Never driven management...

I see your point, and there are times when it's not safe to go, chains or not. But I take exception to being called 'reckless' simply because I wish to use the tools at my disposal to get the job done. I'm coming up on 22 years doing this, and I've yet to kill anyone, roll a truck or initiate a global apocalypse.

Last company I ran for, you could route however you wanted. So many guys insisted on taking the I-80 through Wyoming during the winter--the Snow Chi Minh Trail, we all know how that POS road is--instead of I-70, which was fewer miles and a lot safer. Why? Because they might actually have to hang iron if Vail and Eisenhower were getting hit. I'd stop at that Giant Eagle place that's now a J, and when I woke up, I'd check the weather on each road. Once, 80 was actually clear and 70 was getting slammed, so I took 80. Every other time, 80 was a mess and 70 was passable, so I'd simply chain up, get through the snow, and go on about my business while the other guys crept from truckstop to truckstop as the highway closed for wrecks and weather over and over again.

It's not safe to chain up? Well, it's not safe to go down that long grade, and it's not really safe to back into that indoor dock, and it's not safe to eat the meatball special at Subway, and it's not safe to pull your pin because you might hurt your shoulder...you know what? It's not safe to drive a truck at all. It's not safe to LIVE at all, because eventually, something bad will happen. Acknowledging that reality and acting accordingly within the bounds of common sense, is a far cry from being 'reckless.'

That's The Way I See It.

 

I have several years more then you. I almost always did my best to avoid having to chain up and most of the time it was only to get to a safe place to park. As to my reckless remark I did that on purpose because I took exception to some of the words YOU chose to use. YOU SHOULD NEVER make fun of or call a driver names just because they don't want to get on the roads like that. Happy trails and I hope you have 22 more years driving.

 

OK, brother, peace.

Understand, please, that I wasn't calling anyone in particular names. If, in the driver's judgement, it ain't safe to go, then it ain't safe to go. If that's your professional opinion, then I wasn't talking to you. Every storm, road, truck, load and situation is completely different. The guy who's grossed out is going to do better in a blizzard than the dude who's empty and rockin' Super Singles, chains or no. I get it.

But if you're too lazy to chain, or too scared to try it--that's another story. If you won't even try, or know you could do it and are using the weather as an excuse...well, there's those drivers out there and we all know it. But only y'all know your own motivations.

 

Hey I'm OK and happy. I am not angry or looking for trouble. In fact I suspect you and I agree on a heck a lot more then we disagree on. In fact if we were sitting in a cafe just shooting the bull I would agree with you on this. This craziness starts with carriers that tell drivers right off if you chain up do so just to get parked. They don't take the time to work with the green drivers. I have actually spoke to youngsters that tell me all the time they beg people to teach them how to chain up and some basic tips. My problem is this forum is where these same youngsters come. I am now retired. I spent a good while in the local VA hospital last fall. The very week I got out I was confronted by a green driver that wanted me to show him how to chain. I felt bad and was dizzy by the time i got finished. I just get a bit defensive over these green drivers. I just don't think it is proper to shame them like that. This is where I am coming from.

 

Anyone who won’t chain up needs to stay parked so the real men can keep America moving.

 

Maybe so. But look at it this way...all those drivers that hide out whenever it snows make it that much less crowded for the rest of us.
If they're not comfortable driving in the snow I don't blame them for parking. We go in the snow but I remember a lot of days and nights when I wished we didn't.

 

I wish more of them would park somewhere other than the chain up area though.

 

Things can get way out of hand online, because posting just isn't the same as talking. We do agree: Drivers should be taught how to chain as part of their CDL test, in my opinion. Maybe you drive interstate in FL now, but who knows what life will throw at you down the road? Anyone who wants to learn how to hang iron, I'll gladly teach them and buy them a beverage for asking!

I honestly wasn't trying to shame green drivers. We were all rookies at one time, and we all need to remember that. I'm talking about either the ones who know very well how to chain up, and just don't want to; or the ones who refuse to learn because it's too much like hard work.

Man, I'd love to see a TTR meetup one day. I think we'd all be surprised at how much we agree on, how much we've misunderstood each other, and what we all really look like.

 

No, i'm through. I have epilepsy and am not allowed to operate a riding lawnmower on a public road. As to what I look like, it's funny I posted this earlier.

 

If the dispatchers are behind a locked door or bullet proof glass, then you know exactly how they are going to be..