DOT Compliance Package
What is this DVD package I’m selling? It’s a 76 minute DVD of me talking, explaining the various rules you have to follow. There is a copy of the regulations, and a written transcript of what I said on the DVD. Plus, there are a number of forms you need to set up your DOT files.
In addition, as part of the price, you get access to me. You have questions, great, call me, and I’ll do my best to answer your questions about the safety regulations, as part of the charge for the DVD package.
I’m pretty generous with my time. I have an owner-operator I worked with about two years ago from Elizabethtown, PA. She still occasionally calls me with questions, sometimes on a Sunday no less. But I take her calls.
Small business doesn’t run on a Monday-Friday, 9-5 basis. On the blog, it’s a fine line I have to walk, where on the one hand, I need to put informative and interesting content here to keep people coming back, but on the other, I don’t want to post the whole DVD package……..why buy when generous Eric is giving it away for free?
Finally, I also offer a money-back guarantee. Basically it comes down to, ‘what’s your time worth to you?’ Why would you spend a week working and worrying about what rules you need to follow, when I can set you up in half a day?
I’m available over the phone to answer additional questions, and a money-back guarantee, how can you go wrong?
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Eric Arnold is a Former Enforcement Agent with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and a leading expert on USDOT compliance for small businesses. Do you have a question for Eric Arnold? Email him at eric@arnoldsafety.com.
Arnold Safety simplifies D.O.T. Compliance for commercial vehicle operators. Get Eric Arnold’s USDOT Compliance Guide, DVD, & Regulations at ArnoldSafety.Com.
Learn more about Arnold Safety compliance consulting services at ArnoldSafety.Com.
Squeaky’s Conversion
So last week, Squeaky the Cat blew his BESTBET when the Vikings crushed the Giants, but he did pick up the other two games, making him 2-1 in BESTBETS, and 7-5 overall. We’re giving Squeaky credit for the Eagles game, even though I forced him to pick that one. 25 points? Jeez, if the lousy Eagles can get that close to the Patriots, you would think the rest of the NFL would stop genuflecting at their feet and actually cover some receivers. They can be beaten.
(There was some controversial material posted here, but in the interest of selling DVD’s and highway safety, I have decided to delete it. Squeaky the Cat’s picks for Sunday were:)
BESTBETBESTBESTBETBESTBETBESTBET
PHILADELPHIA -3 over seahawks
MIAMI -1 over new york jets
buffalo +6 over WASHINGTON
Reasonable Suspicion Drug Testing
If you see a driver falling down drunk, about to get into one of your vehicles, what should you do? The DOT regulations state that an employer must conduct reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing on employees who appear to be impaired. They also state that whoever is conducting the testing must be trained on how to spot impairment. DOT really doesn’t enforce the reasonable suspicion testing regulations, namely because it’s almost impossible to prove. How are they going to prove that you knew a driver was impaired, but let him drive anyway? This is a rule that you should apply yourselves, using common sense. I had a customer ask me, “I’ve got a driver who I’m pretty sure is on drugs (the driver was acting funny, plus he had observed drug paraphernaila in the driver’s car). But I don’t have that training. What should I do?”
What he should do is, test the driver. I’d rather order a test of a hot driver, and worry about the consequences of not having the training later. The flip side is, you allow a driver who you’re pretty sure is using illegal drugs to drive your truck, all because you don’t have the proper training to spot the violation? What if the guy gets in a wreck, one which you should have prevented? The main reason you want to do the training is not because of DOT (who really doesn’t enforce that violation), but because it will protect you in case the driver decides you are unfairly targeting him for a test, and sues you.
Post-trip inspections
The regulations state that you must do a pre-trip inspection satisfying yourself the vehicle is in proper working condition at the beginning of your shift, and then a post-trip inspection (which must be in writing) at the end of the shift. Many drivers only do one thorough inspection at the beginning of their shift, and neglect to do the one at the end of the day. This can lead to problems. If you only do one inspection in the morning, and you do find something wrong… maybe a wire got loose yesterday, and a turn signal stopped working, or a tire went flat… you have no time to fix it. You’ve got places to go, and freight to move. So you either fix the truck and be late, or take a defective truck. Both are less-than satisfactory choices. If you had done the inspection last night, however, maybe you find the defect then, and then have time to fix it.
