Try being a paper carrier AFTER the plows come through.They pack all that snow up to the box so I can only WISH they would not plow some roads until im done with my route!! And you can bet that most people do not clear a travel path to their boxes for carriers(postal or paper)

What a bunch of whiners. Good God. Same ones that still use a shovel and drive a worthless car and yet complain and they live in Wisconsin. The reason this article is being published is so the plow drivers can defend themselves from all the bashing they've had over the last few months. Keep up the good work guys. The snow has to go somewhere, and yes the end of your driveway is one of those places.

ohmygosh1000: Lighten up? We're approaching unemployment rates in the area that will probably hit double digits. Many that are actually working have to take multiple part time jobs. Others make half of what these drivers make. Moreover, these jobs have top level benefits and pay for the area. Don't get me wrong, nobody should throw shovels or give these guys the finger. However, in all my years I've never seen anyone do such a thing. I'm guessing this is a very small fraction of the local population that does such things. Some of the points given are valid safety concerns. However, we all have peeves about our jobs, it's a part of life. To write an entire article about peeves for a job at a time when many would gladly walk a mile in their shoes is a bit of a stretch.

Unidentified . . . the article was about pet peeves of the drivers. They're not saying they don't appreciate their jobs. We all have things we don't like about our jobs. Lighten up, eh.

That's kind of funny, Lemke. Often while I'm shoveling I tell myself that if I ever win the lottery I am going to have a heated driveway installed.

Ever since I was a kid I thought it would have been cool if somehow you could make a layer ontop of the road of like poly-urithane and contained within it some heater coils to heat the road just above freezing so it would turn into water, basically plowing itself. Maybe make it out of some solar conductors as well since road see a lot of sun throughout the year. Use the solar energy for something or store it up to keep the road slightly heated in the winter to prevent snow & ice. It's a darn good idea if you ask me, now for the R&D lol. Someone needs to find a way to do this to their driveway or sidewalk to prove it would work!

Do these guys practice their snowplowing techniques in the GM parking lot now? It's available 24/7.

I would just like to tell the plow truck drivers that I appreciate them getting up in the middle of the night to plow & sand my roads in time for my kids to get to school. Our roads are always done multiple times during a storm. THANK YOU!

If you don't like people complaining then move to another country. This is America, its what makes our country great.

For those whiners who think that shovelng out your drive after the plows have been through, people who lost mailboxes, people who complain about streets not beeing plowed immediately.....
Move to somewhere where it doesnt snow!! If you haven't noticed..you live in WI!!

If you think you can do better then go apply to a mail carrier, alethia. I'd like to see you walk through unshoveled, ice covered sidewalks, in 5 degree weather in the middle of a blizzard just to get yelled at because you don't have someones 1st of the month check.

Complaining about civilians and sucking up to government employees at the same time. You are Russian.

A large portion of the complaints against the snowplowing are just plain stupid and in reality a bunch of BS.
Big deal having to reshovel your driveway out after the plows go by. Be thankful you have a driveway to plow out. Remember, now the pile of snow blocking the entrance is only half as deep. Take a break and then do what needs to be done. Mailboxes knocked over. Move the thing back. It doesn't need to be directly on the curb as many are. (This applies to the folks in the city who have plenty of space to relocate their mailboxs.) Have a feeling that the mailperson would rather walk then try to reach the mailbox over a pile of snow anyway.
Finally, a few out there claim to be proficient in the removal of snow and the use of the snowplow, so what say we let the city guys stay home during the next big snow and you do the job!!!!!!!
My thanks to the city employees who are doing the job while I'm warm and comfortable. You will always be bad mouthed by a small group of disgruntled people---hard to ignore but not worth the bother. Do your job, that is all that is asked.

If we didn't whine we would be Russian not American. Being complacent is a sure sign of mediocrity unless of course all you do is complain about how other people spend all their time complaining which then makes you just like them. So, you hate yourself.

