Ouch! That hurt!

Okay...I've been a little lax on the postings here recently. Sorry about that. Been a lot going on in my mind that wasn't truck related. 

Weekend before last my youngest son was home for the weekend to visit. I had informed my dispatcher of this and he was only going to be there for two days...Saturday & Sunday. So what does the dispatcher do? He puts me on a run on Saturday. I was upset and only got more and more pissed as Friday night went on. I picked up the load I was scheduled to carry to Lordstown, OH the next morning and I kinda blew my top. I drove that load right down to Sidney and sent in a Qualcomm message that I was resigning. Night dispatcher pulled a good one and got me switched around to carry and empty down to Cincinnati and back to get my ass home. See that little period at the end of my sentences? That's how close I was to leaving the job. Never get between me and one of my kids. And that's what he had done. I'm not gonna play that game. Anyway...of course I thought we had it all resolved...I wasn't quitting. And that following week was my paid vacation but I was only taking part of it off. But guess what? They were quick to notify the departments that I had tendered a resignation but forgot to tell them that I had rescinded that. So when I came back in to my truck on Thursday it had been completely cleaned out. Logs didn't know that I was staying. So apparently only a few people really knew. ::sigh::

Oh yes...and when I was home that weekend...I had a letter waiting for me from the company giving me a first and only notice that if I used more than 10 gallons a fuel idling that I would be charged for every gallon over that 10 (whatever the going rate for fuel per gallon is). So really...who cares if I sit in a truck with the temps registering 104 deg. heat index outside and not allowed to idle to keep cool. Who cares that it's hard as hell to sleep when you're pouring sweat and soaking your mattress.

beeeeep....beeeep....beeeep...We interrupt this blog post to bring you this breaking news.
Tonight at the Flying J in Washington Courthouse, OH we have just witnessed a truck stop parking lot accident. Crete driver in truck number 85144 just backed into a flatbedder who was taking his 10 hours break...twice. Yes folks...he did it TWICE! He backed into him once...pulled up and did it again. According to witness on the other side of the Crete driver he also took out the corner & headlight of the other truck he was pulling in next to.

Want to know why I've never backed into anyone? Because I'm PARANOID! Paranoid about hitting someone. There is a VERY good reason why G.O.A.L. (Get Out And Look) is drilled into our heads in truck driving school. Tonight is a perfect example of that.

Willy Waver

You often hear the guy truck drivers talk about that pretty girl who passed in the convertible and sometimes even about the girl who flashed her boobs at them. Well I guess I got my equivalent yesterday. There was this little red piece-of-shit SUV (I mean it looked like shit) who started to pass me then all of a sudden slowed down and stayed right next to my cab. I didn't look down at first. We were going through construction and I was concentrating more on staying off the concrete barriers to my right. I was getting irritated that this guy was hanging right there back and forth...apparently trying to get my attention. When I did finally look down all I could see was his lap and what he was waving at me. I acted like I was ignoring him and he took off and went on his merry way. Of course as soon as he was way up ahead and laughed my fool head off. Now granted...he actually had something there to be proud of, but it's never a good idea to distract a truck driver like that. But I still laugh when I think about it. So I got my very first Willy Wave. I doubt I'll see one again as it's much less common than a girl showing what she's proud of. But it did make me laugh on a day that I was not the happiest for me.


There's been a helluva lot of rain coming across Northern/Central Ohio lately. As I came across today I saw some of the damage from last nights storms. Broken trees and limbs all over. Small rivers turned into torrents. A golf course who's sand trap was

now a water traps and ditches that now become rivers themselves. I did read that there were 4 confirmed tornado's yesterday. Thankfully I have not heard anything about any deaths resulting from it. But I did worry about my daughter and furbabies at home as four nights in a row I got text message alerts of flash flood warnings in our town. 

So that's it for today...unless I remember something later. Let me leave you with this pic I took earlier today that I found breathtaking at the time. It was as I was leaving today's receiver. Stay safe out there!

Philosophical Questions Of Trucking

A few things that I often wonder:

Four Wheelers 

(that would be any vehicle with 4 tires on it for you non-truckers)

~When a truck is doing the truck speed of 55 mph while the car speed is 65...why there always that four-wheeler  who would prefer to tailgate you thinking he can force you to faster?

Sorry...that only works on other vehicles of equal size. 

~When getting into a lane for a toll booth on a very busy highway...after you have already allowed 5 cars to jump in front of you...why is the guy in the tiny sports car that will pitch a fit if you don't let him in (even though there were other lines available that NO trucks were in)?

Yes...I blocked the little fucker from jumping in front of me by staying 4 feet from the car in front of me. So what does he do? He actually pulls up 5 inches next to my steers and thinks he's going to force me to move if he made me think I was going to run him over. Sorry...didn't work bub! Big truck ALWAYS wins over tiny sports car!

~Why do the four wheelers have to tie up traffic for miles back so they can slow down to 25 mph on a 70 mph interstate so they can get a good look at that accident on the other side of the highway?

I know, I know...they are hoping to see some carnage. Unfortunately they tend to cause more carnage by their actions.

