When is the right time to shut down due to bad weather.

My father and several uncles as well as several family friends were truck drivers. I' ve been around truckers since I was born. I have been driving straight trucks since the 80s. I got my class A in 2010 then retired in 2013.

 

If I can roll I do. If i have to throw chains im going to. Freezing rain is really the only that shuts me down. If you don't feel like driving in it don't or reroute if possible. Slow down, leave yourself a lot of space and ride the drunk strip when fedex is coming by and you should be ok.

 

Had a newbie shut down early because of a rainstorm the other day. Never realized that put her over 11 hours the next day. In our line of work, that just can't happen. It was her one and only solo trip. Some loads can be easily rescheduled, others, like our live cargo, need to move as long as the roads are open.

 

August.............

 

Truth is, there is so much BS out there, a dispatcher can't tell if you are telling the truth or just want to goof off. Even if they are an hour away from you, it may not be bad where they are. Dispatchers are like salespeople. They are the middle person, between you and the customer and it looks bad if one of your trucks can't make the delivery. I never wanted to be in that position. So if it's bad where you are, shut it down and stick to your guns. Don't let a dispatcher make you feel bad, they'll get over it, and it's been my experience, a boss would much rather you say you are going to be late, then have a several thousand dollar wrecker bill.

 

I shut down when the road(s) are closed

 

Trust your ###, it will tell you. You have to feel what the road is doing, this is best done on the straight and flat.

Jeezus, might as well delete the #### post... some peoples sense of modesty is fin ridiculous.

 

Great answer.

 

I would also add that it may be a good time to call the shipper/receiver, and find out if they are even open.

I've had a few times, when I was a lot newer, that dispatch pushed me to go, only to get there and find everything locked up and dark. That's a real pisser, let me tell you.