Considering the level of pay and benefits these drivers receive, I can say with certainty that their are plenty of people who would love to be in their shoes. I actually find this article laughable, considering this is one of the best jobs in the area. If any of these drivers have a problem with their situation, I'll gladly take their place.

“More considerate” – huh? The plow can come, or not come. That’s the only choice. It’s not like these guys circle around, looking for old ladies who just finished shoveling their driveways, so they can swoop in and fill granny’s driveway back up.
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Remember too, that you have to shovel the stuff the snowplow brings one way or the other. You can clear your driveway first, and then handle the snowplow’s contribution after, or wait and do it all at once. But regardless of age, you get the same amount of snow to shovel either way.

I agree that no one should treat these guys like this, and yet I have witnessed old ladies, shoveling their driveways, who get a big dump of snow right after. Since they leave different amounts at different times, I'm assuming they can be more considerate. Also, do we in our area have anything like Madison does -- volunteers who help the elderly and infirm shovel? This would really help make it possible for the elderly to get around, and they're having problems now, as everyone knows. (I know this is on a different subject, but it does seem important and unaddressed.)

To the plow person on Main street on friday, I was the one in the white truck that was in your way-twice. Im really sorry for that. I was helping a friend with his Gazette route and had nowhere to park except the street. I tried to move but by the time I saw you, it was too late. Parking downtown is horrible,even on a good day !

Why do people think that the plow drivers are such heros? I've run these trucks many times in my career and it's not a tough job! A recently retired friend from the county when asked what was the best part of his job said "plowing snow. It's easy work and the overtime is great. Just run the equipment with the radio and heater on in your shirtsleeves and park when you're done with your shift. It's easy work." Why not give credit to the guys that really have it tough. Like the garbage man who has to be out there in the same size truck picking up your stuff with no heat in the cab, or the electric lineman that restores your electricity in an ice storm, or the mailman that walks through the snow to deliver your magazines when it's below zero. Those are the guys that deserve your thanks. Not the guy in the truck just driving and operating the equipment. Like I said, I've done it and it's easy work. Let's give credit to the guys out there in the elements that deserve our praise and thanks - not the plow drivers who have it much easier at top wages than most of the other tough jobs.

This winter has posed both financial and physical challenges. We all want safe, clean streets -- and the lowest taxes possible. And we want it NOW! Being patient and realistic will go a long way toward making things more tolerable for everyone. I'm grateful for the hard work put in by the people who plow, and for the tough decisions enacted by the people who direct them. Nobody can control the weather. We just have to do our best to cope with it.

It's definitely a pain in my rear to be shoveling the sidewalk (I live on a corner by the way) only to have not one, but TWO sidewalks and a driveway covered in street snow from a plow going by. However, I also realize that they're just doing their job by keeping the street clean. I've driven on streets that don't get plowed and it SUCKS! I'd much rather have to pick up the street snow on my sidewalk than not have the streets cleared off.

City dwellers seem to whine a lot and be a dependant bunch. You need your streets plowed just right at exactly the right time, you need your water delivered at the faucet just right, you need your sewage to flow away just right, you need your trash to be removed just perfectly. You need your police "protection" just exactly perfect. Do you all need an additional city department to tuck you in at night?
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Well, duh? Isn't what they are being taxed into oblivion for? Heck, at that rate throw in some turn down service and a mint on their pillows!

For the most part, the plow drivers do a good job with the hand they are dealt. If you know its going to snow and your vehicle won't be moved before the plows arrive....DO NOT park on the street!

If you do, you can expect to be "parked in" with snow.

The plow drivers in Metromilton, Edgerton and Evill do a good plowing and salting/sanding. If people would stay off the roads, and not plow/shovel/blow snow onto the roads their jobs and your travel safety would be much better.

Why is it that tickets are never issued for those who plow/blow snow onto/across streets/roads/highways???? I have seen some major wrecks waiting to happen from people doing this. It may be "faster" to push it out in the road or across it, but its ILLEGAL.

What exactly is the fine for this and why are the cops not enforcing it?? It's ultra easy to detect. There is undisputable physical evidence in EVERY case.

