I left my company last year looking for the "perfect job". Guess what there isn't one. I decided to go back to my company because I knew that I would get a brand spanking new truck and I did. Along with some of the best benefits in the industry. [Only $150 deductible for Medical.] If I'm going to be out for weeks at a time I need a nice "place" to stay!!! I have terrible asthma and need a truck which is pet dander and smoke free.

The only two companies that I spoke to that said I had to chain were Interstate and May Company. That makes sense since both of them are located in the North West. I guess they wouldn't get their freight in and out without that stipulation.

Although, it's my understanding that once a driver claims that it isn't safe the company is not supposed to force someone to chain and move. I'm sure doing that a few times they'd catch on to your "little ploy"! 8) :roll:

 

of course he could move to the east cost and stay east. No chaining east.

 

.


so when do you start?

 

Keep something in mind if you use the 'it's not safe' qualcomm message.

Now, first of all, if it truly isn't safe then you should stop until it is!

If there are chain laws and you just don't feel like chaining, so you decide to take a break and claim it isn't safe here is what your dispatcher is going to be doing...

To start with they will check the internet for the weather in your area, followed by a phone call to that states automated line to check road and travel conditions. Most of the areas where chain laws and bad weather would stop a truck have webcams now, so the dispatcher can pretty easily see what it looks like where you are, or at least very close to you. (yes, not all areas have this)

They will then start watching your companies trucks in your area to see how many are stopped and how many are running. For instance, if you have stopped and they check on all the other trucks and see that most of them are stopped as well you are good. But, if you have stopped and they see that the majority of the fleet is getting through the area ok, you'll get a service failure or worse.

If you really want to run the western states during the winter there are times when chaining makes more sense than stopping. There are many times that throwing iron and getting over the hill will keep you moving, but if you stop you'll be there for a few days waiting. Quite a few hills on major routes have chain laws in effect most of the time during the winter.

It only takes 15 to 20 minutes to chain up the tractor and throw a drag chain on the trailer. Do it right and don't drive like a moron and there won't be any problems.

If I stopped every time a chain law went into effect, or every time I saw a snow flake like some do, I'd be lucky to get 500 miles a week.

My opinion... stop whining, grow a set, and learn what it takes to drive in the winter.

 

Don't know when you spoke to these companies, but Interstate's policy says it's the driver's decision whether to chain and run or sit and wait it out. They also bragged how since they made it manditory that you chain IF you decide to run in warranted conditions, they've had zero accidents.

 

 

Uhhhh.... did you quit yet?!!!

 

Yep ,but they are a120 truck company who claims to have the driver in mind ...Heck they charged a driver with truck abandonment when he quit , But he dropped the truck off at their terminal...WTF in 2 days of orientation the cops showed up a few times for wage disputes over wrongfully with held wages...after my termination at werner it's harder to get a job ,But this company just gave me the feeling like I could be commiting DAC suicide by working for them ...So run I did.

 

might I ask what happened at Werner?

 

Silverwulf 8) :roll: