Still around and looking

[BigDiesel]

3 to 5 mph difference ?????? I call BULL :dung: !!!!

With that type of damage to the tractor, just think if a minivan was the receipient of your POOR decision making ability.....

[matcat]

Looks a lot worse then it is, remember I said hood/radiator damage. And look at the back of the other truck, no damage at all. You can see the impact point, the hood took the brunt right there along the left side of the grill, pushing it backward and up. It was only a few miles in speed difference, and I was only about 5000 lbs loaded, and the other trailer was empty.

[matcat]

If that was a metal hood it wouldn't look so bad, but it's all fiberglass and plastic, including that bumper down there that got clipped (It already was broken there anyway but not from me, the impact just finished it off)

Basically Fiberglass and Plastic VS steel what do you expect is going to give?

[bentstrider]

Once I see some fog like that from a distance, I just find a nice, quiet place to go to sleep for awhile.
Not trying to knock you, but fog is the one thing where I would definitely shut it down for a bit.
And I actually did drive the Columbia with Swift for 2 months, but the tranny gave out on it, then they switched me back to a Volvo.

[matcat]

Once I see some fog like that from a distance, I just find a nice, quiet place to go to sleep for awhile.
Not trying to knock you, but fog is the one thing where I would definitely shut it down for a bit.
And I actually did drive the Columbia with Swift for 2 months, but the tranny gave out on it, then they switched me back to a Volvo.

Unfortunately this fog patch was on top of a mountain with no exits between, and it just appeared out of no where, not to mention it was only about 2 miles thick! Yeah I had that columbia the entire time up until the accident, and after the accident was in a volvo for 3 weeks, man I missed the freightliner, volvo was OK but I didn't like it as much.

[kc0iv]

Once I see some fog like that from a distance, I just find a nice, quiet place to go to sleep for awhile.
Not trying to knock you, but fog is the one thing where I would definitely shut it down for a bit.
And I actually did drive the Columbia with Swift for 2 months, but the tranny gave out on it, then they switched me back to a Volvo.

Unfortunately this fog patch was on top of a mountain with no exits between, and it just appeared out of no where, not to mention it was only about 2 miles thick! Yeah I had that columbia the entire time up until the accident, and after the accident was in a volvo for 3 weeks, man I missed the freightliner, volvo was OK but I didn't like it as much.

You was driving 50+ MPH in that kind of fog??? You got to me kidding!!

Maybe 20-25 MPH tops. Four-way flasher on to the next available pull over spot and then take a nap.

kc0iv

[matcat]

Like I said before, it was a small patch of fog, once I hit it I actually didn't even have my foot in the accelerator, I was slowing down from 65, right before the accident I was down to about 47ish.

Yeah that fog was crappy, and as I said next time I ever hit fog like that I will either pull off or go super slow Assuming I ever get in a CMV any time soon, I was offered a taxi cab job today... Not really what I want but its a job for now I guess.

[Whammo]

Like I said before, it was a small patch of fog, once I hit it I actually didn't even have my foot in the accelerator, I was slowing down from 65, right before the accident I was down to about 47ish.

Yeah that fog was crappy, and as I said next time I ever hit fog like that I will either pull off or go super slow Assuming I ever get in a CMV any time soon, I was offered a taxi cab job today... Not really what I want but its a job for now I guess.

Posting those photos was about the last thing you should have done if you wanted this topic to die.

[TomB985]

Yeah, but they sure look cool!!! :P

Just kidding.....

[matcat]

Like I said before, it was a small patch of fog, once I hit it I actually didn't even have my foot in the accelerator, I was slowing down from 65, right before the accident I was down to about 47ish.

Yeah that fog was crappy, and as I said next time I ever hit fog like that I will either pull off or go super slow Assuming I ever get in a CMV any time soon, I was offered a taxi cab job today... Not really what I want but its a job for now I guess.

Posting those photos was about the last thing you should have done if you wanted this topic to die.

Yeah I thought about it when I posted, but I figured hell, all this talk about it I minus well let everyone see it! I'm sort of over the pissed off phase now.

Stuff happens, time for me to get over my pity pot and go on with life. My short stint with OTR is done with for the moment, but believe me I am keeping my eyes open for the opportunity to climb back in a truck, even if I have to take a different job for now (Although the longer I go without going in a truck the harder it's going to be, getting close to 30 days now).

