When I was Swift, the only two times I got inspected took 20-30 minutes.
Did my job, they did theirs, and both parties were happy.

Back in October of last year, I got pulled in with the "other" outfit and had to wait for a tire-repair guy due to the boss at the yard not wanting to get it repaired at the center I picked the container up at.
Paid it out of my own pocket and had to wait for reimbursement.

 

Ohio's working hard today on the northern half of I-71 and on I-76/I-80 (not the toll section). Pretty much any place a truck could park, they were inspecting them.

 

I don't think that it is a good idea for the DOT to set up in rest areas and other places drivers tend to rest. It could encourage some to push longer than they normally would just to avoid the hassle of being harassed. Those states who have permanent weigh stations have no reason to get away from them. They must REALLY be hurting for revenue.

 

I agree 100%. If I hear that they're working the rest areas, I'll keep going.

 

I got pulled in at the scale on 270 south on the north side of DC yesterday. They did a full paperwork inspection. I got about an hour down the road, just south of DC on 95 in Virginia, and there was a cop who was finding reasons to pull people over. He used the excuse that he didn't like how my license plate was displayed to pull me over, and he did a full paperwork inspection on me too.

The funny part of it was, he was questioning my off duty time. "Driver, you got a lot of off duty time here. What gives?" Ummmm, sorry Mr. Officer, but my business practices and what rate I'm willing to haul for are not subject to FMCSA regulations.

 

Maryland is hurting for revenue, I avoid the scales here whenever possible. I had a DOT guy pull behind me at a place I was picking up at not long ago. He said "Sir, I noticed this truck smoking a lot so I'd like to do a smoke test" I never heard of such a thing but he did test my truck with a meter. It passed, and since I was already pulled over he did a level two. I had a light out at that time though so I didn't pass that.

I was talking to a driver that got inspected a few days ago in MD, and he over heard two DOT guys talking to one another about how they generated 39,000.00 so far that day. He said the way the conversation sounded it was almost like they had a competition going.

The 70 east bound scale has a terrible reputation.

One thing that always boggles my mind in MD is why they put me on the scale when I'm empty. My blood boils when they do that, especially when they let me sit there while they run my numbers. F**kin power trippers.

 

This is another thing that irritates the pi$$ out of me as well. My name is "Dave" not "driver", show me some respect. I say yes sir, no sir to them, not out of fear but respect of another human being that's doing their job, I expect the same in return.

Man, you guys got me going here. I need to calm down.

 

I think it's funny when they put me on the scales while pulling a light load or empty. Fooled one about a month while they were giving me the works. Had only 4 tons on me but I guess he thought I was running with my tarp back for the heck of it. He actually didn't believe me even though I had the scale ticket sitting right above my head on the sunvisor that he could see while interviewing me along with the tarp back.........He at least had some respect for me Rosty, he put Mr. in front of my name. Actually, I've yet to run across one who hasn't put a Mr. in front of my name once they got my license in hand.

I didn't see but 1 DOT doing an inspection going out to Ohio and back last week. Had the local yokel Stafford, VA DOT man give me the eye hard this morning as I went by him. Them boys put every truck OOS that they stop. What's worse is one is a Fire Marshal and DOT so if he can't get you on any FMCSA regs he will pull out his Fire Marshal hat and pop you on that side, problem there is he can take you to jail if he so chooses and it has happened.

 

That's the part I don't agree with. I understand if they are just trying to keep you compliant. I *cough* am always compliant. But to look for a reason to put you OOS, don't they realize we are just trying to do a job here?

 

They were set up Wed morning in the little westbound parking area just west of Buffalo on the NYS thruway. They were running all trucks through and over portables. I could not believe my eyes. I've been running this area for 4 years and have never seen them there. I've never even seen portables in ny before. I've been DOT'd after going through a toll booth 3 times but never seen them set up actually out on the thruway.
I guess ole David Patterson is out to raise revenue anyway he can. Screwing us with the highest taxes in the country is not enough to keep the state from going bankrupt