Sierra Nevada Snow Chain Installers

[andy3175]

Want to be a tire chain installer in the Sierra Nevada this winter? I never realized that there is a call for potential chain installers to obtain permits from Caltrans to work in the High Sierra. I didn't think the installers were state employees, and it makes perfect sense for the state to regulate and permit the activity during the winter snow chain season.

http://www.recordnet.com/article/20141010/News/141019988

Individuals interested in becoming chain installers on California State Highways in the Sierra Nevada can contact the Caltrans Maintenance Office at (209) 736-0187. Permits are available for State Highways 4, 88, 89, 108 and 207 in Calaveras, Alpine, Amador and Tuolumne counties. All new applicants are required to attend an orientation class, which will be held Oct. 23 at 10 a.m. in the Caltrans Maintenance Office (98 South Main St.) in Angels Camp. A written and performance exam will be held immediately following the orientation. Successful applicants may purchase their permits immediately after the exam. Returning chain installers with no violations are not required to attend the orientation and may purchase their 2014/2015 permit from the Caltrans Maintenance Office in Angels Camp. Call (209) 736-0187 to schedule an appointment. The cost for the permit and identification bib is $200. Calaveras County requires a business license for all applicants interested in working on Highway 4. The Calaveras County Tax Collector's Office is located in the Government Center in San Andreas.

[gonealookin]

It's a line of work that in practice is best regulated, both as to location and as to price.  I'm not sure about those highways they list, but on US 50 and I-80 I believe the standard installation charge has been $30 in recent years.  If you allow unlicensed people to work a half-mile down the hill for $25, not only does that lead to chain installations happening at unsafe locations on the road, it also P.O.'s the people who are working at the no-chain/chain line for the standard price, which can result in physical violence against the "scabs".

That said, as a Tahoe resident I die laughing at the people who drive around on the weekends on bare pavement with their chains on, because they paid $30 to have them put on when they were coming over the hill and dammit they're not taking them off only to have to pay another $30 to have them reinstalled on the trip home.

[J N Winkler]

That said, as a Tahoe resident I die laughing at the people who drive around on the weekends on bare pavement with their chains on, because they paid $30 to have them put on when they were coming over the hill and dammit they're not taking them off only to have to pay another $30 to have them reinstalled on the trip home.

You mean there are actually four-wheel tourists who drive into chain control areas in the winter without knowing how to put on their own tire chains?  I assumed these licensed chain installers were there mostly to keep the eighteen-wheelers moving.

[roadfro]

That said, as a Tahoe resident I die laughing at the people who drive around on the weekends on bare pavement with their chains on, because they paid $30 to have them put on when they were coming over the hill and dammit they're not taking them off only to have to pay another $30 to have them reinstalled on the trip home.

You mean there are actually four-wheel tourists who drive into chain control areas in the winter without knowing how to put on their own tire chains?  I assumed these licensed chain installers were there mostly to keep the eighteen-wheelers moving.

Although I don't drive much up there during snow, I've never seen a truck stopped at one of the chain installation points having a roadside crew help them...I've always assumed (maybe incorrectly) that a trucker could install chains on a rig by himself.

[2Co5_14]

You mean there are actually four-wheel tourists who drive into chain control areas in the winter without knowing how to put on their own tire chains?  I assumed these licensed chain installers were there mostly to keep the eighteen-wheelers moving.

Remember that most people driving up to the Sierras live in parts of California that don't get any snow, so they are usually very inexperienced snow/winter drivers. There are probably quite a few of those drivers who aren't even carrying tire chains with them.  I'm pretty sure the installers aren't allowed to sell tire chains, but if they were they could make a killing.

[jrouse]

Those slots will often be filled by the same people year after year. The slots go quickly. My brother in law was interested in doing it one winter and IIRC, all the permits had been issued by the time he applied.

[Sub-Urbanite]

When I was young and dumb, I was driving from Vegas to Reno in early December, and US 95 was closed at Walker Lake because of wind. Sitting at Lida Junction, faced with the choice of either going through Austin, Gabbs or Bishop, I chose to go west.

When I got to Bishop, I found that chains were required on 395 north of town, so I bought chains for my truck. Had no idea how to use them, but thought I'd figure it out if I needed to. Got to the chain-up area and, lo and behold, there was a chain monkey there. He put my chains on, and then told me it'd be $25 for the service. Here I thought they were a public service of Caltrans!

I didn't have $25 on me — young and dumb, remember? — but he was nice enough to write his address down so I could mail him a check later.

Epilogue — I got about 3 miles past the Mammoth Lakes exit, decided there was too much snow and there was no way I was going to make it to Reno that night, and got a room in Mammoth instead. Wound up driving back over Montgomery Pass & through Hawthorne and Yerington the next morning.

[roadfro]

I didn't have $25 on me — young and dumb, remember? — but he was nice enough to write his address down so I could mail him a check later.

Did you ever send him a check...?

[Sub-Urbanite]

With a little extra to make up for the delay.

[myosh_tino]

With a little extra to make up for the delay.

You're a good man! 

[roadfro]

With a little extra to make up for the delay.

I don't know that I would have been that good. How good of you.

[Sub-Urbanite]

I was living the 'life of luxury' as a reporter. Least I could do is send the guy enough for a couple cups of coffee.