[bentstrider]

Well, even if you do have to deal with a refresher course when you get back in, I would still take the offer no matter what.

I've already gone six months without driving the truck and know I'll need another session of driver-training before I'll be let back on.
As far as learning my lesson goes, I've basically gotten to the point where if someone mentions the word "sleep", I'll find someplace to lie down immediately.

As to why I intend to return to this line of work, we've all got our reasons for liking it after some point.
I just like it due to the solitude and not having to deal with others all the time.

[matcat]

Well, even if you do have to deal with a refresher course when you get back in, I would still take the offer no matter what.

I've already gone six months without driving the truck and know I'll need another session of driver-training before I'll be let back on.
As far as learning my lesson goes, I've basically gotten to the point where if someone mentions the word "sleep", I'll find someplace to lie down immediately.

As to why I intend to return to this line of work, we've all got our reasons for liking it after some point.
I just like it due to the solitude and not having to deal with others all the time.

I love it for a few reasons, one, you don't have a boss breathing down your neck all day, two, I am somewhat of a loner, three, I LOVE to travel and see new things .

[got mud?]

matcat the one thing that you need to do if you really want to get back in a truck is lose the defensive attitude. Any prospective employer is going to be looking to see if you knew what you did wrong and if you learned from it. making excuses or trying to justify what happened only shows them that you have not learned from the past.

did safety talk to you after the accident? were you defensive and making excuses? I would imagine that is part of why you were let go.

I don't know the whole story but if I had to guess it went something like this

you where pulling that hill with 5k in the box and for once it was nice to feel like a billy big rigger not being in sixth gear just trying to make the hill. the problem is you should have expected someone to be pulling that hill doing only 35 with their flashers on ( fog or no fog) you should have been in the fast lane.

with the fog you should have expected someone to be driving slow in the right lane. thats what people do in the fog.

the bottom line is you where driving faster than you could see and react safely for the conditions, and you compounded it by doing it in the wrong lane.

just admit that when asked and explain why you think you learned your lesson and people will let it go.

like they say every thing after but is bull *****

[Orangetxguy]

matcat the one thing that you need to do if you really want to get back in a truck is lose the defensive attitude. Any prospective employer is going to be looking to see if you knew what you did wrong and if you learned from it. making excuses or trying to justify what happened only shows them that you have not learned from the past.

did safety talk to you after the accident? were you defensive and making excuses? I would imagine that is part of why you were let go.

I don't know the whole story but if I had to guess it went something like this

you where pulling that hill with 5k in the box and for once it was nice to feel like a billy big rigger not being in sixth gear just trying to make the hill. the problem is you should have expected someone to be pulling that hill doing only 35 with their flashers on ( fog or no fog) you should have been in the fast lane.

with the fog you should have expected someone to be driving slow in the right lane. thats what people do in the fog.

the bottom line is you where driving faster than you could see and react safely for the conditions, and you compounded it by doing it in the wrong lane.

just admit that when asked and explain why you think you learned your lesson and people will let it go.

like they say every thing after but is bull *****

GM gets it!!!

[golfhobo]

Video recorded evidence can go both ways, if something was truly my fault, it could, if it was not my fault, video evidence could also save me.

Yeah, end even if the evidence "saved" you, the fact that you were running a video camera easily within your reach, along with the laptop on your passenger seat, you would get nailed for negligence.



I'm not saying give it up, though that would be preferable. But I am saying put it somewhere where it's out of sight and out of mind. You don't seem to be getting that.

Twilight...... have you seen this month's issue of Road King (the T/A magazine available at any T/A truckstop?) They are GLORIFYING some truckers who "podcast" live while driving!!! (Like the VIEW out the window of a Class 8 is any different than the view from a 4wheeler!!) :shock:

Funny.... I didn't see ONE remark from a "Safety Manager" about the dangers of this practice!! :shock:

IF this is such a dangerous practice..... I would like to see some CONSTRUCTIVE comment, if not INDIGNANT response, from those who hold our careers in their hands!!

We ALL know how the world is progressing towards this "instant stardom/ REALITY show!" But, no one is saying "slow down!" Sure.... you can bust the balls of a newbie on this board...... but, where is your input where it really matters?

The World, and "profession" of trucking is changing DRAMATICALLY every day! MANY threads on this forum alone have attested to the sorry state of TRAINING. And WHO is responsible for the STANDARDS of "training?" I would HAVE to surmise it would be the Safety Directors!

