TMC
#3601
04-19-2008, 11:40 PM
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Earth, North America, North, East, 9th State, 42° 56' 1" N, 72° 16' 41" W
Posts: 538
Originally Posted by mudflap276
Originally Posted by vonSeggern
Originally Posted by hewithoutname
True, you can always find a small exception here or there, but 99.9% of all our shippers provide a method of getting on top of the load whether it be a standard ladder or a full scale overhead platform.
The Lowe's in Westfield had a ladder. Problem was the wheels were broke and you had to drag the 300 lb. ladder 100 feet across a parking lot. Wouldn't be a problem except that half the tarps on the loads had GAPING holes in them. You couldn't pull the shredded tarp off because it was hung up on some ladders, etc. So, you climb up the load, loosen the tarp (while balancing on a bundle of unsecured ladders), then negotiate yourself down, and start all over again. Ahh...the memories.
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The hand of the diligent shall rule; the slothful shall be under tribute." Proverbs 12:24, God, A really long time ago.
#3602
04-20-2008, 01:16 AM
I've seen these TMC truck going down the highway, and thought they ain't nothing special, just a black truck going down the road.
That was until Friday, when I saw two hauling John Deere loads, though Havre, MT, going nice and slow though the construction zone. Pretty damn impressive when they look spotless. Both were numbered 94xx (I think), one with a drop deck, and the other hauling a new combine, on a lowboy.
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Jordan http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f195/jorlee/ Working for Industrial Builders, Inc. Making smoother roads.
#3603
04-20-2008, 04:20 AM
I got to meet another one of our members, WorldPax, the other day in Joplin. He was in for PM nad I was just passing through.
As you can imagine with a name like WorldPax, he is a long hair hippy type!  J/K, his hair is even shorter than mine.Good to meet you WorldPax.
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Terry L. Davis O/O with own authority
#3604
04-20-2008, 11:38 AM
Originally Posted by terrylamar
I got to meet another one of our members, WorldPax, the other day in Joplin. He was in for PM nad I was just passing through.
As you can imagine with a name like WorldPax, he is a long hair hippy type! J/K, his hair is even shorter than mine.Good to meet you WorldPax.  Really enjoyed the company and intelligent conversation. Did you get through that book, and if so, how did you like it?
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Pax Tulsa, OK TMC-92257 Every time life gets me down, I say, "Welcome to truck driving"
#3605
04-20-2008, 12:25 PM
Originally Posted by hewithoutname
The ladder question has been tossed around off and on for many years. As a matter of fact we put out a survey to all the drivers just a few months ago to solicit their feedback on the pros/cons. The bottom line is that they're just not really needed outside of the customer. True, you can always find a small exception here or there, but 99.9% of all our shippers provide a method of getting on top of the load whether it be a standard ladder or a full scale overhead platform. Many customers are now installing fall restraint systems to insure the driver doesn't hit the ground in the event of a slip. Once you leave the shipper there really isn't a need to be on top of the load. When it comes time to deliver, tarps and straps can be easily removed from the ground level with a little ingenuity and proper planning. Most drivers have a rope tied to the top corner D rings of the tarp so they can easily pull them off the load while standing on the ground. When it comes to removing edge protectors just a simple flick of the strap a couple of times will easily knock them off. Carrying a ladder has drawbacks. Aside from issues of appearance and securing it to the truck the biggest issue was mentioned by someone else earlier.....what happens if the driver falls in an empty rest area or alongside the road and lands in the ditch and no one is there to notice. Hope that helps clarify it a little more.
TMC my safety comes first. I would like to think that TMC would not require me to do anything unsafe or worse yet physically impossible. honestly I am scared to death of falling off a load, and my trainer put me in some situations where I very well could have fallen. bottom line, would my job be in jeapordy if I carried a 2' tall stepladder? this would make things a lot easier. it would fit inside the headache rack or trailer boxes no problem. my trainer told me you get fired if you get caught with a ladder. trying to walk the line here.
#3606
04-20-2008, 12:51 PM
Originally Posted by WorldPax
Originally Posted by terrylamar
I got to meet another one of our members, WorldPax, the other day in Joplin. He was in for PM nad I was just passing through.
As you can imagine with a name like WorldPax, he is a long hair hippy type! J/K, his hair is even shorter than mine.Good to meet you WorldPax. Really enjoyed the company and intelligent conversation. Did you get through that book, and if so, how did you like it?
