Ask a Trucker

[Niels Bohr 72]

Cost of living is cheaper in Vietnam than Australia.

[Krikit 1,165]

Ooooh, ooooh!!! I have a question!!!!!

What really goes in when you have to pull into those truck weigh stations? Also, some stations let you follow "In-Cab Signals" so you don't have to pull in. What happens there?

(Gosh, I am just so excited to finally learn the answer to this mysterious ritual!!!)

bump

[Teacher Mark 53]

Glory hole?

All you have to do is look it up online and you'll see for yourself. It's a bit icky for me but... whatever floats your boat.

Diana

does it involve a donkey? I have no idea and I'm not planning to do an internet search while @ work

Has the economic situation hit you in any way?

on the donkey action.

No on the economic front. In times of trouble people turn to entertainment. We're very busy and hoping it stays that way.

[Teacher Mark 53]

Ooooh, ooooh!!! I have a question!!!!!

What really goes in when you have to pull into those truck weigh stations? Also, some stations let you follow "In-Cab Signals" so you don't have to pull in. What happens there?

(Gosh, I am just so excited to finally learn the answer to this mysterious ritual!!!)

bump

Sorry, I missed this one. I never expected to be so popular (They love me! They really, really do!).

We call them "Chicken Coops". What happens is you go through and hope to God they don't call you in. They check your weight, paperwork and anything else they feel like checking. Most are reasonable guys who are doing their jobs. Then there's the other type. I have heard of drivers getting sizable tickets over trivial infractions (t wasn't crossed, i not dotted).

Pre Pass is what the in cab signal refers to:

What Is PrePass

PrePass is an automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system that enables participating transponder-equipped commercial vehicles to be pre-screened throughout the nation at designated weigh stations, port-of-entry facilities and agricultural interdiction facilities. Cleared vehicles are then able to "bypass" the facility while traveling at highway speed, eliminating the need to stop.

Vehicles participating in the PrePass program are pre-certified. Customers’ safety records and credentials are routinely verified with state & federal agencies to ensure adherence to the safety and bypass criteria established by PrePass and member states. If an approaching PrePass-equipped vehicle’s weight and credentials are found to be satisfactory, a green light and audible signal from the windshield mounted PrePass transponder advise the driver to bypass the weigh station. Otherwise a red light and audible signal advise the driver to pull into the weigh station for regular processing.

Vehicles bypassing inspection facilities save drivers and their companies valuable time on the road, thereby reducing fuel and operating costs, while increasing productivity (See "Calculating Your Savings"). PrePass also benefits member states and everyone who uses our nation’s highways. By reducing congestion around inspection facilities and enabling state inspection staff to focus their efforts on carriers that demand the most attention, PrePass helps make the roadways safer for everyone.

I'd love to have it, but the company won't pay!

[Teacher Mark 53]

ever been an iceroad trucker?

Monday night on the trip from Erie, Pa to Brampton, Ontario! It got a bit hairy on I-90.

I wouldn't do what those guys do.

Your truck....is it your truck? Also, the sleeper compartment - do you have wireless internet? Is it comfy and cozy?

All drivers refer to the truck they are driving as "my truck"! Some own them (owner operators), but most don't. The truck I drive is a company truck. I am not disciplined, or crazy enough to own one!

My internet access is provided by the lovely people at Sprint. I have an aircard that I pay $60.00 a month for. It's worth every penny! How else would I converse with the likes of Kaydee?

The sleeper berth sucks, but it's not really that bad. Every time I start feeling sorry for myself I think of the people I saw in Vietnam last year. Most of them would kill for the life I lead. At the same time I am working on my exit strategy. This lifestyle is hard and I hope I will be able to leave it soon.

Thanks for sharing that. I hope we can meet next time you're over here in my neck of the woods.

I'd love to meet, but time is running out. If things don't pan out in Vietnam then I'm sure I'll be back out in the Peoples Republic of California eventually!

[*julez* 124]

Every time I'm on a road trip, the weigh stations are closed! It makes me worry that trucks aren't actually being weighed! How often are you supposed to weigh in?

Do you have a CB handle? Do you actually say things like, "Breaker one nine"? or refer to "smokies" and "bandits"?

Are you at liberty to name any of the musicians/bands you have worked for without commenting on their niceness/meanness?

[Krikit 1,165]

ever been an iceroad trucker?

Monday night on the trip from Erie, Pa to Brampton, Ontario! It got a bit hairy on I-90.

I was on the same road with you that night! Holy mackerel. The I-90 in Erie was nothing but a sheet of ice. Scary freaking stuff.

Thanks for answering my question, Joe.

[Mononoke28 135]

Are you at liberty to name any of the musicians/bands you have worked for without commenting on their niceness/meanness?

He prefers not to, I already asked. Boring, I know.

Diana

[NickD 203]

I was driving my Caddy from St. Paul to Wausau on Highway 29 during a major blizzard at night, top speed for me was 25 mph, the only thing I could see out of the windshield was white, could barely see the edge of the road.

But yet was passed by many semi's, at which time, could only see black as the snow kicked up completely blocked my headlamps where I had to come to a complete stop. So what's the deal, it is that added height? Their headlamps are the same as mine, but about a foot higher. How could these guys see where they were going?

