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I have never been in a truck that had the mirrors mounted in such a manner that I did not have to twist my head, thus take my eyes off the road to see what was/is beside or behind me.

Now, if a driver is out in the boonies ("bush" as Indy in Australia would say), where traffic is not much of an issue, and the driver can afford to let his eyes stray for extended periods of time then that's fine. In fact, allowing the eyes and head to be constantly moving is a desireable safety fact - that helps avoid road hypnosis or just plain boredom.

However, when in the big cities where 4 wheelers are like lice constantly darting all around the truck - taking my eyes off the road leaves me vulnerable to all manner of possible tragedy. And, of course, as all drivers know - the driver is always to blame, if involved in any kind of traffic mishap/accident - regardless of the reasons why...

I submit that truck mfgr's should re-examine where these side view mirrors are mounted, so the driver can turn his eyes without having to twist his head - thereby allowing his eyes to still remain alert to what is happening ahead.

"Safety" is the constantly heard & preached politically correct buzzword. It would seem appropriate and prudent that the truck manufacturers would re-examine how they might mount these mirrors so as to create a safer environment for everyone inhabiting our hwys.
Joe Cummins

1. You are a fiercely independent 23 year old American male.
2. You enjoy camping, hunting, fishing, fast cars & like minded women.
3. While ruffing-it is fun, you also enjoy creature comforts like regular meals, private bathroom facilities and a king size bed.
4. You just quit a nightmare job - incinerating infectious hazarous hospital wastes and need a new job.
5. While surfing the www you accidently stumble upon Accu-Thump . You don't know what an Accu-Thump is, so you browse a while. You notice links to Drivers, Trucking companies and CDL Driving Schools.
6. After completing a driver training course, and have a CDL in the wallet, you start pounding the pavement.
7. You're not sure who you want to drive for. But, you've been told that most of the big boys won't hire anyone without a couple years OTR experience.
8. Consequently, you get hired on at the local "Load & Go" biiizzzybeeee HotShot pick-up & Delivery Service, who's company motto is: "you call - we haul".
9. You're not sure, but hope you've jumped from the fire to the frying pan.
10. Management is not sure about you. You have not proven yourself. You are still in the no-zone. To get out of this gray area - you have to prove that will you stay, work, be reliable, follow orders, do all the grunt work, and, if necessary, bend the rules a-little.
    
11. You are on a begining salary of $300 pr week for the 1st month. Yep, it's starvation wages, but you couldn't find anything better. Besides, you're to get a raise later - assuming you last that long.
    
12. You don't know from day to day what you will be pulling nor hauling, except that it will be anything and everything.
13. You just got home from a hectic 4 day run.
14. You're in your 5th hour of badly needed sleep.
15. It's 6AM. The phone rings.
16. It's your most favorite person in the whole wide world - your friendly compassionate dispatcher.
17. You are expected to be at work (8AM) and ready to roll.

1. It's 7:25AM - you've showered, ate and in the car.

2. It's rush hour traffic. You barely make it to the office before the time clock strikes 8.

3. You are "by the book" kind-of-guy. You take pride in giving an honest day's work, and your word is your bond. You make a logbook entry or do you ?

4. You take a seat, and wait for smiley face dispatcher to yell your name over the loadspeaker.

5. 2 hrs have come and gone, and you're still sitting. You say to yourself - geeezes I'm tired - maybe, I'll get lucky, and won't have to make any runs today. You listen to all the driver gossip being swapped back & forth. You silently say to yourself. What a bunch of crap. Working for this company can't possibly be as bad as they are saying. Obviously they are just a bunch of mal-contents, and would'nt be happy anywhere. Besides, if it was as bad as they say - why don't they just quit? Then, you think, maybe no one else would hire these guys. Anyone can see that they are smelly, sloppy, fat and look like a bunch of thugs.

