Just some of the stupid things I see

Hey DB, long time no chat...my fault for sure.

I have a question for you; What is your take on the issue of teaching drivers that the only thing they need to worry about is that the axles and gross are in the legal limits. If the BOL"s state there is 38k contained in the load, but the scale ticket shows the driver that freight weight is actually 43k, what should the driver do?

Lets say this was a pre-loaded trailer, sealed, and dropped at a drop yard by a previous driver. Should this raise any red flags to the driver taking this load? Lets make it even better...the original shipper is located in Mexico.

 

I get asked this alot for some reason. The driver's need to make sure they are good on their weights but I don't have the all inclusive answer for the bills not matching the weight. I've seen this occur alot, where bills say one thing but the scale says another. I have searched many trucks or tried to search them when I have seen them this way. Some have legitimate reasons for this, some do not.

What's a driver to do? I don't have the answer for that nor could I give advice on what to do. Unfortunately I just a lowly dieselbear that no one wants to see anyway. As for giving legal advice, I am not allowed nor am I qualified to do so. My guess would be maybe speak with the shipper or someone in your carrier's office to learn about the descrepancy.

Good to hear from you it's been a while.

 

Hey DB WE like hearing from ya!!!!

 

Boy that reminds me of the first and only time that I hauled a potato load.

I was legally registered on that truck for 90,000 lbs, I took it directly to the scales, and it was a touch over 100K. Went back to the place to kick some off, and of course they were closed, gate locked up.

Good times.

I learned something from this, dont haul anything that they load with a conveir belt!

 

Oh, and on the legal end of it, If I had a question if I was overweight or not, the first thing I did was get to the closest scales I could find, it didnt matter if I had to find a grain elevator or a gravel pit with a set of scales, I found some and got the truck weighed. (which was only a couple of times)

Once I went from a spring ride to an air ride trailer it was easy because all I had to do was check my gages on the truck and trailer and I could tell if I was good, or over.

If it was really close id get it weighed anyways to be on the safe side. the 7 or 8 bucks at the Cat Scales was a lot cheaper than a ticket!

Because of this I never had an over weight ticket, I think a lot of the problems people have are either A. they dont care, or B. they dont know places other than a truck stop you can find a scale.

 

How often do you run into guys hauling stuff thats illegal, be it drugs, or stolen property? Is it difficult to figure out what's going on or do they have things pretty well hidden?

 

only online tho right?lmao

 

those drug guys do some weird nasty odd stuff.i remember reading about a septic pump truck full btw filled with packages of some drug or other.nasty,if only those peole on the street that buys all that #### only knew where it's been lmao.

 

You would be surprised by what is riding up and down this nations highways. Some are difficult to figure out or find, and some are very easy. I work with a few guys and gals that are pretty sharp and very good at what they do. I was on a stop not long ago with a four wheeler on the interstate that another guy had stopped. After about 5 minutes of searching this vehicle I watched him pop the hood, see that the vehicle had a oversized car battery under the hood. Saw a smaller battery (i.e.) a lawn mower battery as well. The fresh smell of bondo was present, the next thing I know he was prying the larger batteries top off to uncover 5 kilos of heroin inside the battery that had been hallowed out. I've seen a couple hundred thousand dollars in trucks in a duffel bag, 500 lbs and more of weed laying in the trailer, counterfeit goods (i.e. Hilfiger jean knockoffs, bootlegged CD's/DVD's. etc.) You name it I have seen some wacky stuff over the years running up and down the highway's by smugglers. I've lost a few friends over the years at the hands of a smuggler as well. Everyday we go out and deal with the criminal element at some point, unfortunately sometimes bad things happen. Some of your smugglers are very innovative folks that invest a lot of time, money and effort to carry out their roles in a criminal enterprise. I've said for years if they invested as much in a legitimate business as they do these criminal enterprises they would be very successful in the legitimate world. Just my opinion.

 

DB, a lot of folks just don't have any idea of what it is like. You make a traffic stop, never knowing what you are going to be dealing with.

I've had many "equipment violation" stops turn into drug busts. Had a stop sign violation turn into a physical fight for my life with the violator who jumped me and tried to take my gun away.

You just never know. . .