Its all about service.
Companies don't hold inventories anymore.
Everyone wants their LTL freight at their dock ASAP.
But the deal with any accident,the cost with lose of equipment,loads,injury,or worse death,can rub out a lot of revenue.
So heres what I say, whenever my TM,or dispatcher wants me to do something I feel is unsafe,because there may of been a delay in operations.
I look them in the face,or say on the phone.
Its faster to go slower,than it is to make out an accident report.
As much as they throw me their dagger eyes,or I hear a short silence on the line,no one has ever disagreed with me.
This has all come with my 43 years of experence in the LTL trucking industry.
Never ever fear anyone in management.
We are the one behind the wheel, its up to our judgement on what we think is safe regardless of their tight freight lanes.
Whenever anything negative happens, most if not all the blame goes to the driver.
We are the ones that worked for our CDL's,and we are also the ones that have to deal with any error in judgement we make.
Its better to be safe than to fear management,doing something unsafe.
Also you should know when your TM loves you for breaking the rules for them.
Let something bad happen this is the time,they don't even want to know your name.