Good practices and tips from otr drivers...please

Re: downgrades, I had similar scenario. instead of screaming at you. Did he show you how before you tried? You proably, figuered out how to by now.but in case. what I do is, when I have a heavy load I slowed down to a safe speed for me. by then I'ld be in lowers gears @at about 45mph (I have 13 speed) this way I 'm slow enough to drop 1more gear if needed
put on 4ways flasher and just let it coast. only brake when necessary dont ride the brakes it'll get hot and lock/burn. most important is be calm. most grades in the west are long so you really need to slow down to make the lower gear/jk brk& foot brk do its work.. every truck is different in engine types,hp&gears so you have to find out what works safely for you & others. I have 575 hp n-14 cummins this is sufficient hp to slowed down and hold my jakes & speed @35mph on a 7%grade. Just use common safety sense be CALM you be alright be more safe on wet or icy surface you dont want to go off a mountain side. SAFETY 1st!!!!

 

I dont believe that many loads I have picked up with many different companies even if it did say driver count if your short it is NOT the drivers responsibility to pay for it .if thats the policy at your company your company is cheap...

 

No, count out and then make sure that the paperwork matchs your count. I also attach my count sheet to the bol, just as a reference. My count sheet and count is by pallet BTW.
If your count does not match the count on the BOL then challenge it. DO NOT sign for the load untill you are satisified, as you are responsible for the correct count, and Prime will make you pay for any shortages.

 

SIgnage when 1st beginning is tough I will admit, But it is very important. Best thing you can do is to say them out load as you come see them. When I have a student on board, the 1st day I make them write down every sign we come across as I am driving and they are sitting and observing. I also make them say them out load as they are driving.

 

You did the right thing, I hope you made sure the Cruise was kicked off when you put on the engine break. Engine breaks work off the engine RPM, the higher the RPM the better breaking it provides, So for a 6% grade you should have been in the 9th gear I would think. Again the higher the RPM the better breaking.

 

Prime enforces it. If it is a Driver count and you are short at the Receiver then they make you pay for the shortage.

 

You just fit my description a cheap company as in prime geez..

 

Please explain to me why a company should take a hit when a driver is negligent by not counting a load that is dispatched as a driver count load?? If you're too lazy to do your job, I have no problem with the company charging you for what your negligence caused.

 

Alot of times they won't even allow you on the dock to count it.

 

In which case it either isn't a driver count load, or you need to get in contact with dispatch and claims to let them know you aren't being allowed to count a driver count load.