~If you're driving in the express lanes through the city...why would you decide to do 10 mph UNDER the speed limit? How is that a speed worthy of using the express lanes?

Maybe I'm missing something here about what an express lane is?

Other Semi's

~Speaking of tailgating...why does another semi think by tailgating you that you are going to move faster? Do they plan on pushing you if you slow down? Why not just pull over to the next lane and fucking pass me?

Sorry driver...some of us actually drive the speed limit. Of course I've done 10 over the limit and STILL had some asshole trying to hook up to my idiot bar in the back.

Parking

~Why do some of the biggest and busiest shippers/receivers always seem to have the smallest parking areas for docking?

Really...who cares that you come close to backing into another truck or docked trailer while trying to get docked yourself. Or that it raises my anxiety levels sky high!

~Why do truck stops located in some of the busiest areas only accommodate 10 - 20 trucks?

Tried to get into one tonight in Cleveland...5 pm and it was full.

Driving Rules

~Why do all these little towns prohibit jake brakes...ESPECIALLY ones with steep hills.

Those with steep hills should APPRECIATE those jake brakes...they help keep that truck slowed down enough that they don't slam into your car or house at the bottom of the hill.

~Why would you put a stop light/sign on a 55 mph main road?

Good lord...lower the speed limit if you're gonna have stop lights/signs! Especially if that light/sign is just after a curve!

Okay...that's all the philosophical questions for now. :-)

Dole Some More of That Out Sugar

Was a very short run for the 4th. Springfield, OH to Louisville, KY. Carrying what? Products from Dole Fresh Vegetables. And of course...that was it for the day. Definitely going to be a small paycheck since I took 3 days for the weekend and then the holiday had nothing to offer for loads. I've asked them tonight if they could find me a load that goes south or west because I could use a change in scenery. And the answer? "We'll see what we can do moving forward." What exactly does that mean? I'm not really sure...but I guess we shall see.

When I was walking into the shipping/receiving office at Dole and black gentleman was sitting outside for his break and he asked me "What's a pretty lady like you doing driving a truck?" My answer? "It pays better than Walmart".

So after dropping the load they told me to go ahead and park for the night. Closest truck stop? Simpsonville, KY which I've had the privilege of staying at previously. As a matter of fact...it's the same truck stop I encountered the raccoon family crossing the bridge. And of course being a holiday there were actually a few spaces open at 1am! Love it when I can get that lucky. 

Of course three of those spaces available can't be parked in due to two other trucks. The one to the right is carrying an oversize load which he has to have two spots for which is totally understandable. And of course his truck sticks WAY out there. But the idiot to the left is what chaps my hide. Again my opinion of drivers who pull into a spot front first instead of backing to me is the epitome of laziness. Had he backed in he would not be sticking out as far as he does into the parking lot.

Now let me say...to you seasoned veterans I know backing into the space I went into is no big deal. But to me...it was a major accomplishment. It wasn't all that long ago I would have struggled with backing into a space that is offset like this one navigating around those two trucks sticking out. I'm proud of myself. Not only that it only took me a few minutes to get into it which of course is another thing I'm proud of. My backing has definitely improved as I find myself not taking 20 minutes to get into a spot

anymore...even ones that I can't straight back into. And the picture really doesn't accurately show how I had to angle to get into the space. And I for sure could have parked over to my right  more with the space between me and the oversize...but I refuse to take up two parking spots as I find it rude and inconsiderate of any truck that is not carrying an oversize load to take up more than one parking space. So I made sure to keep it between the lines for that parking space that way in the morning when the oversize is gone...the space next to me will not be blocked by my truck.

So now here I sit at a truck stop again...even though I spent all day yesterday sitting until 6pm. Yep...small paycheck coming up.
 

Let Freedom Ring...or Maybe Not

This is not a ramble out trucking but instead of my own personal views about our freedoms on this day that we celebrate them.

It's Independence Day and I hope everyone has a great one! Let's remember what that means. It means FREEDOM...freedom of religious expression, freedom of the nation to be the person they are, freedom from persecution. And yet...we still do not abide to that freedom even today. We find more and more regulations stifling many of our basic freedoms (and this was happening long before Obama folks). We persecute those who go against the grain of what we define as "acceptable social norms"...and my friends...social norms change from decade to decade...this has been happening for centuries (think on it...once upon a time it was against the norm for women to wear pants or vote).  And we still continue to evolve as a nation...and as a species. But there are those who still fight against the evolution of our present and future. Who wish to crush the hopes, dreams and personal freedoms we all are supposed to have.

In America...the land of the free...we celebrate our freedoms...except for when it suits us. Freedom to love or marry who we wish (not talking about people marrying pets as one Republican government official as said will occur when we open the door to gays marrying...yea right...that's just downright silly!). Freedom to express and debate opposing views with how one views the world around us and the politics that govern us without others screaming you are stupid, ignorant, or sheeple. Freedom to be equal to all others within this great land regardless of race, sexual orientation or gender.

