Safety. What does it really cost? We all know the cost of a new tire or a set of breaks. What is the cost of training and replacing old equipment? All companies eventually have to deal with this type of cost. But what about the personal cost to us as drivers. To our families that are waiting patiently at the house for us to return after we have been out for weeks on end delivering good across America. What does that cost us as drivers? Lucky for me I get to pay a little more for doing the right thing today. Doing the safe thing.
Today's load was so long that I could not close my doors without having to put so much pressure on them that they were bowed out to the point that the rubber seals were not touching the door frame. And the shipper said that that was ok. They specifically ordered a trailer that would not leak and now they think this is cool. Any rain at all and this load gets soaked. Not to mention the fact that as I travel down the highway, any decent sized bump would yank the door right off of the metal that holds them closed. Just not a safe load to pull. Of course I get the line that everybody else does it so what's my problem. They say they are responsible for any damage and I need to be a good little mind numbed driver and just do as I'm told basically.
Well, not this driver. If it's not safe it's off my trailer. Sorry peeps. If I make it to the receiver and it rains, these folks are not going to know who I am. I'll get to pay for the water damage. After my door is permanently warped and won't seal, I'll get to buy new ones. If that door pops open going down the highway and the load lands on top of some innocent people. Thinking I'll get to own that one to.
So what is the price of safety? Today it's a day wasted. Maybe three because it's already Friday afternoon. My wife and son were looking forward to seeing me after weeks out on the road. Thinking that's not going to happen. Another agent that will not load me because I did not bend over and take the risk foe his customer. Oh well.
But for me the price was worth it. Standing my ground for a safer trucking industry. That's just who I am. I'll make it home soon and make up the lost time. This agent can go fly as far as I'm concerned. Glad I had the chance to mess up his day. Very awesome the fact that my company is going to pay me to sit here until they get around to unloading me.
And that family that might have caught this load as my rear doors exploded open and it landed on top of them going down the highway. Well, they dont know it, but they are happy as heck to live just a little bit longer. They may not know what I did for them, but I do. And that's all that's counts
Jeff Head Do you Like Today's Thoughts?. Don't forget to share or add me as your friend
-- Edited by Jeff Head on Friday 1st of April 2011 04:00:51 PM
