Swift drivers, sound off

I won't throw chains, either, but I generally avoid it by checking the weather before accepting a preplan in the winter. So far, I've never been in a situation where I needed to chain up. I intend to keep it that way.

Jump on me if you want But I see no reason to burn up my 70 with unpaid work. I can change a light bulb without logging it, I can sweep a trailer without logging it- I can't chain without logging it.

 

.....Why not?

 

It can be proven! I'm sure DOT knows when the chain laws are in effect, so if I show up on the far side of the mountain pass, and my log book shows off duty, that'd look a little suspicious! Anything that can be proven needs logged. That's how I do it, anyway. If it can't be proven, it's not on there.

 

I say if it is bad enough to chain up then it is to bad for me to be on the road driving

 

Prove what? There's almost always some local guy you can pay 40 or 50 bucks to chain you up. It cannot be proven whether you purchased his service or not.

Hehehehe

 

Careful, there, wily Injun, you don't want to give away all your secrets!

 

I'll throw on chains if they're called for. I don't care. I used to park it because I didn't want to use chains. If it's so bad that it isn't safe to drive even with chains on, then I'll park it. Otherwise, I'll catch you on the flip side. 10/7

 

What a dumb@$$!!

 

Knowing how, and being able to accomplish chaining the rig is part of the duties of a driver! On the East Coast they don't require chains, but on the West coast they are required to be carried if the driver is in the "snow zone" (in California) and ID, OR, WA, UT, and CO they are required to "be in possession" ... nothing is said they are required to be used, just in possession. So to that extent it is the drivers choice, to sit and spend money or to chain and make money!

I don't believe it is actually part of the curriculum any more for the Mentor to teach chaining...Swift believes the video and the "demo tire set" with the chains already mounted is enough...we all know this isn't true...but we aren't Safety, Training or Management. Nothing new!

Show me the regulation that requires the application of chains to be logged! Why would changing a bulb or sweeping out the trailer be any different? Technically all three items mentioned are "job related" so technically you should be on Line 4 to be sweeping, or to change a bulb, or to apply chains...but I don't recall anything in the HOS Regs about any of the items.

Also, I don't recall Swift requiring anything more than "flagging"...it really isn't covered in the Swift Policy Handbook, or in a log HOS section to my recollection.

What if your truck gets hit and the fender is torn off...you were in the little girls room, but your Q-Comm shows you in the sleeper. Now the security cameras show you walking to the building from your truck, the same camera shows the other truck that took your fender...(probably CRE)...but you weren't there in actuality and your log on your computer shows you should have been there....

Get my point? Be careful what you say about how you "do" things...some camera might "prove" you wrong!

If you are not comfortable driving in chain required conditions...it is probably best that you don't! However...how will you handle it if it is an absolute "must do" without getting some experience doing it?

Chains are useless on ice! However chains are also good for traction on wet slippery clay! That is why Swift has the chains on the rigs year round. If you need them at a "odd customer"...they won't do you any good sitting in a pile at home in your garage, or on the pallet in the shop at Swift!

Not necessarily...could be a nice guy...just not very professional or doesn't really care about his students future or the students needs to become a good driver.