The state will get your money - Page 2

War.mongeR1 · 03-18-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elwenil

Obviously you have never driven a semi. If you had, you would understand the need for longer distances in front of you and the need to get over in the left lane to go around another truck. Yes, it does happen that you end up in a rolling log-jam sometimes but most of the time that is a direct result of the terrain, the weight of the truck, and the power in the engine. Getting over to the right lane and slowing down isn't always a consideration to the driver since a semi takes a lot longer to get back up to highway speed and in the long run causes more problems. In a way you are sort of a victim of the people who complain all the time about how fast the semi trucks are and all that mess. Because of the lower speed limits for trucks and the rising insurance costs, more and more trucking companies have limited the trucks to 60 MPH, which also limits it's pulling power in the end and causes these situations more often than it used to happen. But it is important to note that in most cases, if the speed limit is 65 MPH, it is still legal in most places to go as slow as 45 MPH and still not break the law.

I didn't know about the trucks being limited. That stinks. You're right, I have noticed an increase in trucks going slower. BUT regardless, the truck drivers should check their mirrors before jumping in the left lane and hogging it up. When I'm going 65 and want to pass, but see a line of cars going 80 in the passing lane, I wait for them to pass, then get in the left lane. I don't jump in front of them and slow them down. That's what irks me. Besides, I'm in the West Texas desert right now where we legally drive 80. 60 in the fast lane is inexcusable. And honestly, I know trucks are slower and all, but does it really take 10 minutes to pass someone? If it does, then they shouldn't bother passing.

War.mongeR1 · 03-18-2008, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokingTarpan

All things aside, I don't know where you guys all live that something like this is needed...

Texas, baby! My commute to work is about 400 miles each way, and it's not even half way across the state. So yeah, this is needed here. I do this commute from my home in San Antonio to my office in Fort Worth, (almost 300 miles north), then out to my job in West Texas (400 miles west), then sometimes to OK (almost 500 miles to that job). Anyone ever driven from Houston to El Paso? It's almost 800 miles along I-10. Where many of you all are from, you could've driven across 10 states in that length, so maybe it's hard to grasp the scope of our "plight."

Elwenil · 03-18-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by War.mongeR1

I didn't know about the trucks being limited. That stinks. You're right, I have noticed an increase in trucks going slower. BUT regardless, the truck drivers should check their mirrors before jumping in the left lane and hogging it up. When I'm going 65 and want to pass, but see a line of cars going 80 in the passing lane, I wait for them to pass, then get in the left lane. I don't jump in front of them and slow them down. That's what irks me. Besides, I'm in the West Texas desert right now where we legally drive 80. 60 in the fast lane is inexcusable. And honestly, I know trucks are slower and all, but does it really take 10 minutes to pass someone? If it does, then they shouldn't bother passing.

It's a choice between taking 2 miles to pass another truck doing 50 in a 65, or gearing down and having to pull the next hill at 40 MPH. And before anyone says it, there are a lot of idiot truck drivers out there. Most are very patriotic, helpful, kind individuals that are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. Because they are alone for miles and miles, they are pretty easy to sit down and talk with (they know some GREAT stories) and they probably know more jokes from the CB than the average comedian. On the other hand, the rising costs of fuel and insurance have caused a lot of companies to cut pay and just be harder to work for and that makes drivers unhappy and lowers the quality of the driver that seeks employment with them. That's no excuse for acting like a moron, but it does happen all the same.

War.mongeR1 · 03-18-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elwenil

It's a choice between taking 2 miles to pass another truck doing 50 in a 65, or gearing down and having to pull the next hill at 40 MPH. And before anyone says it, there are a lot of idiot truck drivers out there. Most are very patriotic, helpful, kind individuals that are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. Because they are alone for miles and miles, they are pretty easy to sit down and talk with (they know some GREAT stories) and they probably know more jokes from the CB than the average comedian. On the other hand, the rising costs of fuel and insurance have caused a lot of companies to cut pay and just be harder to work for and that makes drivers unhappy and lowers the quality of the driver that seeks employment with them. That's no excuse for acting like a moron, but it does happen all the same.

You know, you're right. I've always loved truckers. I've had relatives and friends who drove trucks. There is definitely a noticeable change, though. Thankfully it's the minority of truckers who are like this. It used to seem that truckers were the most courteous and some of the best drivers on the highway, but recently that has changed. You're explanation actually makes a ton of sense.

Elwenil · 03-18-2008, 10:48 AM

I have a good friend that was an owner operator that I teamed up with for a while. Rising fuel and insurance costs as well as the fact that the company he drove for went under due to embezzling management caused him to lose his truck. A lot of that sort of thing is happening lately and it really takes a toll on the industry as a whole and on the personal level with the drivers themselves. It's hard when the job you once loved has turned into everything you hate in life. But again, I'm not making excuses for poor drivers, because there are a lot that just don't care about what they are doing. Which is a dangerous thing considering they are in charge of 80k pounds of truck and cargo rolling at 60 MPH.

