18-Year-Old Drivers
Mr. (Doug) Condra, the article you wrote ("It's No-Go For Training 18-Year-Old Drivers," July HDT) was sad but true. We are losing our seasoned drivers through retirement, illness or frustration and the replacement generation is not the dedicated crew we had. These potential drivers need to be solicited and trained in our industry at an early age before they move on to other careers. By the time these people are eligible to drive at 23 years of age, many are already going down another career path. It is a shame that an 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old isn't mature enough to drive a commercial vehicle but is mature enough to handle an automatic weapon or drive a 70-ton tank. Thank you for your time.
Randall Wills
President
Mid-Western Car Carriers Inc.
America's Road Team
I must respond to Mr. Brunner's letter in the June edition. One reason America's Road Team is mostly LTL drivers is that the 20-cent a mile truckload carrier drivers can't afford to slow down, let alone take time off for Road Team activities.
Something most of the "real" truck drivers don't take into account is that 99.9% of us Teamster LTL drivers started out in the other segments of the industry. I, for one, was a steel hauler for 25 years, so I probably have more time chaining and tarping than a lot of the so called "real" truck drivers have in the driver's seat.
Lawrence H. Cutting
New London, Ohio
Cooling Kudos
I just reread, for the third time, (Deborah Lockridge's) article on cooling system trends from the May issue of HDT ("Maintenance For Profit").
The first time I read the article was strictly for content and better understanding of our competitors' position and programs.
The second time because I was very impressed with your writing style and ability to convey cooling system information that is presented in an easy to read/understand format. However, the third read was to appreciate your ability to present — in an honest and factual manner — all sides of the issue involving cooling system maintenance, no-testing, no-worry programs. This could not be further from the truth. The marketing hype and misinformation that surrounds the use of extended life coolant has caused considerable harm to cooling systems and incredible, unnecessary expense for the fleets.
Your article made it quite clear for the buyer to beware when it comes to cooling system technologies.
Howard J. Laga,
vice president sales
PowerFleet Division
Help With DOT Regs
I hope that you do not mind me writing to ask for the help that I need. I have researched all the links your web site (truckinginfo.com) offers as well as some others to try and find the info I need.
I just got hired recently — by a small local company that drives nationwide — to be their assigned driver, instead of a temp-hire one. I have been asked to help get together their DOT required file system for everything required for a CDL driver. I even tried to go to a couple of local companies for help, and a training school, all with no luck and no return phone calls. So that is why I thought I would turn to this avenue for assistance.
So I guess what I need to ask, can you direct me to who or where I can go to acquire a list of required on-hand files to be had and maintained, apart from the obvious logs, hiring record and personal data. What are the safety items required to be maintained, are drug test records required and any other stuff?
I am part of a small, local production company in Oklahoma City, Okla. We have one company owned bobtail truck, but the majority of equipment is rented/leased. Are there also special required files for this type of operation?
Thank you so much for any help or direction you can give me in this matter. I guess being on the outside and trying to learn how to do things properly gleans you nothing from established companies!
Dave A. Rike
Via email
The best source is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Click on "rules and regulations" at their web site, www.fmcsa.dot.gov. Then choose rules and regulatory guidance. There are several with recordkeeping rules you should review: Part 391, Qualification of Drivers; Part 395, Hours of Service; Parts 40 and 382, Controlled Substance and Alcohol Testing. I also suggest you review Part 396, Inspection, Repair and Maintenance, to make sure you've got the required maintenance and inspection records for your truck and for your leased equipment.
If you need further help, I suggest J.J. Keller & Associates. They publish all sorts of compliance guides, including a Safety Regulations Handbook that sells for around $10. You can reach them at (800) 327-6868 or www.jjkeller.com.
