cachsux
Wah
We're usually grumpy when the noobs don't listen. Funny, then hear it a little better when they're filling out crash reports though.
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We're usually grumpy when the noobs don't listen. Funny, then hear it a little better when they're filling out crash reports though.
MaceFremonti
Well-Known Member
Best piece of advice that I've received from Circle of Honor drivers is to call in when it snows. Forcast for tonight and tomorrow is 8+ inches here and possibly 15 inches in the mountains......now where did I put my phone?
UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)
Well-Known Member
Best piece of advice that I've received from Circle of Honor drivers is to call in when it snows. Forcast for tonight and tomorrow is 8+ inches here and possibly 15 inches in the mountains......now where did I put my phone?
Perhaps they should change their name to the "Snow Fairies" club.
QKRSTKR
Well-Known Member
It's a bit different than driving a package car in a little square mile area. 80,000 lbs going down a road you can't see isn't fun. Call them what you want but if you put it in the ditch it's business as usual with UPS. You will be fired. What's better? One night off or possibly many months off?
Way to disrespect circle of honor drivers. When will you be part of that club?
Way to disrespect circle of honor drivers. When will you be part of that club?
UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)
Well-Known Member
Relax---Snow Fairies is a term we use locally for drivers who call off or schedule days off due to snow. I have been a Snow Fairy several times during my career.
As to your question, I will have 23 years Safe Driving next month so, yes, I do plan on joining that group in 2016.
Sent using BrownCafe App
As to your question, I will have 23 years Safe Driving next month so, yes, I do plan on joining that group in 2016.
Sent using BrownCafe App
Best piece of advice that I've received from Circle of Honor drivers is to call in when it snows. Forcast for tonight and tomorrow is 8+ inches here and possibly 15 inches in the mountains......now where did I put my phone?
Sent using BrownCafe App
I go in when it snows, it's a challenge to drive in the snow. Yes, I've had a few "pucker" moments, one recently bobtailing in a snow storm.
We refer to drivers who call out as "fair weather drivers".
pretender
Well-Known Member
BakerMayfield2018
Fight the power.
brostalss
Well-Known Member
When are you (and other Feeder Drivers) going to retire or die so the Package Guys can move up to Feeder? You're holding up the show here.
JUST KIDDING!!!!
I joke around with that question with some the Feeder Guys I know and they always say the same thing. "Why? It's gravy. "
You put in the time, you earned it.
JUST KIDDING!!!!
I joke around with that question with some the Feeder Guys I know and they always say the same thing. "Why? It's gravy. "
You put in the time, you earned it.
cachsux
Wah
The only time I'll call in on weather is if I can't get to the building in the first place. The last two times this year IDOT has closed the highway and if that's closed I sure as heck am not going to try the backroads.
If I'm at work then let it snow. Work only slows down and gets easier.
BakerMayfield2018
Fight the power.
Was trying to deliver in whiteout conditions last Thursday ....... It was anything but "easy"
cachsux
Wah
Try it in feeder.
MaceFremonti
Well-Known Member
The Circle of Honor driver's line of thinking was that in reality UPS doesn't care about safety. Even in Feeders. The local level management may but the pressure from above puts them in a position where they "have" to keep the runs in unless there is 10 feet of snow covering the road.
In Feeders you can say its too dangerous to go - ultimately it's your call but that usually will start the whole we are instructing you to make the run. You can avoid that confrontation by just hooking up and leaving. Once you drive for a bit you can call and tell them it is no longer safe to proceed and you'll be waiting it out.
His outlook was it's just easier to call in then go through all that b.s. - especially if you have 15/20 years of safe driving under your belt. He wasn't suggesting doing it for a few inches but for significant events where you were 99.9% sure you were going to be stuck or shutdown somewhere. There's always someone on vacation coverage or the Q list wanting the hours regardless of the weather. You have optional/sick days to use at your discretion.
My personal cutoff is if the forcast is for 6" or more. If my run were flat I would probably move that up a few inches. As a previous poster mentioned pulling doubles up and down hills in the snow is not fun. Much less pulling doubles up and down mountains where the grades are 6%+ for miles. It literally snows everyday on my run so I've grown accustomed to the challenge it poses. However I no longer feel the need to be Mr. UPS in horrible conditions.
Sent using BrownCafe App
In Feeders you can say its too dangerous to go - ultimately it's your call but that usually will start the whole we are instructing you to make the run. You can avoid that confrontation by just hooking up and leaving. Once you drive for a bit you can call and tell them it is no longer safe to proceed and you'll be waiting it out.
His outlook was it's just easier to call in then go through all that b.s. - especially if you have 15/20 years of safe driving under your belt. He wasn't suggesting doing it for a few inches but for significant events where you were 99.9% sure you were going to be stuck or shutdown somewhere. There's always someone on vacation coverage or the Q list wanting the hours regardless of the weather. You have optional/sick days to use at your discretion.
