Drinking while working on trucks

lucky you, your dad cared. i bet there are still forehead inprints on the dash of that chyrsler

 

Also if she complains to authorities, it would be illegal for her boss to fire her or reduce hours.

 

If it's an "at will" state; she can be let go for any reason at all.....or no reason. If this is a point of contention for her REALLY; there are many other ways to handle it besides whining to the "authorities". I'm still in shock that it's an issue.

 

Are the mechanics "drunk in the shop" or are they cracking a few beers at the end of the day? I'm glad you are leaving this alone......but curious what the ACTUAL scenario really is............

 

I am a mechanic and used to work at a small repair facility my boss really liked to drink but even he would wait till 5 when we closed and the evidence was hidden out of customers sight before next morning. Its a dangerous game and risk of accidents to mechanics caused by being under influence is high. Being a heavy equipment mechanic can be dangerous enough with out the help of that. As far as a cdl must test drive in Ontario that is incorrect. A apprentice can test drive tractor trailer unloaded within about 30km of the shop they are registered to. I am unaware if it is any different for licensed mechanics. I am truck and auto licensed with cdl and used to flatbed longhaul for awhile so I don't concern myself with them stipulations and not sure if the rules have changed. Been 10yrs since I was a apprentice.

 

CDL may not be required in Canada to test drive but in US it definitely is as I previously quoted.

 

I have mixed feelings about this...If they are "drunk" then I would have to move on. But just a beer or two while greasing or changing the fluids, meh. If the boss condones it, and they don't screw anything up, either deal with it or move on.
Hell, our new (3 months or so) lead mechanic is a (supposedly) recovering meth-addict. Twitchy as heck and constantly talking to himself, but seems to really know his ####.

I still keep a close eye on him anytime he's anywhere near my rig though....

 

Only problem I have when were working on our trucks is when the boss forgets to stock the fridge with beer and we run out.

 

I'm wondering about this myself. Is the driver coming in at noon, and the mechanics are throwing back beers left and right, and partying down at work? Or more likely, is the driver pulling in the yard at 9:00 in the evening, and the mechanics have cracked open a few, since they have been there turning wrenches at 6:00 am?

 

I worded my comment wrong semi retired hope I didn't offend. What I should have wrote is I am unsure of U.S law but Ontario cdl is not needed. It is interesting to learn the law differences between the two countries. I am a firm believer in mechanics needing cdl for test drives. I know for a fact that when I was starting out with minimal heavy truck experience I was not as safe driving as I am now. There was a lot of gear grinding and at the time I could not gear down so it was clutch and brake. Now with a lot more trucking time under my belt I hardly touch the brakes because I gear down. I do remember one test drive in a the older cat with the jakes that don't shut down with rpm or clutch I stalled the engine dead in gear. That was a interesting affair lol.