Too err on the side of caution...

Dispatchers are like generals in war. They just put pins on maps and hope for the best. They have no concept of what you are going through, nor do they really care. I have never heard of one being fired for giving bad advice, but many a driver has been for taking it. All they know is they have a load for you, and the company wants that load delivered. If it's not delivered he has to explain why. Either way you are going to look bad. "Oh our driver is afraid of a little snow". To stop this you should email back and forth (I always did) with my dispatcher and get him to put that in writing what he is telling you to do.

 

The QC is the best way to do this!

When someone from operations demands you operate in bad weather get your QC out and clearly say you are NOT operating. This puts the onus on them now. If they make threats about your job, then call safety. These safety critters are there for you as well.

I won't say the carrier, but I remember watching the head of safety walk into the operations area and run a dispatcher off. Fired that guy on the spot. YES! in some places safety has that kind of authority!

 

Our system did not always have a name attached to it, but with an email you know exactly who it is. When I responded I would also copy the director of Safety.

 

1. The first snow? Park. At the first snow. all the Darwin’s will have an overwhelming urge to come out, play in traffic and die. Park, take 10 off and let everyone who’s supposed to die go ahead and die.

2. Weather forecast. Was coming out of Albert Lea, It was snow heavy and supposed to get much worse. Des Moines was clear. Heck I pushed through and stopped south of Des Moines.

3. Huge traffic accidents/road closures. As soon as you hear about the road getting shut down or completely blocked, if you are less than 100 miles away, truck stop it, top off your fuel tanks, and park.

 

I was in Ontario the other day and it was scurry as ####

 

Worked for a good company. But from the terminal managers down. It was goofy.
Can’t count the number of times. Head of Safety told me: We stand behind you 100%!

 

And I have lost count of the times I have heard safety critters say I wish that driver had called me. This is why I tell drivers all the time do not fear safety. When in doubt make that dang call!

 

Do yourself a favor and read this post to explain why a 18 wheeler breaks traction and....

Winter Driving w/o the platitudes.

 

And the IRS says we are only here to help you.