Winter Weather,
In Eastern Washington
Contributed by: Joel Spencer, Regional Director E. WA, ID, & UT
Happy New Year to All! As we begin the new year, I thought it might be good to share a little bit about the region and my history with Oak Harbor. I also would like to recognize a few of our team for some amazing help and share bit of what their day can look like in the wintertime in our region.
The Eastern Washington region, some refer to us as the mountain region or the East region, whatever you choose to call it, is a vast beautiful and amazing area we live and work in. Home base for me is in the Wenatchee Terminal, which is in the very center of WA State, on the east slope of the Cascades with the Columbia River that runs right through the middle of town.
The region spans from the crest of the Cascade Mountains to the west, Canadian Border to the North, the Rocky Mountains to the east and to the South where we meet up with Las Vegas in the red rocks of Utah. One day, while traveling with Eric Vander Pol just out St George, UT, we checked the GPS to see how far it was back home for me. I recall it being something like 1200 miles, a full day’s drive that’s for sure!
In the winter, in the Northern portions of the region, snow is a common thing in our daily lives. We have seen it down in Cedar City, UT as well but, it is much more a daily way of life in Washington and Eastern Oregon. I grew up in La Grande, OR and moved to the Wenatchee area in High School. My family was also in the trucking business, and I learned to drive at a young age, about 20 years old. We did a lot of heavy haul lowboy work moving logging equipment. I spent almost a year just riding with the drivers, learning many of them were log truck drivers – Alaska pipeline guys.
The lessons learned have stuck with me a lifetime, somedays all I did was put on chains to secure loads and tire chains in the winter. The first year of driving, I spent more time on mountain roads than I did a highway. Rule one: chain early, always slow, and easy! The trucks back then were much different. I may date myself but, the 1980 Kenworth I was driving was almost new! An automatic transmission in a truck was still somebody’s dream. Everything just moved slower!
I began working for Oak Harbor Freight Lines part-time in 1986 and became full time in August of 1987. I was bottom of the board and spent time on the Dock, P&D, and Linehaul. Later, I became the Lead, Terminal Manager, District Manager, to today as Regional Director.
The changes in equipment and trucks still amaze me from my early days until now. Trucks are smoother, quieter, and faster. Most of our fleet is automatics, and I imagine some of you guys out there have never had the privilege of driving a 10, 13, or 15 speed manual transmission. Today you put your foot on the pedal and off you go!
In recent weeks, especially in Eastern Washington, we have seen a good amount of winter weather. Significant snowfall in the mountains and icy slick roads in the lowlands. It’s very easy to be caught off guard, as road conditions can change drastically in a very short distance in the mountains. The State Road departments can use different methods on how they treat and take care of the roads which can add to the challenge in determining if it is deicer on the road or black ice.
In December, in just the Eastern Washington part of the region, we unfortunately had 3 major rollover accidents involving night drivers pulling doubles. I have over the years had to respond to more accidents than I care to remember, it is always a horrific and frightful scene of chaos and destruction.
When these accidents happen many people in the company are involved to help respond and do what we can to get to the scene to help in any way we can. First goal is making sure to do whatever we can to help the Driver and ensure they are taken care of. In each of these accidents the Drivers were ok, it is truly a miracle, and thank the good lord these men are alive! I would like to recognize the 3 main people who responded to the scene in each of these recent accidents.
I would like to recognize Josh Childress, Operations Supervisor in Wenatchee, Jordan Covey, Operations Manager in Pasco, and Anthony Juette, Terminal Manager in Pasco. Each one of these guys got the call that an accident had occurred, and they were immediately in route to help. They helped make sure the Drivers were cared for and that the equipment was recovered and removed to a safe location. They also assisted in the recovery of the freight if it was a loaded trailer. All three performed and followed the procedures with accuracy and professionalism. I would like to thank each of them for going above and beyond to take care of these accidents.
Many other teams get involved and help when these tragic accidents happen. Thanks to Jason, and his Linehaul team, were first to get a call in each of these cases. Doug, and all the maintenance team, in their work to recover the equipment arrange towing making sure recovery is underway. Carrie, and her Claims team, to help work through the challenges of claims, returns, and notifying the customers.
Slow & easy
always wins the race
in our region!
We are only a few short weeks into winter and we have already seen some major accidents. I encourage everyone to take the wisdom of those old log truck drivers that taught me years ago. Don’t be in a hurry, slow and easy, and if in doubt – hang your iron!
Blessed to have been part of the team for close to 40 years! My wish every day is that every Driver makes it home safely to their family. Be alert. Come prepared each day, or night, whatever your role. Slow and easy always wins the race in our region!