It's nice living on a bus route. The plow came by 4 times by 7:30 this morning.

My only complaint is not enough salt in some areas

City dwellers seem to whine a lot and be a dependant bunch. You need your streets plowed just right at exactly the right time, you need your water delivered at the faucet just right, you need your sewage to flow away just right, you need your trash to be removed just perfectly. You need your police "protection" just exactly perfect. Do you all need an additional city department to tuck you in at night?

I have a superb idea... if you don't like how the snow plow drivers are doing... go sign up to be a snow plow driver!!! I do like these guys/gals for doing their job despite have stupid people always around.

The only thing I question, and I don't see it as being that of the drivers' doing, why is salt spread on the roads when it's 20 degrees below zero? Last time I checked, salt doesn't work at that temperature.

I really like Barts answer that he only flipped off the plow operator because his foot was run over. If he wasn't smart enough to get out of the way, he deserved it!

how would john know, has he even been in a plow??

Wow-back-up cameras , plowing in shifts , all the officers standing on the streets so the people who are tailgating are safe , put the snow somewhere but my driveway--but I don't want to pay more taxes!! Some people should really grow up already.

gonefishin - actually I43 in walworth is prob the same distance as I90 in Rock and the little it of 43 Rock has is matched by Hwy 12 in Walworth. Walworth has Hwy 11, 14, 89, 20 and 120...not to mention all the county roads - Hwy A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, H, I, J, K...etc...

I for one am thankful for the plowing they do. I have a small dog and he can't get through my yard cuz the snow is too deep. So I have to walk him in the road so he can poo. Now before you all start screaming at me for walking him in the street, I carry a poo picker upper at all times LOL Don't want it in my yard and I am not about to leave it in anybody elses yard OR the street.

I don't care if they plow my street or not. I live in WI and have 2 4x4s with good tire. Plus unlike most i change my driving habits in the winter each yeah. I have never had a problem being stuck or crashing into anything during the winter in my whole live. I say survival of the fittest. If your too dumb not to have a car with good tires and a ER kit or at least one car or truck with all wheel drive. You have made some poor choices. So you people who get stuck or complain move or start smarting up

berry,
I can almost guarantee that if you call the City with real questions like you just posted here they'd give you reasonable answers.

And don't forget to SLOW DOWN!

gabby: last year someone parked their car by our driveway and when the snowplow came they had to plow around the car leaving more than 1/2 of our area in front of our driveway unplowed. My husband went out and started snowblowing what the snowplow left behind...right onto the parked car! It was so awesome. You can guarantee the owners moved that car REAL quick! And they helped shovel the left behind snow. This year, that hasn't happened.

If you don't like snow, move to where it DOESN'T snow.
This happens every year.
It's like people see the white stuff and panic, forget how to behave, forget how to drive.

I'm always happy when they plow - even if it means more work cleaning out the driveway. Does anyone know if they are doing the side streets again today? Yesterday we didn't get plowed until 6:30 - so we might be toward the end of their pattern.

So, you have a giant vehicle and you can't see behind you but you are going to back up anyways? Doesn't this seem inherently unsafe? Shouldn't there be a camera back there.
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They are complaining about people they don't even have to have direct contact with? This article is sophomoric. Police officers actually get out and stand in the road and deal directly with people in these conditions. Not sit on their butt in a giant truck.

I'm glad they stated #3. cause I really hate it when I'm driving down the road and some jerk is plowing snow into the road who cares about the people driving by. What are we suppose it stop and let you plow it into the road some people are just RUDE! Also I hate the big mountains they make at the end of their driveway so when your trying to pull off a side street you can't see upcoming traffic!

Aren't the Trib and Sun Times bankrupt? Better get them fast, might be the last edition!

Ms. Idzerda must have pulled this idea for an article out of a hat labeled "articles to pick from when there's nothing else to write about".
Makes me want to rush out and get my subscription to the paper renewed again. Chicago Tribune or Sun Times is probably knocking down her door for her services.

