Empty Trailers, High Winds And A Bunch Of Things I Can't Wrap My Head Around

Sitting waiting for the winds to mellow out some, 50 mph gusts, empty, 447 miles. A lot just seem to run in those conditions, not me, ive seen way too many blow overs. I've seen drivers at our company loose it. Why? Can't wrap my head around it. The wind chart says 35 mph or over, shut it down if empty. Our DMs and safety thank us if we shut down during wind events.

Periodically I think of the volume of people that start here at TT and are gone in short time, accidents, incidents, failure to take the advice. It's almost as if you can see the train wreck coming. Truth is that it saddens me a bit, especially on the ones that really try hard. I don't know how the mods do it, I'm sure you can see in advance what's coming down the turnpike, yet you watch them wash out instead of them taking your advice. It's like our careers are fragile as a newborn at the start. Some days I can't wrap my head around it. Other days it confirms the choices I made and make.

I have a run up to Salem Oregon coming up, establish the relationship with my new DM. Sighing inwardly. If there's snow and ice, I'll shut down as needed. Doesn't bother me anymore to do it, just is what it is. I don't feel like risking the litany of potential harms. But a lot of other drivers will just run through it, a few of them will have an accident as a result. Just doesn't make sense to me. Am I off in my thoughts?

And finally, so much of the logistics seem to never go to plan. Loads aren't ready, miscommunication, just general insanity in my opinion. I get paid for waiting and it doesn't bother me except in that I can't picture it being productive and financially viable. Is it normal in the industry or is my carrier dysfunctional? It seems like the load planning and logistics are completely insane and very disorganized a lot of the time. I can't wrap my head around it.

Hang in there Davy A! The trucking world is better because of Drivers like you.

Yes, the logistics world is crazy. As is the rest. But, the losses on one load are sometimes offset by the profits on another. We're just not privy to the ones that are and aren't.

The struggle is REAL!

Be SAFE!

Davy, I recently read a comment that there are only 30 to 40 regular contributors here on TT. That negatively amazes me. I’ve recommended this site to dozens of drivers and I don’t know of even one who has become a contributor. It’s very frustrating to me because I’ve learned so much here. It is so valuable to have a place to ask questions and get solid advice and information. I guess much of the general driver population is stubborn and anti/progressive. I want to help other drivers but it seems rare to find anybody who wants continuing education. Human nature is a confusing thing.

Davy, I recently read a comment that there are only 30 to 40 regular contributors here on TT. That negatively amazes me. I’ve recommended this site to dozens of drivers and I don’t know of even one who has become a contributor. It’s very frustrating to me because I’ve learned so much here. It is so valuable to have a place to ask questions and get solid advice and information. I guess much of the general driver population is stubborn and anti/progressive. I want to help other drivers but it seems rare to find anybody who wants continuing education. Human nature is a confusing thing.

Lots more people read things here than those that join, while some do join and never post anything.

I've found that being out on training is very busy, so I post less. Not that I'll have tons of time later, but perhaps a little more, and something more to contribute once I start getting experience.

Davy, I recently read a comment that there are only 30 to 40 regular contributors here on TT. That negatively amazes me. I’ve recommended this site to dozens of drivers and I don’t know of even one who has become a contributor. It’s very frustrating to me because I’ve learned so much here. It is so valuable to have a place to ask questions and get solid advice and information. I guess much of the general driver population is stubborn and anti/progressive. I want to help other drivers but it seems rare to find anybody who wants continuing education. Human nature is a confusing thing.

BK, due to my 'social media prowess,' I can tell you, PackRat is correct.

Davy, I recently read a comment that there are only 30 to 40 regular contributors here on TT. That negatively amazes me. I’ve recommended this site to dozens of drivers and I don’t know of even one who has become a contributor. It’s very frustrating to me because I’ve learned so much here. It is so valuable to have a place to ask questions and get solid advice and information. I guess much of the general driver population is stubborn and anti/progressive. I want to help other drivers but it seems rare to find anybody who wants continuing education. Human nature is a confusing thing.

