Profile For IDMtnGal

Saw this on Kimberly Rd in Twin Falls ID on my way to the Interstate.

Laura

Idaho Ready: What you need to know about the chain up law Posted on December 10, 2020 by Jillian Garrigues

In extreme winter weather, chains can be a helpful tool to keep you safe while driving on slushy or snow covered roads. But are they required in Idaho?

Idaho’s chain up law does not apply to most drivers on the road, or even most places you drive.

The law only applies to commercial vehicles over 26,000 pounds on mountain passes, most notably on I-90 east of Coeur d’Alene and on US-12 at the Montana border.

This can be confusing, as chain laws vary by state. Neighboring states, like Washington, may require passenger vehicles without AWD or four-wheel drive use chains during the harshest of conditions.

In Idaho, chains are only required when conditions will prevent large vehicles from traversing grades without them, and the requirement is lifted as soon as possible to limit damage to the road. Operators with the Idaho Transportation Department activate special roadside signs alerting truck drivers to chain up as needed during the winter.

Some commercial vehicles, like logging trucks, tow trucks, and school buses are exempt from the law.

If the chain up law is in effect, then all drivers should be prepared for snowy conditions. Stay on top of road conditions or closures by visiting 511.idaho.gov or downloading the Idaho 511 app.

Here you go

Laura

I just took a quick glance thru the FMCSA Clearinghouse site because I have to get my load in about 1.5 hrs...so I'll look thru it more while I'm waiting.

What I got from it is that all employers are required to check all drivers that hold a CDL and a CLP. Until I read more info, I would say that you won't find anyone to hire you before you go thru the SAP program. I thought I saw something about a rebuttal for drivers, but like I said I'm getting ready to go pick up my load and I need to go through in read the different points of the program more thoroughly.

I have never done drugs in my almost 70 years, and I understand being upset about it if I were to test positive. However, just saying you have never done drugs, that there's nothing you can do under the Clearing House program, and is there a company that will hire you just doesn't feel right to me. There have been steps to be able to be retested...this site has helped other people who have tested positive, and they always get a retest. So I'm not sure why you don't get to. And I'm not sure why you've not mentioned the SAP program. Anyway, somebody will be along shortly with more information then I currently have.

Laura

We won't leave until May 1 with the 5th wheel for Crossville, Tenn. I won't rub it in but it is sunny, warm and 80* here. Sorry drivers

My brother and sister-in-law live in Crossville. I park at his business when I have extra time to visit. Last trip across to Greensboro NC, he had 7-8 inches of snow at the house and about 4 at the business. Thinking I might move back there somewhere.

Laura

First one is a night driving. On positive side the roads should be empty at night but it is unnatural and could be very unhealthy in long term I think. Maybe I should start as a Linehaul and transfer later to local?

Thank you

Everybody is different and it's proven that there are night people who function better being up late in the afternoon and all night. I happened to be one of those and have been since I was a baby :-)

During my active duty Air Force years, when I was in pay and accounting, I had to be at work at 0730. Throughout that time frame, I would be late frequently and would get Letter of Reprimands. The accounting side was more lenient and I would work from 1100 to 2000. When I did 1.5 years in LE, I worked three swings, three mids and had three days off and I thrived!

My company that I drive for now tries not to get 0600 appointments. :-) Hauling food, most of my appointments are at night fortunately. However my one dedicated run, delivers at 0400 my time :-( So if you are a day person, you will get used to it eventually but it will be tough on you.

There will be guys that will be better at answering your question about line haul and local delivery. Personally I wouldn't do either for the first year but go OTR to get more experience.

Welcome to The Forum!

Laura

I was supposed to be headed eastbound through there. Weather update I had said it'll be closed til 1700 tonight. I'm currently sitting at loves in Springville waiting to get a tire and marker light fixed.

80 and 25 is Closed to Light, High Profile Vehicles...no time is given for reopening on wind alerts.

MM283 has the right lane closed WestBound for a wreck cleanup.

That's all the alerts for now across 80.

Laura

Just so you know, Miss Laura (IDMtnGal) has a way of understanding you 'male' drivers, that kinda speak cattywampus.. like my husband.

