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Inside the garage there are dozens of plows.
My dad's plow. The number on top is an indicator about what shop the plow is from. The 44 numbers are from the Plymouth shop.
The salt pile. We were loaded with 15 tons of salt. Although my dad didn't do any salting, the weight is necessary for helping the plow keep traction.
This joystick controls the side wing. It's like second nature for him to move it up or down when the road can't accommodate the side wing.
The traffic is traveling eastbound towards Minneapolis/St. Paul. If they didn't plan for the snow, I'm guessing the snow added maybe 2 hours to their commute. Drag.
While plowing during morning rush hour is difficult, he finds ways to make it work. Here he is plowing the left shoulder.
It's hard to see but there's a plow up ahead that he's about to team up with to gang plow. You can see the lights from the other plow.
Setting up to start the gang plow, the other driver moves all the way to the left shoulder.
My dad plows just behind him to move the snow from the other plow plus the snow in his lane.
My dad says this is very common and very dangerous. This car is trying to get past the gang plow by going in between them. I was hoping they'd spin out...
...
They made it... but really, nobody should risk it.
While gang plowing, there's quite a bit of open road ahead... behind, not to much.
Here you can see the backup from the plows. I'm sure it pissed off a good share of the drivers. My dad says it's a thankless job and that he get's saluted a lot... with one finger.
This car got stuck between us, too.
...
...
But eventually made it around. Again... it's so dangerous.
This area is congested anyway but hopefully people realize how necessary this little inconvenience is.
Here's my dad leading the gang plow. It's not ideal to only have two plows with a three or four lane highway but they do the best with what they have.
He's plowing right up against the center rail. He has to be careful to not get too close... he's broken side mirrors by hitting street lights before.
Visibility isn't the greatest.
See?
I gave him a toy plow... he loves crap like that.
The back of the plow after three hours.
My dad... and me.
GoldenGirlBlanche
My dad worked for MNDOT and drove plows too. He passed away several years ago, and this post reminds me of him. Cheers to you and your dad!
Zanami
Very cool, OP. I always try to stay out of the truck's way, driving close to them even when they're not plowing is skurry.
WilliamCostiganJr
As a Minneapolis resident, I found this very interesting. Here's to you Mr. MnDot Gang Plow Driver!
VivianFox
I always upvote Minnesota =D
StaticDisplay
This is really cool and informative, thanks for taking the time to document and post it!
Ispentthelastfewyearsbuildingupanimmunitytoiocanepowder
Brb, writing a thank you letter to every road commission in a fifty mile radius! Sorry people are rude to your pa, n tell him I say thanks
kittensandhedgehogsaremyfavorite
YAY MINNESOTA!
imaitzakadoozi
could be a fun simulator, like euro truck!
imaitzakadoozi
"Euro-plow"
gibdav
Born and raised in MN. Your dad is the man!! I didn't realize that some aholes don't like the snow plows.. MnDOT does amazing work
grapesades
As a Minnesotan, thanks to your pops for making it safer.
Wadafeeld
I don't understand why people can be so mean to the workers who are trying to make their drive easier.
StupidFuckfaceMcCrapperson
It's pretty simple really...they are assholes. Assholes do things like flip off plow drivers.
IAmAce
Stressful job. Thank him for keeping us safe
chepep41
+1 MNDOT! That's my home town! I know all those freeways so well!
andruha1123
Who flips of a plow driver? How would you drive otherwise, you fuckers?
LumberjackMike
For whatever reason, I imagined OP as a gentleman the whole way through. Then I saw a gal in the past picture and my mind was blown!
Cuhnaydeeyin
As a canadian, your dad is the kinda guy I enjoy seeing 10 months of the year.
groversleeves
Wow this is one of the neatest posts I have ever seen about a seemingly ordinary topic.
TheJerrySmith
they don't get paid enough
SweetBabyJesusBaconFlavoredNutellaMountainDewApplePieMooQuack
They get paid lots of over time.
operationfiscaljackhammer
They're state paid employees, they get paid plenty. Source: my cousin worked for IDOT for a couple years.
llamatron
Last picture says he doesn't go hungry...
