POLL: Are you working during DOT blitz?

0% chance of something good + 5% chance of something bad = negative expectation

Independents have nothing to gain from a DOT inspection, especially if they have a clean record.

 

True. And a good attitude is no guarantee of a smooth inspection on a maintained unit. I always try to lay low during the blitz. Hang out at the house and drink cold ones. But unfortunately this year I have to work while it's going on to try and make up a little of my of revenue shortfalls from earlier this year.

The good news is all of the duct tape and bailing wire trucks will be parked and rates see a significant boost because of it. And also most scales on my lanes I can make back roads detours. So really it's just a headache costing me time one way or another.

Another thing is for sure I'll definitely be taking advantage of the temporary shortage of trucks. Time to really take their (brokers) breath away and have them flailing and crying. They'll whine as if this is something unusual, why is it like this!?!? Outrageous!!! And it happens every single year no surprise at all.

 

Yup,worst start to the year in a long time....... Now my summer gravy job has work , I'm running

 

Ever have your car taken to a shop for state inspection and feel like afterwards you've been oversold on repairs?

Well you might get a rejection if they can find something wrong, but with a big truck, it's call out the mobile repair, or have it towed away and get a ticket that goes on your record for your insurance and the public to see.

Maybe the company drivers that have brand new trucks with fleet maintaining shops can just call the office and sit til it gets repaired. But OO risk basically of being shut down and it's not all about safety.

 

I am local so dont see dot. Last time i saw one was 7 years ago. This year i bought a new truck they are not even a afterthought.

 

What a load. 'Dont worry, we're from the government and we're here to help'

 

You don't care about safer trucks ripping down the highways, scottlav46? You don't care if a truck runs down someone you care about because of exhaustion from cheating on drivetime logs? I surely do, just as I surely know more trucks would not be in compliance if there were no enforcement.

If you're not compliant and legal, those kind, gentle law enforcement officials are there to help you back to the path of righteousness. It may seem like a negative experience, but really, it's not. It's about public safety, not your personal earned income.

Perhaps you've noticed all the whining and complaining here and elsewhere about elogs? What is your thought on why that noise is so loud? Right. It's because it's harder to cheat your log on electronic. Although, some drivers might possibly be reluctant to change.

 

Brand new tires that are LOW on tread, not bald and not on the front will get you a ticket, but will not hurt a thing. As compared to a new recap on a hot day will blow out.
A hole somewhere in the exhaust will shut you down, a small one, but not hurt a thing.
Brakes close to the wear lines, can still go for weeks before cutting into the drums, but will shut you down.

Same goes for a lot of things on your truck, your at the officers decrestion on repairs, and you can not change his mind. It's a roll the dice to see if you'll get a fair deal.

 

I got nothin against rules to follow, just like anything else. I run compliant and my truck will pass the closest of inspections. That being said...

 

Somehow that posted before I was done. Anyway....

I've been involved in some pretty shady inspections that had nothing to do with whether I was running in compliance or not and everything to do with a LEO having an ax to grind. We as professional drivers are required to know and abide by the rules, and the people enforcing them many times don't even know what rules apply. I'm not a five year old requiring guidance from big brother.

I just feel bad for the people that think the majority of these guys are here to help.