Mandatory Training for Truckers

[stuphoto]

https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/348525 ... -Kootenays

Personally I am more forgiving of the Humboldt driver.
At least he didn't have any experience.

I can almost bet they have 1 thing in common.
Paid by the trip or mileage, not by the hour.
I feel the roads will become much safer if they outlawed that.

[dirtybiker]

Paid by the trip or mileage, not by the hour.
I feel the roads will become much safer if they outlawed that.

Not gonna disagree, although it can't be an open -ended clock for people to
take advantage of, because they will.
That's a given.

Not much for ethics left in this world, sadly.

Getting paid to be stopped for traffic is one thing. Not moving for every excuse in the
book, quite another.

[django]

https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/348525 ... -Kootenays


I can almost bet they have 1 thing in common.
Paid by the trip or mileage, not by the hour.
I feel the roads will become much safer if they outlawed that.

It would make zero difference to the way a "driver" behaves on the road. I've seen them paid every way you can think of and the same ones that drive like A holes paid by the load do the same crap when they get paid by the mile or finally by the hour. The reasons vary, I just want to get it done and get home, trying to beat a storm, boredom, staying ahead of traffic, on and on. I've been driving truck for over twenty years, when I was young and immature I drove like an idiot too at times but I guess I grew up, and now I buy the fuel and pay for tires and repairs. That driver should have been off the road permanently a long time ago with his record in my opinion. We need a better way of weeding out bad drivers, changing how they're paid isn't it.

[stuphoto]

now I buy the fuel and pay for tires and repairs.

I have never had to buy anything but if I break the truck I am assigned I can either wait a week for the mechanic to get to it or fix it myself.
So I tended not to abuse them.
Some of us sort of had a competition to see whom can use the least amount of fuel over the same trip too.

However the only thing I have transported the last 2 years and 8 months is several thousand human lives, along with some dogs and one parrot named Buddy.
I prefer it this way, even though Buddy will steal my lunch if I let him.

[oldtrucker]

Some of us sort of had a competition to see whom can use the least amount of fuel over the same trip too.

My record is over 13 mpg. Kelowna to Van one way with a triaxle refer empty pulled by a early 2000's Pete 359 with a 575 ISX. Took me over 2 hours longer to do the trip that day. The secret is to not let ANY psi show on the boost gauge...use torque only- no HP. Let the engine spool up without using any turbo, 1550rmp max ...1375 rmp min. Don't look in the mirror....there will be traffic behind you. edit....^^^ Just saw this.. RPM not RMP ....it was a backwards day

[Urban Cowboy]

Think I was driving behind you.

[stuphoto]

It wasn't all that long ago when trucks had sub 400hp motors, 10 speed transmissions and still crawled their way over the Coq.

I did one season up North hauling B's with a worn out engine we were certain wasn't pumping out 300hp.
Since I knew the road well, started charging at the hills and kept my foot into it, I was keeping up to 500hp trucks and almost pushing the WestCan company trucks up the hills.

Oh I wasn't conserving fuel that year.

[oldtrucker]

https://www.castanet.net/edition/news-s ... htm#355566

And again....something you can't train for...only the joy of experiencing it can lock it into memory.
People forget that the lock jaws on the fifth wheel may 'feel' like it's locked but it really isnt- It's just so cold that the grease becomes like glue and the lock jaws need to be rammed closed. Then the driver should find a really grippy area and do a tug test on the trailer to make sure the jaws are locked. I know .... It happened to me and I've been exactly where this driver in the castanet news article is right now.

[Noisy Boater]

Its highly annoying trying to unhook then hook up to another one when it's minus a lot out side. You are usually trying to park downhill so you don't require chains to drop a trailer!! Then you get part way out and spin out!!! Arrggggghhh!! When hooking up you want enough momentum to get under but also want to avoid slamming to knock yer teeth out!!! A little diesel fuel in a spray bottle works wonders. Even at minus a lot the diesel will give enough lubrication to help jaws lock but it's not fool proof. Just gives you a sense of wow that'll help and hope you don't drop a trailer in the advance left turn lane crossing the 4 lane part!!!