YouJustKindaWantIt
Why would anyone flip off a snow plow driver? Where I am from they are heralded as heroes!
iwilleatyourbabies
Where I live, they're are lots of people who throw a plow on their pick up truck so they can drive like dicks in a snow storm.
iwilleatyourbabies
Goddmanit. there are*
localvagrant
I'm laughing right now imagining that "dicks in a snow storm" is a funny euphemism for something.
happinessinlifeisbeingadolphin
Where I live, it's both to drive like dicks and to pretend like they're a hero of the town. Don't get me wrong, though, they can be.
ScootyPuffSr
OP, I was driving in the Twin Cities last weekend, please tell your Dad that he and his colleagues are doing an EXCELLENT JOB.
sherbetty
my dad also plows for the DOT...during big storms he'll have 3 day shifts sleeping in the truck, i dont know how they do it
LDedlock
Tell him thanks! I used to live where it snows and the city would be useless 3 months of the year without the DOT. +1 for your pop!
DickbagMcDicksucker
This is very enlightening. Most "unskilled" or "uneducated" jobs have way more to them than most people know. Tell your dad thanks
MuonNeutrino
This always kills me. People act like these sorts of 'menial' jobs don't deserve any respect, but there's a hell of a lot of skill involved.
Mairoa
Yeah, my dad's one of the best in the area in his "menial" job. That man can do most of what electricians do, plus a lot more.
SirAwesomeTheThird
Why isn't Mr. Plow written on the side of his Plower? HUH?!
nosyt22
You're welcome http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVWdf1Ky2bI
slurmlover
Call Mr. Plow, that's my name, that name again is Mr. Plow
deebr
♬♬♬♬Señor Plow no es macho. Es solamente un borracho♬♬♬♬
SarcoAlchemist
As a Brit, TIL that that's the Americanization of plough. Before I thought Homer was misspelling it "plow" because he's dumb.
MakingUpAUsernameIsTerrifying
BECAUSE HIS DAD'S THE PLOW KING
Counterfit
*her
mostthethings
I bet he leaves the jacket on.
SirAwesomeTheThird
Lingongrova
I couldn't imagine a town without plowed roads. Bless these plowing souls.
SweetBabyJesusBaconFlavoredNutellaMountainDewApplePieMooQuack
I live in a town like that. A small farming town of 2000. The plows always do the back roads last, the tractors come out to save the day.
ambermae513
And this is why the south freaks out with any kind of winter weather. we have maybe a handful of plows for an entire county!
theretheyretheir
That and ice. We get ice. And snow melt during the day, and solid... ice... in the morning
DrBarrelRoll
I'm in austin and I've never seen a plow. I've also never seen a full inch of snow.
CptDanger88
I'm in San Jose, California, and having never had a plowed road, I can tell you, it isn't bad at all.
Lingongrova
I live in a small swedish town, we don't have plows here either, we have this one awesome farmer that plows EVERY ROAD WITH HIS TRACTOR.
RullandePaltenUppeINorraSverige
May you live in Boliden perhaps? We have that too.
Lingongrova
Nothing but pure respect for that man. Saw him outside at 6a.m the last 2 days, we've had alot of snow.
OrionRed
God Damn it! If I ever see someone flip off a plow driver, I'd probably kill 'em. Tell your dad it's not a thankless job!!!
linkedbyfate13
For real! I prefer to drive behind a plow on snowy days, at least then I'm driving on a clear and maybe even freshly salted road.
StabbyAlligator
They're the best trucks to follow!
bamcockseverywhere
I fucking hate when people insult hardworking government employees. Hey, dickhole, guess who made it possible for you to get to fucking work
BrazilianThunderPanda
For real!. He's doing Gods work. I get behind snow plows because it's safe. And I salute with all 5 fingers, and occasionally blow kisses.
ringox
People, what a bunch of bastards
ohmanohman
I love these guys and driving behind them is the best. The road is driveable and I feel safe knowing these bad-asses clearing the road
pencilv3ster
Did I miss some picture? This dude got flipped off?
OrionRed
In her description
quithinting
nah, she was just saying.
fnurglbhurg
It was in text...
