Wink Tobasco Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 Old white guys, (those born before 1970) from snowy portions of the US, they seem to have absolutely no fear of driving during snow storms. My employer schedules about 2 dozen appointments everyday with a cross section of the public. Read all ages, races and sexes. During crappy, snowy weather only the older white guys show up. Darn if they aren't exactly on time and never get in accidents. When asked, they always say something like when they were kids school wasn't canceled for less than a foot of snow. Their fathers always drove to work in much worse snow than we have today. Once certain parents started suing for slip and fall accidents, our schools were forced to close on the most minor of storms. And we pay the price with a nation of weenies who can't drive in snow. I'll bet there are exceptions to this "rule" but I haven't met them yet. Today 5 people canceled their appointments, 3 of our employees left early do to the snow. None of them were older white dudes.
carhill Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 Interesting observation... As an 'older white dude' who used to drive professionally, I'd say it's just a methodology. We have experience, know our limitations and that of the machine and proceed accordingly, leaving plenty of time to allow for 'stuff'. As I'm currently in the midst of a month of a similarly difficult dynamic, two-line tule fog, I see similar perspectives. Just imagine the 'old days' (perhaps you can) when we were navigating the snow and ice in our old jalopies with rear wheel drive. Those were the days. My parts runner car is 47 years old this year and has chains in the trunk, just in case.
creighton0123 Posted January 27, 2011 Posted January 27, 2011 I also think that the older you get, the more likely you're able to afford a nicer car that is capable of handing the bad weather. I had a disagreement with my father today (who lives three hours away) because I worked from home after our snow storm last night. He insisted that I should be able to drive since we didn't get "that much snow". I insisted that if I had his GMC truck with terrain tires and four wheel drive, I would have no problem getting to work - but sadly I am stuck with my all-weather tires on a weak front wheel drive Altima. Take a look at these older, white dudes and see what cars they're driving. Chances are, they're sporting cars that do really well in the snow and thinking that they can drive in anything not because of the vehicle, but because of their "leet skillz".
carhill Posted January 27, 2011 Posted January 27, 2011 I was back in Philly in December visiting an LS'er and got that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as she approached the turn at the end of an icy parking lot way too fast. Fortunately, my warning and her ABS kept us out of the median. Modern technologies like ABS, traction control and tire improvements have helped markedly, but it's still the machine with the biological brain that controls it all. Here's an of the 'old fart' way. Note how Walter is calmly talking while sliding and counter-sliding a Porsche on an ice and snow covered road (in the Austrian Alps) while feet from a steep drop. Porsche's are notorious for being brutal taskmasters. IMO, it's training and practice which creates careful and proficient driving habits and skills and allows one the luxury of venturing where others aren't likely to. As a disclaimer, Walter is a legendary professional driver so makes it look easy.
anne1707 Posted January 27, 2011 Posted January 27, 2011 Old white guys, (those born before 1970) Old? At 40? You kids just don't know what you're talking about
Graceful Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 Old? At 40? You kids just don't know what you're talking about :D:D too funny. there's a big diff between someone "born before 1970" and let's say someone "born before 1960" -- cheesh. I have to agree, though, that lots of older men are pretty intrepid, for one reason or another. Better vehicle, stubborn , good driving skills, and knowing how to navigate the road. My Mum was the oldest person in her office and she was always the FIRST person there on a snowy day. She was also the one who was there to take ALL the phone calls of every person younger than she was as they called in to say they were "working from home" or taking the day off! Yes, there was irony in that. I've had co-workers who call in sick over a broken fingernail. Seriously. And I've had co-workers who will come to work two days after surgery. Go figure.
evoxracer Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 I guess years of driving would make them confident? I have no issues driving in the snow, my truck is 2 wheel drive and without good snow tires it has trouble in only a couple inches. But with a nice set of snow tires it's a lot of fun I love it. I'm 30yr old woman but I've been road racing for quite a while so I know what to do when I start sliding or something else happens.
sam light Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 I put it to character, they were raised with a work ethic that doesn't allow for sitting out minor weather. Years of driving in snow builds skill too. My 60 ish neighbor heads out in snow storms to get his coffee and donuts. I've seen youngsters (those born after 1970?) who have great cars because they still live with Mom, but they still can't won't drive the snow.
Gold Pile Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Take a look at these older, white dudes and see what cars they're driving. Chances are, they're sporting cars that do really well in the snow and thinking that they can drive in anything not because of the vehicle, but because of their "leet skillz". A dependable car is obtainable in the US by almost any reliable person. Pitty the older person who hasn't acheived this basic need. Pitty people half his age who aren't reliable enough to own a dependable car like his most of his peers. So the reliable majority (all ages) have dependable cars. The driving in harsh weather comes from the quality worker in his make up. They are the sons of the greatest generation, SOME of that greatness rubbed off on them. Don't give up at life's minor obstacles.
Taramere Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Reaching one's destination on a snowy day via a warm and comfortable moving four wheel drive that's equipped with snow tyres isn't exactly demonstrative of ye olde gritty attitude held in days of yore. Reaching your destination, 5 miles away, on a snowy day via nothing more than your own two feet is a bit more like it.
O'Malley Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 The man or woman who goes out of their way to help shovel out someone who's physically unable to do it, or assists someone who is stranded in winter weather --- that defines greatness. Regardless of the vehicle they drive.
Author Wink Tobasco Posted February 3, 2011 Author Posted February 3, 2011 The man or woman who goes out of their way to help shovel out someone who's physically unable to do it' date=' or assists someone who is stranded in winter weather --- that defines greatness. Regardless of the vehicle they drive.[/quote'] dear hijacker, The op was about drivers who aren't detered by snow.
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