Write up

[Inthegame]

As a feeder driver, we consistently had late fuel drops, so there is no guarantee you'd have a full tank on a daily basis. I had 2 tanks to check daily. I kept a long stick behind the seat so I could check where I couldn't see. 38 years.

So you had a stinking diesel soaked stick in your cab for thirty eight years? Ouch. I used a flashlight.

 

[MrBrown]

So you had a stinking diesel soaked stick in your cab for thirty eight years? Ouch. I used a flashlight.

I use a lighter

 

[Operational needs]

They can also make wonderful condoms, but that is another thread.

Do tell....

 

[FrigidFTSup]

WL is an appropriate level of discipline.

I agree

 

[FrigidFTSup]

That all depends on which one you most need to stay alive with on a given day.

I'd buy that, but getting drivers to use their horn is like pulling teeth

 

[wayfair]

I'd buy that, but getting drivers to use their horn is like pulling teeth

says the 24 year old supe...

 

[Indecisi0n]

I bring extra gasoline in my lunchbox just in case.

 

[ManInBrown]

I would have gotten written up for late airs by the same Sup... So either way I'm screwed.

No you wouldn't. You inform them you need fill up with gas, and will now have late air if you aren't given help. Put the onus on them.

 

[Savvy412]

I'd buy that, but getting drivers to use their horn is like pulling teeth

I don't know why but. Something about it is embarrassing . I am struggling to be in the "brown band" I do at every stop but to beep at every pedestrian and car near me.. Aghhh it's rough . I was never a beeper . I was a anti beeper . When I beep now I wave. I'm trying to beep and not wave lol And they are little love taps

 

[El Correcto]

I'd buy that, but getting drivers to use their horn is like pulling teeth

I like using the horn when it's 9pm.

 

[dookie stain]

I tap where the horn is in case they are watching me from a distance but honking is annoying and embarrassing

 

[El Correcto]

I tap where the horn is in case they are watching me from a distance but honking is annoying and embarrassing

i like to see it as annoying and fun.

 

[dookie stain]

i like to see it as annoying and fun.

If it's some old lady or a family I won't honk when back if but if it's some punk kids I'll honk like a bastard

 

[budlight]

I like using the horn when it's 9pm.

I love doing it out in the sticks in a center where you're the only one awake at 3 am with neighbors to the center 50 yards away. Nah, j/k, had my annual recently and I hate waking people up. It's really fun with those headlights that won't turn off and you're at a small center in a residential neighborhood at 6am shining right into their house 20 feet from the curb. Not to mention all the noise from braking and uncoupling and coupling and moving the trailer and uncoupling and coupling and backing and pulling forward and backing and pulling forward and backing and uncoupling and coupling. They have got to love their house location...

 

[NonDeliverOtherMissed]

This is what they call a "teachable moment". First, coming in early to "rearrange your truck" is stupid. Now you know why. First of all, it's against the contract. By the letter of the contract, a senior driver, could, and should file a grievance against you working. If your truck needs to be rearranged--it doesn't by you--that is bargaining work if supervisors would have approved it; and they wouldn't have. Second, if you make a mistake--not doing a pre-trip is YOUR mistake--your good intentions don't count for bupkis.

Slow down and do your job the right way. You learned your first lesson: if you make a mistake, they're gonna pin it on you, no matter how good of a job you're doing. Here's the thing about the pre-trip: it's important. And it is required by the DOT.

If you don't have time to do a through pre-trip, then you have too much work. If you're not checking your fuel, then it's safe to say you're not checking your oil everyday. Guess what? If your engine blows because it doesn't have any oil in it, it's gonna be on you, and you're gonna face an uphill battle when they threaten you with a bill for the engine. You need to be checking your windshield washer fluid, making sure your tires are properly inflated, making sure all of you lights are operating, making sure your horn works. And it doesn't happen often, but if you get pulled over for some reason, cops always want to see all of your registration papers and proof of insurance. You've checked that, right? Right?

You sound like you've written off this part of your job, and to be fair, when they train you, they breeze through all of this, but they go over it for a reason. They have to. It's an important part of your job. Look, breakdowns on the road happen. But a lot of breakdowns can be prevented before you hit the road. After you start to grow some whiskers, particularly if you always have the same truck, you'll know when something is off with your ride. If something's wrong, or you need to get oil, fuel, or get a tire replaced, then that is your number one priority.

Never forget that.

If that means you'll need help with air, then that's what it means. If you're not sure, error on the side of caution. It's a supervisor's job to try pressure you to say you don't need help. Guaranteed, that will be their first response. Get used to it, and learn to ignore it. If you're not sure, say you won't be able to get done by 10:30. Because guess what? If they push you, and say they don't have any help, and you cower down and say, "Okay, I'll probably get my airs delivered by 10:30", and you don't, it will be on you, and they will say, "You should've said you couldn't get done." And you'll get a warning letter. That's how these clowns operate.

That's your teachable moment. It's ALWAYS on you. The pre-trip is the easiest part of your day. Get it where you treat it the same as you do when you're figuring out your airs. Never make it easy on the suits. They are lazy at heart, and if they have to do some real work, they'll probably leave you alone.

Check the oil? Cmon mannnnnn....u honesty do that really? Really?

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

Check the oil? Cmon mannnnnn....u honesty do that really? Really?

That is not part of the pretrip.

 

[PT Car Washer]

That is not part of the pretrip.

Checking oil is not a drivers responsibility? Post trip maybe.

 

[ArcherUTR]

The smell of diesel on the hands sucks. I use a DR bag as gloves.

Or use a set of gloves as gloves.

 

[ArcherUTR]

That is not part of the pretrip.

Is it not in feeders?

 

[DumbTruckDriver]

Since the OP has gone quiet, I'm assuming he's learned the error of his ways and will do a proper pretrip from now on.