My personal cutoff is if the forcast is for 6" or more. If my run were flat I would probably move that up a few inches. As a previous poster mentioned pulling doubles up and down hills in the snow is not fun. Much less pulling doubles up and down mountains where the grades are 6%+ for miles. It literally snows everyday on my run so I've grown accustomed to the challenge it poses. However I no longer feel the need to be Mr. UPS in horrible conditions.
Sent using BrownCafe App
QKRSTKR
Well-Known Member
QKRSTKR
Well-Known Member
I am relaxed. Nice. To each their own is the way I look at it. We set record snow fall this year. Plenty of snow driving for me this year.
UPS does give little incentive to come in on real bad days. I make my own decisions with knowledge on hand. The last day I called out due to snow the hub I drive to shut down at 1a.m. I would have gotten there more like 2-2:30a.m. What would the point have been to risk my safety, risk an accident? To arrive at a place shutdown and for the trailers to sit in their yard all day. Pointless
UPS does give little incentive to come in on real bad days. I make my own decisions with knowledge on hand. The last day I called out due to snow the hub I drive to shut down at 1a.m. I would have gotten there more like 2-2:30a.m. What would the point have been to risk my safety, risk an accident? To arrive at a place shutdown and for the trailers to sit in their yard all day. Pointless
pretender
Well-Known Member
I am also in an area where it can snow almost everyday, but we don't have the the hills/grades that you have to deal with. So--My hat is off to you for for making it through your first winter!
MaceFremonti
Well-Known Member
Having a close call today and seeing the report on the WILPA driver's accident reinforced the fact that you ALWAYS have to be focused and paying attention in Feeders!
My run has a couple of blind spots where you come up over a small hill and the road curves at the top and then doglegs down onto the backside of the hill. The road is cut into the hill so you can't see the downgrade until you are straightened up and headed down it. You can see the face of the hill a good half mile away as the road is a straight downgrade directly to it. The speed limit is 65 and it can be a pretty nasty spot even in good weather.
So today I have a heavy set of doubles and I'm approaching the spot in light traffic and can see all the brake lights coming on as people go up the hill and disappear through the corner like usual. The only thing is they are hitting the brakes in a weird spot. I can't really describe what I mean but it just "felt" like something was off. I see people go through there everyday and everyone brakes in just about the same spot but something wasn't right.
I slowed down enough to put me back a good distance away from all the traffic so I could go up and over all by myself. I went through at about 45 mph...as soon as the road straightened out and headed down there was a state trooper parked in the RIGHT LANE!
He had one flare out 5 feet from his rear bumper. On the shoulder was a guy changing a flat tire on a small truck. I had maybe 200 feet at the most to get into the left lane and clear the trooper. I managed to quickly change lanes and avoid twisting my set up.
If I hadn't been paying attention and went through there in traffic at the speed limit I would have either taken out the trooper or taken out whatever was to my left.
HORRIBLE spot for the trooper to park - especially with no flairs or triangles setup prior to the corner.
I stopped at the next rest stop and walked around for a few minutes until my legs stopped shaking!
My run has a couple of blind spots where you come up over a small hill and the road curves at the top and then doglegs down onto the backside of the hill. The road is cut into the hill so you can't see the downgrade until you are straightened up and headed down it. You can see the face of the hill a good half mile away as the road is a straight downgrade directly to it. The speed limit is 65 and it can be a pretty nasty spot even in good weather.
So today I have a heavy set of doubles and I'm approaching the spot in light traffic and can see all the brake lights coming on as people go up the hill and disappear through the corner like usual. The only thing is they are hitting the brakes in a weird spot. I can't really describe what I mean but it just "felt" like something was off. I see people go through there everyday and everyone brakes in just about the same spot but something wasn't right.
I slowed down enough to put me back a good distance away from all the traffic so I could go up and over all by myself. I went through at about 45 mph...as soon as the road straightened out and headed down there was a state trooper parked in the RIGHT LANE!
He had one flare out 5 feet from his rear bumper. On the shoulder was a guy changing a flat tire on a small truck. I had maybe 200 feet at the most to get into the left lane and clear the trooper. I managed to quickly change lanes and avoid twisting my set up.
If I hadn't been paying attention and went through there in traffic at the speed limit I would have either taken out the trooper or taken out whatever was to my left.
HORRIBLE spot for the trooper to park - especially with no flairs or triangles setup prior to the corner.
I stopped at the next rest stop and walked around for a few minutes until my legs stopped shaking!
'Lord Brown's bidding'
Well-Known Member
Mace, thanks for sharing this. A learning example for me.
This is why UPS feeder drivers are the best. Well trained proactive driving. Another driver probably creams the trooper. In the Philly accident they probably take out that van.... And I still marvel at how easy our guys can back up a trailer, and yet many drivers I see have such a hard time.
It was mentioned in our info session that UPS crams into two weeks what many get in 3-5 months. Have to be the best just to get all that so fast. I salute you Feeder Drivers.
