Stopping for weather, especially winter road conditions

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Six9GS, Sep 27, 2020.

  1. REO6205

    REO6205 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    If the roads are open we go. In our part of the country if you don't drive in the snow you don't get anything done.
    By the same token, our drivers have lots of experience in mountain driving in severe weather. If one of them calls in and says he's dropping the anchor until things get better we tell him to call us when he gets going again. The drivers don't shut down unless they have to and we have to respect that.
    I can't think of anything we haul that is worth putting lives in danger for.
    Personally, I'm glad for all the companies and drivers that shut down for bad weather. It keeps the road from being crowded with greenhorns and people who don't know what they're doing.
     
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  3. JoeTruck

    JoeTruck Heavy Load Member

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    I don't see any point in going less than 40 so if I don't feel safe at 40 it's time to park.
     
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  4. Wasted Thyme

    Wasted Thyme Road Train Member

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    Burn through a lot of chains do ya?
     
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  5. JoeTruck

    JoeTruck Heavy Load Member

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    Midwest and South.
     
  6. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    I'll never forget that one. :eek:
     
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  7. kylefitzy

    kylefitzy Road Train Member

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    How will you ever improve your winter driving abilities if you park every time the roads start to deteriorate? You don’t learn a thing sitting in the truck stop.
     
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  8. Six9GS

    Six9GS Road Train Member

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    I understand your point. There is a difference between pushing myself out of my comfort zone and stopping because I think conditions are too bad for me. I have and continue, when appropriate, to push myself out of my comfort zone to improve my driving in less than ideal conditions. I can definitely tolerate and deal with windy conditions much better than before for that exact reason. However, comes a time my inner voice simply tells me NOPE and then I stop. I anticipate I will do better this winter than last. However, I simply do not have the years of winter driving experience in a 4 wheeler that many do when learning to adapt this skill to a rig. I have little to no experience with winter conditions period. I think I'll probably always be more timid than others simply for that reason. However, I do think I will improve and will push myself out of my comfort zone when the opportunity presents itself, up until my inner voice tells me to stop.
    My question has to deal with how do other companies handle this in their drivers. My company, thus far, has been nothing but accepting and supportive of this shortcoming I have and I am curious how other companies are in this regard.
     
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  9. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    Every company is different and will treat you differently. Few will flat out tell you to keep driving, they don’t want that liability on them if you wreck. That doesn’t mean they can’t slowly starve you out and force you to quit if you don’t perform up to their standards.

    A company that runs all 48 and has drivers of all ability levels in their ranks will likely be more understanding when someone wants to park it. Compare that to a company like I used to work for that only ran the Northwest and Western Canada. If we all parked when the conditions were bad then the company would grind to a halt. If the roads were open then we were moving.

    There’s a big difference between pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and being reckless. It sounds like you have a good handle on your abilities and you’ll continue to improve every winter.
     
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  10. Six9GS

    Six9GS Road Train Member

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    One of the actual advantages of working for a mega, they have enough overall volume that one load isn't going to make or break them and it is easier for them to deal with a late load. Also, my mega is kinda set up for inexperienced drivers and tolerance and patience is kinda built into their overall culture because of the number of inexperienced driver they always have in their fleet. I have been with them a smidgeon over a year. I've heard that less than 2% of their drivers are with them from the beginning until 2 years. IDK, they have been really good with me so far. Money could be better, but in my situation, lots of other things to consider than just the money. So, at present, no plans to leave and go elsewhere. I might make more money elsewhere, but may not be as comfortable or content somewhere else. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
     
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  11. kylefitzy

    kylefitzy Road Train Member

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    All good points. Some drivers never want to push themselves, and some drivers are ignorant enough to do 65 in a blizzard. There’s a balance.

    I see myself running the northwest a bunch this winter, I’m not looking forwards to the dummy’s that cause the pileups.

    Last year we had a truck pulling a 16’ wide load call it a day because the road was getting too bad in Wyoming. As his pilot car was checking into the hotel he heard the sirens heading out to I-80. They just missed one of the 100 truck pileups that happened last year.

    I’m pretty comfortable driving in the snow, it’s the other guys around me that worry me. Almost every winter someone crashes directly in front of me, thankfully I’ve been able to miss them every time.
     
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  12. Final Drive

    Final Drive Road Train Member

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    20200927_193047.jpg 20200927_193047.jpg 20200927_193047.jpg

    You mean like this
     
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