Heavy Snow And Wind!

Heavy snow and wind on I-5 N Bound Tejon Summit. Traffic at standstill. This is crazy. I questioned the planner about the weather. He said it'll be fine. Snow is in Oregon!!

The site was being cynical and deleted it lol

I'm sorry you are stuck in snow. I'm in WY with a very light trailer and high winds. It flurried earlier but it was th clearest night I have ever seen with a million bright stars.

Stay warm and drive safe...if you drive cause I'm not planning on doing much if the weather becomes what they say it will. Lol

I questioned the planner about the weather. He said it'll be fine.

It's a balancing act between pushing through weather and moving the freight, being aware of your own skill set and limitations, and knowing when to shut it down or say "no" to a dispatcher / planner. This blurry line gets a little more in focus the more experience you get. But each situation is different.

The planners and dispatchers have a job to do, and so do the drivers. At the end of the decision making process, it's the driver's call to move that truck through weather. Don't second guess yourself. All we have to go by sometimes are forecasts. I've made decisions to not roll, based on a forecast, only to have it turn out not as bad as was predicted. Better to be safe than sorry.

I'm writing this not so much for Tractor Man, but also for prospective drivers or rookies with less time under their belts. If you have any doubts, don't let somebody sitting in an office cubicle tell you it will be 'OK,' if you have any reservations. There's something to be said for 'giving it a go,' or seeing what you can handle, but it's always better to err on the side of caution. Some of these dispatchers can get pushy - not all of them - but some of them will push back. It's during that time that the driver needs to respectfully stand firm in their safety decision. As a driver and dispatcher / planner get to know each other more, this will also help the decision making process when it comes to inclement weather.

I questioned the planner about the weather. He said it'll be fine.

It's a balancing act between pushing through weather and moving the freight, being aware of your own skill set and limitations, and knowing when to shut it down or say "no" to a dispatcher / planner. This blurry line gets a little more in focus the more experience you get. But each situation is different.

The planners and dispatchers have a job to do, and so do the drivers. At the end of the decision making process, it's the driver's call to move that truck through weather. Don't second guess yourself. All we have to go by sometimes are forecasts. I've made decisions to not roll, based on a forecast, only to have it turn out not as bad as was predicted. Better to be safe than sorry.

I'm writing this not so much for Tractor Man, but also for prospective drivers or rookies with less time under their belts. If you have any doubts, don't let somebody sitting in an office cubicle tell you it will be 'OK,' if you have any reservations. There's something to be said for 'giving it a go,' or seeing what you can handle, but it's always better to err on the side of caution. Some of these dispatchers can get pushy - not all of them - but some of them will push back. It's during that time that the driver needs to respectfully stand firm in their safety decision. As a driver and dispatcher / planner get to know each other more, this will also help the decision making process when it comes to inclement weather.

Thanks I just posted in another thread exactly needing to hear this. I'm unfamiliar with this area which makes me hesitant. I mainly drive Midwest southeast northeast and know exactly where the truck stops are where I can find parking. I've driven the roads enough to known the curves.

Out here in WY and UT I feel out of place as far as knowing what's ahead. Driving in winter back east is one thing..driving here is another.

One driver told me "good luck going over the three sisters"... Not sure where that is. Last year I didn't notice going over elk mountain, nor this time. It didnt seem any more of a grade than the rest of the road. I'm not sure if people just exaggerate about roads and conditions or they have different opinions from mine.

What you said about dispatchers knowing you is true. My FM knows I'll shut down if unsafe but push on if I can. Of course he isn't on this weekend lol

The thing about driving in Wyoming is the high winds. If you are under a light load, I'd be very careful about Wyoming. Icy roads and high winds will blow you off the road.

I questioned the planner about the weather. He said it'll be fine.

It's a balancing act between pushing through weather and moving the freight, being aware of your own skill set and limitations, and knowing when to shut it down or say "no" to a dispatcher / planner. This blurry line gets a little more in focus the more experience you get. But each situation is different.

The planners and dispatchers have a job to do, and so do the drivers. At the end of the decision making process, it's the driver's call to move that truck through weather. Don't second guess yourself. All we have to go by sometimes are forecasts. I've made decisions to not roll, based on a forecast, only to have it turn out not as bad as was predicted. Better to be safe than sorry.

I'm writing this not so much for Tractor Man, but also for prospective drivers or rookies with less time under their belts. If you have any doubts, don't let somebody sitting in an office cubicle tell you it will be 'OK,' if you have any reservations. There's something to be said for 'giving it a go,' or seeing what you can handle, but it's always better to err on the side of caution. Some of these dispatchers can get pushy - not all of them - but some of them will push back. It's during that time that the driver needs to respectfully stand firm in their safety decision. As a driver and dispatcher / planner get to know each other more, this will also help the decision making process when it comes to inclement weather.

Thanks I just posted in another thread exactly needing to hear this. I'm unfamiliar with this area which makes me hesitant. I mainly drive Midwest southeast northeast and know exactly where the truck stops are where I can find parking. I've driven the roads enough to known the curves.

Out here in WY and UT I feel out of place as far as knowing what's ahead. Driving in winter back east is one thing..driving here is another.

One driver told me "good luck going over the three sisters"... Not sure where that is. Last year I didn't notice going over elk mountain, nor this time. It didnt seem any more of a grade than the rest of the road. I'm not sure if people just exaggerate about roads and conditions or they have different opinions from mine.

What you said about dispatchers knowing you is true. My FM knows I'll shut down if unsafe but push on if I can. Of course he isn't on this weekend lol

The Three Sisters are the three big hills on I-80 between Evanston and Ft. Bridger. Not too twisty, but all three are very steep and if you're not paying attention you'll be at Warp 7 before you can say "EEK!" Not such a big deal in summer, but when they're icy it can get hairy in a hurry.

50+mph winds this morning past 3 sisters and all of I-80 E. Phew! My first time (im still a passenger) and it was pushiing us. Now we're on 25 to Denver on a beautiful sun shiney day. 45 degrees is hot compared to 1 degree this morning. And the day ain't over yet!

I did the 3 sisters yesterday...found them! Hahah...with ice. Then I got to Rawlins tonshut down before Elk mtn...only 300 miles but wasn't doing it in the dark with wind and ice. Turned out they shut I 80 due to accidents from Rawlins to Cheyenne. This morning with the 60+ mph gusts, many trucks stayed parked and I had to ask trucks to move who boxed me in. Did another 300 miles to Big Springs NE. Got a room.

Tomorrow's another day...fighting that wind, even heavy was tiring.