So I was put OOS today...

Time of the month or what?
Know then what I do now? Nope. Knew how to make a load legal as far as the DOT/police/inspectors go? Yes.
Regardless of time on the job, do it right or go pull boxes around. Yes, well within my first 6 months, I knew what the law was. Just like running a logbook/tacograph, a pre trip, and so on. It's part of the job for what we do. There is no difference between knowing this and knowing how to fill in a log book.
I would think that the OP knows the law about securement, and if he/she does not, then it is more his or his companies fault than the shippers. Ignorance is not a viable excuse.
Sorry if that offends you, as I said in my post, that is my .02 on the subject. It's one I feel strongly about after seeing the number of incorrectly secured loads causing accidents over the years and countries. A couple were not pretty at all, and resulted in fatalities as well as some more inspections for those of us that took the time to KNOW the laws in effect at the time.
Remain all sensitive by all means though......

Yet again, my .02. Take it or leave it.

Martin

 

skateboardman: dummy straps I use just to make the load look legal 'IF" Im running thru the chicken house, "IF" theres a 1/2 twist on the straps they won't rattle/vibrate going down the road, and you use "softners", there will be "NO" issue with paint on the unit. I dont know how many times a shipper has told me not to use chains on a load that requires chains to be legal. You know what, Once I pull out of the shippers yard, I find a area, pull over and secure that is required to make it legal. Yes, I used chains BUT use softners and the customer at the other end never questions my securement. No Damages of product, the LEO's are happy and I go home. just my .02

 

dave , you would be surprised what gets you dinged on these units, a dummy strap tight enough even with a twist not to flop will still get the paint on top. I also do just as you state quite often.

 

martin, it is not that time of the month.

just sayin many times on here folks come down to hard on guys who post mistakes they have made , this post will in fact help some guys learn something new.

and what one knows after 20 or 30 years of open deck can compare to what someone knew when they were new or after a few months.

everyone at some point learns from a mistake they have made .

the guy posted what happened, how he corrected it and why he did it to begin with. frankly this customer requires it that way. the fact he did as a shipper instructed doesn't make him a danger to society or the downfall of civilization as we know it.

I just don't see all the need for all the hostility towards the guy.

 

You're at a shipper who has a hot load. Monday morning and they want you 900 miles away Tuesday morning. As a single driver you cannot make this legally. The shipper insists, and won't let you leave unless you agree to break the law. They even hand you a letter.

How is this any different?

 

What? This has what to do with securing a load exactly?
If you sign their magic letter, you're an idiot, period.
If the DOT see's such garbage after cracking up at your log book, it may just throw him over the edge of hysteria. It probably would me....
any more irrelevance to add, or is that it?

 

Although I agree with most points, it is still my view of knowing how to do the basic job, before going out on your own.
My hostility, if it came off that way, was purely unintentional. So for that I apologize 100%.
I have seen a few VERY bad wrecks, caused by either a lazy attitude, or lack of knowledge when securing a load. Before the days of the internet, I figured it out before my first load, so anyone can if they want to do it right.
Granted this was before the mega carriers in my neck of the woods, but still.....

Martin

 

I think that's pretty much my point. Shippers needs does not exempt you from the law, letter or not. The special rule many here are talking about only exempts you from the 10 foot rule, it falls right under it in the regulations. Nothing to do with aggregate which is the subject here.

There is no way around the aggregate rule. Do not comply and the dot will put you oos. Appeal it and you will lose. Get into an accident and god help you.

 

Can you use 4 chains but put your binders under the rail? That would be legal and likely would satisfy what the Shippers want.

 

martin, I have met the o/p. he is a guy willing to do things the right way. I have loaded where he loaded these units, he in fact secured those two units just as the shipper instructed, came out and checked , took pictures to verify etc before giving him his bills.

all I am trying to say in his defense , he didn't do what he did because he didn't know what he was doing or not caring. he simply following the shippers instructions.

and no matter how much someone figures out beforehand there is still much stuff in open deck that will be learned only by time on the job.

but I don't think this case was at all a lazy attitude or not caring.