Lots more people read things here than those that join, while some do join and never post anything.

The views (that the mods can see) and the inquiries, or membership ads, show many people DO stop by, register, yet don't post.

I've found that being out on training is very busy, so I post less. Not that I'll have tons of time later, but perhaps a little more, and something more to contribute once I start getting experience.

And we ALWAYS await your contributions, Mt. Matt! You should really add your FacePalm link to your profile; you are AMAZING to follow, there, as well as TX Tim !!!

Here's that article for him: Numbers Game / Accounting.

DAVY; Lastly, if you've not seen this prior, shared by G'Town quite some time ago, Wind Chart:

And, one from Wilson Logistics:

Stay safe, man. Decompress. Best always,

~ Anne & Tom ~

Davy, I recently read a comment that there are only 30 to 40 regular contributors here on TT. That negatively amazes me. I’ve recommended this site to dozens of drivers and I don’t know of even one who has become a contributor. It’s very frustrating to me because I’ve learned so much here. It is so valuable to have a place to ask questions and get solid advice and information. I guess much of the general driver population is stubborn and anti/progressive. I want to help other drivers but it seems rare to find anybody who wants continuing education. Human nature is a confusing thing.

Lots more people read things here than those that join, while some do join and never post anything.

Even though I drove for only a short time last year, I still read the threads on here. I often have an opinion but I don't comment because I'm not a driver. Kind of like not wearing my Harley Davidson T-shirts after I sold my bike.

So one opinion I have is that everyone considering a driving career should have a month or so of required reading on here. Especially some of the training diaries such as Davy's epic one. Because of that, I had zero surprises when I went to Knight's school last summer.

Y'all are doing the industry a service by having this web site. I wish that more people would use it.

Anne, I DO have my Facebook link on my profile, under the "Social Link" section of my profile page.

Eh I did the same when I was in training, I'd give others the link to come here and read, but none did that I know of.

I'm under a light load now at home, I went to get it yesterday, in advance,down in Perris, Cal. to be ready to roll out to Humble Tex. After I finish my hometime...See we have to micro manage our DM's sometimes, especially young and new ones....Great the winds down below and up here off the Cajon Pass, winds are 15-25 mph, gusts to 45 mph ! Just great since my load is only 12,616 pounds of furniture stuff from Living Spaces lol The winds are usually even worse out in the wide open spaces of Az/NM/Tex. I have NO problem shutting down when I feel its safer than going.. All thats going thru my mind is NOT to get blown over, that's not gunna be fun or pain free...

Wasn't a quick grab, get back home, they wouldn't gimme the load without and empty. Lucky, my DM found me 1 across the I-215 at Ross DC. I grabbed it, and back to get my loaded trailer. Friday at 3 pm ughhh on the freeway,,slow going since so many Cali drivers are idiots n speed demons,we are WAYYY OVER-Populated!!

Then, it starts to drizzle rain, my truck was just serviced Wednesday, guess what? my driver side wiper blade comes off the arm....eventually got away from rain, the air dried my glass...Gunna fix it,, or swap it out... Think I got extra 1 laying around,

You're doing great Davy, if only everyone understood that it's idiotic in most cases to be out in those conditions we'd have far less wrecks. They'd rather be out there doing 20 mph eating up their whole clock just because they have the hours. If they'd just go back to sleep for a few hours they'll be able to go much faster and make more money, but more importantly be safer.

I got a question for everyone regarding winds that nobody seems to agree on or have scientific proof to support their reasoning. If you're running empty or light and it's windy out are you running with your tandems all the way forward or as far back as you can based on location? If you run them forward you'd add more weight to the trailer axle which I would think helps. At the same time I've seen the argument to run them all the way back. They say that if you try to flip a table over it takes more effort the farther the legs are apart compared to having them closer together.