Profile For Robert B. (The Dragon) yes, I breathe fire and other sideshow tricks

I fought my way across Montana last week, then down through Oregon on 97 (bad idea). It was slow going but as everyone else mentioned, take your time and drive at your comfort level. If it gets bad enough that you want to stop, then stop. I did see a couple people mention about using their 4-ways. My suggestion on that is don’t do it. People will get the idea that you’re parked and look for ways around, potentially causing more danger. Turn on your CB, turn off the stereo, take off the damn headset and pay attention to everything. Driving on snow and ice takes full concentration, what you can see, what you can hear and what you can feel. It’s the one time you need to get rid of any and all un needed distractions.

You guys crack me up I was so shaken up i had pulled off at Walcott to take my 30. I'm not finding anything about it online so hopefully they're gonna be ok. I've been putting off on the dashcam but this is the final straw.

I hope that the American Service Line truck that took the ditch gently rather than plowing into the pickup doesn't get hassled too much. It makes me wonder in a situation like that where we can all agree they did the right thing if it counts as a DOT reportable and preventable.

Being that he’ll have to be towed out, it’ll initially be reported and possibly listed as a preventable. His company will have to fight it to have it removed.

Not in Wyoming but shut down in Billings Montana. I could make it to Bozeman but chain lights are on for everything west of there.

I’ma huge skeptic when it comes to sign on bonuses. It’sa recruiting tool yes but I always have to ask why a companies driver retention is so bad that they’re offering thousands of dollars extra for a driver to last one year. I’m also aware that there are a gazillion answers regarding retention issues but it still leads me to believe that a company that has to make that type of offer probably isn’ta company I’d want to work for.

Winter finally hits!

Great points--be prepared ahead of time. Don't wait until it's too late.

I was wondering when it would show up lol. It’s currently -21 wind chill at my house.

If anyone is in my neck of the woods (western Minnesota) this weekend and mid week next week, make sure to keep your tanks topped off and dosed with anti gel. We’re about to have a cold weather snap with wind chills down around -40 so please prepare in advance. Also, for the newer drivers and all drivers for that matter, don’t risk your life or care for the load. Use the 511 apps and check road conditions before heading out, take your time and turn on your CB. The winds will cause blowing snow which will definitely ice over making for a nasty surprise. When in doubt, wait it out, call your dispatch and let them re schedule.

Guess this was a learning experience for me, as I’ve never had any contact with any law enforcement. I told him 3 times I wasn’t speeding! He never said I clocked u, or what speed he felt I was going, just I looked like I was going over speed. Just really felt like it was a raw deal!

Did this happen in Indiana by chance? The reason I ask is because it’s a common tactic since 2019 when Indiana changed the regulations regarding random CMV inspections. The only way they’re allowed to do an inspection outside of a scale house is in the instance of another infraction and they generally cite speeding and try to get away with issuing a warning for the speeding. Always demand a citation, especially speeding because they have to document the speed and method they used to obtain it.

I’m well aware. My point was that it’s the inspection which makes it reportable and the reason for demanding a citation vs just a warning because you can’t fight the warning.

Warnings give CSA points in the exact same way as tickets, although warnings are much harder to contest. Demanding a ticket for something you can probably win in court works best. I'd recommend getting a dashcam that supports in video speed tracking. Often times, you won't actually have to go to court, but just tell him you have a dash cam that records your speed as proof that he's lying.

Not necessarily. In this case, it’s the inspection which will automatically report it and all the more reason to demand the citation. For example, you pull into a weigh station and you’re overweight on an axle but under gross. You might get a warning, you might even get a ticket but as long as an inspection isn’t performed, it’s merely the fine with no psp points assigned to the driver and no CSA points to the company.

You should have handed it back and demanded that he write you a speeding ticket with confirmation of your speed by either radar or pacing you off, thinking it looked a little fast doesn’t count. You’ll also want to confirm that the warning doesn’t count against you.

More than happy to help and one of the rare few things I can be off some help with lol. Good luck and if you have anymore questions, feel free to tag me.

Essentially what happened in my case was that I had a physical, the chiro felt I needed it, I jumped through all the hoops and finally met up with the examiner who’s first words were, why are you here? He flat out told me there was no reason to be in the program and then explained how it used to work and why, along with his current beliefs and complaints in the changes. I finished up and received the certificate and spent 4 years getting released from the program.

When you said that "he decided that you needed it" he was aware of the existence of the SPE?

Basically, the way it used to work, not to mention the way it makes the most sense is that a driver applicant went for a physical, whether with a specific company or merely renewing their medical card. At that point, they would meet with the examiner who would then determine if it was truly needed or not. At that point, the paperwork was filled out and the process completed. The difference now is that the review by the examiner is the very last part before the certificate is issued and you’re stuck with it where as before, the examiner could make that decision and avoid all the paperwork and time consuming wait. According to my examiner, he saw it as a money grab as so many chiropractors found a lucrative business in doing DOT physicals and because there are strict requirements for maintaining that certification, they’re more apt to check the box requiring the certificate without actually realizing some don’t meet the criteria.

One thing I just thought about that might help you out. Part of the process includes meeting with a certified SPE examiner who effectively runs you through the entire pre trip, skills and driving exam. It’s the last thing you do before receiving the actual certificate but there’s a kicker. Before the process became so wrapped up in bureaucracy, that examiner would have been the first person you would meet with to determine whether or not you actually needed the certificate, NOT the doctor performing your physical. It might take a bit of digging, possibly contacting the FMCSA representative for your area. If you can contact that examiner, he or she might be able to determine whether or not you’ll need the certificate to begin with.

It’s a tough question to answer because different DOT certified doctors can make different assessments. Mine started at Knight with the chiropractor who did my exam there. I already had a current medical card that didn’t require the certificate but he decided I needed it. My 2 year re certification didn’t check the box and follow up appointments with my orthopedic surgeon stated that there was no reason for me to have it and that’s when FMCSA released me from the requirements. Even the skills test examiner couldn’t understand why I was there because my situation in no way impacted my ability to perform the skills required in our profession. Many medical professionals don’t know what it is and even fewer companies are aware of it. Out of the 3.5 million drivers out there, roughly 3,000 fall into the criteria requiring it. I’d suggest asking any company you’re interested in to prove that they’re aware of it and how it works. If you can get that letter from the neurosurgeon, it’ll be a huge help and possibly keep you from having to deal with it at all.

No need to own a Peterbilt. Gain some experience and work for a company that runs them.

Thanks O/S !!! I’ll definitely try to be as helpful as I can. You’ll fall into a different division than I did but the process should still be very similar in regards to the paperwork and testing. If you can get paperwork that will allow you to work around it, I’d definitely suggest it. In my particular case, I’ve been released from the program because after 4 years, I was able to prove that I legitimately didn’t need it (I consider myself somewhat lucky).

In case folks didn’t know, UPS Freight is a separate division. It used to be Overnight before UPS picked it up. YRC I’m honestly not surprised about one bit and the world can thank the Teamsters for running it into the ground.

Under republican office oil and gas will still be drilling regardless of price oil and gas drilling permits are always given not taken !!! Under Democrats well you read your presidents sweeping executive orders you do the math !! I’m not into better unemployment !! I don’t want to be unemployed!!!

The issue is drilling on Federal Land. New Permits.

Besides, Biden’s ban on new oil and gas drilling on federal lands would take years to shut off production from top shale drillers because they already have stockpiled permits.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-drilling-idUKKBN29Q1S5

Federal lands are the source of about 10% of U.S. oil and gas supply. There is still plenty of gas and oil on private lands.

This, exactly this. The US only imports roughly 4% from the Middle East although there’s a bunch of money invested there. Most of our imported oil comes from Canada and that tap isn’t going to be shutting off soon. The idea that any President controls oil prices is ridiculous because there are much bigger fish controlling that industry.

That’s a rough ticket and one most companies don’t want to see, especially being so recent. It definitely won’t hurt to try but honestly, I’d shoot for a good lawyer and try to have it expunged if possible.