Ringshadow
No kidding! I would NEVER flip a plow guy off! Where my parents people will pay for their coffee and stuff. Go MDot Plow Guys!
shitney
As a person that lives in St. Cloud, MN and uses that interstate, a big thanks to your father.
EyeAteNine
lol, I'm in St Cloud too
[deleted]
[deleted]
sagittarius97
Yay! More Minnesotans, I'm from Edina though...
ILoveCuteThings
Hey! Me too! Well, work there anyways. Actually from Burnsville.
TwentyOneSighs
Ah, damn! It's a St. Cloud party in here.
GushersWereTheShit
Sauk Rapids here. Thanks a lot! I was just driving on that interstate, and the plows speed things up a ton. Tell him we appreciate it!
Jackie0
A Minneapolis bus taker is also appreciative of you guys!!!
nickXIII
Not st cloud here, but st croix :P and, plowed interstate is so nice
TheMajestikM00se
I know it's been over 3 years, but I'll be damned there are dozens of us in the St Cloud area.
Cassparilla
As a person who lives in wisconsin, I still give him credit! Please tell your dad imgur loves him and will always keep a safe distance!
MrShifty
Yay! More St. Cloud here!
thebiggunt
Marshall Erickson?
dinosaursarentreal
You had me at gang plow
CapnStinkypants
Yep, that term is gonna stick.
ProJunior
what do 9 out of 10 people love? gang plow ;)
jamandtoast
Came for this, left satisfied.
needkaffeen
I was really toying with whether or not I'd view all 35 images until, yep. Gang plow. Sold for a dollar.
psivox
Put a dolphin in it
eidam655
exactly
YouAintGottaLieCraig
Giggity
rawrfrawrf
I would like one gang plow, please.
YouSufferWithCognitiveDissonance
That's not a gang plow. This is a gang plow. http://youtu.be/ol_NgCsoWLI
xenathewarriorprincesswashot
*swoon*
studmuffinmurse
they bukake'd that storm
nickrad
But a Brazzers lable on this post.
SenorFancyPantalones
nemuril
It's dangerous to get into the middle of a 'gang plow.' Three or four is ideal for this kind of plow.
Shawboy84
Im so glad we're all alike! Lmao
Tortel
Its actually pretty cool to see a group of 3 of em clear a whole highway at 50mph
nanifatcatwhosallergictoothercats
I know right? I get excited seeing them doing that stuff. So badass!
aShogunNamedMarcus
Uh I'm here for the Gang Plow
dinosaursarentreal
right this way sir
CaptainButtbeard
Why do people flip off plow drivers? They're doing you a favor, fucknut!
Cravenmobile
Because people aren't smart anymore.
MyMiddleNameIsAllen
Takes a real jizzvessel to flip off a plow driver. They're making your world 19203810231x safer.
OrbitusII
That's like 19203810231 times safer than not having plow drivers do their jobs!
WormFarm
When the weather is real bad, I travel behind them (at a safe distance), knowing the safest road is in their tracks.
bohnsta
+1 for fucknut.
aznfolife924
people complain about all the traffic cuz of the plows... then they complain about their being no plows. There's just no pleasing people.
Heat11
i know! what kind of pshyco hose beast flicks off a snow plow driver!
ThatOneKidfromMN25
Seriously! I'd rather have a plowed rode and go slow then to go fast on an unplowed road. People are fuck nuts.
SweetBabyJesusBaconFlavoredNutellaMountainDewApplePieMooQuack
Unless you have a Subaru, find an empty road and let it go. Its a Subaru thing.
twostepsfromlost
But I have to get my brats to the piano practice they don't to be at so I can go cheat on my S.O.! my hobbies are more important then plows.
needkaffeen
hehehe fucknut.
meddlinpenguin
my thoughts exactly.
needkaffeen
don't meddle in my affairs you penguin fucknut.
meddlinpenguin
LMAO!!!
SoOddICantEven
Seriously, and why would you ever pass one and drive instead on an unplowed road?
ArdentSlacker
I've never had a car in which that would be smart. It cannot save you time. It can only cause you pain and misery.
EvanED
I occasionally pass plows (dunno if I've ever met gang plows) when I'm out on the road. (1/?)
