T.R.

The Rejected. That's me.

On Friday (Friday the 13th mind you) I cruised down to my local Ford dealer to get my truck inspected. I hunkered down in the waiting room with the laptop to get some work done while they did the inspection.

The first hint of a problem was when the mechanic came in to ask me what kind of inspection I was getting. Kind? What do you mean what kind? Turns out that as of October 2008 a commercial vehicle = commercial inspection. Which = $100 more than the regular inspection. Great.

The second hint of a problem was when the mechanic came back and asked if I towed a trailer for work purposes. Why yes I do. So then he asks where my chock blocks are. Um, they're under my trailer wheels, where they're supposed to be. Oh. Well you need to have them in the truck to pass the commercial inspection. And you need to have them in the truck even when you're not towing, since it's a commercial vehicle. We can't pass you without the blocks. Great.

Now I know the Commonwealth is hurting for cash, but this is just stupid. A full DOT inspection for a pickup. Which means having to buy and extra set of blocks just to comply with the inspection. And you damn well better have those blocks in the cab because the State Police are hurting for cash too, which means if you get pulled over they will definitely be looking for them. And the fire extinguisher. And the first aid kit. Great.