Driving Downhill, in the Snow, with an Empty Trailer...for Newbies.

Driving Downhill, in the Snow, with an Empty Trailer...for Newbies.

Winter, 2012. 1:35PM. Sunny.

If I remember correctly it was early December. I'm new to trucking and traveling with my trainer in a 2011 Kenworth, model T-...errr, T something or other...let's call it a T-SixMillion, or some such nonsense. The company we work for pulls a lot of wallboard out of Gypsum, CO. We are flatbed monkeys on a mission. My trainer is the best the company has and, for that, I am grateful.

I'm behind the wheel heading west through Eisenhower tunnel. Trainer Man occupies the passenger seat and spews relevant advice in his mellow Mississippi accent. He knows what's ahead. I'm clueless—I may have even drooled at one point.

Exiting Eisenhower, he instructs me to slow to a speed below the posted limit. Following a brief internal deliberation, I do as he suggests because I-70, on the west side of Eisenhower, is snow-packed and slick. We move to the right lane, apply the 4-way flashers, and begin our slow descent down the 75% grade. Oops, typo. It's a 7% grade. He then gives me the best piece of advice concerning traveling downhill on snow with an empty trailer, which is: WATCH YOUR TRAILER. An empty trailer, he explains, is more likely to slip and move laterally into another lane of traffic, especially when applying the brakes. If this happens, he recommends placing panic at the bottom of the list of things to do. The fix is simple. Just back out of it (code for easing off the gas) and wait for the trailer to move back behind the truck. As I'm listening to him, my speed slowly increases, and my eyes begin to cross. Sure enough, I tap the brakes and my trailer moves 2 feet to the left. I immediately ease off the gas and my trailer corrects itself in no time flat. Lesson embedded.

Gravity Notes: On snow, an empty trailer is more hazardous than a loaded trailer because there is no weight on the trailer tires to assist with traction. This does not translate to ignoring a loaded trailer. Pay attention to your vehicle as much as possible while maintaining best safety practices. Makes it easier to avoid the pterodactyls that swoop down out of nowhere, grab your trailer, and carry it off to their mountain lairs, impressing the shit out of their girlfriends.

Stay safe.

Creativity Attracts Drivers

Truck drivers get bombarded with job advertisements. You need something that stands out. The more information the better. 

Here is an actual email from a real life truck driver. 

You need to stand apart from the other companies. You're competing with every company that needs a driver. 

This is a good example of a creative company. 

The driver will see the information that you add to the Job Profile form.

The driver will see your CDL Job Profile from here and from the invite email sent from the system. Creativity Counts.



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How to Manage a Trucking Company’s Safety, Compliance and Recruiting.

We created a platform to manage a trucking company’s safety, compliance and recruiting.

Everyone involved in transportation is in the driver business. We exist to support them. It doesn’t matter if your business hauls goods, makes or insures trucks. You’re in the driver business.

Our platform helps you support them.

You need to hire, manage and train drivers if you want the most benefit from them.

Our platform satisfies that need. We all need drivers to keep our businesses running. We take a funnel approach to hiring, complying and training. A hired driver is funneled from recruiting to compliance to training.

Recruiting platform-

Advertise the need to hire.

Distribute employment applications.

Receive and review applications.

Did you find a driver to hire?

Send them to the Compliance Section with a click.

Driver Qualification File’s are collected and stored here.

Document accidents and incidents.

Make notes on each driver.

Track drug tests.

Do you want to promote a safe culture?

Follow the driver to the training portal.

Assign courses to all drivers.

Assign specific courses after an incident or accident.

Track course participation

Store and/or print course completion certificates.

The system is easy to navigate and use.

We should not fear the guys at Federal Motor Carrier Safety. You will have a safe company by following the rules. Properly hired,documented and trained drivers effect every corner of your business.

Hiring the right driver improves delivery times.

Improved delivery times bring more customers.

Documenting a driver properly helps during an audit or lawsuit.

Clean audits and less litigation bring more customers.

Safe drivers lower operating costs.

Lower operating costs mean an opportunity for expansion.

Expansion opportunities bring more customers.

