Ontario MTO---what gives?

[Dave in London]

OK folks, I'm stomping mad now. For 30 years I have endured the MTO. It used to be they would work with you, the roads got safer, and if you were really breaking a law, they threw the book at you.
Not any more. I cannot believe they just pulled over one of my trucks..running under permit, and here is what they came up with.
Stones on the deck (behind the front mudflaps on the lower side of the front kick on an RGN)...I can guess they got thrown off the drive tires, hit the mudflap, and fell onto the ramps.
Exceeding permit (not mentioned on inspection). Our permit says 3.85 metres, he said we were 3.87(thats less than 3/4" ...on a funny shaped piece... i measured it myself at 3.85 before it left)
Oversize load sign illegible (it was tucked under taillights and license plate because thats the law)
Dunnage loose (he could wiggle one piece of lumber in the pile of blocks we carry when he really hauled on it)
Following too close behind another oversize (in Toronto in 3 lanes at 2 oclock)
So, yet ANOTHER out of service...and no ticket so we cannot fight it.
Its bad enough these guys line trucks up for 20 minutes at a superscale to do visual inspections BEFORE they really inspect you, this guy got pulled over 1/2 mile east of the trafalgar scale (which was closed)...Why would you park an oversize on the shoulder in Toronto for this crap? If there was a visual issue, sure, but this?
You add extra chains to the load, extra mudflaps to the truck, Strap everything that doesn't have bolts in it, take it through the shop EVERY week, replace straps every 3 months....It doesn't matter what you do. If you get pulled over, you are gonna get screwed.
My IFTA has 57 jurisdictions on it, and we have trouble with ONE.
Anyways, I've had enough and I am trying to set up a meeting with my MPP...I would be interested in knowing how many otherwise compliant carriers tell their trucks not to cross Ontario scales. Not because there are issues, just because they can't handle the aggravation and delay. This isnt about safety anymore, this is about job justification and borders on harassment.
Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[Pay the rates]

Don't feel bad Dave, we just went through a week long audit with these people. It's a money grab plain and simple. We all see equipment on the road that look like the only place they should be is in a fucking farmers field, For sure try to avoid scales because of the hassle and aggravation, your truck is sitting there being raped by these jokes in kevlar vests, while you know who is bombing along the highway in a truck that looks like something you would see in the himalayas. It's a fucking joke.

 

[lowmiler88]

Dave have you talked to your analyst in St Catharines? That would be a good first step to have a face to face meeting rather than having your MPP call and pissing them off. I know you don't care about pissing them off at the moment but I think you would be better going through St Catharines first and then moving up the food chain.