This week’s Sports Offering
Well, last week we were off the air, as the website went down for half a day. Oh well, Squeaky had a bad week, missing with Tennessee and San Diego. However, he did nail a BESTBET with the Eagles. His record is now 2-0 BESTBETS, 5-4 overall.
So much has been happening in the sports world, but first and foremost, let’s give out a big shout to the Arkansas Razorbacks. They went into Baton Rouge and defeated the unbeatable LSU Tigers, who have now lost twice. Undoubtably, they’ll still be telling the world they’re better than Ohio State… blah, blah, blah. Yeah well, without a playoff, guess we won’t know, except OSU has lost once, not twice. Besides, I’m not seeing much difference in our loss to unranked Illinois with their running attack, and LSU’s loss to Arkansas with their running attack. Anyway, doesn’t matter, if OSU can get Oklahoma to win the Big 12 title game, we are IN! Sooooooooooeeeee………PIG!!!!
Barry Bonds got indicted. After four years, they finally indicted him. It shouldn’t have taken four years, but the fact that they did it, after that long, means they have got the goods on him. Which is great. This is a guy who richly deserves to go down, and down he’s going, but hard. Hello jail, Bonds. Hello Hall of Fame purgatory, say hi to Pete Rose while you’re there.
Squeaky returns this week, although his appearance was doubtful earlier in the week. He had locked himself in a shed for 3 days. Apparently, he wriggled under the door, which then acted like a crab trap. Squeaky goes in, but can’t get out. Too many cat treats, no doubt. Anyway, we found him, and he’s anxious to lay down the law:
BESTBETBESTBETBESTBETBESTBETBESTBET
NEW YORK GIANTS -7.5 over minnesota: Squeaky knows the Giants always beat the Vikings, and this should be no different. Banged up Adrian Peterson, how are the Vikings going to score? Giants pound Vikings.
JACKSONVILLE -8 over buffalo: Normally teams bounce back after bad losses, and getting waxed 56-10 at home on National TV is a textbook bad loss. However, this one was so bad, Squeaky thinks it will have the opposite effect, and demoralize the Bills. Jacksonville is very good, and should beat up a depressed Bills team.
philadelphia +24 over NEW ENGLAND: 24 points? Is my team that goddamn bad? Ok, I admit, Squeaky didn’t really pick this game. I took the Eagles treat and made him eat it. He spit it out twice, but on the third attempt, I got it down. McNugget won’t play, which gives the Eagles the best chance to compete. Not that AJ Feeley is all that good, but for some reason, moron Andy Reid actually plays more to the team’s strength, which is running the ball, when a backup QB plays. We should get a decent amount of Westbrook, and hopefully there will be some pride left over on defense to cover this ridiculous spread.
Buster Douglas knocks out Mike Tyson! Eagles beat Patriots! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Big E
Getting Paid!
Many of you out there are small businesses, just like me. We do a lot of the same things, no matter what business you are in. We invoice our customers, they pay us, we pay our bills, we pay the government. Here are some things I have learned in the almost five years I’ve been in business. Most of you, undoubtably already know these things, but hey, if anyone can learn from my mistakes, glad to be of service.
Nothing is more frustrating than working hard for a customer, doing the work, and then getting stiffed. Stiffed. You know, not getting paid. You send them an invoice, and nothing. You call them and nothing. You call and call and call, and soon you’re spending more time chasing your money, than actually doing the work for them in the first place. It can make you insanely angry. I call these people deadbeats.
How do you avoid deadbeats? Well, one thing they mostly seem to have in common is a shortage of cash. Some business just operate that way: always on the edge, always on the margin. They can afford 5 trucks, but they have 15. They owe the world. They are one bad break from being out of business altogether. Of course, if that happens, they’re taking whatever they owe you with them. Nothing like calling a guy who owes you money, and getting the “I’m sorry, the number you have dialed is disconnected” message. So when you’re initially talking to a potential customer, listen for those telltale signals about financial condition. “Man, it’s rough out here”. “Fuel prices are killing us.” “We’re in debt up to our eyeballs.” “Everybody wants something from us.” “It’s tough to make ends meet.” You’ll be amazed how these guys will just blurt this stuff out to someone they don’t even know. You hear this type of thing…. you’re not getting paid. Run away!