LOL Anne! Having 5 brothers (I'm the oldest), married and divorced twice, widowed this last time, one son, was in the Air Force for 14 years on active duty and combined 11 yrs of OTR, I SHOULD know how to understand guys...I'm probably still a bit of a "tomboy" 😉

Laura

Sorry I meant to say if I switched after getting in six months of clean driving it would be my third company in 2021 if I did switch.

I understood what you meant. However, why in the world are you even possibly thinking of changing after 6 mths?? All of us experienced drivers have told new drivers to stick it out for at least one year. Try to think along those lines to get experience and you will be worth more to other companies.

My brother went thru 3 companies in 1.5 yrs and struggled finding a company that requires 1 yrs experience....they looked hard at his jumping companies. He did get hired by JB Hunt Intermodal and stayed with them for 3.5 yrs. Home life problems ended his OTR work.

Laura

FFE, frequently Exceeds expectations

That makes it F E E!

Maybe it should be Frequently Fails Expectations.

Laura

Nope....your CDL is stale and you need a refresher. There is nothing wrong going with Schneider...tho I'm surprised they would hire you with that stale of a license. I have a friend that went to them after school and he's still there 4 yrs later getting the miles and making GOOD money.

Going with a company for a refresher may be paid by the company....I'm not sure on that....for a period of time like new hires but may be less time. Do that and look for something after your time is up, altho most companies want 1 yr experience.

Laura

Not with Roehl but everything is screwed up still with the Chinese Virus. Someone will be along to answer before long. Welcome to Trucking Truth.

Laura

By the west bound weigh station on top of cabbage, heading east, getting ready to chain up :-P

Laura

Survey

Here's the clickable link

Laura

When I did dry van, it was mostly daytime and Mon - Sat morning loading/unloading. Reefer seems to only be 1800 - 0400 7 days a week. I'm a night person, so that doesn't bother me.

Due to the size of the companies I drive/drove for, my loads are live load/unload. The only drop and hook I ever did was running cans (containers) to the Port of Oakland. I have never touched freight...in fact, most shippers and receivers don't want you in the warehouse (pre Chinese Virus even).

Don't get hung up on any one company....something may come up and they won't take you...then you would be disappointed.

Laura

I'm a veteran of the USAF and have first hand experience how badly our tax dollars are wasted. It would blow your mind! My first week at my duty station I rolled 12 snap on tool boxes full of snap on tools into a scrap bin. These boxes and tools were only a year old. Nothing was wrong with them! When I asked why I was told it's the end of the year and we haven't spent all our budget so we are getting new tools. If we don't spend it they will cut next year's budget. This is just one example I've seen. There were many in my four years serving. I would rather see reform to make sure our taxes are spent wisely and not wasted. The government has plenty of money all ready to run this country. We are in debt because the politicians allow it.

They were doing that back in the 70s and 80s when I was on active duty in the Air Force....tho I was in accounting and part-time LE, so no tools to throw out, but other supplies. Hasn't changed any.

Laura

Most of the people on this site are company drivers. There are a few OOs, but not many...maybe they will be along to answer your questions.

Good save! Get some sleep!

Laura

ps: Got a co'driver these days ?!?!?

Besides Monty?? No....last co-driver was my brother and after he was put on another truck and I went solo, I don't think I could run with a co-driver.

Laura

Uggh that pass is where I got my education in chains and winter driving you be careful. Slow an easy best words ever told to me in snow pretty sure it was yall

The Pass opened up 45 mins ago. No chains needed (so far)...so got mine off and let the fools head out. Will head out in a few. 90 miles to my drop.

Another storm coming in they are saying.

Laura

Yes....I pulled off on the Tyler ramp. Only one lane clean when I took off at 1030 thismorning. Now I'm in the Indian John Rest Area debating on chaining up here (mm 86) or going to the chain up area at mm71. Don't really want to do this at all.

Laura

I was told to do 3, these 2 and one on the trailer. By the time I got them done, I was soaking wet and WSDOT shut down Snoqualmie Pass. As of 0800 WA time, they will reassess the avalanche threat at noon. They got 3 ft of snow in 48 hours.

The chain on the front tire is not as far down as it looks in this picture but farther down the side than I figured they should be. I readjusted that one.

Laura