Kerostasis · 03-18-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by War.mongeR1

Texas, baby! My commute to work is about 400 miles each way, and it's not even half way across the state. So yeah, this is needed here. I do this commute from my home in San Antonio to my office in Fort Worth, (almost 300 miles north), then out to my job in West Texas (400 miles west), then sometimes to OK (almost 500 miles to that job). Anyone ever driven from Houston to El Paso? It's almost 800 miles along I-10. Where many of you all are from, you could've driven across 10 states in that length, so maybe it's hard to grasp the scope of our "plight."

The hell? How much time do you spend on the road each day? Does that leave you any time to do actual work once you get there?

War.mongeR1 · 03-18-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerostasis

The hell? How much time do you spend on the road each day? Does that leave you any time to do actual work once you get there?

Haha. I make my journey from office to work site on monday, come back on friday, making the trip to SA only once or twice a month, with VERY little time at home. I use synthetic oil and I have to do an oil change about once a month. Thank god I'm a single man. My jobs pay me to drive as well. $0.49/mile, which is why I love my lil' economy car. But all this driving is why this highway issue is such a big deal to me.

ScratchMonkey · 03-18-2008, 03:28 PM

What are you doing that forces you to travel so far? Wouldn't it make more sense to invest in a plane and a pilot's license? (At least when the weather allows.)

xTYBALTx · 03-18-2008, 03:45 PM

I don't necessarily like laws like this one, but I love the customs in places like Germany wherein people only use the left lane for passing. It's how it should be!

War.mongeR1 · 03-18-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScratchMonkey

What are you doing that forces you to travel so far? Wouldn't it make more sense to invest in a plane and a pilot's license? (At least when the weather allows.)

No way. My car is almost paid for. Gets 32 mpg. I get about 400 miles per $40 fill up even with these high gas prices. Flying a plane would incur much much much higher expenses. Plus the logistics of having a car ready at each location would probably be a pain. The reason I drive all over the place is because I'm in the oil & gas business. Mostly doing title research at courthouses all over the place. I might be looking at some work in Pennsylvania and North Dakota later this year, so yup, I do a LOT of driving. Almost 60,000 miles last year. I pretty much demolish the value of anything I drive. Hehe.

War.mongeR1 · 03-18-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xTYBALTx

I don't necessarily like laws like this one, but I love the customs in places like Germany wherein people only use the left lane for passing. It's how it should be!

Yup. I LOVE the way they drive in Germany. I've driven the Autobahn myself, and found the Germans to overall be better drivers. Seems like everyone there uses their blinkers too! I love it!

ScratchMonkey · 03-18-2008, 03:55 PM

I hate driving, so I'd hate your job.

My office is about 15 minutes from my house (at 50 mph) but I still prefer to telecommute. And my routers are configured to only allow me in the passing lane.

03-18-2008, 10:48 AM	#20 (permalink)
Elwenil Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Covington, VA USA Age: 34 Posts: 1,226	Re: The state will get your money I have a good friend that was an owner operator that I teamed up with for a while. Rising fuel and insurance costs as well as the fact that the company he drove for went under due to embezzling management caused him to lose his truck. A lot of that sort of thing is happening lately and it really takes a toll on the industry as a whole and on the personal level with the drivers themselves. It's hard when the job you once loved has turned into everything you hate in life. But again, I'm not making excuses for poor drivers, because there are a lot that just don't care about what they are doing. Which is a dangerous thing considering they are in charge of 80k pounds of truck and cargo rolling at 60 MPH. __________________ \|TG\|Elwenil A vote for Obama is change we can believe in? So was the last ice age, but that don't make it good.

03-18-2008, 03:28 PM	#23 (permalink)
ScratchMonkey Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Pablo, California Posts: 3,915	Re: The state will get your money What are you doing that forces you to travel so far? Wouldn't it make more sense to invest in a plane and a pilot's license? (At least when the weather allows.) __________________ Sig

03-18-2008, 03:45 PM	#24 (permalink)
xTYBALTx Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,762	Re: The state will get your money I don't necessarily like laws like this one, but I love the customs in places like Germany wherein people only use the left lane for passing. It's how it should be! __________________ Current good song: Justice - Stress "$250,000 a year won't get me to Central Park West."

03-18-2008, 03:55 PM	#27 (permalink)
ScratchMonkey Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Pablo, California Posts: 3,915	Re: The state will get your money I hate driving, so I'd hate your job. My office is about 15 minutes from my house (at 50 mph) but I still prefer to telecommute. And my routers are configured to only allow me in the passing lane. __________________ Sig

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