Another excavator hits bridge

That would be one grueling test. Multiple trailers with pipe, coils, machinery...chaining, strapping, tarping, PLUS setting up and shimming multi axles, adding deck inserts, stretching trailers and operating machinery. Would be costly to get that endorsement. Would be extremely difficult endorsement to get.

 

I would be happy if they just did it on securement. All that other stuff is done off the road. Say one thing from each group in the handbook. It would be nice to not see something hit a bridge or come off a trailer.

 

When I had my haz mat endorsement I only knew enough to pass the test,
I mainly knew if I was in an accident to run away if it was on fire.
I had a flatbed loaded with those coffer dam slabs of steel pass me, he did have a lot of straps over the load, no belly wrap or cross chains up front to keep it from sliding forward. Oh well...

 

Even if they just did it on securement, it would still be a grueling test. Every securement test I've taken has been at least 4 trailers worth of securement. A difficult day for a rookie.

 

It can be a difficult day, I agree. Not as difficult as a day where the load comes off the trailer. But if they cannot take the pressure of that day they do not need to be pulling open deck freight.

 

Great.
I can see it now....
"As of Dec. 2019 all motor carriers that haul open deck cargo must be equipped with a ELSLHD [electronic load securement and load height device] that monitors and records....."

 

I've done two with 2 different companies. One was in the winter in Minnesota, one was in the summer in South Carolina. 4-5 trailers worth of securement. Its a full day, and I wasn't a rookie. Just stating how difficult it would be to get that if an endorsement was required.

It would definitely separate the healthy from the sick.

 

PSL had the same thing going with John Deere at Port Hueneme, don't know if it is JD all over. I did the same, even tracked down a contact name, but never returned calls. They will talk to you if you have 50 trucks though.........

 

I think that's the point, rookies shouldn't be taking the test. If you want to tie down then you train, train, train so that you are above rookie status to take the test. But you know it will never happen. We're just bustin our chops here.

 

I would like to go through one of them classes.