Quote:
Originally Posted by danj_otr
Even though I hate winter driving, which I am sure I am not alone, it is easier than driving during the day for the most part. It is a matter of adjustment and what you feel comfortable driving in. I pretty much only drove nights.
The only exception to this is the roads that are known to be bad. Then I would find a place to park and camp out for the night. I am not sure what others consider a bad road, but US97 which runs through Oregon is the one road that I would not drive at night during the winter as the roads get really bad. As a comparison, I don't mind driving up and over Cabbage/Meecham on my way into Idaho as the road is clear from other drivers, yeah the snow sucks, but it's part of the job.
As far as Per Dium... Well, I did that with Swift, and I lost money on it. For example if I made $.29/mi, They would give me $.19/Mile Taxed, and then they would give me $.08/mi Per Dium, which means for every mile I drove Swift was making $.02/mi off of me as a fee for doing it. I would talk to an accountant before diving into it.
It may work for you and the company you work for, but, for me it did not.
US 97 is that te road that runs from weed ca. to biggs junction or. ??? did that in the snow at night while working for FFE, my hands hurt from the death grip I had on the wheel that night, another road was hwy 12 from missoula mt going to lewiston id. going over Lolo Pass, did that at night in the fog and snow, man another night of hands of death... another road I tried was was us 93 going north from southern idaho into missoula, had early mornin drops and ran that at night in the rain, couldn,t see the road at all and had several deer jump out to test my braking skills, never hit anything in roadway but that night was another test for sure, I doon,t mind hwy 95 south from lewiston to I-84 , thats a road I drive alot now with the company I am with, and it was just a few nights ago and the road was still snowy and the wind blowing and its dark out there in the forest. I would prefer to stick to major freeways if starting out as a night driver, I am sure alot of these backwoods hwys are not good even for us who do like to drive at night... just takes time and always watch the road and grip that wheel.... slap my back, 13 months Solo OTR with no wrecks or animal killing.... just like the mailman, rain sleet and snow has not stopped me either... still learn to drive daylight first is my advice