Profile For Rob S.

A couple of thoughts;

I once read on this site, "If you don't like a policy your company implements, stick around around awhile. They usually change it back anyway."

Will you absolutely be pulling doubles or does management just want all drivers to get the endorsement?

I pull double tanks daily and it isn't much more terrifying on ice or snow than a single trailer would be. The trip to DMV is way more of a hassle than the job itself.

I haul milk not fuel. I think our hoses are similar to theirs. They aren't that difficult to move around. Two differences I can think of are;

1. We need to climb the ladders on the trailers.

2. We need to chain up to keep moving in bad weather. We slow down. Really slow. But we need to keep moving.

For physical requirements, throwing 3 railers is by far the most difficult part.

I think you answered your question, don't do it on the test. The machine can take the abuse but it isn't the best or safest method. You mentioned not coasting the length of your vehicle, that's good. Have your instructors taught you about a "stale green light"? It was a new concept to me when I started. The idea is to anticipate and be ready for a light that's about to change. Also, it's OK to be a bit below the speed limit, if the limit is 55, go 50.

Who's going to drive it? I think that's a bigger issue than the vehicle selection. Along with the driver is the insurance problem.

Have you considered a retired uhaul or Ryder box truck? Also consider the opportunity for disaster when driving a combination vehicle compared to a box truck in the areas where you'll be "delivering".

The false alarms from the "safety" features in the cab. We're slip seat, there's no other equipment to use. Unless I smell smoke, I'm not stopping for a dashboard light or chime. Wake up a manager or a mechanic but leave me alone, I'm driving. (Of course it would be different were it not for the constant false alarms.)

Thanks for the laughs! That's a pretty slick looking production, well done. It also affirms my choice to avoid becoming a trainer.

Maybe a serial killer...

I wouldn't worry about it, what are the odds that two serial killers would be in the same truck?

Is this for a tanker wash or a reefer or ? I've never heard of this and I'm curious. For our tankers we have organic and non-organic sanitizer but that's all.

When I was OTR my approach was to check the weather on the NOAA app. Then check roads through whichever state I was in. The company policy was to only use chains to get to a safe place to wait. If we couldn't go 35mph safely, consider parking. Always communicate with the DM.

Where I am now is much different. I pick up milk from the farm and deliver to a creamery. Local, hourly, daycab. We are expected to chain up and keep going. It's even more important to stay in touch with the dispatcher. If a facility is inaccessible we may be routed to the yard.

In the several ice and snow storms that I've worked here the approach has been, slow down. Communicate. Slow down some more. Keep chaining until you're out of chains. No need to rush, we're paid for all on-duty hours. When you get home, come back in 10 hours.

It sounds like you want legal advice. That's not what we do here. It also sounds like you're expecting push back from your employer. Are you sure you want a job where your company is looking for ways to get rid of you?