning to hit first CAT and take care of it since i was onky 5 mes from 70. Bad decision. I knew there was a DOT scale along the way but somehow rationalized it to myself that I haven't passed a scale, they can see that if there's a question. DOT didn't play that. I was 1340 over on my tandems and they ticketed me $52. Then instant kharma kicked in and it Took me 40mins to get them right being they were your typical unwilling tandems.

    Learn from my mistake, it doesn't matter if you need to drive a bit out of your way, do it. I've been kicking myself all day over that STUPID decision.
     
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  3. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    $52 is cheap.
    You got lucky.
     
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  4. ralph

    ralph Road Train Member

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    The fine was still cheaper than the cost of running a truck the 40 plus miles round trip to the CAT scale.
     
  5. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    The only times I've ever been over on either set of tandems was when I just don't feel like spending the time to slide and position the rear of the rearmost tire underneath the last pallet in the trailer. Fortunately, VA just barked at me over the speaker that I was 1100 over on the drives and to pull around and fix it.
     
  6. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    I had a load shift on me once.
    Cost me like $800 in Louisiana.
     
  7. walstib

    walstib Darkstar

    If I was an OO I'd see it that way too, sadly, it'll come out of my pocket and face the shame of admitting my stupidity to the company. My last time pulled in I walked away squeaking clean so I'm 1-1 this year. Lol
     
  8. fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

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    Don't feel bad driver, I've done the same thing in the same place. MD kind of counts on it, plus I believe those are training scales, or at least when I was getting a level 1 on the east bound side in October they were trainees. Even NJ gives you one shot to make it right, MD just wants the money.
     
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  9. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    They sure seem to be training scales. When I got my level 3 coming eastbound, all 3 guys in there looked to be about 17. The one that put my information in the system misspelled my name and added 10 years to my age even though it was all there in black and white on my ID.
     
  10. walstib

    walstib Darkstar

    Yep, the guy that wrote me up, a CADET.
     
  11. scottied67

    scottied67 Road Train Member

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    Going back 20 miles would have cost my operation about $74 bucks or so. On the other hand I do have a drive tandem suspension gauge that I can set at just under 34,000 pounds by sliding the trailer around and hope for the best in your same scenario. Otherwise $10 bucks for a weight check is cheap insurance if the CAT scale is en route. I don't think overweight tickets hurt your driving record at all.
     
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