Big Loads - Post Photos Number 2

^^^ and Willie Mays was just a ball player.

 

That ain't gonna happen...

Thats kinda personal, don't ya think? I don't see you publicly displaying your paycheck or numbers...

Ha, I've moved loads that take months, never mind one load a week...

 

Ha. Touche.

 

If 1 crane gives out you're pretty much screwed. Normally you'll have a crane at each end of a structure so if one fails it drops, the remaining crane might handle supporting the load if the other end hits the ground but if its too high up for that, both cranes will likely come down. I've been involved in a lot of crane work and crane safety is generally taken extremely seriously. Lifts utilizing 2 (or more) cranes require specific work permits, lift study plans, hazard assessments and a critical lift permit if exceeding 75% of the crane's capacity. Some lifts we did we had zero visual contact with the crane operator. We had to utilize multiple spotters, relay signalmen, and radios to ensure effective communication with the operator.

 

What's a paycheck? My boss is a jerk & refuses to pay me what I'm worth.

 

I was just reading your thread @NorthernMechanic. If I were you, I'd suggest at looking at relocating to decrease your cost of living as a way of increasing your income.

I'm from Canada but have been living in the States for 5+ years. The biggest jump in disposable income for me was when I moved from Michigan to Texas. The oilfields down here and expensive to live in and there is a downturn now.

I have no clue what mechanics make down here. A surplus of Mexican labour can drive some wages down but good wages can be found. In Texas, the refineries and road construction are still going struck. Almost every refinery is expanding or continually remodelling.

You would take a pay cut for the first year likely if you were to drive. Also your cost of living goes up when you are in an 18 wheeler. Truck stops are over priced and your freedom to go places is limited. There's are reason why a large percentage of truck drivers are obese. They are stuck eating fast food. It's hard to eat healthy in a truck. I work local and its hard for me to eat 3 healthy meals a day in a truck. I often leave at 5 am and get home after 6, so I have to eat all 3 meals in the truck.

Finding a microwave to heat up your lunch isn't always easy. You can have your own microwave if you are OTR but then your stuck eating 100% microwave meals and truck stop meals.

People don't drive because of the money, its a lifestyle choice.

 

Trucking is ALL about money. Its a career choice before it later becomes a lifestyle choice.
Don't confuse people.

 

Like others have said, that is personal.... On the other hand, we look cool going down the road.

 

Heavy haul isn't something people do for a bigger paycheck. You will hear truck drivers complain about 4 wheelers (cars) cutting them off and having to stop an 80 000 lb truck. Heavy haul drivers are a different breed. They are driving a 13 wide load that is into both other lanes by a few inches on each side. Our loads regularly weigh 120 000 lbs so our stopping power is less. Regular truck drivers don't have to worry about the car driverin the next lane who is texting and drifts 2 feet towards them because there is time for that car to see out of his peripheral vision to stay in his lane. We are already in his lane.

We are also in the guy to the rights Lane and we have to balance keeping our load in between both of there mirrors. Factor in that your trying to pass one, so you need to shift to the other side but then the guy in the opposite lane is drifting and slowing and all of a sudden you don't have enough room. Your driving 70 mph and weigh 120 000 lbs, before you start to pass, you need a plan for every car around you.

Every truck driver should be doing these things but the reality is, we don't have room for errors, its our livelihood at risk and the lives of the people in the cars who are texting that could put my kids without an income.

We don't do it for a couple of dollars extra on Friday. We do it because it's who we are.

You could offer me $100 000 to drive flatbed and tarp and I would turn it down. That's not who I am. The guys chasing money are the hamsters on the wheel wanting as many miles as possible. Not all drivers are the same.

 

Mac, my .02 for what it's worth.

Using your scenario, 13' wide, 120,000lbs at 70mph and traffic on BOTH sides of you is a recipe for disaster, IMHO.

When I'm wide, heavy, etc. I prefer (and belive it's safer) to be in the far right lane at all times, and at a speed in which I have no need to overtake any other vehicle.