Chain Pay?

Assuming the company allows one to turn down loads. But that's a whole different issue.

 

Yeah I ran tire socks in the NW. They are terrible unless you are driving in areas where the roads are routinely covered in snow. In areas where there will be anything other than full coverage of snow on the road they shred like paper towels. And at $200 per pair, I'd prefer the chains. I just vaguely remember reading either OR, CA, CO, or another state where certain alternatives to steel tire chains were only legally acceptable is in milder conditions. For example, CA has 2 levels of chain law I called min-chain and max-chain. I got turned around near Donner while running tire socks because when CA issues the min-chain declaration and you are using alternative traction devices, you must use the ATDs as if Max-chain has been declared. I was using tire socks but I only applied them to the wheels required during Min-Chain. With tire socks in CA, at least, any time chains are required you must use the Max-chain configuration. I was under the impression CO, or somebody, viewed "cable-chains" as something less acceptable than conventional steel tire chains. I'm from the Southeast so the details of chaining are pretty recent. Maybe I mistakenly thought your items were cables and they are chains. Ever since I got this new microwave it seems like the voices in my head are always arguing.

 

You know what I think carriers should pay?

Fuel pay - I’m so sick of fueling they need to incentivize it. $25 every time I have to get out of the truck to fuel this #### unit.

 

I'll be honest. I'm not sure about California because I have never chained there before. @InTooDeep would probably know ... but I know for sure cables are legal in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah. As long as you have the correct number of tires chained/cabled

 

That isn't being snarky at all.

If I didn't chain up, I would be parked about 9 months a year

But you are correct in saying that the roads would be better if many drivers took 9 months off annually, or at least 6 months.

 

Are and were you paid hourly or by the mile? It can make a big difference in the run of a day. If you’re paid per hour it’s no difference if you’re chaining down a skidder to a low boy or a set of triples on both axles. Paid per mile and trying to get 2000 miles to make a drop… it’s different.

 

I'm surprised how many think chaining should be for free. One reason I would not want to live and drive in PNW would be to much chaining for free. If someone runs OTR like Stevens it's more of a miles game to make money. I hope drivers running chains on regular basis are getting better pay per mile.

 

LTL linehaul guys, which are on a CPM payscale, get paid to fuel at many of the LTL companies. And somehow the LTL companies remain extremely profitable.

 

Drivers should get 10 cents extra per mile to run out west.

 

Why?