EvanED
Most of the time it's not so much "plowed" vs "unplowed" road so much as "plowed" vs "slightly less plowed." (2/?)
EvanED
And if they're salting, it needs time to work so you're not going to see much benefit right behind one anyway. (3/5?)
EvanED
So if I feel like it's safe to pass, then I'll do so. But holy cow... flipping them off? That idea is *so* foreign to me. (4/4)
thelongbowman
because I drive a jeep wrangler and have studded mud and snow tires. I can drive in 2 1/2 ft of snow before it becomes a problem.
catmanuel
I DRIVE A JEEP WRANGLER. RESPECT ME. http://youtu.be/9YD_1ObUrhE
PrairieSquid
I'd respect you more if it were an actual Jeep, like a CJ-5 or CJ-7 (Sorry, am a Jeep snob^.^)
Lutafist
And he can fuck the shit out of an empty chapstick container
imrightyourewrongdealwithit
Good for you, but not everyone else has the same means of transport.
currentlyincleveland
I read it all in a guys voice and then was pleasantly surprised you were a girl OP
nation543
I live in UT and see this. Didn't know it was called a gang plow :-)
lordsleepyhead
Ha! I knew it was a girl all along. Just something about the way she talked about her dad.
WhatABeautifulDuwang
I saw your comment before the end, and expected a selfie. Is that bad?
9Babo
Same here. Great. Now I gotta back and read it in a girl's voice....
TLove1984
Totally got me, too. Nice one, OP.
Codefault
Her dad is one hell of a good man.
OurLadyBabalon
Spoiler alert! :(
missy264
You didn't just read it in your own voice?
catforpresident
knew it was a girl by the picture that had a little bit of her pants and boot in it
kaeits
Hey, me too!
wulf222
saw the comment before the end, had to scroll down to look at gril
moose517
same here, good to see her take interest in her dads job at least.
DougDeNasty
Give your dad a hug and tell him that us Minnesotans know we couldn't brag about our winters if it were not for people like him.
samcody
I was too, this whole album just to sneak in a selfie!
viperos
me too... +1 for a good read tho!
demonyte
Me three!
Velaya
The first shot inside the cabin, you didn't notice her legs? Tsk tsk.
NoDiggittyForMe
Also cute.
ennaamber
Strangely I read it all in a girls voice... but I'm a girl so maybe that has something to do with it?
ChaosLierLen637
Nyahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
WowThatsStrange
I'm a guy and I instantly starting reading it in a girls voice.
thebestllamainthewholedamnworld
I am a girl and I read it in a guy's voice
ArcaneM37
Same.
iSoulend
You liar, there are no girls on the net until proved, like OP did!
census2011
i read it in a guy's voice, but a little guy, so almost a girl. that counts?
BringOutTheFuckingCannedPeaches
I thought that too, but if you look early on you can see she's wearing uggs
RepublicofTexa
Tom Brady wears Uggs...oh wait, that just makes your point more valid
dagg3r
Not sure if serious or just a rouse to make me go looking through all the pics for ugs
larrylobster
As someone from Atlanta... What kind of an idiot gives a snowplow the finger? If I had seen one I would have hugged them
tomyironmane
Beats me... I don't usually see them at work, but if I did I'd give them a wide berth and enjoy my plowed road, TYVM.
OoohDeLallyGollyWhatADay
How are you guys doing down there, by the way?
larrylobster
Doing well now, but the first two days were impossible. I had to drive in to the city to fly out on Wednesday, it was a nightmare
OoohDeLallyGollyWhatADay
Glad it's better now. DC is in for more tonight thru Tuesday. Hope it doesn't come your way!
Mias
It was 65 and beautiful for last two days. Our weather is bipolar in Georgia.
OoohDeLallyGollyWhatADay
I live in DC, and ours is also. It was almost 50 today, and we're expecting 5"+ inches of snow Sunday night.
blargg6969
I live in Minnesota. And its Hella-Cold -55 where I live.
OoohDeLallyGollyWhatADay
You win the "Cold As A Witch's Tit" award, sir/madam. Also? No fucking thank you. We flip out over -7 (after windchill) here.