6. It's 10:15 AM - Your name shouts out - come to dispatch!

7. Mr. Dispatch informs you where to go and hands you the manifest. This is your lucky day - you get to haul a tarped flatbed HAZMAT load. Before leaving the office area you check the paper work to be sure all is in order. You open your brief case, and get your logbook out to make all the proper insertions . Or do you ? Question - did you start your "On Duty" status in the logbook as being when you clocked in? Or, did you choose to start the log when dispatch gave you the paper work? Thinking ahead, you say - maybe I'd better wait and allow myself to enough time to be legal regardless of the circumstances yet to come.

8. Your destination is naturally across town, at CEMX. Dispatch informs you - that the customer is expecting you - NOW!!!

9. Dispatch told you to get tractor X and trailer Z, neither, of which you've ever used before.

10. You have not been assigned a tractor yet, so, you get the leftovers. In other words, slip seating, or worse - an old tractor no one else will drive.

11. After finding tractor X you do a pre-trip inspection. You can't help noticing that it has not been washed in years. The engine looks like a grease trap, and engine oil is still dripping. You know that to do a real, honest to goodness PTI it will take at least 30 minutes, not counting washing all the windows, mirrors and lights. But, the customer was told you were leaving the yard - so, you'realready off schedule. You do a fast LOOK at most items outside the tractor, and pray that all that guncky globs of dirty grease is not hiding a disaster. Once in the cab you notice - that it's filthy and grimy. The steering wheel has some kind of icky goo on it. The bunk stinks and looks like pig pen. You mumble - God - what have I gotten myself into!

12. You find trailer Z. What a pile of rust! A couple tires are rags, and the grease fittings don't looked as though they were ever greased. You almost wished you could see a cracked frame or broken spring.

13. You hook-up the tractor trailer, airlines and do another FAST PTI . At least you don't hear any air leaking.

14. You're going as fast as you can and sweating like a stuck pig. You instinctively know you are an accident looking to happen, but you are already late. It's 10:45AM.
    You still have to check your dunnage and get a tarp. The tractor's fuel gauge shows empty. You wonder if it even works. Do you post your logbook now ? Or, perhaps you better wait and do it when fueling-up.
    Anxiety flushes across your sweat drenched forehead.

15. Another 15 minutes escape. Despair creeps in as you look in your side mirrors and see management shaking their heads. You just know - they think you are slow-poking as you pull out of the yard in a cloud of blue-black smoke.

16. You zip into the fuel station. As the pump hmmms you make your log entries Or do you? Once you start showing your time and place, there's a trail for the DOT to follow. So, maybe it's best to wait. Take a chance. You can get to the customer's place before making any entry, then you can make all the necessary time adjustments. After all, you don't want to create a log that will clearly show any time (on duty) violation(s). Ya, I'd better wait, I'm late . It's now 11:20AM

17. You notice a twinge of road rage when that stupid 4 wheeler cuts across all 4 lanes of traffic, and exits the frwy 5 feet in front of you, sending your foot slamming down hard on the brakes. Boy that was a close. A little later, further down the road, you say - haste always makes waste! Yet, reminding yourself - you choose this job, no one held a gun to your head and forced you, so hush, quit thinking these thoughts that maybe you're a little tetch'd in the head to want to be a driver .

18. You arrive at your destination. It's almost noon.

19. You notice there's no loading dock available. So you park in the street. Go inside the office and advise the customer you've arrived. You're given a go-to-hell look and you're asked in a belligerent tone - What took you so long?

20. You're told, that you will have to wait, because you are late. Your window was given to another - who was ontime. You call your dispatcher. Over the phone you can see Smiley Face is now wearing a frown. You're given the riot act and told to do as the customer requested. You go back to the truck and wait, and wait and wait. Later you find out that no one got your spot, everyone has been waiting. Welcome to the world of -- Pass the Buck and you know what rolls downhill. It's now 1:45 p.m. You make all the required logbook insertions Or, do you still wait? No telling how much longer you're going to be stuck sitting here.

21. The customer dispatcher signals you to come in and get docked.

22. You spend a few more minutes getting backed into this hellhole. You've been nicknamed "THE WORM", because you wiggle your way when backing up.

