Padded Pipe Stakes

Choke and belly strap are the same thing. I bought two 40' straps for the front and back "belly aka choke" straps. At times it's barely enough length to get a few turns in the winches before tightening.

There are places I load pipe that get pretty anal about checking load securement, including taking pictures of the load before signing your paperwork and letting you out the gate. Usually those are the loads that pay REALLY well, so I don't mind the extra attention to detail.

 

If you’re refer to what I said about inspections. Yes they check the pipe inside and out but only dye check the ends and upsets when looking for cracks (micro fissures). Which is what we were discussing.

I still have yet to hear, or read, one good reason for padded pipe stakes, no counting coated pipeline pipe.

As a side note. If you signed Acme waybills did you complain about the price too? It was like the co-man had to pay it out of his pay check.

 

One really good reason for padded pipe stakes is...

...if the customer requires padded pipe stakes.

No, I never ever complain about the price on my waybill. That would be about the ninth level of stupid, especially given what ACME charges the customer. If the customer is happy, that means I did my ####ing job.

 

I was wondering just what you think a pipe load that pays well is ?
Do you give 2 hours free on the front end and the back also ?
Lets say 150 miles for $ 850.00 ?

 

Shell is the only one that I know the actually required them. I had the plastic pipe on mine when I was with Acme and UVL. I followed the rules when required. It’s a big part of the reason I’m not with the big carriers anymore. I don’t care to dance to their drum beat. That and they are crooks.
All that aside still not one valid reason for them except it was someone’s bright idea “hey this can prevent sparks or cracks maybe it’ll even prevent getting struck by lightning on the 5th Thursday in February. We should do it”.

 

Cheap.... most require you give two hours “free” on both ends.

 

I

It all depends on the customer contract. Some are cheap. Others pay book rate. That 150 mile load can be closer to $1600 if they are book rate.

Pipe yards are often an exercise in hurry up and wait. First come first served can be hours. Then there's the multi truck loads going to an oil rig, with all ten trucks scheduled to arrive at 8:00 am and don't be late. The last truck out can wait for hours. Detention time is easy money.

 

That’s 1 thing about Acme and the like they’re not afraid to bill. But they have to if the truck is to make any money. They (Acme) are terribly expensive to keep.

 

What kind of money is it to keep an hour ?

 

You mean detention pay? It varies according to the contract with the customer. Most get two free hours, some get one hour. Some net the truck $35 an hour, others can be as high as $54 an hour. It adds up. I had a full 10 hours in the sleeper berth at an oil rig last winter. I showed up on time, but they had problems trying to fish the directional tools out of the hole. Finally I woke up when the first drill collars went on my deck. Then waiting for the next tool and waiting for the next tool and waiting for the next tool. I got paid 14 hours of detention at $54 an hour. Not bad for a 60 mile round trip out and back to the city.