Didn't the Gazette print a story last winter from a "ride along" perspective? I thought that was interesting. As far as the plowing is concerned, I could sit here and complain just as I can complain when I hope for rain and its a sunny day. Its simply pointless. I'm going to take Northmans advice and sit back with some Irish coffee. Its so much easier that way.

Amen Northman . . . amen!

So, there I was yesterday, just finishing up the end of my driveway, when I hear a loud scraping noise approaching. Yep, the snowplow cometh. So, I retreated back to the safety of my driveway, and waved as plow went past. The driver looked a bit startled, but recovered and waved back. Five minutes later, I had the driveway clear again.
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It makes no more sense to complain about getting your driveway plowed in, than it makes to complain about the snow in the first place. If you live here, both are unavoidable. So give a wave, make the guy’s day, and put your energy into something productive. Like, say, making some Irish Coffee at the end of the day to reward yourself for a job well done.

Thank you, Gazette, for printing this. I've been wanting to see their side of things for a while now, and this helps.

I would be interested to know more about how plowing works and how they go about doing it. Such as, why do we always see them driving around with the blades up? There is probably a good reason for it if we stopped complaining long enough and listened.

Why is there such a short list of people qualified to plow? Driving to work this morning, I noticed some major roads not yet cleared, and figured it was because it was still snowing. But why should that make a difference? With enough people rotating, plows should be able to continuously clear throughout a storm, keeping main roads like Wright clear.

Some people will always find something to whine about, because it makes them happy, but a little more information about a topic like this can clear up misunderstandings and quiet some of the complainers.

I think that we should look into that magic plow idea.

I understand completely, I have been in a plow truck for the past 20 years for our business. However, in Janesville they have zero common sence and even less comon decency they are arrogant and they don't really do that great of a job. I can drive from walworth or Jefferson counties and you can tell where Rock county starts. In my neiborhood they are okay oat our businesses they are horrible. We all have alot of snow and I do not flip the bird or throw good shovels at them but they can have some understanding that we have to open our business and when they bury us its very unpleasant plus they cover the sidewalk and then WE have to dig all that crap out, its ridiculous.

I admit, I have complained (somewhere on this site) about the lack of plows during the two hours after a snow storm finished and the mad rush to drop kids off at schools around town. This isn't a plow drivers fault - and I stated as such. It obviously wasn't a priority for city management to have these streets cleared.

This morning I had just shovled out my driveway when a plow went by this morning - yes it ment I had to work some more to clear my driveway. But I smiled and waved at the passing driver knowing full well my street is now clear and safe to drive on.

Thanks plow drivers - you are appreciated!

Rex,
You are just a whiner who doesn't know what you're talking about.

Why don't you schedule a time with Whitcomb and go found out the truth. I'm willing to bet your claims are completely false. Go ahead find out the truth before you start blathering your BS here.

Is it just me or does #6 and #9 repeat its self? Throw a shovel..lol,what are you gonna make the 10ton truck scared and cry...Janesville mentality at its finest. Heaven forbid it's work to get my driveway cleared whaaaaaa.

Sounds to me that Tinker won't be happy about anything. As for me I appreciate the snowplowers for what they do they are out there plowing our streets and people get mad because they just shoveled the end of there driveway, the plows can't help that. it sounds to me that people are just to darned lazy to get up and go outside and take care of that little bit of Snow some of you act like spoiled kids sheesh Grow Up. And Glock Thank You for defending the snowplowers.

what???????? my snowblower died?? and you didn't invite me to the funeral?? sheeeesh some ex- neighbor you are........J/K

dang dumb rabbits. burro a tunnel under the snow and come out at the edge of the road just as the plow comes by......SMACK. he should have had the city build the tunnel for him.it might have been safer for him!! LOL how did we get on to the rabbit subject in here?? LOL. it ia all barts fault!!!! J/K STAY SAFE!!

no chuckie, she died. I actually got the wife to agree to a new one last year!

hey glock you stil using the snowblower i gave you a couple of years ago????