Our boots are on the ground. We come from the trucking industry. We come from the training industry. Every tool that we make originated with an internal need. We create tools that scratch our own itch. As truckers and educators.

We offer those tools to the you. To make your job easier. To help you support the people that matter the most….Your Drivers.

You can use our tools for $500 a year. Sign up for a trial at http://safetyasaservice.com.

Making a reasonable suspicion determination

Making a reasonable suspicion determination is never fun.  Make sure to document the date and time as well as the observed behavior or cause for the reasonable suspicion test.  Using a standardized form can ensure that all the correct steps are followed.  Approaching an employee who may be under the influence needs to be done in a way that shows concern for the employee. 

                 First and foremost do not show anger, and do not accuse the employee.  A positive drug or alcohol test can be a career ending event for a driver, and if you show anger towards the employee it could escalate the situation.  Let the employee know what you have observed (slurred speech, odor, motor skill problems) and ask if there could be another explanation for what you observed.  Tell the employee that they are going to be sent for a drug and/or alcohol test just to rule substances out as a possible cause. 

                Never have the employee drive themselves to the testing location, because if they cause an accident on the way the company could be liable for damages.  If you made the reasonable suspicion determination try to have someone else drive them to the testing site.  The employee will be less likely to get violent if they are not alone with the person who is having them sent for the test.  Remember that this you only have a suspicion that the employee is under the influence. 

                Sometimes suspicions can be wrong, so it is important that you are polite and respectful towards employees who are sent for reasonable suspicions. Being kind and professional saves face and avoids an awkward work relationship if the employee does not test positive.  Finally make sure that only supervisors that have taken a supervisor training course are making reasonable suspicion determinations.  Safety as aService offers an online training course for supervisors. 

Dangers of road rage and technology

A woman in Florida was being tailgated by an aggressive driver in a pick up, so she decided to take out her cell to get the incident on video.   When the road rager decided to pass her he gave her the bird and then lost control of his vehicle then crashed into a ditch taking out a light pole in the process.  Talk about instant gratification, but the woman filming the whole incident could have just as easily been the one who lost control and crashed.  Remember that two wrongs do not make a right.

As professional drivers, we see road rage directed at us and other drivers frequently.  We need to remember that we are professional drivers, and should act accordingly.  Neither the driver in the video below is a professional driver, and it shows.  If another driver is tailgating you or has harsh words for your mother its better to ignore them than to get back at them.  Do not pull out your phone and start making a YouTube video while driving.  The risks of causing an accident do not out weigh the benefits of getting 4 million views on YouTube in one day.  Remember the bigger picture and please drive safe.

Crikey! Gary is the Driver Hunter

Find A Driver Form

Gary's Job Board-Sample

This is a sample of the email that we send to drivers on our list.  The links below do not go anywhere.  Call Eric Haney at CDL College, 303-367-1030, if you are a driver or a carrier that would like to participate in the program. Keystone Ski Resort is in need of several CDL Drivers Experience of a Lifetime. More than just our mission, these words describe our unique and iconic resorts and the people who share a desire to achieve and experience excellence.  One of our core values is providing an exceptional experience to our guests and to our employees.  Must have a current CDL Class B (or A) with P2 Endorsement and airbrakes- required. More........  10 CDL Class A Drivers; local, OverTime! Hurry!!!!!!  Dear Gary, I am looking to locate about 10 drivers for full time positions out of Fort Lupton, Colorado. This is a huge opportunity to make overtime, and to have a local position that allows individuals to be home every night. All resumes must be received within the next 24 hours and individuals need to be able to interview on Friday Feb 7th. Additionally, all candidates must be able to pass a drug test and background check. Thank you so much for your help! We need to bypass Rob and Gary on this one. Go directly to the source. Please send them tonewtons@enscicon.com Regional/Multi-State OTR Drivers Needed  Hi Gary, Thank you for all of your help with getting our OTR driver position posted with your school. I have attached the flier that I have created for the position. Please let me know if you need anything further. Thank you, Katie  Click Here for more information Local Class A Job. Hi Gary, Ahern Rentals is looking for a Class A CDL driver to unload, load and transport general rental and high reach equipment from work sites and other branch locations. Thanks, Mark Click Here for more information Local Class A Job. Dear Gary, Looking to hire a Class A CDL driver to drive tractor trailer on 2 local routes to pick up heavy freight. Must have CDL! Must be able to lift at least 50lbs on a consistant basis. Must be at least 25. Competetive wages paid by the hour bi weekly. Shift is approximately 2-8pm Monday -Friday Must be reliable! More Information is Here

LCV Trainer or Instructor Requirements

The first thing to consider is the type of LCV instructor.


