Rookie Winter Driving

yeah as mentioned, don't panic, ice can freeze up on your windshield, chains can break, turn off them jake brakes wooo... go slow and take it easy, you can do it, relax!

 

they should cover chaining and all in training. i have always been fairly comfortable in snow, but i trained with some guys who had never even seen snow in their lives...it is all about common sense, if its THAT bad just park it. slow down. whatever you need to do.

as far as going easy on you, thats funny. i got thrown into nyc my 3rd week, i chained like 10 times my first winter. its nothing anyone cant handle if you just take your time and think about what you are doing.

 

Reminds me of an old biker adage......"never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly"....pretty much applies to trucks as well.

When I started they showed us how to hook up chains on a wheel mounted on a steel post for a demo,it was a little different the first time out on the road lol.
Crawling under the truck in sub freezing temps in the dark while it's snowing sideways,fighting the tight space between the trailer and tires,trying to sort out tangled up 3 rails in 6" of fresh snow with more coming down making them disappear before your eyes while trying to hold a flashlight.
Great fun!

 

If you can get on with Crete I highly recommend you do so! Crete is a very good company and doesn't always take newbies. Make sure to check with the recruiter that the school you are going to is accepted at Crete. They only accept students from certain schools.

When wintertime comes, if you are still in this line of work and not comfortable, let someone know. Have them go over throwing chains with you. Make sure you physically do it yourself! The very last thing you want is to be out on that road like Y2k said in the dark in sub freezing temps trying to learn how to throw chains! Course the likelihood of you having to do so is slim but don't be caught with your pants down.

Keep in mind, if you have to put on chains you are going where the road conditions are worse than they are in your current position! Most companies don't force you to throw chains and keep going. Too risky to yourself and the equipment and very costly if you lose your load! Use your own judgement. If you are not comfortable then do not proceed!

Chances are the worst weather you will run into will be in the south, southwest! Up in the north and northwest they have the equipment and know how to keep the roads clean. Its the southern states that don't! Texas can be a nightmare when the roads are icy!

One good thing you will have going for you is about 4-5 months of experience by the time the weather gets rough. Crete's main terminal is in Lincoln, NE. Home of wind and snow! However, they also have a terminal right here in my home town of Deland, FL! Home of no snow!

Don't sweat the small stuff man, I'm sure you will do just fine when the time comes.

Good luck!

 

I was going to start a thread on the best time to go through school. It would be winter.

that way when you are on you start out on your own it is nice warm, dry roads to get your first few months in.

Then get your first winter experience when you are a little more comfortable.

Mikeeee

 

my first trip out was leaving Fargo ND to Seattle WA in a blizzard.

 

I would almost rather deal with snow and ice over endless road construction and rental rv'ers honetly

uphill both ways with no shoes on right