    While cuss'n and fighting the steering wheel that refuses to turn, because it isn't powered, you're struck with the overwhelming similarities of this and everyother place. The front office is always well manicured, with plenty of room for 4 wheelers. But, where their products come and go it seems to resemble that brown spot at the back end of a porkypine. Every inch is allocated, and you are expected to back into and between these hideously tight areas without touching anything except the two rubber bumpers. If by chance that you make an error, and cause a dent or bruise, out of your pocket comes the repair bills, and/or you are simply fired.

23. You lightfoot it back to the customer's office. You're given the paper work. You check it out, and call your dispatcher, advising him that you're at the dock and waiting. Kind words are now blown in your face, while being told to call back when loaded.

24. Back to the truck you go, and while waiting, in the interest of saving valuable time you sign all the paperwork - irregardless that you have not loaded the 1st piece yet. In addition, you check the trailer deck for any nails or obtrusions that might cause trouble. Then place all the necessary Hazmat placards around the tractor-trailer. It's now 2 p.m.. Is all this time being entered into your logbook? Or, are you still waiting to see if you need to hold-off.

25. Another hour slips quietly by, but you're almost loaded. You've made all the necessary cargo inspections and have made sure your cargo is secure and safe as possible for transport.

26. You tarp the load and the customer inspects. Thank God there are no holes in the tarp! It's now 3:30 p.m. Have you brought your logbook up to date?

27. Back to the customer's office for further instructions and call your dispatcher that you are ready to roll. Another 15 minutes have disappeared. It's 3:45

28. Your dispatcher said you are to drive 225 miles, and be at the ships loading ramp --- ASAP.

29. You pull out and down the road you go. Did you log the time of departure? Or, are you going to continue running a blank log?

30. You're hungry and worn-out. Do you dare take time to stop and eat? PUSH comes to SHOVE. What to do? So you decide to drive awhile.

31. About 2 hrs down the road you make a stop to do an In-Trip Inspection . Did you actually check everything the law says to do? Did you thump, kick or gauge the tires? If you actually put an air gauge to each tire, did you show the 10-to-20 minutes used-up on your log? Did you even log this stop? It's now about 6 p.m. You've been on duty for about 10 hours. You've got at least 2 to 3 more hours to go.

32. You're getting irritable; you need a rest, and something to eat. But where can you do this? You are by yourself loaded with Flammable Totes, & Oxidizers that cannot get wet. Rain is in the forecast, and the tarp does not completely cover the entire cargo. DOT rules are quite specific. You cannot leave your cargo unattended. It has to remain closeby & within your eyesight. Plus, if you stop at a restaurant, will the manager or owner give you permission to park your dangerous cargo on the premises while you eat? What a dilemma.

33. You do what most drivers do. You stop at a major truck stop, to get something to eat. You park and hide, way back in the rear of the parking yard and hope that no one will notice your placards. Do you log this rest and dinner stop? If so, how do you say you are off duty when you are supposed to constantly monitor your rig? Problem - if you log you're in trouble. If you don't log and get caught you are in definite big time trouble.

34. You take an hour to rest and eat, while silently praying that no DOT are prowling, that will notice your "abandoned" bucket of bolts hiding-out in the between a couple of other rigs (another definite no-no).

35. Somewhat refreshed you re-check everything, and head down the hwy. It's 7:10 p.m.

36. A truck weigh and inspection station is coming-up. Now, what do you do? You can't avoid it. You pray it's closed. No such luck.

37. Beads of moisture begin popping-out across your forehead. You're almost at the scales and you're drenched in terrorizing hopelessness. It's not dark, yet. God - I hope there's no Gung-ho DOT Officers lurking around with nothing to do except pounce on the likes of me.

38. Sure enough, you see a couple trucks are pulled-over and are being given the white glove treatment. I've had it!!! Tension mounts. You're not too worried about being overweight, but you might be over axeled. You didn't have time to find a public scale. Maybe you are overweight --- Jesus, what a mess!!! You start praying again. Fortunately, there's a long line of trucks behind you, stretching all the way out into the frwy. Maybe, they will be in a rush and not look too closely. But, when they see my placards - that will be a good excuse to give me the once over. If that happens, they'll find your logbook is in total disarray. You start thinking of possible tales to spin out the 'ol spout. But, you know these flimflam excuses won't fly. You've had it!!! You say, quietly, as if someone might overhear, if I get through this scale I'm stopping and bringing my log up to date no matter what! I can't stand this stress anymore.

