Comments By Mr. Curmudgeon

Depends on which scale is nearby. Actual scale use is pretty easy if using CAT scales. Pull slowly onto the scale plated, position your steers on the forward plate, the drive axle tandems on the second plate, and the trailer tandems on the long rear plate. Those "full draft" scales will print out each of the three weights. Easy peasy. Always pull onto a scale centered left to right, and slowly (5mph or idle roll) to prevent locking or binding the plates or damaging the mech. Releasing brakes allows for natural settling of the scale and accurate weigh (see notes below on sloped approached to shorter scales).

If it is an unattended single draft or double draft (long enoug to weigh a three axle dumper in one shot, but not a full 18 wheeler) scale common with many ag locations you need a notebook Crayolas and a calculator. Pull forward slowly so JUST the steer axle is on, release brakes (or if slope approach ramp use trailer brakes to hold your spot) and let the scale settle, write down the weight displayed. Move up slowly until the steers are off and the drives only are on write down that weight. Do the same for the trailer tandems. That gives you three weights, add them together for your gross weight.

I used to pick up soy for export on a single plate full draft, had to do multiple calcs. First weigh steers (write it down) , then weigh steers and drives (write it down). Subtract the steers from the steers & drive tandems to get just the drive weight. Then pull fully forward so just the entire unit is on the single plate, write down your gross. Then pull forward to clear your drive tandems, leaving just trailer tandems on the plate, and write that down. I always tool photos of the numbers to show anyone that thought I was over. And I always confirmed at a multilateral full draft (commercial certified or CAT) scale asap.

I used the CAT scale app, made everything easy to accomplish when using a cat scale. No waiting in line inside to get tickets, they send the scale ticket to your phone.

Hope this helps.

Wishing you a complete and rapid recovery, BK. The Beloved is working her way to having one, possibly both done. Steve, thanks for the pain med guidance, will keep that in mind when the time comes.

The latest: carrier apu a/c stops blowing cold air. I can idle the T680.to keep.cold, but have 14 hours before the drop, so took the $48 CDL special at railroad pass here in Henerson, NV. Clean room, dated property, but better than the alternative. AND i got a shower. And slept in a bed that wasnt vibrating. They give 20% off meals to CDL holders in the restaurant as well.

This will finish day four of the cycle, picking up in LV and heading back thru the Joshua Trees to phoenix area.

So far, impressions positive. The spine has not fired up, nor has the inflammatory arthritis. Blessings there.

The outfit is focused on ontime metrics, and if you stay focused it works out.

Maybe I am the lone voice here. Prolly am, goes with the hamdle I guess. Seems figuring out how long after and what steps someone should go to to pass a drug screen for weed is a new direction, but information I'd never bad to share. 1) Errol, yep, we'll all be forgiven, but quite possibly NOT by the earthly hiring authorities. 2)The Curmudgeon says the same thing to prospective drivers as he did to aspiring cop candidates (met a lot). Quit smoking weed at LEAST a year before you want to get your cdl, two is better (shows a seriousness about the stressful career your undertaking). Don't drink to blackout for at least four years (ever is better). Don't try coke, meth (unless it has otrexate on the end), heroin, pcp, etc etc etc. I know this sounds old-timerish Yep. But follow those suggestions and the road thru the background won't present as many potholes.

YAMMD and likely does.

Winter of 2014, e/b on 180 near Quad Cities Airport, bebopping along at night. All of a sudden a big hunk of white stuff, oval.shaped and looked about 2' long comes hurtling into my lights and smacks my windshield. Driving a split screen old fashioned FLD, thank God. Impact was on that steel piece, indented th driver side glass about 1/2", passenger side about 1/4". At just above eye level. I shudder still at what might have happened had it been a continuous screen, without that reinforcing. Was able to piece it together later, high tension lines cross over the highway there, and the chunk must have been ice collected on the lines.

Maestro: the topic of pre-trip inspections is one that doesn't get enough play. It's drilled into the heads to get the CDL, but how many of you see drivers actually getting down and looking at stuff? How many times have you gotten to pick up a load and the trailer hasn't had a federal inspection in 15 months? Tires hanging slack on the wheel, or completely missing?

Things that I found to be a challenge for many of the drivers I trained / coached / mentored were: 90 degree angles on brake slack adjusters, looking for leaks in hub seals inside the brake drum, examining the ribs or underside of trailer floors for integrity, tire pressure and tread depth checks. I have a sh**-ton of images that I put into a document that I used for day one kind of stuff. I found that many of the drivers that may have attended high school but not gotten an education there have no idea what a 90 degree angle is. Used the 'finger gun' too demonstrate - that was a lightbulb moment for at least three drivers from Chicago - they knew what to say to the CDL license road test examiner, but didn't know what to look for.

So many other ideas that fit into this, but I would say "Pre-trip Inspections. If you aren't getting down under, you're making a blunder. Who is YOUR blunder going to kill today?".

Ya, I actually made that into a meme...

Makes me wonder how the self driving units will do it...

Thanks, BK.

All no touch freight, the bulk are drop and hook with some live loads. Horror stories of three to four hour waits when loads aren't ready. The consolation is that all of us are hourly, even the regional folks, OT after 40 hours worked in a week. They run the 60hr clock. So far, seems a good gig.

And just gladly driving again. And the pay is WAY better than slinging pizza.

53' I presume. Work the tandems to help you get turned into the lot off F street, use that space to the left of the spaces opposite the dock to set up for a back in. Probably take a few pull ups, depending on the space and vehicle obstructions present. I find that using tandem slides during the back can actually sometimes make a tight back easier. If there are no cars there when you first get in, using the full side of the lot adjacent the dock (you can see the 18 tire marks driving along the sidewalk edge) might be the ticket.

Did a thing last week.

Got hired by an AFP (Amazon Freight Partner) based in Phoenix. Will be doing runs to south Cali, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, or El Paso areas. My first run will be tomorrow heading to San Bernadino, Highland, and a couple of other spots in CA. Out one day, back the next. Total of four days running. Then three-ish (it is Logistics, after all!) off. The runs are scheduled to provide enough time to get to destinations on time (all things being equal and subject to unforseen issues) without being a cowboy. So far, doing the two days of training and the one day solo local work (nigh onto 40 hours OD, with about 20 driving) the vibration doesn't seem to be affecting the neck / spine / inflammatory arthritis. The CNG automatic transmission is a challenge - no torque, just be patient, hang out on the right side of the roadway, and we'll get there. Governed at 65. Cameras facing the driver and outward, with constant monitoring of speed and other factors. Some will gripe about it. Me? If you're doing the right thing, you're doing the right thing. Their truck, their load, their pay, their rules. It's easy enough to factor that into the equation. At least for me.

I knew I missed this life. I just wasn't aware of how ACUTELY I had missed it.

You'll know me if you see me. I'll be the ONLY driver in the western states wearing a derby. If you see me, gimme a wave...