Comments By Mark P.

Mark P. philosophises:

Whatever happens, happens.

Don't let this happen to you. It's true anyone can end up on the wrong end of an accident or unexpected event. Ask "Sully" Sullenberger the airline pilot with 29 years commercial experience who had to land in the Hudson River in 2009.

But you should do your best to learn to anticipate anything that may happen while you drive. Mark, I'm not knocking you, because I know after this you will be an expert on anticipating black ice situations. But "whatever happens, happens" is not an attitude to take as a person responsible for 80,000 pounds of metal and freight rolling down any highway.

I meant that in regards to whatever action is taken by Prime!

They towed me into SLC and told me I have to do the TNT training again.

Did you have winter driving training on your original TNT phase?

Yeah I feel like they won't though. From the way it sounds like there was you, I and another driver all had no other vehicles involved. My fleet manager told me they are not in the business of firing people. I truly wish I could of done something different though I'm not sure what. Basically I learned not to go down the road empty until I see rocks on the road.

What's it like having a Fleet Manager that will communicate?

I have had zero communication other than head to Medford to get a load. This is a drop and hook contrary to Road Assist telling me to not drop the trailer until I got to Salt Lake City. I have asked about heading into the terminal and have received no reply. No word from any department about anything actually and I am through asking questions that are disregarded.

Yep were you the other one? I wasn't sure what else to do but hold on if 15mph can cause a jack knife and it's my fault I'll take the responsibility but man I thought I was a dead man.

I saw no chain advisories online or on hwy signs...just to carry them... Other trucks flying past me with dual tires had no chains and were tossing up water spray. Gotta head thru SLC terminal. If they wanna boot me they can go ahead.

That's where it got me yesterday too. Empty trlr, super singles. Were you in the other Prime truck?

Whatever happens, happens.

I was not cited and the truck did not have to be towed. Anybody know how Prime handles these things? I have been sitting ar a truck stop all day with zero word from my Fleet Manager.

Did you try calling directly to safety? If you haven't heard from your Fleet Manager by tomorrow morning, that is what I would do.

Since it was just you involved, pretty good chance it might be a un-avoidable instead of preventable accident. Keep your fingers crossed.

Ernie

I called my FM immediately once I got the seat cushion out of my backside. He transferred me to Safety. Spoke with Road Assist also. Am told that they informed dispatch to get me a load through the Salt Lake City terminal. Just no idea when that might materialize.

So, what you are saying is, the trailer hit the back of the cab of the truck?

I've never driven for Prime, so I don't know how they are going to react.

Any damage to the trailer? Is it a reefer? If so, any damage to the refrigeration unit?

If you hit ice, what is Prime's policy on driving on ice?

They might count it as an "accident," they might not. It might be "at fault," or it might be "not at fault."

Dave

Yep... Cab swung left when I hit the gravel and the trailer met my side of the sleeper. Some damage to the side of the trailer and landing gear. I have found no policy on ice driving other than its the driver's decision. Of course since this was ice that was not there one moment and there the next... I didn't get much decision time.

Heading east on 84 in Oregon about 6 this morning. Surface was wet, no chain or ice advisories. Trailer was empty and it was very windy so was maintaining. 45-50mph. Other trucks going by had no chains on. Before mm325, it started snowing and sleeting hard and I slowed to 30-35. Long story short, coming downhill at that point I was in the right lane and suddenly was sliding toward the left. Tractor hit the median gravel and the trailer crunched the sleeper behind me. Got the truck restarted and pulled the trailer all the way onto the median as other trucks slid by. One went in the ditch at the bottom of the hill. I was not cited and the truck did not have to be towed. Anybody know how Prime handles these things? I have been sitting ar a truck stop all day with zero word from my Fleet Manager.