Oh they may want to pay you, but they won’t. They can’t. They owe too many people in front of you, and that’s a long, long line. Either get paid upfront, or don’t do business with them, no matter how much they promise to pay you on the back end. A bird in the hand is worth you not chasing a deadbeat for 6 months. Another trick is when you are presenting the bill, and you get the ol’ “you want all of this now?”, the answer is YES. I want it all now, just like we agreed. If they say they can’t do that, then say you’ll accept two checks, one for half, and the one for the other half, dated two weeks later.
Another thing to remember in avoiding deadbeats is it can be anyone. It has nothing to do with personality. In fact, some of the nicest, most charming people are deadbeats. You’re working with a new customer, and he’s a swell guy, and you say to yourself, “I’ll get paid, these are really nice people, I could get paid now, but that’s ok, he can send the check in two weeks”. MISTAKE! Get paid now. Don’t be afraid to ask for payment. Make the guy dig out his checkbook, and write the check. It’s business. It’s what both parties agreed to initially. Only a deadbeat would be offended by this, legitimate business people understand that if you incur a service, you have to pay for it.
When collecting debts, face to face works much better than on the phone. Most deadbeats are pretty cowardly, and don’t want to face someone they’re in the process of stiffing. The problem is cornering them. Have you ever seen Tony Soprano take off after someone that owes him money? Well it’s sort of like that. You have find them, get in their face, then you might get paid. If you’re just making phone calls, good luck. Generally, if they are taking your calls, that’s a good sign. You’ll probably get your money at some point. However, if suddenly they are never available, and you’re leaving message after message, forget it, they’re ducking you. Unfortunately, the law provides little relief if someone stiffs you. Basically, it’s legalized stealing.
Squeaky is Undefeated!!
I have turned over the handicapping duties for now to my cat Squeaky. I have been well below .500 this year, so virtually no matter what Squeaky does, it’ll be an improvement. Squeaky went 3-0 last week, including a BESTBET, as Dallas smoked the pathetic Eagles. So again, using the random cat treat method, we lined up treats, and turned Squeaky loose….. after all, he’s on a roll!
PITTSBURGH -10 over cleveland Squeaky is impressed with the Steelers, as no matter who’s hurt, or what the circumstances, they show up and smoke people. The Steelers are now in the running for a bye week, as they are right on the heels of the Colts, so the Steelers should give an A effort against their rival from up the Turnpike.
buffalo -3 over MIAMI The Dolphins will undoubtably beat someone this year, but it’s probably not going to be the up-and-coming Bills. Buffalo is starting to come of age, and will keep the pressure on for a wild-card by beating Miami. Or, so says Squeaky.
GREEN BAY -6 over minnesota The only rational for this pick that I can see is Squeaky hates cold weather (which is now rolling here in Pennsylvania), and he figures that the dome team Vikings, with Adrian Peterson from southern Oklahoma will not fare so well in chilly Lambeau Field. Well, I just checked the weather forecast: 51 degrees at kickoff, so scratch that, Squeaky. Well, we’re not going to question the power of Squeaky, I’m sure he has his reasons.
And, now, back to the casino floor, as I am taking a well-deserved few days off in sunny Las Vegas. So far, we’re playing with house money, thanks to blind luck, and the inability of Army to score any points. Let’s keep it up! Go Big E! Go Bucks!
Seatbelts
I’ve teaching a course on basic DOT regulations to a large construction company over this past month. There’s a number of good things we cover in the course, although one thing I see, particularly in the smaller type commercial vehicles is lack of seatbelt use. These guys will pull into the hotel parking lot, in their big construction truck crew cabs, get out, and…… no seatbelt is worn. Seatbelt use is mandatory no matter what state you are in, because you are driving a commercial vehicle. Even if it’s only a 3/4 ton pickup truck pulling a trailer. Remember, the rules apply at 10,001 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, and up. If you’re pulling a trailer, that’s the truck GVWR, plus the trailer GVWR, and it’s almost certainly over 10,001 lbs.
One thing the Old Man used to tell me (and I don’t know if this is true or not, or just BS old people use to get their kids to do something), that if you are in an accident, and you don’t have your seatbelt on, the insurance company will try to weasel out of paying the claim. Again, I don’t know if that’s true or not, but it seems like something an insurance company would do.
The Worst Handicapper in the World!!
