Mystery of the weigh stations?

Sublime · Jan 1, 2014

Emulsified said: ↑

I am a licensed scalemaster. (that and two dollars will get you a cup of coffee). During my training and licensing period, I was required to do a certain amount of hours (like an internship) at a highway scale. I did mine at the Nisqually scales in Washington state.
It is a very boring exisitance sitting there all day watching the scales as trucks pass over, then deciding is something that looks borderline needs to reweigh, backup or whatever.
I believe it takes a certain mindset (read that labotomy) to do this for years. When I first licensed, I was figuring on becoming a state employee and retiring one day from all this garbage. But I couldn't ever numb myself enough to do this mindless job hour after hour.
So we had to create excitement.
One of the things we did was to put $5 in a pool, then one person picked the 'requirements'.
He might come up with 'red flatbeds' or 'blue tankers'. It might even be something as oblique as 'driver wearing cowboy hat'.
And then the fun began. Everytime we got a truck that fit the criteria, we did our best to find what we could ticket. weight, tires, paperwork...you name it. Then the next day we compared notes and the one that wrote the most citations for that class would get the money and set the next day's criteria.
I was an intern so I only got to 'help'.
So often, a white flatbed that was marginal was given a pass while a blue tanker (the mark for the day) had to park, bring in his paperwork and perhaps have an inspection, even tho he weighed out fine.
I'm sure there's still a lot of this kind of thing that goes on. The logic is, "they're not legal, who cares?"
Not defending the practice, just saying what was.
Click to expand...

It's good to know a driver's livelihood is on the line in order to prevent your co-workers from being bored.

not4hire · Jan 1, 2014

Sublime said: ↑

It's good to know a driver's livelihood is on the line in order to prevent your co-workers from being bored.
Click to expand...

True enough, but I don't think he is saying anything we didn't already suspect. I also don't think all enforcement officers operate that way, but human nature being what it is...

Roadmedic · Jan 1, 2014

Sublime said: ↑

It's good to know a driver's livelihood is on the line in order to prevent your co-workers from being bored.
Click to expand...

Wonder where the safety came into the picture.

omg-downshift! · Jan 1, 2014

I've always had pre pass and get to go by most scales. When I do get red lighted I turn all my lights on and get flashers going. I don't know if that has helped or not, but I have never been asked to pull over yet. (Knock on wood). I just think maybe if they see my lights and indicators work they will move on to the guy with his lights off. And a clean truck is probably the best thing. Now that I've said never, I will get nailed. Dangit.

mickey melon · Jan 1, 2014

I get pulled in regularly..........I used to Panic more when I was Youinger,But not as much these days.

I get pulled in because my equipment is much older than the average fleets on the street.

I Notice lately many Scales and Port of Entries have Very young men and Women working there........I Mean YOUNG, Early 20's.

They are EXTREMELY polite with me.....So as i am with them...I dont get many Level 1 inspections because these folks arent trained properly to inspect my truck, I dont have a "Hood" to open amongst other things.....

I get asked by Many "What year is that?" With plenty of smiles.......They'll give me a quick level 2 0r 3 and Im on my way.

Most Scales are not really bad.........You just gotta show them the Confidence you have in yourself..(They can 'read' you pretty good.)..That you know whats going on out there.

8thnote · Jan 1, 2014

Emulsified said: ↑

I am a licensed scalemaster. (that and two dollars will get you a cup of coffee). During my training and licensing period, I was required to do a certain amount of hours (like an internship) at a highway scale. I did mine at the Nisqually scales in Washington state.
It is a very boring exisitance sitting there all day watching the scales as trucks pass over, then deciding is something that looks borderline needs to reweigh, backup or whatever.
I believe it takes a certain mindset (read that labotomy) to do this for years. When I first licensed, I was figuring on becoming a state employee and retiring one day from all this garbage. But I couldn't ever numb myself enough to do this mindless job hour after hour.
So we had to create excitement.
One of the things we did was to put $5 in a pool, then one person picked the 'requirements'.
He might come up with 'red flatbeds' or 'blue tankers'. It might even be something as oblique as 'driver wearing cowboy hat'.
And then the fun began. Everytime we got a truck that fit the criteria, we did our best to find what we could ticket. weight, tires, paperwork...you name it. Then the next day we compared notes and the one that wrote the most citations for that class would get the money and set the next day's criteria.
I was an intern so I only got to 'help'.
So often, a white flatbed that was marginal was given a pass while a blue tanker (the mark for the day) had to park, bring in his paperwork and perhaps have an inspection, even tho he weighed out fine.
I'm sure there's still a lot of this kind of thing that goes on. The logic is, "they're not legal, who cares?"
Not defending the practice, just saying what was.
Click to expand...