If they plowed to everyone's specifications we couldn't afford our local taxes. That would be the next complaint. You can't please them all, that's for sure! I think the roads have been in GREAT shape this winter and Thank you for that! If I can get to my job, I'm happy. So many unhappy people. It's sad and plain laziness that people think they shouldn't have to shovel the end of their driveways. Give me a break!

localboy - glock - You hit the "nail on the head" I couldn't of said it any better !

Thank you Rusty.........check out the interstate cams........hwy 11 overturned semi in the median SLOW DOWN AND STAY SAFE!!!!

1. People who leave their vehicles in the street after a snow fall = stupid.
2. People who flip the drivers the bird = immature.
3. People who throw shovels at drivers when they plow = lazy.
4. People who can't navigate the snow filled streets = inept.

Getting a general feeling for society today?

Are they supposed to shovel your driveways too??
The snow has to go somewhere, unless you can invent a magic plow that keeps the snow from following the laws of physics and gravity then shut up and shovel you driveways! You can't have it both ways. I complained when they didn't plow my street (S. Grant) for days. I am not going to complain when they plow my street! Last night I was so grateful for them that I waved at them as they went by and then did the bottom of my driveway, and two neighbors drives as well!
As for the people who refuse to move their cars from the roads, there better be a special place in h*** for them, I would just plow them into a tree if I was the plow drivers.
As for the poster who said they should feel lucky to have a job, Without them, you could not get to yours, if you even have one.

Boo Hoo. Maybe if the city had these guys out sometime within 8-12 hours of when the snow falls they wouldn't be quite as "un-appreciated" Yesterday for instance, I noticed that almost everyone on my street had their driveways and sidewalks done, then what do you know, at 4:30pm here come the plows to plow in everyone's driveway. Sorry Gazette, if you're looking for an overflowing of sympathy you picked the wrong group and the wrong guy. Don't like how you're "treated", go hand out carts at WalMart. Otherwise quit you're belly aching and get to plowing.

Is it illegal if some jerk was sitting in front of your house when the plows came through and you go shovel it all to the side where is belongs?

tinker45 - Did you have too many tinkers last night. You seen to be alittle crabby this morning.

I think we now have 25 left

Chainsawchuckie: to answer your question, check out this Gazette site.
http://gazettextra.com/news/2008/nov/18/...

Boo friggin' hoo. They should be happy they have jobs.

Evansville - Its an old wife's tale I believe. Its not considered a snowfall unless you can track a cat.

The last big snow fall we had. My mailbox was damaged. I called the city and they came out and fixed it for me. "Thank you" I know that the snow has to go some where and its going to be pushed against my mail box and in my driveway. Yes, even after I shovel. We are getting too much snow ! It's not the Snow Plow drivers fault. It's nature. So, everyone stop your complaining ! What is the driver to do ? "Where is he to put the Snow" You complain about not getting plowed. When you do get plowed you complain about the snow in your driveway. Please ..... Stop your whinning...

Track a cat snowfalls? I'm unfamiliar with this term, could you share?

not to go off subject....Does anyone know acording to the indian formula how many more "track a cat " snowfalls we have left?? I'm really beginning to dislike this white stuff.......also does anyone know where the white goes when the snow melts?? LOL
STAY SAFE!!!!

They have a job to do. Anybody who obstructs them should be put on a list, and the list made public. Then we can go to their job site and do the same in return. I call it "getting even".

I know it is part of the process to plow the streets, and that is just the way it is. But, think about it. I am paying taxes to pay somebody to plow all of the snow in front of my house to my driveway and sidewalk, and then I have to go out and shovel it away. I can't think of any other situation where I would pay somebody to give me a bunch of hard work.

Anywho, I support those men and women doing thier job, and I go out with a smile on my face and do my part in shoveling, including the fire hydrant on the corner from my house that doesn't get done.

Thank you fellas, for your long hours and keeping the roads cleared !

I like # 3. "Those lumps of snow in the street harden into immovable objects, damaging the big blades and knocking drivers around". Now you know how I feel when you knock me and my mail box down.