Dash light on Air Gauge out. Reason to refuse to drive?

Documenting these defects on logs can be a double edged sword for the driver. Ideally you could have documented the defect and gotten a company "mechanic representative" to sign off that the defect "did not need to be repaired for safe and legal operation", but if that wasn't true, then you have incriminated yourself by driving a vehicle with known defects that made it unlawful to drive, but I think if push comes to shove and it came down to an unemployment claim rejection, it would be nice having log driver copies dated as far back as possible stating these defects to at least partially substantiate your position.

 

I guess my only question here is, why are you still with this outfit? If you have a couple of years experience, with little or not problems, (accidents, tickets etc,) it's time for you to move on to a company where you don't have to drive junk.
Of course all companies have mechanical problems. It's the nature of the game. But the ones that put you out in junk, are risking your life, and the lives of the general public. It just is not worth it.

 

It sounds to me like your boss has absolutely no regard for your safety or the safety of the public at large. I would move on as soon as possible. Problems with the braking system are VERY serious and should absoluty be addressed immediately. If you have an accident and someone is killed, can you handle that on your conscience? I couldn't. Your boss is a first rate #######. If need be, pull into a scale house and let the DOT know that you are being forced to drive unsafe equipment. A ticket is better than an accident. A true professional drivers first job, before absolutely anything else, is to protect the motoring public. DO NOT let this slide.

 

Yea pull in a scale and tell a dot that your driving a truck you pretripped and left in any way that is a good idea. Don't know the conditions at the OP company, but do they have there own shop if so are they short handed or trying to get bigger fires put out. Due to other break downs is company short of trucks and cant afford to pull another out of rotation to be fixed. There are so many variables and not hearing both sides who can really say. From what I seen on list it could run safely, thats why we have a buzzer to come on while still enough air to whoa. I agree all those things need fixed but I didn't read any thing about headlights going off at random, spongy breaks, due to slack in steering can't hold in road etc. Keep in mind the cdl mills turn them out every day I'm not saying they can handle a truck as well as you but they can replace you. I firmly believe in the truck being safe, I just didn't see anything in the post that makes it a road hazzard.

 

Now I understand the full story. I was unaware of those types of conditions. I apologize. This is clearly a reaccuring issue you may have posted about it before but I missed it or have forgot about it. Once again my apologies I would say start putting in apps right and left and get out of there ASAP!

I don't get paid to fix his trailer when I do the work but I do get reimbursed for lights, and tire repairs, etc on his equipment. My time is the only thing I'm not paid for. It doesn't bother me gives me something to do in my spare time when I have some and I'm not on the forum. Good luck but I would definitely suggest finding another company quickly. You're getting screwed for sure. Its one thing if you fix it and they'll reimburse you for at least parts. Time is another story. But if they won't let you fix it, and want their shop to do it and force you to drive get out of there ASAP. I cannot fault you for anything and refusing to drive the truck isn't a bad idea. Doesn't make you a steering wheel holder just means you have a brain and value your life. I have had problems with my air pressure light in the past as well I swapped the bulbs at a rest area but ended up driving with the map light on for about 100 miles. That's probably more dangerous than having the bulb out couldn't see anything and I don't recommend doing that. Refuse to drive the truck until the company fixes the problem or force them to give you another truck until yours is fixed that doesn't have all the issues yours does.

 

Csa Lets remember this!!! Engine light on ,, ten points!! Air gauge light not working ten points!! Ect ect,, its a no brainer!!! Tell them to go scratch!!!& move on befor Csa stops your prospects

 

You're ####### joking right 10 ####### points because the check engine light is on?!?!? I suppose its not that hard to believe but Jesus Christ. And 10 points for an air pressure light out is flat out insanity as well. Maybe 4 points max. But from what you have just said. He'd be looking at minimum of 60 points right there if I'm calculating that right. 10x3 and 10x3 is 60 to my knowledge...I'm starting to rethink my bald trailer tires now

 

How a company conducts business is a direct reflection on how they treat you and your payday.

The days of fly by night companies are coming to an end.

Then on the other end how you handle a problem makes a huge difference. Even if they didn't allow you but you know something would be hard to get fixed.... it doesn't take a rocket scientist to remove a few screws and change a light bulb.

You have options. That's what inspection reports are for. If you write something up the company has no choice but to fix it. If they throw that gov't document in the trash you have your copy. Today with CSA2010 you never give in and drive broke down junk. If the company retaliates and fires you then you can file an OSHA complaint and get all your backpay and even reinstatement if you wanted that. Don't think you are alone.

The easiest thing to do is find another job. Showing the company they are not above the law will help future drivers. It's up to you.

There are tricks drivers can do. If I had road repairs I would show up at a TA. I wouldn't ask permission to stop while empty. I would say I'm at such and such to get this fixed. Usually then a company will give in if you are already there instead of asking and being coerced in to keep driving.

The engine light on really only hurts them as most of them problems will cost more fuel.
Water gauge not working is a a violation of malfunctioning equipment. It could be costly for the company if their truck overheated over a $20 sensor. That is a shop repair but being in your shoes I might even fix that myself and turn in a parts ticket. That can be the engine light.

Fifth wheel won't slide. If it's locked you can get by. That's one item you can get a truck, set it and forget it. I might slide a fifth wheel once a year. That comes with experience and not letting people load you nose heavy.


Try to be a team player instead of holding your breath until you turn blue. If you can think you can use your powers to fix it then use the right avenues. But red flags are flying and it's time to find a better company with 2 years experience.

You can even sit down with your boss and have a talk. This stuff doesn't just hurt me it can hurt your company. It's cheaper to keep your equipment up. Blah blah blah.

 

Man if your ate serious about the brakes not working I would video it wit my cellphone find another job an turn there ### in ...if you don't stick up for your own safety an the public's safety tht company needs to burn ...I couldn't imagine Hearing some horror story of how some innocent family or kids or some ol lady got killed cause of their CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE an if you stay there your part of you gotta do the right thing an I don't give a #### what other people say if you drive any you font care about the safety an potential hazards of this you can piss off also