Green Dash Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 Up until a month ago, If you hook a trailer with a flat/worn tire, you simply brought the trailer over the shop where the mechanic would stop what he was doing and get you up and running asap. This would typically take 15-20 minutes, add a few more if it were an inside tire. As a linehaul driver, I am not compensated for this time as I would be for a breakdown on the road. I didn't have a problem with this because at the end of the week, I feel I am well paid for what I do.In light of a few recent losses of wheels at highway speeds, the company decided to take a pro-active approach to resolving the problem. While our incidents have not resulted in any injuries or propery damage, we've all seen the destruction a wayward set of duals can cause, many times resulting in fatalities.The new procedure is this: when any trailer tire needs to be replaced (even if it's only an outside tire) both tires and the brake drum are to be removed and all areas around lug nuts where metal to metal contact is made are to be inspected and grinded clean. This process takes close to an hour.I want to make it clear that I am 100% in agreement with our safety department that this is a serious problem and I am proud to work for a company that will go to this extent to prevent it from happening.The very day after the meeting in which we were informed of the new procedure, I hooked a trailer that had 2 tires that had not been legal for at least a few weeks. Fortunately, they were next to each other because the replacement time would have been doubled as the entire process needs to be repeated for each side and axle.There has now been a rash of incidents where driver's are hooking trailers with tires that would have the equipment placed out of service if found by DOT. I had another such incident this past week which resulted in my neglecting to raise the landing gear before pulling a trailer ( I discuss this further in the stupid people=stupid mistake thread).My point: Don't allow youself to be angered to the point where you are distracted and more likely to make a possibly dangerous mistake just because you have a few co-workers that are just too fuckin' lazy to write up a repair and red-tag the equipment if neccessary.This concludes my rant and I will now return to being the cute, cuddly, intelligent, and humorous friend, forum member, and nephew that all of of you have come to love, hate, admire and respect. 2 Quote Jim Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24078-my-companys-new-tire-changing-policy/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Maikshilo Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Jim, sounds like they need to have a mechanic on 2nd or 3rd shift to look the trailers over so you gentlemen can get the job done in a timely manner. I can see your frustration. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24078-my-companys-new-tire-changing-policy/#findComment-109993 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 This concludes my rant and I will now return to being the cute, cuddly, intelligent, and humorous friend, forum member, and nephew that all of of you have come to love, hate, admire and respect.Good to hear from you Mr. Jim - glad you got over your rant okay - I will let someone else test just how cuddly you have become.Heh, Heh, he said member Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24078-my-companys-new-tire-changing-policy/#findComment-109999 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Dash Posted March 25, 2012 Author Share Posted March 25, 2012 Jim, sounds like they need to have a mechanic on 2nd or 3rd shift to look the trailers over so you gentlemen can get the job done in a timely manner. I can see your frustration.We have at least one mechanic on duty 24/5. The main issue is there are drivers that either won't look at tire treads or bother to write anything up. If a trailer isn't red-tagged it could come in from a peddle run and be sent out on a linehaul run within an hour or two. In the particular situation I was in, I would've have been okay with running it to the Cumberland, MD terminal and tagging it there, but it was being relayed to a Richmond, VA driver who I know would have to cross a scale on I-81 below Winchester. I use to go through there quite a bit and they will do a DOT at 3am. I just don't have it in me to screw another driver like that. The company has stepped up maintenance since the new CSA scoring system began and all they ask is that you do a proper inspection and take the steps make sure equipment is roadworthy be taking it out on the road. That's asking too much of some, I guess.Good to hear from you Mr. Jim - glad you got over your rant okay - I will let someone else test just how cuddly you have become.Heh, Heh, he said memberI read through the rant before posting but when I got to the end the only thought I had was mmmmm...member. I can only assume that I made my point with the rest of what I wrote. Quote Jim Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24078-my-companys-new-tire-changing-policy/#findComment-110147 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 We have at least one mechanic on duty 24/5. The main issue is there are drivers that either won't look at tire treads or bother to write anything up. If a trailer isn't red-tagged it could come in from a peddle run and be sent out on a linehaul run within an hour or two. In the particular situation I was in, I would've have been okay with running it to the Cumberland, MD terminal and tagging it there, but it was being relayed to a Richmond, VA driver who I know would have to cross a scale on I-81 below Winchester. I use to go through there quite a bit and they will do a DOT at 3am. I just don't have it in me to screw another driver like that. The company has stepped up maintenance since the new CSA scoring system began and all they ask is that you do a proper inspection and take the steps make sure equipment is roadworthy be taking it out on the road. That's asking too much of some, I guess.I read through the rant before posting but when I got to the end the only thought I had was mmmmm...member. I can only assume that I made my point with the rest of what I wrote.As always, your point was well expressed and understood!Heh, Heh, he said "mmmmmmmmm...member" Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24078-my-companys-new-tire-changing-policy/#findComment-110220 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swishy Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 JimboGudday M8Your problem iz an easy fixHere on the udder side of the world When they drop off a trailer after a days work they write up a report ifn when needed so next time the trailer is called on to earna $all is fixedLOLMay Bcya§wishy Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24078-my-companys-new-tire-changing-policy/#findComment-110322 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Dash Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 JimboGudday M8Your problem iz an easy fixHere on the udder side of the world When they drop off a trailer after a days work they write up a report ifn when needed so next time the trailer is called on to earna $all is fixedLOLMay Bcya§wishyIt's as simple as that but for some, that's asking too much.I have a video from our latest safety meeting. A driver told the Safety Director that writing up equipment is not his problem. This was the Safety Directors response: Quote Jim Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24078-my-companys-new-tire-changing-policy/#findComment-110383 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 I was hoping you included the car wash section Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24078-my-companys-new-tire-changing-policy/#findComment-110398 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Dash Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 I was hoping you included the car wash sectionShe's out there everyday while we're doing our pre-shift calisthenics.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kliy32YWFcU Quote Jim Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24078-my-companys-new-tire-changing-policy/#findComment-110399 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 C'mon safety pin - POP! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24078-my-companys-new-tire-changing-policy/#findComment-110402 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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