Murphy's World

Humor helps lighten the load

Dear Murphy,
I got loaded in Indianapolis on a run to Kansas City. Decent run, 1k light on tractor and trailer tandems at the CAT scales at the Petro on I-70, just west of Indy. I crossed into Illinois, and their I-70 scales were open. No big deal, I figured, I’m good to go.
     I crossed the scales and got a “bring papers in” light. I got all my stuff together and went inside. The DOT official asked me, “Do you know why we pulled you in here?” I replied, “Random inspection?” He went on to explain that I was 8k heavy on my trailer tandems.
     I said, “I think I would have felt that as I drove here, if it was that heavy.” I showed him my CAT Scale ticket, and he looked at it. He said, “Well, here’s your problem. This was weighed in Indiana.” So I said to him, “Are you telling me the laws of physics are different in Illinois?” (I’ll admit it, I’m a smart aleck.)
     He looked at the ticket again, this time very upset at me, and at the scale pad readings. So he had me pull around and go across the scales again. I came inside and the readings were way off again. He apologized for wasting my time, and we both had a chuckle. He closed the scales down and told me he had written eight tickets in 45 minutes for being overweight. Now he had to cancel all those out and get the State Weights and Measures crew to come out and fix the scale.
     Coastal Defender,
     Washington State

Dear Coastal,
A DOT inspector with a sense of humor? Not only that, but a DOT inspector with the good sense to admit to a mistake, cancel a bunch of tickets and shut down the scales? OK, now I have officially heard everything.
     I don’t know what is funnier, the inspector pointing out that your problem was getting weighed in Indiana, or your retort about the laws of physics. While I appreciate your sense of humor and quick wit, I’d advise against practicing it on dour DOT officials who are about to write you up. Based on my own experience, a witty remark, no matter how funny YOU may think it is, may only make matters worse.
     Fortunately, this DOT official quickly came around to your point of view, and the two of you both got a chuckle out of it, although I’m sure you enjoyed the last laugh.

Regards,

Murphy and Lucky Dog