Posted: 7 years, 6 months ago
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The Daily Vent - Divas, Primadonnas, and Trolls
Things are quiet and peaceful, you're enjoying a little Bob Seger on a sunny day in July, and suddenly there's a huge fireball and several bodies are rolling and bouncing across the highway.
I must have a a little dark humor in me, because the way you put it made me laugh. I know, it's not funny in real life.
Just in the couple of months I have been OTR, I have already seen cars and trucks on fire, tires exploding on heavy hauler flatbeds (2 for 1 special), idiots-galore yammering away on their cellphones without headsets or texting, a truck run off the road into the black night of the desert, a dry van rearend another dryvan out of impatience....I say this for any new people reading. The one thing that I find keeps me out of trouble is that I am one of those people who has always been a defensive driver. I stay vigilant and have a complete understanding and respect for the monstrosity of loads we are hauling. I also think back to my Physics classes, especially the one focused on mechanics and motion. On paper, there is mathematical horror to be had with drivers making mistakes and semi-trucks involved.
Lastly, I am thankful for this website. The test practice area helped me learn a great deal and I owe a bit of acknowledgment to the forums as well. The people who invest the time to make this site have helped me. Thank you
Posted: 7 years, 6 months ago
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What's the funniest thing you've seen on the road?
Something does come to mind now that I think of it, I was in Georgia recently dropping a load over near Atlanta. When I was done with the load and waiting in line to leave, one of the security guys were out there chatting with me. I asked him if the area around here is considered safe to park at the local Truckstop, and he say "technically, the area is safe". I asked him to elaborate. He says that a dead body was dumped down the street last week. I asked him how that's "technically" safe. He says, "well, the guy was shot and killed somewhere else. He was dead when he got dropped off"
Posted: 7 years, 6 months ago
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What's the funniest thing you've seen on the road?
Every time I see the sign for the town of "Lickdale". Yes it's a noun,... not a verb.
I haven't seen Lickdale yet haha. I do know of a Whynot, NY, but I would rather TCall before entering NY at this point in my limited docking and backing abilities
Posted: 7 years, 6 months ago
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What's the funniest thing you've seen on the road?
Discount cremation billboards around Detroit make me laugh.
And then I die a little more on the inside.
That is so sad and so funny all at the same time!
Posted: 7 years, 6 months ago
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What's the funniest thing you've seen on the road?
It has been a long week and I would greatly enjoy reading about other truck drivers' funny stories. If you have one, please share. I'm still in the rookie driver category.
Posted: 7 years, 6 months ago
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Weighstation Woes: Inconsistent Communication
Well, I guess things are the way they are out in these DOT stations. I gather I am not alone on the matter.
It's one of those "such is life" moments.
Posted: 7 years, 6 months ago
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Weighstation Woes: Inconsistent Communication
Jm, be happy they let you go without a ticket and forget about the way they talked to you. They can't help it. That's what they do.
Yeah, I got you. I did say I am thankful. I need to travel through these parts again because I am OTR. I am not concerned with the fact they talked to me that way, rather, I don't want DOT officers thinking I am not following the signals. I am asking for future reference. Thanks.
Posted: 7 years, 6 months ago
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Weighstation Woes: Inconsistent Communication
To clarify, I corrected my tandem to the weight printout presented by the first DOT station, and reweighed to an acceptable weight distribution. I was legal by the time I got to weighstation two.
Posted: 7 years, 6 months ago
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Weighstation Woes: Inconsistent Communication
I'm in Louisiana and I'm pulling a heavy load. I got pulled into two DOT stations to check the weight. Understandable. It turns out that the cat scale I went to originally gave me bad weight values. When I rolled into the first DOT weigh station behind another truck getting weighed, the green sign to go back on the freeway was on. I stopped on the scale, receive no signal other than the green sign telling me to go back on the freeway. So, I started rolling forward to go back onto the freeway. Then, the sign said stop in red letters follow with a “back up”. I did exactly that. I was then told to pull over in the parking area and come inside, which I did. The two men behind the glass window began berating me for not following the sign. I said I did follow the sign it remained green to go back onto the freeway even after I stopped on the scale. I also offered to show them footage from the camera that I attached to the front of the cab. I was then told that the green side wasn’t for me it was for the other truck and next time I need to wait. Fine.
Second DOT weigh station not far from the first weigh station and still in Louisiana, I get signal to go into the weighstation scale. I get it, I have a heavy load in there just making sure that I’m legal. No qualms there. So, I roll up onto the scale and the light is remaining Green from the previous truck saying to go back on the freeway. I think to myself I’ve got this, just wait for a signal. Nope. The DOT weighstation officer gets on the intercom and proceeds to talk to me like I am an idiot for not following the green sign that says to go back on the freeway.
Queue the flipping a table over meme.
I said as clearly and calmly as possible that I was told by the previous weighstation to wait for a signal change.
My question: what should I have done in this situation to have a better outcome?
I did inform the cat company regarding the bad scale readings after the whole ordeal if anyone is wondering. Thankfully, I did not receive a ticket in either situation.
Posted: 7 years, 6 months ago
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Got placed out of service
I am a company driver and use a comdata card to purchase fuel. I need to carry receipts?