lol. I've always suspected as much

Y2K · Jan 1, 2014

Emulsified said: ↑

I am a licensed scalemaster. (that and two dollars will get you a cup of coffee). During my training and licensing period, I was required to do a certain amount of hours (like an internship) at a highway scale. I did mine at the Nisqually scales in Washington state.
It is a very boring exisitance sitting there all day watching the scales as trucks pass over, then deciding is something that looks borderline needs to reweigh, backup or whatever.
I believe it takes a certain mindset (read that labotomy) to do this for years. When I first licensed, I was figuring on becoming a state employee and retiring one day from all this garbage. But I couldn't ever numb myself enough to do this mindless job hour after hour.
So we had to create excitement.
One of the things we did was to put $5 in a pool, then one person picked the 'requirements'.
He might come up with 'red flatbeds' or 'blue tankers'. It might even be something as oblique as 'driver wearing cowboy hat'.
And then the fun began. Everytime we got a truck that fit the criteria, we did our best to find what we could ticket. weight, tires, paperwork...you name it. Then the next day we compared notes and the one that wrote the most citations for that class would get the money and set the next day's criteria.
I was an intern so I only got to 'help'.
So often, a white flatbed that was marginal was given a pass while a blue tanker (the mark for the day) had to park, bring in his paperwork and perhaps have an inspection, even tho he weighed out fine.
I'm sure there's still a lot of this kind of thing that goes on. The logic is, "they're not legal, who cares?"
Not defending the practice, just saying what was.
Click to expand...

Note to self: take off the hat while passing the DOT.

Roadmedic said: ↑

Wonder where the safety came into the picture.
Click to expand...

I guess it's unsafe to wear a cowboy hat.

Flatbedn · Jan 1, 2014

Just drive naked because I doubt the bet on who will drive through naked.

Joetro · Jan 1, 2014

Y2K said: ↑

Oh they absolutely do, the port of entry on I-5 into Washington (Ridgefield) can and will pull you in for no apparent reason.
The WSP there have no sense of humor and could care less if you look tough or not lol.
Ask any chip hauler, we get pulled in at random loaded or empty despite having a prepass quite often.
I run by the scale at Ridgefield sometimes 4-5 times in a day and might get a pass with 4 loaded trailers and then pulled in empty on my way back to the yard,go figure.
Click to expand...

The Spokane POE is the same way. I hate those guys.

Shaggy · Jan 1, 2014

Emulsified said: ↑

I am a licensed scalemaster. (that and two dollars will get you a cup of coffee). During my training and licensing period, I was required to do a certain amount of hours (like an internship) at a highway scale. I did mine at the Nisqually scales in Washington state.
It is a very boring exisitance sitting there all day watching the scales as trucks pass over, then deciding is something that looks borderline needs to reweigh, backup or whatever.
I believe it takes a certain mindset (read that labotomy) to do this for years. When I first licensed, I was figuring on becoming a state employee and retiring one day from all this garbage. But I couldn't ever numb myself enough to do this mindless job hour after hour.
So we had to create excitement.
One of the things we did was to put $5 in a pool, then one person picked the 'requirements'.
He might come up with 'red flatbeds' or 'blue tankers'. It might even be something as oblique as 'driver wearing cowboy hat'.
And then the fun began. Everytime we got a truck that fit the criteria, we did our best to find what we could ticket. weight, tires, paperwork...you name it. Then the next day we compared notes and the one that wrote the most citations for that class would get the money and set the next day's criteria.
I was an intern so I only got to 'help'.
So often, a white flatbed that was marginal was given a pass while a blue tanker (the mark for the day) had to park, bring in his paperwork and perhaps have an inspection, even tho he weighed out fine.
I'm sure there's still a lot of this kind of thing that goes on. The logic is, "they're not legal, who cares?"
Not defending the practice, just saying what was.
Click to expand...

I cannot get mad about this, This is very funny and would probably do the same.

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