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Terry L. Davis O/O with own authority
#3607
04-20-2008, 01:02 PM
Originally Posted by carterbeauford
Originally Posted by hewithoutname
The ladder question has been tossed around off and on for many years. As a matter of fact we put out a survey to all the drivers just a few months ago to solicit their feedback on the pros/cons. The bottom line is that they're just not really needed outside of the customer. True, you can always find a small exception here or there, but 99.9% of all our shippers provide a method of getting on top of the load whether it be a standard ladder or a full scale overhead platform. Many customers are now installing fall restraint systems to insure the driver doesn't hit the ground in the event of a slip. Once you leave the shipper there really isn't a need to be on top of the load. When it comes time to deliver, tarps and straps can be easily removed from the ground level with a little ingenuity and proper planning. Most drivers have a rope tied to the top corner D rings of the tarp so they can easily pull them off the load while standing on the ground. When it comes to removing edge protectors just a simple flick of the strap a couple of times will easily knock them off. Carrying a ladder has drawbacks. Aside from issues of appearance and securing it to the truck the biggest issue was mentioned by someone else earlier.....what happens if the driver falls in an empty rest area or alongside the road and lands in the ditch and no one is there to notice. Hope that helps clarify it a little more.
TMC my safety comes first. I would like to think that TMC would not require me to do anything unsafe or worse yet physically impossible. honestly I am scared to death of falling off a load, and my trainer put me in some situations where I very well could have fallen. bottom line, would my job be in jeapordy if I carried a 2' tall stepladder? this would make things a lot easier. it would fit inside the headache rack or trailer boxes no problem. my trainer told me you get fired if you get caught with a ladder. trying to walk the line here. Was this load even with the rub rails? Are you 3' tall? Not to be smart ass or anything..but even a guy like me..6' & 275 pounds...can hop onto a load 5 foot tall. Smart ass aside now...You are right to place your safety ahead of any other concerns. Your trainer was wrong for not showing you how to place your edge protectors. He was totally out of line for telling you to figure it out yourself. He get's those extra $$ and cents per mile for doing just that.
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Space...............Is disease and danger, wrapped in darkness and silence! :thumbsup: Star Trek2009
#3608
04-20-2008, 01:12 PM
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The Great State of Texas - Seguin
Posts: 741
Originally Posted by carterbeauford
thanks for the info. the problem I ran into was that my trainer demanded I scale a 5' tall load of lumber to set edge protectors. the bundles were not staggered to provide a step, no foothold and no handhold. I asked how exactly, he said figure out a way.
my safety comes first. I would like to think that TMC would not require me to do anything unsafe or worse yet physically impossible. honestly I am scared to death of falling off a load, and my trainer put me in some situations where I very well could have fallen. bottom line, would my job be in jeapordy if I carried a 2' tall stepladder? this would make things a lot easier. it would fit inside the headache rack or trailer boxes no problem. my trainer told me you get fired if you get caught with a ladder. trying to walk the line here.
__________________
"I discover the principles that work and work them, I am forever learning new principles that interaccomodate with what I already know, to the betterment of my life and my world. As principles are revealed to me, I cheerfully record them, use them, and share them. Principles are, without question, the fastest way to what I want." Author Unknown OOIDA
#3609
04-20-2008, 01:27 PM
Originally Posted by countryhorseman
Originally Posted by carterbeauford
thanks for the info. the problem I ran into was that my trainer demanded I scale a 5' tall load of lumber to set edge protectors. the bundles were not staggered to provide a step, no foothold and no handhold. I asked how exactly, he said figure out a way.
my safety comes first. I would like to think that TMC would not require me to do anything unsafe or worse yet physically impossible. honestly I am scared to death of falling off a load, and my trainer put me in some situations where I very well could have fallen. bottom line, would my job be in jeapordy if I carried a 2' tall stepladder? this would make things a lot easier. it would fit inside the headache rack or trailer boxes no problem. my trainer told me you get fired if you get caught with a ladder. trying to walk the line here.
__________________
Terry L. Davis O/O with own authority
#3610
04-20-2008, 01:41 PM
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The Great State of Texas - Seguin
Posts: 741
Originally Posted by terrylamar
I had built a helping hand for push/pulling straps and chains and intalling edge protectors from the ground! Cost me about $20.00 total! 3 section swimming pool pole and one 3/4" pvc T! Worked great and kept my feet on the ground many a time!
[/quote]Good one Terry! Other drivers started getting a little upset when I borrowed their trainees! They wanted to charge $20.00 for trainee rental, uhh, huhh, dang! Will ya take a Comcheck! :roll:
__________________
"I discover the principles that work and work them, I am forever learning new principles that interaccomodate with what I already know, to the betterment of my life and my world. As principles are revealed to me, I cheerfully record them, use them, and share them. Principles are, without question, the fastest way to what I want." Author Unknown OOIDA |