[Teacher Mark 53]

Every time I'm on a road trip, the weigh stations are closed! It makes me worry that trucks aren't actually being weighed! How often are you supposed to weigh in?

Do you have a CB handle? Do you actually say things like, "Breaker one nine"? or refer to "smokies" and "bandits"?

Are you at liberty to name any of the musicians/bands you have worked for without commenting on their niceness/meanness?

One trucker: "East bound, what's the coop doing"? Reply: "The big word is out" (closed). There is no sweeter word in the world to me! Believe me, if someone is running heavy consistently they will be caught eventually. Even if the coop is closed there is still the possibility of a random DOT inspection (pulled over at random). They sometimes carry portable scales and the fine can be severe.

My handle is Buzz Killington ( ode to Family Guy) . I actually don't have one. I always thought it was a bit, ummmm, stupid.

Yes, the CB slang does exist and I use some of it.

I've been touring a year, so I don't have a huge resume. I have worked with:

Cats, Blast!, Movin' Out, The Warped Tour, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The WWE, The Gregory County Spelling Bee, Jesus Christ Superstar, HBO Boxing, Jack's Mannequin, Whistle Down the Wind and more that I can't think of now.

Drivers that have been around longer get the bigger names. Those and the ones that call the office crying all the time that they need a bigger tour. I try to stay quite and take what I get. My motto is big or small I appreciate them all.

Edited December 3, 2008 by Joe Six-Pack

[*julez* 124]

ever been an iceroad trucker?

Monday night on the trip from Erie, Pa to Brampton, Ontario! It got a bit hairy on I-90.

I was on the same road with you that night! Holy mackerel. The I-90 in Erie was nothing but a sheet of ice. Scary freaking stuff.

Thanks for answering my question, Joe.

And yet you still haven't popped in to see me! I could have offered you safety from those wicked roads.

[Teacher Mark 53]

ever been an iceroad trucker?

Monday night on the trip from Erie, Pa to Brampton, Ontario! It got a bit hairy on I-90.

I was on the same road with you that night! Holy mackerel. The I-90 in Erie was nothing but a sheet of ice. Scary freaking stuff.

Thanks for answering my question, Joe.

It was! Believe it or not that's not the worst I've seen this year. I just did a trip over Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado/ New Mexico last month. IT WAS A NIGHTMARE! A lot of drivers have died on that pass over the years. They've made improvments, but it's still bad.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Creek_Pass

ever been an iceroad trucker?

Monday night on the trip from Erie, Pa to Brampton, Ontario! It got a bit hairy on I-90.

I was on the same road with you that night! Holy mackerel. The I-90 in Erie was nothing but a sheet of ice. Scary freaking stuff.

Thanks for answering my question, Joe.

And yet you still haven't popped in to see me! I could have offered you safety from those wicked roads.

No time, but thanks! We were an hour late as it was.

[*julez* 124]

Every time I'm on a road trip, the weigh stations are closed! It makes me worry that trucks aren't actually being weighed! How often are you supposed to weigh in?

Do you have a CB handle? Do you actually say things like, "Breaker one nine"? or refer to "smokies" and "bandits"?

Are you at liberty to name any of the musicians/bands you have worked for without commenting on their niceness/meanness?

One trucker: "East bound, what's the coop doing"? Reply: "The big word is out" (closed). There is no sweeter word in the world to me! Believe me, if someone is running heavy consistently they will be caught eventually. Even if the coop is closed there is still the possibility of a random DOT inspection (pulled over at random). They sometimes carry portable scales and the fine can be severe.

My handle is Buzz Killington ( ode to Family Guy) . I actually don't have one. I always thought it was a bit, ummmm, stupid.

Yes, the CB slang does exist and I use some of it.

I've been touring a year, so I don't have a huge resume. I have worked with:

Cats, Blast!, Movin' Out, The Warped Tour, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The WWE, The Gregory County Spelling Bee, Jesus Christ Superstar, HBO Boxing, Jack's Mannequin, Whistle Down the Wind and more that I can't think of now.

Drivers that have been around longer get the bigger names. Those and the ones that call the office crying all the time that they need a bigger tour. I try to stay quite and take what I get. My motto is big or small I appreciate them all.

Very informative! Thanks for your response!

And see, Diana, he does name names!!!!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Joe,

How many 'trucker bombs' do you throw out the window daily?

LS

[Teacher Mark 53]

Are you at liberty to name any of the musicians/bands you have worked for without commenting on their niceness/meanness?

He prefers not to, I already asked. Boring, I know.

Diana

Only the bad stuff is off limits!

Lord of the Dance treated us very well. I have heard that The Allman Brothers are very nice also. The WWE takes care of us, including 2 or 3 sweet hotel rooms a week. I knew another driver who loved Joss Stone.

http://www.jossstone.com/

The list goes on and on. Once again, "Big or small, I love them all"! I really do appreciate the work. That's not just a line. The thought of hauling pickles into Wal Mart again sends a shiver down my spine! This company sent a truck to pick me up at my former employer (Gainey Transportation). I liken it to being rescued from a POW camp. I'll ALWAYS be grateful!