I figured it was a bad idea to try to post here and expect anything positive out of it. I should just walk away but i suppose this 'dufus' will give a shot at defending himself. Here goes.
Assuming this is ground or HD?
ground
Shouldn't you already know this, before your drivers ever hit the road? Welcome to FedEx, where cluelessness in the new norm. One would think that FedEx would inform and educate it's contractors about little stuff, like commercial vehicle rules and regulations. Guess not.
No wonder that FMCSA score sucks.
I operate my pickups the same as express operates theirs in my area. I dont take them through the scales, neither do they. My question was based on DOT/FMCSA regulations that a commercial motor vehicle is defined as having a gvw over 10,001 lbs, or carries passengers, or carries hazmat material requiring placards. My pickups do none of those things, hence my question, are they a "commercial motor vehicle?" The obvious answer is yes because they are a fedex truck, but based on the definitions in section 390.5, one could argue no(has anyone here ever read 390.5 before?). I ask not because I'm "clueless" but because it's a grey area, care to answer or do you not know the answer either? Fedex puts the DOT # on my trucks, so they operate as CMV's, always have, probably always will. My question, does fedex have to place the dot # on pickups under 10,001lbs and if so, why(what requlation says so? be specific). We get plenty about rules/regs from fedex through e-mails, handouts, and their website for contractors/isp's. Nothing on this specific topic.
And why are you looking for the answers to important legal and safety questions on an Internet forum? Shouldn't you be asking the Department of Transportation? I suspect you are asking here so you might be able to find a way to skirt the law.
If you think I take anything anyone says here as the whole truth you're crazier than I've been made out to be. I've been here long enough to know who to take advice from and who not to. Just stirring up conversation, plain and simple. What law do you suspect me of trying to skirt? I assure you, that's the last thing I'm trying to do but I'm curious what you think I could be conjuring up!
There is no way you are a contractor with 4 routes asking these questions! Stop trying to feed the BS thats already on this forum! Contractors with multiple routes are buisness owners, and dam good ones too. They didnt get them by chance! But your questions contradict that on purpose!
I've been with fedex ground for over 10 years, starting as a helper then working for another contractor for most of those years. The opportunity came up where another contractor wanted out, I offered him a deal, fedex approved. I am a business owner, I didnt get here by chance. Dont believe me? oh well.
Express employee trying to make Ground look bad....
If you want to call it like you see it, that's your call. I think you're taking my questions too seriously. These are just questions I would ask other contractors if I was sitting around having a beer with them. Again, I'm not looking for legal advice, just real world interpretations of the rules and regs.
According to a State Police officer in MY state, (as i was in a Sprinter) all commercial vehicles must go through a weigh station.
My question was not if all commercial vehicles must stop at weigh stations, but if a pickup weighing less than 10,001 lbs was considered a CMV. The DOT scale here has actually instructed me personally to pull into the weigh station if I'm in a step-van but that I could bypass the scale itself because it's virtually impossible to overload a step van. Other contractors here who have stepvans do the same, all step vans go through weigh station and skip the line if there is one and just drive around the scale and wave. Nobody here with a pickup ever stops at the weigh station or goes over the scale. Neither does coke/pepsi, local construction companies with pickups, etc.
I think there's a <20% chance that we'll hear back from "headlight" on this thread.
Dufus.
Dufus here, checking in. Probably go back to lurking and not posting beyond this thread based on the warm response I've gotten. Thanks!
Express isn't worthy of the many good people who've hung on and carried their water for many years.
I get along with most express drivers in my area but some look at us as if we are out to take their jobs. I avoid those select few but I hang out with an express guy on weekends. We ran into each other one weekend and realized we have the same hobby. We have come to the conclusion that we both have the same goal but are getting there via a different path. He wants benefits, retirement, good pay. I want good enough settlements so I can fund my own retirement and benefits while providing good people good jobs and good pay for my area. my guys work more hours than the standard 9-5 but they get compensated well for it or they would leave. I havent had a drive quit since I have started. I feel bad for all you express guys/gals out there but dont blame us ground guys. I know a lot of people dont agree with the contractor model but it's not going anywhere. I would believe express will become contracted routes before they get the union. But go for it, you dont have much left to lose!