 


 There are two types of LCV instructors; classroom and skills.

 1. A classroom instructor may administer only instruction that does not involve the operation of an LCV or one of its components. Our training courses at http://safetyasaservice.com will assist you with the classroom portion.

 2. A skills instructor may administer behind-the-wheel training but they must meet the specific requirements. To qualify as an LCV skills instructor, a person shall:

 (1) Provide evidence of successful completion of an LCV Driver-Training Program requirements. The Driver-Training Program must be for the operation of CMVs representative of the subject matter that he/she will teach. CDL College can help you with this portion.
(2) Possess a valid Class A CDL with all endorsements necessary to operate an LCV Doubles and/or LCV Triples.
(3) Have at least 2 years' driving experience, in the same type of vehicle, that you will be teaching.
(4) If the driver has less than 2 years operating a representative vehicle: Has taught the operation of an LCV within the previous 2 years.

Edit: More Clarification is Here.

The driving requirements are easy enough to fulfill. The trouble comes with the teaching requirements in number 4.

FMCSA does not define what that teaching experience means. The teaching requirement is over a two year period. You can make the determination, as to, what constitutes teaching. The train-trainer course at CDL College  will afford you some training, by default, to other people.

And the last requirements have to do with your motor vehicle record. An individual must certify that, during the 2-year period immediately preceding the date of application for a Certificate of Grandfathering, he/she had:

(1) A valid Class A CDL with a “double/triple trailers” endorsement;
(2) No more than one driver's license;
(3) No suspension, revocation, or cancellation of his/her CDL;
(4) No convictions for a major offense while operating a CMV as defined in §383.51(b) of this subchapter; (5) No convictions for a railroad-highway grade crossing offense while operating a CMV as defined in §383.51(d) of this subchapter;
(6) No convictions for violating an out-of-service order as defined in §383.51(e) of this subchapter;
(7) No more than one conviction for a serious traffic violation, as defined in §383.5 of this subchapter, while operating a CMV; and
(8) No convictions for a violation of State or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control arising in connection with any traffic crash while operating a CMV.
(9) An individual must certify and provide evidence that he/she:
   (a) Is regularly employed in a job requiring the operation of a CMV that requires a CDL with a double/triple trailers endorsement; and
  (b) Has operated, during the 2 years immediately preceding the date of application for a Certificate of Grandfathering, vehicles representative of the type of LCV that he/she seeks to continue operating.

D.O.T and FMCSA Compliance Course

Small carriers, owner-operators, and even the big guys, need to follow FMCSA and D.O.T. compliance rules. Small carrier’s struggle to piece together the information required to stay compliant.

This Free on line course will guide you through the Steps to Safety and FMCSA compliance.

The below video will give you a nice overview of the course.


This course has 5 sections and is an interactive guide to kick-start your safety efforts.

• Driver Qualification File
• Hours of Service
• Drug and Alcohol Compliance
• Maintenance, Accidents, and Financial Responsibilities
• Glossary of Terms

You need every piece of this puzzle to stay compliant. Work on one section at a time. Leave this guide on your computer until you have mastered the system.

• Click on Driver Qualification……… Read about the general rules…
• Now, click on number 2…………… The rules regarding the Employment Application will appear……
• Click on the number 391.21. It will link you to the FMCSA rule which has additional information.
• Follow through the numbers, complete the tasks, and you will have one complete Driver Qualification File.
• Repeat the same procedure for the other categories.

In addition to online training courses, www.safetyasaservice.com has all the tools needed to make D.O.T and FMCSA Compliance easier.