[I Think]

Its highly annoying trying to unhook then hook up to another one when it's minus a lot out side. You are usually trying to park downhill so you don't require chains to drop a trailer!! Then you get part way out and spin out!!! Arrggggghhh!! When hooking up you want enough momentum to get under but also want to avoid slamming to knock yer teeth out!!! A little diesel fuel in a spray bottle works wonders. Even at minus a lot the diesel will give enough lubrication to help jaws lock but it's not fool proof. Just gives you a sense of wow that'll help and hope you don't drop a trailer in the advance left turn lane crossing the 4 lane part!!!

Todays truckers.........
In the 1970's when I drove logging trucks, we ran in -30F, pulled two or three trips out of the Monashees into Lumby or Lavington, put the chains on and off a few times every trip, stirred our coffee with our thumb etc.
Put alcohol in the brakes during the day and into ourselves every night, out of bed at 2am under the loader at 4 am and unloading at the mill at 7am.
Course the pay wasn't great for the hours we put in, and wondered why the dog did not bark when a guy came by to visit.

[dirtybiker]

I've touted for years. The Coq was designed for trucks. Keep the 4 wheelers off,
the trucks will always flow smooth, able to run down, flow up.

So sad that I am so wrong !
https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/356618 ... t-and-Hope

Not a dang 4 wheeler even allowed, a perfect trucking scenario. it up ! {hangs head}

I have no answers. How ? Just How ?

[dirtybiker]

What a total embarrassment.
https://www.castanet.net/news/Kamloops/ ... le-crashes

Can't blame 4 wheelers for anything going on up there now !

I also remember the days that tire chains for highway use was only to get one
off the road.
Not as a requirement to travel on the road.

Regardless. the ounce proud and revered career as 'trucker' has
completely gone to !

[oldtrucker]

also remember the days that tire chains for highway use was only to get one
off the road.
Not as a requirement to travel on the road.

4 sets of singles or 2 triples req on the Coq. now. It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to put them on to a total clusterduck of a hour or more if things line up that way. On and off say 2 times on the trip can add a few hours to the already 14 hour day. In this weather, it can be 4 times on and off making it a 20 hour 'quick' pin to pin turn and burn trip. Throw in a few delays from accidents and that quick trip to the coast can end up being a 24 hour gongshow screwing up your sleep pattern/eating/general health for days....All for a whopping .60 cents mile which is huge pay-especially when you can only do 40 km/h with chains on....Yup, get in line for that job boys...

[Noisy Boater]

What a total embarrassment.
https://www.castanet.net/news/Kamloops/ ... le-crashes

Can't blame 4 wheelers for anything going on up there now !

I also remember the days that tire chains for highway use was only to get one
off the road.
Not as a requirement to travel on the road.

Regardless. the ounce proud and revered career as 'trucker' has
completely gone to !

Am I ever glad I hung up the keys and opted for retirement geezerville only minutes before you said that!! We need an 18 wheeler smilie!!

[oldtrucker]

Over border vax issues now....
We risk our lives for you, our legal futures with liability, our long term health...( did you know we will die 12 years sooner than other non truck driving men?), and our personal/family lives. Why? Why should truck drivers be made to slave in a industry with no employee protections? mickeyD's pays 45$ less per day for the same hours(13-14) with zero chance of any of the bad stuff I listed above. Boyz...DO NOT SERVE THEM ANYMORE....It's not your problem the shelves will be empty. Never was but for some reason you are less than ANY other employee in Canada- your lives mean squat.
Now it's time to turn in the keys boyz...
DEMAND 40/hr plus overtime after 8 hours and double time after 12 hours( hmm... overtime, just like everyone else in Canada?) from your employer.....OR YOU WALK. If they even open their mouths to say "We dont have to pay by the hour or pay overtime according to the law..." Don't even let them finish the sentence. Take the keys out of your pocket, put them on the desk and walk out.