Comments By Sambo

You have various companies all driving different equipment. Knight uses volvo, freightliner, and international. Swift uses KW and freightliner mostly. Werner uses mostly KW.

I guess the question is, surely there have been many studies, reports and tests that would show that certain brands offer the best fuel economy and efficiency for the best price.

Most companies are looking for the best deal to get the most efficient equipment, so you'd think they would all be using mostly the same equipment.

I'm sure some companies get better deals on new trucks from certain manufacturers, but then surely that manufacturer would be able to offer the same deal to all companies, in order to sell higher quantities of trucks.

I guess what I'm saying is, if the studies show you can get the best bang for the buck with brand X, then why would a company use brands Y and Z instead?

I know it would be quite boring if everyone all used the same equipment, but in business, it's all about the bottom dollar and getting value for your money.

I've also never had a full load rejected. I did have about 40 cases of bagged salad get turned away, because the shipper sent the wrong product. Claims had me take it to a local food bank.

Btw, thatsm WAS you at the hutchins terminal the other day. I showed up and saw a flatbed loaded with bags of onions, and then I saw that hat on the dash. I thought, "I wonder if that's old school?". But I didn't want to bother whoever was in the truck, so I just went past.

Had I known, I would have come up and said hi....and I remember something about you offering a steak dinner when we met.....at least that's the way I remember it...im sure of it!

Likely, there is someone at your terminal who can show you how. Some companies offer chain up classes. Either way, if you are at a terminal, just ask your TM if he or someone can show you.

Also, there are several YouTube videos that will show you how.

Personally, this is why I think trainers need to be on salary. I'm not saying, in this instance, it is what happened, but, often you hear of trainers sleeping while the trainee is driving, in order to maximize their income.

I can totally understand why they do it, but I disagree with the practice of it. To me, in order to ensure quality training, they need to put trainers on salary. I would think that they could give them a base of their com rate x 2600 miles per week, then, when the trainee graduates, they get a bonus upon successfully completing their road test, and another bonus after 3 months of safe driving.

I say take the temptation away, trainers should be there to make sure they turn out quality drivers. They also need to compensated well for the dangers of being in a truck with an inexperienced driver.

That's a good tactic, but nothing replaced actually checking visually each time.

If my truck leaves my sight, as in, even if I'm parked in front of the fuel island, and I run in to use the restroom, upon returning to my truck, I visually check the jaws, the pin, and I also check my tandem pins.

Always best to be sure.

Thanks

Also, you're saying a tanker that has the potential to haul hazmat, even though they are empty and not showing placards, still must stop at all rail crossings. Am I understanding that correctly?

Ok, so I was under the impression that if you are flying placards, and you still have residue, such as when you just emptied out, you had to have a BOL stating what was in the tank. Not the case then?

I can't remember, so I'm looking for some clarification.

1) empty tanker doesn't need a BOL only if the truck has been properly washed and contains no residue?

2) empty tanker that has no placards flying needs a BOL regardless because it is a bulk container?

3) a tanker that has placards on it, but is not displaying a hazmat face does not need to stop at rail crossings?

I need to study up again on the hazmat rules, but wanted to get quick clarification on these.

I can't say this is the case with every company, but, I driver reefer with knight, and, we drive at any hour of the day or night.

With reefer, there is a good chance you will have to drive over night because we have to keep appointment times rather than delivery time windows.