Well, our record is now 6-10 for NFL games, 1-4 in BESTBETS, as all the games lost. Convincingly. Not even close. Well, the Redskins made it close at the end, by scoring that touchdown, so it was 52-7, instead of 52-0. Why even make the effort, 52-0 says so much more about what a pathetic effort it was.
Well, we give up. No point in beating the head against the wall, it’s clear we have no idea about who’s going to win or lose. This week, we will have someone else pick the games. This week’s guest handicapper is Squeaky the Cat. We lined up a number of cat treats, numbered them, and whichever ones the cat ate first, those are his picks. You could say he picked all the teams, since Squeaky ate all the treats, but the first 3 he ate are his picks. Without further ado, Squeaky’s picks:
ATLANTA -3 over san francisco I had to look up who the Falcons were playing, who cares about these two teams? Anyway, Squeaky likes the Falcons.
INDIANAPOLIS +6 over new england Well, you screwed up there Squeaky, nobody can beat the Patriots
BESTBETBESTBETBESTBETBESTBETBESTBET
dallas -3 over PHILADELPHIA We’re listing this as a BESTBET, because Squeaky really ate the Dallas treat with enthusiasm. Well, Squeaky has sat there and watched a number of Eagles games with us this year, so he knows they suck, just like we do. Did you see that Andy Reid’s drug addict kid smuggled 89 pills into jail with him up his rearend? Nice. Andy Reid brings that same sense of duty and discipline to the sidelines…..
In other news, Hillary Clinton finally took a small stumble in a debate, as she is unwilling to answer whether or not she supports giving driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. Since the Senator wants to have both sides of the issue, let us tell you what her real position is. Of course she supports driver’s license to illegals, 100%! Because all those illegals with licenses, means they can all vote. All you need to vote is a driver’s license. Oh sure, you’re breaking some kind of law… but these are illegals! Laws, schmaws. Laws are for suckers, right Hillary? She just can’t let you know she supports it, as 80% of Americans do not support license for illegals.
Then after everybody called her on her pathetic answer, she broke out the victim card. “The Politics of Piling-On”, they had on her website the next day. But that’s Hillary for you, a victim. “Bill cheats on me, I’m a victim”. “Ken Starr made me answer why those missing billing records were in my bedroom, I’m a victim”. “Tim Russert asked me a follow-up question, I’m a victim……….WAAAAAAAAHHH!” God forbid this woman wins, I want a Commander-in-Chief, not a Victim-in-Chief.
And now, I’m off to the Pike Cafe, as the powers that be will not be showing the Ohio State – Wisconsin game on regular TV. Undoubtably I can watch Rutgers-UConn, or maybe even Temple, or Ursinus or Kutztown, but not Ohio State. Well, what the hell, we’re only the #1 team in the country……
It’s Squeaky’s week to shine! Go Squeaky! Go Bucks!
Big E
Hazardous Materials Safety Permits
So I gave a speech at the Penn State Blaster’s Conference yesterday, which seemed to be pretty well received judging by the number of questions I got afterwards. The main thing explosive carriers need to know is they must be in the best 70% of companies nationwide in terms of accidents and roadside inspections. Or, put another way, they cannot be in the worst 30%. When DOT renews these permits every 2 years, they look at a carrier’s accident rates, and Out of Service rates, and if they are in the worst 30%, BOOM, no permit. So it is critical that a company monitor its OOS rates, and accident rates in the months leading up to the permit renewal. If you detect a problem, there is time to bring the percentages down, but you are over the limit at the time of renewal, it’s too late.
Some things carriers who have been denied have done to get the permit? Well, none of them are ideal, but… 1) send out non-HM trucks to generate a bunch of clean inspections. In other words, pump up the denominator, instead of limiting the numerator. 2) hire a lawyer to attack DOT’s data. DOT’s data is generally faulty. For example, many times a hazardous materials truck in inspected, but for whatever reason, the inspector does not list that inspection as a “hazmat inspection”, despite it stating right on the inspection that the vehicle was transporting HM. Again, not the best solution, as attorneys cost money, and many don’t know what they’re doing. Should you ever find yourself in this situation, call me, I know the best attorney. 3) Start a new company. Generally successful, as long as DOT doesn’t figure out that the new company is really an off-shoot of the old company that was denied a permit. The best thing you can do is not end up in that worst 30%.
