Just some of the stupid things I see

I play with the idea from time to time of trying to become a DOT Officer.
I am just way too out of shape at the moment to go to a police academy.
I already have a degree I do not use. Why not add to it lol.

 

Go for it. The weight loss will come after.
The best DOT officers and dispatchers were ex-truckers.

 

I'm going to have to read this entire thread. It seems there may be some very useful information for everybody.

 

Never thought about that. It would hold over to a van as well.

 

You think? Thats kindof like kicking a tire and guessing the amount of pressure in it. You might get lucky?

As for the tires.... Alot depends on the tire itself so thats also a drapshoot. You'd loved the XZE's I had on. With 120lbs in them and a legal load they would squat worse than the ones I have on now with a heavy load.

With you doing this for as long as you have I'm sure you know what to look for, but the new guys have no idea.

 

Westbound 40 coming into memphis wasn't it..
Go ahead.. Ask me why I know this..
Speed trap!!

 

As far as testing is concerned remember they have a job to do just like you and all are signed off on by a trainer before going at it on their own. The pretrip isn't about what you know but how you explain it. If you remember a few key words it helps alot. Looks good is not the correct response. Securely fastened, Not frayed (spelling ?). As far as the road test check your mirrors often and actually turn your head to look. They don't always catch your eye movement as they are also watching the road. Slow down and take your time. Relize they are getting into a tractor trailer with someone they have never met and don't have a clue of your ability to drive. As for the skills test. Straight line backing through the cones.. once your trailer clears the cones forget about it. Alot of new drivers end up hitting a cone with the tractor trying to keep the trailer straight. The tester doesn't care if the trailer ends up off the road just don't hit a cone. Remember it doesn't have to make sense. They have regulations set up by the goverment that they have to follow. Complain to your congressman if you don't like it they passed the rules. In reality go in, do what they ask you to do and you won't have issues. I agree there are some that shouldn't be testing but a letter to the DOT director will go alot far in getting them reviewed then trying to convince the tester they don't have a clue. Remember respect for others still goes along way.

 

dieselbear,
What a revelation. The "Carnac The Magnificent" system for picking out overweight trucks. The DOT should have you train all of the officers in the USA on how to do this. Consider the money that would be saved on scale houses,and even portable scales. Why all an officer would have to do is stand on the street corner,and give them the ole dieselbear patented evil eye.

How many citations have you written using this system alone? Do you put them on a scale to verify,or are you that good that you know how may pounds over to write the citation for without a scale? Did you ever think that the really heavy trucks are off yonder somewhere,and you never see them? Do you ever look at what a flatbed is hauling,or just the tires?

You do know that a properly inflated tire on a loaded truck will sound well properly inflated if you thump it with a hammer,or tire billy. You do know that low pro tires have a lot less sidewall ,and they squat less. I knew you did. I used to carry an impact wrench,and tire hammer,and tire irons ,and change my tires myself on the road wherever I could. I know a thing ,or two about tires,but I am sure you know much more.

There are areas in this country where trucks double,and triple load to all areas of the country all the time. Have you caught any of them yet? It would seem these guys have found a way to beat you,and the system,and make money! It would seem that is what trucking was suppose to be all about in the first place. Its funny they are not flatbeds.

I must say I do enjoy most of your posts,and wonder where you find some of these guys. I do think though that a true professional would not have to label them,as dumb,stupid,morons,or whatever seems to make you feel better about yourself at the moment. Please remember the more you attack them in that way the more it appears that you lack self confidence,and self esteem . As a final note the truly smart ones you're never going to catch ,because they are off yonder somewhere !

 

I believe DB meant that squatting tires were an indicator, not a precise measurement tool. Kind of the same way a greasy-haired, ratty-clothed driver hopping out of a truck that the only thing holding it together is the bug-splatters and rust is an indicator.

Oh wait, is that profiling?