39. You get through this troublesome quicksand, only 5 minutes lost, and you promptly forget your earlier vow. Did you log this scale stop? Heck NO! And, I'm not about to stop in this scale yard to post an entry. I'll do it later...

40. It's time for your scheduled enroute inspection . So you stop for coffee at one of the numerous truck stops. Being as late as it is, it's almost full, you're lucky to find a spot to park. It takes a few minutes to walk to the restaurant. How much time do you spend inspecting ? The rules suck ! I can't pull off onto the side of the frwy with a placarded load. I can't park in a public place. I can't get permission from a resturant manager/owner because I won't be able to keep my eyes on the rig. I have to leave the cab door unlocked. But, if I can't see the truck how do I maintain any resembance of security. If, while I'm away and, Heaven forbid, a Hazmat cargo leak develops, and authorities can't get at the paper work - it's possible jail time. And, if a serious leak is in progress, the rig is not supposed to be moved, and Hazmat officials will be called in. They'll close off the area. The load won't get delivered, huge clean-fees & fines will be levied and I'll be up to my ass in doo-doo. What's a driver to do? I've got to eat, rest, and inspect . What, when and where do you show on your log? Do you do anything? It's close to 9:30 p.m. and still stifling hot.

41. You've been on duty for 10-11 hrs., and awake for 14 plus hrs. You decide to log your day while having that refreshing coffee. You ask yourself. Do I accurately re-construct and log all events accordingly? Or, do I fudge a little? It's 10:20 p.m. and you're back on the frwy. Your logbook will now satisfy curious and prying eyes. But what happened to your integrity?

42. You're approaching another scale house. It's not open. Drats you say. You could have given yourself some more time to hide in your logbook. Oh well, resigned to fate, you're comfortable and almost at your destination.

43. Finally, you arrive and head for the shippers office for instructions. You call your home office notifying them of your arrival. The time is 11:40 p.m. You log the time and place .

44. It's misting, but not raining. You untarp and unstrap, as the eager forklift operator begins unloading your trailer.

45. It's half past midnight. You're unloaded, and all dunnage is packed and secured. You've been up 18 hrs. You call your office. They advise you to be at Zyx company by 8AM tomorrow morning, 150 miles away. Your clothes are dirty, drenched in sweat - in fact you STINK. You log all required details .

46. You're back in the saddle again, 25 miles down this deserted hwy, looking for a safe place to park and sleep, when BOOOOOM. You just blew an inside trailer tire, and to top it off - you left a big ugly and angry hwy alligator to take its revenge out on some poor unsuspecting driver. Boy, if this dosen't make my day. No cellular phone, on a dark deserted 2 lane hwy with bayou bar ditches on either side. At least, I'm not loaded. You slow down and continue driving. You're coming into a little community. You find a deserted parking lot and decide this is where I'm going to sleep. It's 1:45 a.m.. You make your bed. Take a facial sponge bath. It's still hot & muggy. Company policy says you cannot leave the engine idling. But how does the A/C work without it running. How can you hope to get any sleep without an A/C? Another Dilemma. Naturally, and, of course, you leave the engine running. The time is 1:30 a.m. GEEZES - I can't find my signed paperwork that has to be turned in to the office!!!! Now, what do I do. In my haste to get going, I must have left them in the shipper's office. Boy, I'm in trouble now... I'll just have to worry about this annoyance in the morning. Maybe, you will get 4-hrs sleep before getting up early enough to find a place to get a tire, have breakfast and call the office You won't be making schedule. I'll show my Post Trip Inspection when I finish the log in the morning , right now I'm just too tuckered-out to do anything. Heck, even this pigsty sleeper stench won't stop me from sleeping.