Be Careful In Orlando!!

Florida Beer Thieves Steal 44,000lbs of Miller High Life

Http://news360.com/article/262869012

Appears a gang of thieves were watching the truck stop and took 2 trucks, one full of beer......did get it back a few hours later....was found near Miami

Wow they're like... pirates, and the tractor trailer is the ship.

I would look at this as a cautionary tale. Here`s why:

When a driver signs the shippers copy of the bill of lading (BOL), that driver becomes responsible for that load. No matter what is in the trailer, it is on the driver to get it to the consignee on time and in the same shape it was in when it was loaded.

When a driver takes the keys to a tractor, that driver is wholly responsible for the machine until he trades up, or otherwise is separated from it per company policy.

The way I look at it is, this is my truck hauling my load and I will be damned if anything is going to stop me from delivering a full load (per the BOL) on time. This tractor and trailer will not go missing on my watch.

Without going into detail, I would say this guy dropped the ball. Maybe he had too much trust in humanity and left the key in and door unlocked. Maybe he took the key and locked the door without knowing that, within a few years, one key will work on that same model.

What it boils down to is (in my opinion), this driver did not have a good practice of situational awareness. A responsible driver will always know his surroundings and be able to analyze a parking area to determine if he should disconnect the trailer feed line and put on a glad hand lock (which, by the way, we should all have) or run in and run out of the truck stop so as not to give the tractor trailer enough time to disappear.

Ignore some of this redneck bs, "my cargo, my responsibility." There is only so much you can do to stop theft. If you left your door unlocked with keys in ignition, then ya bone head mistake. If you are robbed, don't fight it, just walk away.

Ignore some of this redneck bs, "my cargo, my responsibility." There is only so much you can do to stop theft. If you left your door unlocked with keys in ignition, then ya bone head mistake. If you are robbed, don't fight it, just walk away.

I see what you're trying to say and I agree with your premise, but you get an "F" for the way you phrased it. Obviously "my cargo, my responsibility" is the attitude everyone should have. It's not redneck BS. But at the same time you're not going to defend your truck or your cargo against a robbery even if you have the opportunity. You're going to walk away safely with your life and let insurance cover the losses.

Look, I had this discussion a few weeks ago at a yard. The two "older" drivers were boasting about how they would fight off robbery. I know its nothing but bull**** bravado, the problem is these very young 20 somethings have not figured that out yet. Yes I should have left the word "redneck" out.

Yuck! and they took "rot gut beer" too lol

Yes I should have left the word "redneck" out

No, it was actually the "BS" part. I mean, you are responsible for the freight. Naturally things can happen that are out of your control and you certainly don't risk your life to protect it from robbery. But you are expected to follow certain protocol for hazardous or valuable cargo to help prevent an easy theft. That's clearly part of the drivers responsibility.

So I wouldn't say that saying you're going to take responsibility for your freight is "BS". But risking your life to protect it from a robbery would be a foolish idea.

How did what I said get intrerpreted as I would fight them off? Hell no. My life is definitely more important than a truck and load. I guess it was missed that I gave a securement example. That is all I was saying. Be aware of your surroundings and secure the truck/trailer to prevent theft. Dang. Oh, and I am a redneck and not the least bit offended.

Roll up the windows, shut the vents and lock all the doors! All I do to protect my precious milk and amazing air seat. :)