Rules..Rules... and fines!?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by JJKid, Sep 28, 2014.

  1. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

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    Sep 3, 2010
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    Drivers need to do their jobs and they won't have to worry about being fined. I had an incident a few years ago where one of my drivers was stopped in Tennessee for being over weight. He received a ticket as well as me. I have always paid for CAT scale weigh tickets. I found that he passed 6 scales prior to getting to the DOT scale. One was only a few miles from where he was loaded. Had he simply slid the axles prior to being loaded the ticket would never have happened. I should never have received this ticket. As a carrier this is not something for which I had control. Yet, a state legislator decided to pass a law which would hit the carrier along with the driver. Most violations could be prevented by the driver. Once the driver leaves the carrier's yard, the company no longer has much control over what happens. It is the responsibility of the driver to do a proper pre trip on his equipment and inform the carrier of any thing which need to be fixed. Most carriers would rather have their equipment repaired rather than take a chance on an accident or DOT violation. Carriers cannot take care of problems unless the driver tells them. I have seen instances where drivers will drop a trailer with lights out or bad tires and pass the responsibility along to the next driver. There are some poorly run companies, but most problems could be resolved by drivers doing their jobs properly.
     
    striker, JJKid, Cranky Yankee and 2 others Thank this.
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  3. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    bad companies
    bad drivers
    they feed off each other
    company treats the driver like crap
    blame the driver next to you at the TS
    his callous disregard to do a good job and earn his check
    punishes everyone and publics attitude towards other drivers
     
  4. 12 ga

    12 ga THE VIEW FROM MY OFFICE

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    Oct 21, 2013
    Central Michigan
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    When you live and work in Michigan it is against the law and I know that for a fact. Neither of us are a lawyer but I for one have had extensive dealing with wage and hours and NLRB laws and I know what I said is true, maybe not in every state but in mine it is true. Colorado seems to be becoming the new liberal state and that may fall right into place for them.
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2014
  5. JJKid

    JJKid Medium Load Member

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    Chicago, IL
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    like i said, i have absolutely no issues with what my company is doing. Can you blame them? I cant.

    If i slip up on my logs or I forget my medical card, thats ON ME. This goes against me and the COMPANY. If I get a ticket from the cops and I get fined from the company, thats on ME.
     
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  6. striker

    striker Road Train Member

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    Denver, Co
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    can I go to work for you? PPLEASE PLEASE PLEASE? I want to tear up equipment, drive on flat tires or bald tires, rip off mirrors, damage cargo, all so you can pay me an awesome wage, without me taking any responsibility for it. What's the worst that can happen, you fire me......awesome, then I can collect unemployment....while you fix everything I screwed up without taking responsibility.
     
    Cranky Yankee Thanks this.
  7. 12 ga

    12 ga THE VIEW FROM MY OFFICE

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    You know nothing of me or my driving habits my abitities or what my morels are so don't post idiotic comments on things you have no idea of.
     
    skyviper73 Thanks this.
  8. BROKENSPROKET

    BROKENSPROKET Medium Load Member

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    They have the right and responsibility to take corrective action, but fining drivers is illegal. The can make you do training, put you out of service, suspend, or even fire you. But once they withhold earnings, it becomes illegal.
     
  9. 12 ga

    12 ga THE VIEW FROM MY OFFICE

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    Central Michigan
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    Absolutely correct, I guess some state laws allow it, not mine. Those that condone the practice fail to think what happens when you have done nothing wrong and the company takes a deduction from your check anyway. I venture to say the practice will become a bad thing in a hurry. The companies can not be judge, jury and hangman all in one, that is why it is an illegal practice in some (most) states.
     
  10. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    Green Bay Wi
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    laws only protect stupid drivers apparently
    most people like to pick and choose the laws they like
    Michigan is the state that had the auto industry
    union pay scale bailed out by the rest of our taxes
    another good move
     
  11. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    a single guy, with no exemptions. pays THAT much in taxes each paycheck. the more you earn, the more the gooberment taketh.

    when i was in construction, i hated working more then 45 hours. after that, the gooberment percentage jumps from 40% to 65%. of each overtime hour.

    here's an example of paychecks. a long long time ago. when i worked retail (750 store corporation) and was paid commission. yep, xmas was fat.
    first paycheck. $1500, take home was $850. second paycheck. $2500, take home $1325. made $1000 more but only took home $475.

    so when a company man pays out a weeks worth of pay for op's company violation rules. that's not what he makes and needs to look for another job. that's what he took home but didn't. the tax man got the rest.
     
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