Another way, see something that might be unsafe or call for out of service, write it up. Make sure a copy is left in the truck if possible. Tires under 4/32nd steel cord showing, especially convertors, brake chambers leaking, or anything you can find. That will send a message to any TM. And how can they fight you pointing out safety issues. You might not be allowed to deadline equipment, but you sure can write it up. Keep or make an extra copy & pass it on to the next shift. Keep a list in the yard horse or the next jockey. It might be helpful to everyone. Especially the road drivers. No one wants to drive bad equipment. If the freight is on a tight schedule, find & fix the problem before the road driver does & sits for the next 2 hours. If memory serves me, it is more costly to repair once on the road than in the yard. I imagine a through pre trip inspection might find something wrong that needed repair before hitting the street. von.
You are exactly right on how to do things all the time, not just when you are upset with the TM. I wrote anything up that was a safety concern, if not for myself, then to advise the next driver of that unit about it (city or line haul). If that driver wants to ignore the defect, then it's on him. The dispatcher and the shop didn't like it, but that's tough. I just told them it was about safety and running safe equipment, if they wanted to over-ride the equipment write-up then sign a paper or the write-up as "repair not needed" and sign their name to it. End of discussion. They never did want their name on anything. They know once the unit (tractor or trailer) is out the gate, then it's on the driver. He pre-tripped it. He accepted it.
Von, when I was working we were required to leave a signed copy of the vehicle condition report in tractor for the next driver.
About the same @ ABF in Indy. Now you don't have to write it up unless you find a defect. Currently DOT Reg. I had @ one time 10 years of VCR's saved @ home. Always wrote in the comment section 'previous or old damage all units. Then I wrote all the unit numbers on the VCR. On more than 1 occasion it saved my but. Like Henry J said do it by the numbers & the boss will back off. Especially if you document a safety issue on paper. Once you generate paperwork or record a conversation they very much change how they do things. When the boss sees you go to the ends of the earth to protect yourself & you generate a paperwork trail to prove it, they treat you so much different than someone who doesn't. It is all about the perception your boss has of you. And they will treat you as such. von. CYA.
