Weather decision

Yeah, after I have had so many issues with them I see why they have so many accidents, even some safety acts like you are acting like a baby. I was sent a load going to Michigan and refused it because of weather, well guess what, if I had not refused I would have been smack in the middle of that pile up they had not too long ago.

 

What scares me more than the road conditions is the other drivers out there.
I can control my truck, but many many times I have had 4 wheelers who have no clue go flying past me only to spin out right in front of me, and that scares the crap out of me

 

Wyoming native here,

Had another arguement with dispatch over a produce load. It was late autumn, going to cheyenne wy from california. I could see that the next day that utah and wyoming were going to get hit hard... local knowledge. I could run I40 and then come up I25 to miss the storm, but that adds just over 200 miles, which the company did not want to authorize, so I ran I15 up into utah, and got to the american fork flying J to shut down because the chain law was up on Parley, as I had told them it would be. company rule, we did not chain. Went to bed. Next morning, produce dispatch calls wanting to know when I will make delivery? My answer was when I get there, all depends on the condition of the roads... since I would be moving the same direction as the storm, I knew I would be in it all day.

Left and headed for parley, which by the time I got there, was lots of slush, which tends to through cars out of control... I was at 79K+....

Three sisters in wy was packed snow, by green river wy it was more of that packed snow ice on top... stop in rock springs, lunch, and check the web cams for I80... wind is normal around 20mph... road reports say slick in spots...

Okay roll out, can still easily maintain about 55mph with out feeling any loss of control.

CB on, roads are slick in spots but I am making good time... get past wamsutter, and the traffic headed west evaporates!!!!! okay, the road is closed ahead, not good... A wreck at the TA exit in rawlins has the west bound lanes closed, and a wreck in town, has the only way around closed..

down to 45 mph, but still good traction, and good visibility, and no wind ahead... I push on, first major pull at the platte river, and two CRST doubles have spun out, and are blocking the right two lanes... no choice but to go into the 3rd lane where trucks are not allowed... get back over as soon as safe, and continue on, into the sunshine... which only lasted for about 30 miles, then it was like someone pulled the curtain, as the snow was so thick one could not see 100 ft... slowed down, put my right tire on the rubble strip, and drove by brail. Only went at a speed I felt comfortable with, and nobody was passing me, or saying much on the CB...

To pass it was put the left tire on the rumble strip, and continue on... the curtain lifted just before laramie...next choice, do I try the summit, or park it? stopped and checked the road reports and web cams... looks do able, so I roll out...

some freezing fog, but a safe ride into cheyenne, with on time delivery... even got a thank you from dispatch, and was allowed to take my ten hour break on wal mart property.

The difference, this was 4 years in, and I had drove across southern wyoming weekly for years before I went OTR. I knew my safe havens, and what the weather would bring generally...

It is always up to the driver, regardless of what a desk jockey says... Those same conditions in Illinois or Indiana, I would have parked it... more stupid drivers on the road.

 

What you're gonna cry and wimp out because of a little snow? Turn your truck in. You're no driver. Put a skirt on too girly-man.






Ha ha ha! You're the captain of your ship. If you feel unsafe, then the smartest thing you can do is shut her down. The load will still get there and because of a SMART move on your part, get there safely. Out driving your skills if the quickest way to an accident.

 

more than likely a high wind advisory was in effect. Wind and snow ice, I always park it.

 

Don't exceed your comfort zone. Drive if comfortable , if not take a break that crap will get delivered when you get there.Your showing good judgement as far as im comcerned, and some of those big riggers don't know any better ,it's just a matter of which storm teaches them a lesson.

 

If you a driver from Wyoming you can drive anywhere, my gosh my first Wyoming trip scare me to death. I only had about 3 months in. I know I seen about 10 trucks in the ditch, about 15 cars as well. Snow coming down hard and wind blowing like the end of the world. God bless all drivers who go through Wyoming winters on a daily basis

 

Just remember, God only gave you one life to live.

 

As to your original question: Every company is different, but there is a lot of good advice on this board. You're the captain of the ship. You make the decisions. I can guarantee you if you run in bad weather and have any accident, you'll be blamed.
After years of driving I am now one of those despicable low life dispatchers on the worthless overnight crew.
I always tell the drivers the same thing: If you're questioning the safety conditions, it's probably time to shut down.
I'd rather reschedule a load than deal with the alternative.

 

What I underlined from you, and this from the o/o:

" How about the new guy with a few months under his belt? Will a company blacklist you or hold it against you if you refuse to drive in conditions that you feel are unsafe for your skill level?

If one REFUSES to drive, one will be fired. You have to at least "make an attempt", Then if you feel unsafe, you call it in and say you cannot go any further. To refuse to drive, is telling your company (as in this case, the newbie o/p) that you do not know what to do, how to do it, or just have no idea on how to drive) as a PAID professional, we are supposed to be able to drive in all types of adverse weather conditions.

Not that I am saying, drive till you crash, or drive till you get stuck, but to at least "make an attempt" to go. All one has to do is "drive out the gate/yard", go maybe all of 100 yards, call dispatch and tell them it is really bad and you just cannot go any further. DO NOT FORGET, nearly every truck has some sort of "tracking device" in it. Try and BS your company you tried, but they see you are in the same location as minutes before, and feel thier wrath. Yes, one life is all YOU GOT, and so can be that job if fired, for REFUSING to drive.

No potential employer wants to hire someone that has been fired, for REFUSING to drive.

Then if you at least "made the attempt" and dispatch threatens you, THEN you call safety, tell them YOU TRIED your best, and couldn't go, and dispatch is making threats against you.

But to simply REFUSE to drive, as per the o/p's statement, can be AND WILL BE a fire-able offense.