Debate & Definition of a Specialized Heavy Haul Operator

An unskilled worker is anybody who has not had a 4 year training.. In unions it's an apprenticeship. Trucking isn't the only thing that is unskilled worker.. Labors, and I know iron workers are considered this also. In Canada it the red seal program. I don't know why this is called unskilled as the state says that you are skilled enough that they give you a drivers license. But the federal government says that you aren't. If you were a teamster you would be a journeyman after your training that you get for the type of truck that you drive. With the big trailer crowd as the cream of the crop.. But because you didn't spend 4 years being taught how to do your job.. You are still unskilled. Stupid huh? And they don't count time for training when you learn something everyday. If I remember it was something through the Clinton labor department that made this observation and ruling
As I said before Iron a Workers are not considered skilled. But they put together buildings that don't fall apart, or down.. That's a feat in itself .. Ever watch them walk the steel or climb a girder ? Or weld something or bolts together that stays together for many years. I sure would call them skilled. And a little nuts. But they only have a 3 year apprentice program. Labors are the same. I don't remember how long theirs is.. A couple of years..then there are the truck drivers.. And the heavy haul guys. Are they skilled? Labor department says no, but screw up something and you will get it rolling down at you like you are very skilled.. So what is it? And those fines and the courts and DOT and every police person treats you like your skilled when they tell you to sign here and take away that permit.
But let's look at some of the stuff that we have to do to be an unskilled worker. I'm sure everybody here can add much more. An unskilled truck driver that hauls heavy HAS TO KNOW how to load that load, get it centered on that trailer so the weights of the trailer is the same or less of the permit. They have to know how to take apart and put together a big trailer. They have to know most of the axle spacings for the states that they have to go through.. They have to know how to properly tie down that load and have enough securement that it is legal and so the load won't move or fall off. They have to know how to tarp air. When a customer wants that whatever that's doesn't have anything for the tarp to tarp.. Like a table that is upside down with only the legs sticking up or a frame. They have to be able to go from point A to point B with that 16 ft high load, or 14 ft wide, and not hit anything. They have to be able to go on routes that wagon trains used because that's what the permit said to go. They have to make both the shipper and the receiver happy with the service. They have to be able to read the official Texas map when you are on some FM road, or to be able to figure out what a belt road is or a utility road.. All in initials. And the list goes on.. And we aren't considered skilled.. Guess what if any body can do what I listed is the tip of the iceberg .. You are skilled. But that's my feeling and the states for giving you that license .. But not the federal government. Just show you where on the food chain we are with them. So being unskilled is just a department of Labor classification .. And defiantly not your skill of knowing how to do the job. Think of your skill level. Ever see a big load in the ditch, or upside down? I can't remember one. Can you? That's Skill.

 

Typed out a long response, read it and deleted it.

I'll let the pictures and descriptions of what I haul define what I do. If my regular 19' 6" and 20' wide loads, which BTW are considered "super-loads" in EVERY state don't qualify me then I'm just another unskilled flatbed driver.

My question then is - if my permit is for 12k 20k 20k 20k 20k 20k and 20k (that's 132k btw) at 18' 1" wide and 16' 3" tall with an OAL of 99' am I a heavy haul or just an unskilled oversized??

And finally for the comment about all the flashing lights, pole cars etc. My question to you is have you pulled a 20' wide load through downtown Seattle, WA at 1:00am in the morning? Probably don't realize we're working at that hour because you've been parked at the TA since 4:30 pm.

 

probably for the best

Wow. You are quite full of yourself. Do you read what you type? I can imagine that is quite demeaning to those that pull flats.
EDIT: Ahh, sarcasm. I get it now.

IMO that is skilled labor. Just the same as a flat bed driver is skilled labor. But I see you only had 7 axles on that load. Makes me wonder if some 9 axle guys consider 7 axles unskilled.
EDIT: I see your point. A big deal in one persons eyes might be a walk in the park to another fella.

Just a little humor directed your way to highlight the fact that there are ( I am sure) many "unskilled" flatbed drivers that fight traffic and weather that you never see. Would you say a van driver with 2 million accident free is unskilled.
EDIT: That part about the skirt and such was just a humorous attempt to say all truck drivers are skilled in their own way.

BTW, NYC OD guys do that night time stuff all the time....even the unskilled oversized guys. As you know, the reason they do that is because it is EASIER. Would you prefer 14'-2" wide in downtown Toronto during rush hour?

 

MrRank, the Unskilled Flatbedder is not the target audience of the Unskilled CatFlyer.

 

Thank Six. Just re-read thread and realized that Catflyer was not the OP. Will edit my post a soon as I can figure how to strike through the old text. Apologies to CatFlyer.

 

AGIAN, anything that exceeds the vehicle dimensions IE 102 wide 13'6" (in most states) or 80,000lbs
Now in most states you will see multi axle units running, if the due exceed the 80,000lb limit most of the time they have what is called blanket permits for weight and most states don't require you to flag for weight. The only place i'm not sure how the designation works is MI, and upper OH for the centipede trailer but I do know they are set up like that for the frost laws as well

 

well can say this anything oversized or weight is not for the faint of heart or the rookie, you better have skills. And ill match any of that westcoast stuff with a trip through Manhattan or the 5 boros anyday! seattle is easy!
Another observation is I see a small group of small minded driver looking for a SPECIAL BAGE SO THEY CAN SAY THEY ARE SUPER TRUCKERS!
yall have a good night

 

in the states that are pulling trains aren't over size except in the length. Some states like Oregon you have to have a long load sign on the back trailer . As for the michigan trains.. Aka those 9 axle single trailers still are not over size except in length if anything. I believe the michigan trains are at 160,000 and most of the other 9 axle trains are at 129,000. Other than states requiring the long load sign.. Nothing else is needed. And those states you will have a annual, paying for the weight. Nevadas permit is 60 per thousand over 80,000, Utah it was 350 and anything over 84 ft was restricted and you could only go on designated on- off ramps. And can't go on secondary roads. So every state is different.. Arizona only allows trains on HWY 15 and a couple of places through the virgin river canyon.as for flagging. Does it not state any size over 102" are to be flagged? And signs are required for weight only in most states . Like hauling that big trailer that's 102 wide when it's all stacked up if your over 80,000.

 

any old city with any kind of o/d is a bear. I would go down town LA any day than San Francisco, Chicago or New York or Phillidelphia .streets are narrow, tight turns, and tons and tons of wires. Bridges still built for the old 12'6" 35' trailers. And here you come ....for those that go to New York City at night with an O/D load.. Then park. Ever notice you normally won't see the police after 1- 2 in the morning? Wonder why? They want to live.

 

No apologies Rank, I was making a futile attempt at some humor as well as a little dig here and there. It's all good. I will haul anything be it a regular flatbed load or a multi-axle heavy long, tall, wide load. I'm in it for the money, I got all the ego stuff out of the way in a previous job (you'll have to look waaay back to find that but I did the rock-star gig for several years).

And I do in fact have an automatic but as far as the skirt goes, well I'm not telling and saddlesore better keep his mouth shut.

One final word, (not you Rank) I have no need for a badge, I just do my job and pick up my paycheck. What the rest of the world thinks, well they can kiss my...... have a good evening.