Maybe I'm wrong.... but, YEARS in the military and MIC have taught me otherwise! I've seen REGS for training and SAFETY that would (apparently) make you FAINT!!

I'm just saying that I'd like to see you quote ONE regulation, or ONE training criteria to support your viewpoint, before hearing you bust the b@lls of a noobie for making a mistake!

I don't mean to bust YOUR b@lls, Twilight...... but, from what I've SEEN of "safety departments/managers" in this business..... I'm NOT impressed!

I've had to tell THEM, many times, what the HOS regs are and mean. And, I've seen them bend the rules if if helps dispatch move the freight. I'm sure it's not the same everywhere..... but, personally..... I don't know what MOST of them DO for their pay! ME?? I drive the truck! And THAT is the fundament of this industry! If the Safety Dept has no INTEGRAL funtion in the business, they are just a drain on financial resources!

I DO know that YOU have tried to impress on the O.P., the possible results of his poor jucgement (IMHO due to poor training,) but is THAT all you do? Where do we stand on Standardized Training? How about Third Party Testing Certification? Do you just ASSUME that every warm body you let drive a truck KNOWS the basics of "safe driving for conditions?" Or, are you ACTIVELY involved in certifying that he IS??

I would say that the most IMPORTANT aspect of truck driving is SAFETY! But, I don't see the department responsible for that being held RESPOSIBLE for the same! It seems that the most CONVENIENT way to "manage" a high safety rating, is to FIRE those who don't live up to it! But, the TRAINERS don't get FIRED.... and neither do the Safety Directors!

I can't help but believe that a 120% turnover rate in drivers has LESS to do with the drivers than it does with the MANAGERS! At EVERY level!

"Hire a POORLY trained driver, and if he makes a mistake.... FIRE him and hire another! As long as they are standing in line to get "in," WHY bother making a "professional" out of them? What have YOU (as a company) got "invested" in HIS life?

[Twilight Flyer]

Three things, Hobo:

#1. I am not the safety director here, nor do I even work in safety. Even still, we have policies in place in our company regarding active gadgets (cams, laptops, etc.) within reach. Hell, we won't even take a cell phone call from one of our drivers that is driving. He must be stopped and pulled over.

#2. We do not take trainees here...never have and never will.

#3. I absolutely will not take a step back from advocating safety. I have a really big problem with drivers attempting stupid driver tricks and I will say so without apology. I don't want my family to be the next statistic because some idiot thought it was more important to adjust a dashcam than keep his eyes on the road. I'm not pointing that comment specifically at the original poster, but at anyone in general that seems to think it's OK to play with toys while driving down the road.

In the end, I'm really not concerned whether anyone LIKES the message or not. It's a valid message, needs to be said, and hopefully some newer drivers will actually read it and take it to heart. The life they save by doing so, might be your own.

[golfhobo]

Three things, Hobo:

#1. I am not the safety director here, nor do I even work in safety. Even still, we have policies in place in our company regarding active gadgets (cams, laptops, etc.) within reach. Hell, we won't even take a cell phone call from one of our drivers that is driving. He must be stopped and pulled over.

#2. We do not take trainees here...never have and never will.

#3. I absolutely will not take a step back from advocating safety. I have a really big problem with drivers attempting stupid driver tricks and I will say so without apology. I don't want my family to be the next statistic because some idiot thought it was more important to adjust a dashcam than keep his eyes on the road. I'm not pointing that comment specifically at the original poster, but at anyone in general that seems to think it's OK to play with toys while driving down the road.

In the end, I'm really not concerned whether anyone LIKES the message or not. It's a valid message, needs to be said, and hopefully some newer drivers will actually read it and take it to heart. The life they save by doing so, might be your own.

Thanks for the reply, Twilight..... I think!

Seriously, my apologies if I offended you. First... I WAS under the impression you were in Safety. Don't know how I got that. But, I WAS also trying to voice my opinion on how trucking management viewed the situation, and NOT specifically at you. I gotta quit using that "collective" you.

I actually agree with pretty much all you say concerning safety and gadgets. "Stupid Driver Tricks" are a real pet peeve of MINE as well! And I think I conveyed that to Matcat.

My post was mostly about that article glorifying podcasting, and the lack of any negative comments about it. I only addressed it to YOU, because I thought you WERE in Safety and would have an opinion on it.

Anyway.... sorry for the misunderstanding.