olroadbeech

Happy Verified UPSer
I know most have heard the old guys saying the young guys have no clue what we started out in! This was said for decades! When it comes to vehicles? This is NOT the same company I worked for in what you see today! They ran everything till they couldn't get parts for it!

No fault of the mechanics! Don't get me wrong! They did the best they could considering most tractors where I worked out of were 15 to 20 years old with crazy miles on them that were 2 driver tractors that were shared. Those days it was all about minimalism! If its not there it doesn't need service or have to fail. There was no A/C. No power steering. They bought some Mack trucks and took the P/S off them for us to use!

So to answer your question? Spring brakes were as good as could be expected with crazy miles on them. Most drivers couldn't tell their springs were shot as we always had trailer on 100 percent of the time and the trailer masked the issue a bit! On top of that the weights were totally different than the weights in trailers today at UPS!!! I started feeder in early 1979 and Yes my first truck was a 64 international only 15 years old. I think it had? Heck cant even remember! I want to say 4 or 5 million miles on it. That was a boatload for a 1960's tractor.

So I as sit back and look back at what I have written! Man I am glad I have been retired 15 plus years!
i started in 1993 and we still had those rolling coffins. i couldnt believe it coming from a logging company with topof line Petes with 425 cats in them. Here were these 5 speed tractors that could only manage 20mph up hills with holes in the floorboard ( not exaggerating ). You could see the asphalt highway near your feet. You froze in the winter . They did have a fan on the dash for summer though.

I know they had over a million miles on them.Probably a couple. When we started getting snub nose tractors with only 400-500k miles on them we were in seventh heaven.
 

WannaBeFeeder

Well-Known Member
Im not milking nor are worried about numbers, Its just nice knowing that with 3 weeks in, they are already saying that you are doing a good job.
Just curious why would driver go over the speed limit when safety is #1 priority.

I do 55 where the max is 65, usually aim for 5 lower the limit 55 being the max.
You are doing 55 because you are a NOOB, once you gain some EXP on the road you will look back at that :censored2: and laugh at doing 55 in normal conditions
 

MisplacedRailWorker

an absolute *ing disgrace of a human being.
You are doing 55 because you are a NOOB, once you gain some EXP on the road you will look back at that :censored2: and laugh at doing 55 in normal conditions
And a little known (or desired) fact: at Amtrak, if you have a clear signal and say your max permissible speed is 79 mph, 79.1MPH will get you fired. Shop Steward would literally be waiting at the next station.

79.0 is run at maybe 73 to 76.5.

82mph would put you in emergency brake application, probably lift a wheel or two off the flange. In this situation hopefully you have a lawyer/coffin picked out
 

WannaBeFeeder

Well-Known Member
And a little known (or desired) fact: at Amtrak, if you have a clear signal and say your max permissible speed is 79 mph, 79.1MPH will get you fired. Shop Steward would literally be waiting at the next station.

79.0 is run at maybe 73 to 76.5.

82mph would put you in emergency brake application, probably lift a wheel or two off the flange. In this situation hopefully you have a lawyer/coffin picked out
Not
Once I got some "EXP" I slowed down even more.
I’m not a high t
Once I got some "EXP" I slowed down even more.
I’m not a hightailer at i feel like 60-65 on the interstate is normal for a semi atleast over here but the super truckers in their decked out petes go flying by at 73 i can’t imagine doing a max of 55
 

Jones

fILE A GRIEVE!
Staff member
Not

I’m not a high t
I’m not a hightailer at i feel like 60-65 on the interstate is normal for a semi atleast over here but the super truckers in their decked out petes go flying by at 73 i can’t imagine doing a max of 55
It's easy, you just set the cruise to 55.
 

Yeet

Not gonna let ‘em catch the Midnight Rider
Not me brother, when I saw those roadwork signs I locked it down hard. Turned on the 4 ways and everything.
You almost have to. The road crews here will knock it down to one lane and leave cones a foot in the only open lane, almost forcing you to drop your wheels down into the emergency lane. On top of that, they will stand dangerously close to oncoming traffic. Dump trucks will pull right out in front of you also from a dead stop. You add the darkness of night to that equation and it’s even worse. I’m with you on this one, I kick it back at least 10 mph slower than the posted work zone limit. Too many variables at play here.
 

Johney

Pineapple King
You almost have to. The road crews here will knock it down to one lane and leave cones a foot in the only open lane, almost forcing you to drop your wheels down into the emergency lane. On top of that, they will stand dangerously close to oncoming traffic. Dump trucks will pull right out in front of you also from a dead stop. You add the darkness of night to that equation and it’s even worse. I’m with you on this one, I kick it back at least 10 mph slower than the posted work zone limit. Too many variables at play here.
Sounds like you've been on the Florida Turnpike.
 

Yeet

Not gonna let ‘em catch the Midnight Rider
Sounds like you've been on the Florida Turnpike.
Yes sir but I’m specifically talking about 95. I usually pass through at least 1 going south and 2 more coming back up. Every. Single. Night. I’m getting really tired of seeing cones.
 
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