Taking a Mid Trip inspection

How did you come up with this idea and what research backs it up? There are so many potential pitfalls with this scenario I can't see how it's feasible at all.

Most of these truck stops feature a long wait to even get a tire patched up..figure 3-4 hrs at least. There is a minimum charge for labor (1/2 hr) most places. You want a third party mechanic to do a walk around inspection? As it is, most of these so called "mechanics" couldn't be bothered to do a thorough job on minor repairs let alone an "inspection".

You have not answered the other questions posed on how you plan to compensate drivers on down time, lost miles, delayed delivery times etc.

This is an ill thought out policy, I would flatly refuse to carry it out and if it meant we part ways then so be it. There's enough micromanaging, weather and traffic related stress to fill in a 14 hr day without the totally useless hassle of a "third party mid trip inspection".

 

ah, ok, now I get it.

if they are running on tight schedules this will eat up on duty time, but once a week isn't too bad. paid on duty per hour?

can it be done at the home terminal on their down time? or are they out weeks at a time.

 

Have the company do a post trip on every unit that comes into yard EVERY time . If a particular driver keeps having unreported issues warn him then fire him.. If drivers know they will get written up they will start doing the inspection but if the company don’t care why should they is what most will think..

 

try a bonus for no violations on an inspection.

OOS for obvious stuff ,should be reprimanded

 

There's your problem right there. You have the wrong goal. How about ensuring safe equipment and preventing delays due to downtime and oos.

Try working with the drivers, not against them.

 

If they are out for weeks I assume they do a 34 hr reset schedule it at beginning or end of reset .

 

Some carriers have a service lane they require their drivers to go through when either entering or exiting a terminal where someone does a walk-around just like what you are describing. I was leased on to such a carrier once upon a time. On the surface it sounds like a good idea, but this is a most basic function required of drivers--a proper inspection. If drivers are not doing it properly then the solution is not more inspections; regardless of the fact they are done by a third-party.

Ideally your drivers are being paid to do proper inspections, but I doubt it simply because most carriers don't pay for it. It isn't "in the mileage rate." So, if the driver's aren't being paid... start. You will also need to keep track of the inspections (and failures), so have them submit inspection reports each time (despite the fact only reports with defects are required under FMCSA regulations). Pay drivers for defect-free enforcement agency inspections.

The carrot usually works better than the stick, but sometimes you'll have to use the stick, so be prepared. If you're consistently having problems, I suspect it will be with the same drivers over and over. If it is company-wide then I suspect you have a hiring and/or compensation problem and, again, requiring another inspection isn't going to fix the problem(s).

The unintended consequences of this mid-trip inspection policy is that marginal drivers are going do even less. After all, you're going to pay someone else to do an inspection, whey should they? Like it or not, that's just basic human nature.