Had an interesting conversation with an O/O...

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Dave1837, Jan 6, 2022.

  1. Dave1837

    Dave1837 Road Train Member

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    Myself and about 6 other trucks were travelling east on US 322 down Bald Eagle mountain, it's a 20 MPH hill with a stop sign at the top. I was empty at the back of the line doing about 22 mph down the grade. In my mirror I see a truck "bypass" the stop sign at the top. Here comes a379 Pete pulling a UPS Freight trailer barreling down the hammer lane going at least 60. Flying through the S curves tailgating the car in front of him.

    Due to being tired and having a lack of nicotine intake I grabbed the mic and made a comment along the lines of "typical freight hauler, rules don't apply to you". He responded with "I'm an owner operator and I'm empty, I can do what I want. If you can't keep it between the lines maybe you shouldn't be driving a truck".

    I was a bit dumbfounded by his response. The hill is only about 3 miles long, and 7 of us were abiding by the truck speed limit. I know I'm just a dumb company driver, but I thought a truck speed limit applied to all trucks? Am I wrong?
     
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  3. annw

    annw Bobtail Member

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    You're quite right. I wonder how many truck accidents were caused by hubris
     
  4. ProfessionalNoticer

    ProfessionalNoticer Road Train Member

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    You're right. The law does apply to him. His time is just more important that yours. At least that's what he thinks.

    I see this every single week on this route. It's almost always the plastic truck crew usually pulling Amazon trailers or UPS, FedEX and JBHunt. They blow right past the brake check and fly down the hill with their four ways on.

    The fact they have their four ways on proves they know they should be doing 20 instead of 60. They're straight ruining that route for me. They need to stay up on 80 where they belong.

    Bears watch that area regularly. They like to sit in that little access road on the West side but facing East. There was a rollover near the reservoir a little over a year there too.
     
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  5. Dave1837

    Dave1837 Road Train Member

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    Couldn't agree more. That used to be a peaceful route but more and more idiots are running it lately
     
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  6. ProfessionalNoticer

    ProfessionalNoticer Road Train Member

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    You got it. I go out of my way to run it because 80 has become such a war zone of reckless trucks. I despise 80. It's full of trash.
     
  7. Dave1837

    Dave1837 Road Train Member

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    I used to run 99 up to 80 but any more I just stay on 322 and run 53 up into kylertown. I minimize my time on 80 as much as I can for the exact same reason lol I get off at exit 111 so I'm only on it for 22 miles. That's more than enough
     
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  8. househunter

    househunter Bobtail Member

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    I travel that route on a weekly basis. Have been nearly hit 3 times when pulling out of stop sign thinking the oncoming truck is pulling up to stop sign only at the last minute to realize they are blowing by it. The good part is I have been seeing DOT in that area a lot. Yesterday morning they were at the top watching the stop sign. Usually they are near the bottom with radar. About 6 months ago, one was with radar and radioing down the line. There were 5 trucks pulled over between the bottom and the Milroy exit. Just a matter of time until these idiots get burned!
     
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  9. OldeSkool

    OldeSkool Road Train Member

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    One owner operator told me he owned a truck because he couldn’t work for any boss man. Just because someone owns a truck doesn’t make them any higher up the ladder. It may just mean they’re a bigger jerk.
     
  10. clausland

    clausland Road Train Member

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    One 60 in a 20 zone ticket would take the pompous outta that guy. Too bad it's in PA, Ohio would be all over it...
     
  11. Chieftains

    Chieftains Medium Load Member

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    No need to be telling people what to do. You won't gain anything out of it. He won't change cause of you.

    So was it worth it
     
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