Watch the roads...
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 11,762
From: Omaha,NE
Watch the roads...
One of our members has a thread about crashing his CVO in Texas due to a pole that had fallen off of a truck and blocking the road. Here is something to think about: Right now the commercial freight carriers are experiencing a severe driver shortage. They are now hiring the dregs of the trucking world to drive for them. I have seen mishandling issues with my own products ranging from damage due to negligence, incorrect loads, and simply not showing up to get my products. It's bad. That also translates to flatbed truck loads potentially not being properly secured. The drivers don't care; if they get fired they'll just jump over to another one.
Just something to keep in mind. The issues with them seem to continue to rise.
Just something to keep in mind. The issues with them seem to continue to rise.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,456
Likes: 2,860
From: SW FL-Jersey Shore Emigre
Here in NJ the major arteries are clogged with 53 Footers and 4-axle dump trucks, not to mention the Third World drivers in cages, that I'm on my third windshield on my F150 (and that has a crack in it, almost ready for number 4), and I won't take any of my bikes on major arteries, only on secondary roads, which themselves are congested with dump trucks from the sand mines. I've already commented on the Forum that the the trucking companies will hire anyone with a swinging d!ck, regardless of driving record or language skills. It's getting to the point where I'm thinking about only driving locally or on the track. 
A bicycle flew off a flat bed in front of me last week, I was in my car and drove straight over it because I had no place to swerve to avoid it. I had to call the Road Ranger to dislodge it, it's almost pulled off my front bumper. I was so pissed but grateful I was not on my bike.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
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From: along the shore of Mishigami
I wouldn't say the dregs of society but there is a generation of young adults out who just don't care any more about what kind of service they provide to customers or their employers. It's like a mind set, "what are they going to do fire me? I'll go to the next job." Employers are just as bad, they don't seem to care about loyalty to the their most important asset, just make sure the bottom dollar is met and they will share the profits in to wages cause the people on the boiler plates have to be paid, and employee loyalty is a lost trait. Hate to sound harsh but I've seen this happen, maybe the training of the newer drivers isn't there. The older guys are retiring and the new guys are working the job before their next job. You are quite right don't crowd the flat bed in front of you, never know what's coming off the flat surface next.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 307
From: mid Michigan
Seen I truck two days ago on I-69 pass me at 75mph with latter in bed. Was thinking what's worse following him or the semi. 10 miles down the road got my answer, there it is in the slow lane truck guy didn't even know it was missing, no where in sight. Glad it didn't take flight while I was near it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,881
Likes: 32,994
From: King George, VA
There are the sludge dumpers too. Drive down the highway dumping whatever they need to get rid of.
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 17,008
Likes: 14,675
From: in a cave at the foothills
I drive a lot for work. My observation has been that UPS and FedEx drivers are some of the better ones out there. Two days ago I was nearly taken out by a FedEx driver drifting into my lane where I had no escape due to concrete barrier on my right. He was in the fast lane blasting past me. I had no idea of the situation OP is talking about but I will be taking extra special precaution regardless if I am in a cage or bike.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Lets see, in my riding career I've hit a couple mufflers, a 4'x4", a pile of bricks, a dead dog , several live animals, a running list of other road hazards, the crap I dodged is endless. Trucking out here is just as bad but the CHP locally is on them hard so loads are usually right and the trucks in better shape, drivers rarely speak english but .... Biggest problem is yard tools and other crap flying off Jaun's beater pickup, best I've seen recently was a small car with 4 young men of middle east descent all with a hand out the windows holding onto a mattress that looked like it was tied to the top with a couple of those little cheapy extension cords. I was tempted to follow that just for the show.