Virginia Scale house

[MADLUX]

I'll get right to the point. My company right now at the moment is giving me a hard time on getting items fixed on my trailer. I told them today that they have one month to get it fixed, which I think is more than generous, and more than enough to get the items fixed. Or I take it to the closest weight station to us (Suffolk, Va US 58 scales) to get it inspected.

Now for the life of me I cant remember, does Virginia only fine the company or is it both (company and driver). Hopefully it wont get to the point were I go to the scale house, but I want to check just in case.

Thanks all.

[marylandkw]

Not really sure about VA. Back before I became an O/O I went into a scale and told them that me and my boss did not see eye to eye on maintenance issues and they were very nice and did a level 1 and put me out of service right there. His actual quote was "Did you pack a lunch?" He seemed to indicate that this happens all the time and they don't frequently ticket the drivers in this situation.

[Jumbo]

Not to be rude towards you, But what kind of issues is your halfassed company not dealing with?

[headborg]

If you're planning on doing that--- you will need to mark all the defective safety items on your daily inspection form-- drive into the scale ,park around back, walk in with your log book/ driver's inspection--- state that you are terminating your employment with said company for safety concerns that they refuse to address, request a safety inspection- when they find all those safety defects-- they will have you call your company and listen-in while you politely ask to have them fixed-- if your company refuses and the dot officer hears this----over the speaker phone( as a witness). then they will take care of it from there...

otherwise, you probably should just quit and save your CDL- keep out of trouble.

But all this is only concerned with Safety items/ there's no legal protection for stuff like the AC not working.

[MADLUX]

If you're planning on doing that--- you will need to mark all the defective safety items on your daily inspection form-- drive into the scale ,park around back, walk in with your log book/ driver's inspection--- state that you are terminating your employment with said company for safety concerns that they refuse to address, request a safety inspection- when they find all those safety defects-- they will have you call your company and listen-in while you politely ask to have them fixed-- if your company refuses and the dot officer hears this----over the speaker phone( as a witness). then they will take care of it from there...

otherwise, you probably should just quit and save your CDL- keep out of trouble.

But all this is only concerned with Safety items/ there's no legal protection for stuff like the AC not working.

The problem is around here jobs are very, very hard o find at the moment, and I enjoy working at my company for the most part. It's just trying to get these items on my list fixed.

[Mr. Ford95]

Madlux, on my overweight ticket, the company was written as the one who had to pay. If they failed to pay, MY license would have been suspended.......... :? *****s. Not sure about having faulty equipment but I suspect that it would be against the company if you voluntarily ask for a Level 1.

[thebaldeagle655]

Remember, even though it is a company vehicle and the ticket by law may be the responsibility of the vehicle owner to bring into compliance, any violation noted will be on YOUR driving record. No, it probably won't count as points against you but could very well increase your personal vehicle insurance premiums as well as being on the record the next time you are stopped for any violation or a routine DOT inspection. An officer conducting the inspection may look closer if he has noted previous violations on your as he will see a pattern developing!

[Windwalker]

One more thing to consider. After you go into the scale and get inspected, and perhaps, put out of service, the company looks at you as having "COST THEM MONEY". Depending on just how fairly the company deals with it's people, you could find that your miles go down. I know of an instance where Schnieder did it to a driver, I know of an England driver that was up against that, and with a broken fifth wheel in New Mexico, I thought he was justified. DOT came out to the truck stop and did the inspection there. One of the companies I was with years ago, got into trouble before for telling the driver they had no loads, so they gave me short loads that all had to be tarped. Nothing over 200 miles for two weeks, and I still got in 3300 miles a week, then they gave up and put me back on normal loads. They can not fire you because of a safety issue that you want fixed and take steps to having it done, but they do have ways to work on you and make you want to quit.

[Mr. Ford95]

Unless you have another job lined, don't voluntarily get put OOS. Have you tried just asking for 1 item at a time to be fixed? You might have 4 or 5 items that need fixing but don't ask for them all at once and see what happens. Ask for 1 item to be fixed, wait a few days if it gets fixed and ask for another to be fixed. Worst that happens is they still refuse to do anything and your right back to square one.

[MADLUX]

Unless you have another job lined, don't voluntarily get put OOS. Have you tried just asking for 1 item at a time to be fixed? You might have 4 or 5 items that need fixing but don't ask for them all at once and see what happens. Ask for 1 item to be fixed, wait a few days if it gets fixed and ask for another to be fixed. Worst that happens is they still refuse to do anything and your right back to square one.

Thats where I am at right now. It's excuses of no spare trailers, no spare trucks, etc. Even though we can get rentals from our mechanics shop with in an hour's notice, they just don't care.

I don't have to worry about miles, I'm local, Base pay and I get paid by the case, and they are so short of people anyway I seriously doubt they would try to get rid of me. I'm just more worried about me getting a ticket also if it came down to this.

[murray]

Not a 100% sure but does'nt the operator get fined for operating an unsafe viehicle? I'm pretty sure that's how it is up here in Ontario, we have the right to refuse to drive if we truly believe there is a safety issue,
The co. I drive for wants a report filled out for any defects handed in on Fri./sat. and every thing is fixed by Sun./Mon. before I leave again for the week,minor or major. I ussually let them know about it before I get back if possible that way they can get the parts ordered and at the shop by the weekend. If they are unable to repair we are put on anouther trailer / tractor for the week or given the choice of having Monday off till the repairs can be finished.

[freebird]

Can you list the problems?
How bad can they be if you are willing to drive that way for a month?

[MADLUX]

Trailer:

5th wheel apron is all bent to hell above the right side drive tires. ( This one needs fixing, some of these areas I run it will rub on the drives.)

Frame rails ( 5 of them ) are bent under the trailer.

Leaf spring mounts, Centers are rusted through. Barely anything there. (this one scares the :dung: out of me.)

Front axle, both seals leaking.

Front axle very, very close to needing a brake job.

Mud Flap brackets are bent ( not a major repair, but will need to be addressed some point in time.)

Roof Of the trailer has a leak on the left side ( This has caused damaged product before)

Rear axle, left duals need to be replaced.

Axles will not slide what so ever. ( not to important, but there has been time were I have needed to slide, but I cant.)

Rear Brake/ Turn light covers are fogged over, been told by several drivers who have followed me they are hard to see light up.


Truck:

Over Due for PM by 2 months

5th wheel needs grease, and needs to be service. ( it is hell some days to get unhooked from the trailer, will not release at times)

Mis- Matched steer tires, Left steer is only wearing on the inside, gives slight vibration at times.

Passenger side window does not work.

Shifter boot has a hole in it, and is allowing air from under the truck to enter the cab. ( god help me if there is an exhaust leak. )



The ones in red are the ones I strongly feel need to be taken care of soon, and in case of the spring mounts right now.

Tell me if I am out of my mind, but I don't think I am.





Truck is a 2000 Freightliner FLD Daycab. 10sp, c-12 cat.

Trailer is a 1988 Grate Dane 48ft Dry van with roll doors. It has seen better days.

[JeffTheTerrible]

I'd find somewhere else to work, but that's just me.

[MADLUX]

I'd find somewhere else to work, but that's just me.

I enjoy my job now, getting the truck and trailer fixed is my only problem. Not also to mention jobs around here are extremely hard to get now.

[JeffTheTerrible]

I can understand your plight, but the state of the equipment as you describe it seems unnecessarily dangerous. If [excrement] hits the fan, that job isn't going to be very enjoyable once it happens...