"The Bible says..."
"The Constitution says..."
Again and again...we pick and choose to point out the parts of both that support our own personal views on our society while ignoring the parts that don't. It has always been one of my own personal goals to keep an open mind, to not bash others around me for having opposing views and I hope will not bash me for expressing mine. I might dislike one set of people or a particular political party. And I may often express those views...and that's my right to do so. But do I have the right to work everyday at pushing those people into an oblivion where I do not have to see or hear them? No. They too have the freedom to exist, to believe as they wish and to express those beliefs without being persecuted by the rest of society.

Freedom is the basis of the United States. Some say "That is not what our founding fathers had in mind" and that may be true. But then in their time period they did not face many of these situations and obstacles we now face today. So how can we equate their ideals with the ideals of today? They had not meant for the blacks to have freedom...and yet today they do. They had not meant for women to have the freedoms we so enjoy today. We have evolved those freedoms to accept ALL people...or so we try to think...because in reality we have not. The people of our nation still try to crush segments that do not fall into what they believe is acceptable...normal...is opposite of what we believe is what the nature of our friends and neighbors should be.

So my finale is this...
Stop to think about what freedom is supposed to mean. Does it mean you support freedom...as long as it goes with your own personal beliefs? Or do you support a freedom that all of us should be able to share and celebrate?

There's No Place Like Home!

No...not home yet...but I will be tomorrow! Ah...sweet relief! It's been a long 4 weeks! So not used to being gone that long. But you do what you gotta do to make them dollars. I have some home repair plans in the works for those dollars.

A few days ago coming off the highway to a truck stop to get parked I had to go over a bridge that was under construction. Luckily I was going slow as I came around the corner because I saw a several of glowing eyes on the road. Once I got the headlights shining right on them what I saw was a mama raccoon and her two babies trying to cross the road on the bridge. Mama ran quick when she saw me heading in their direction but the babies froze right in my head lights. Poor things were terrified. I sat and waited for them but they were frozen still. So I started to inch towards them and that got them moving...they ran straight for their mama on the other side. Sorry...I'm a softie...I could not run over them just because they were in front of me.

So where have I been this week? Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois.

I was in Chicago yesterday and today. And I absolutely just LOVE driving through Chicago (said no truck driver ever). Slow-ass traffic yesterday heading west through Chicago...slow-ass traffic today heating east through Chicago. Apparently today's was mainly as a result of some parade they were having there. Yes...driving through Chicago is one sure way to burn up some hours on your clock. While stuck in this snail-pace traffic I got quite a laugh at the van I saw in the next lane ahead of me. I really think he should consider getting the lettering on his van fixed. I'm not prone to call a business with a sign that says "Assmasters & Trim Inc."

 On my way through Indiana of course the clouds started to get a little angry looking ahead of me. So I had to pull out the old camera and take a quick click of what I was heading into. Can you say "Free Truck Wash?" Why yes...thank you! My truck is pretty clean now. There's still some of those nasty dried on, hard to clean off bug guts on the windshield but not nearly as many!

Time was short today. Hours were in the very low range. I think I argue with my dispatcher every single week about my available hours and where he thinks I can "trim" some time off my on-duty time to give me more time to get to the next stop. I'd had enough of that this morning and put my foot down. I've NEVER played with my log numbers before working here and I don't want to do it now. There's a really good reason I don't have any hour of service violations on my record with the DOT. It's because I DO NOT COOK MY BOOKS! I'm sure I pissed him off, but I don't really care. He's pissed me off every week with this "hours" argument. Having paper logs gives me a little wiggle room indeed (which of course the dispatchers think gives them wiggle room too)...but to blatantly falsify logs is not something I'm interested in doing. I pointed out to him too that he'd plan a 10-hr work day instead of taking a driver straight to the edge of their 11-hr every single day it's less likely a driver will run out of hours. But he wants to fill every single moment of that 11-hr clock. What is he gonna do with the 30-min break being mandated next week? That's 30 minutes he can't schedule us for! Oh my!

Finally make it to my destination and OMG! I can't believe some of the places that you are supposed to get your truck into! Why do they choose such places to put up a business? You kinda have to go into that poor residents front yard to get backed up into the docks here. Now keep in mind the panoramic view in the camera kind of distorts dimensions, but I think you can guess what I was up against being on a residential street that would be tight for even two trucks to get past each other. Some of my LEAST favorite places to go. I AM getting a little better backing in tight spaces...but I do still struggle with it some. 

So I'm outta here for now. Can't wait to get home and kick my feet up a bit. Gonna take my baby girl to see a movie this weekend too! I think we both deserve it.

It's a Miracle I Tells Ya!

It's been a long, tiring couple of days. I do NOT like using the sleeper berth split. It leaves me exhausted having to split up my downtime like that because I'm one of those people who cannot just stop and lay down and fall asleep. I have to unwind a bit, get my paperwork for the day done and then go through my emails (and maybe a bit of FaceBook). I had to use the split yesterday and of course I was so tired I ended up having to stop on the way to the next stop and close my eyes for about an hour...they had gotten too heavy to keep them open. Then add today to it and I'm ready to hurt someone over these split hours. But unfortunately dispatch put me in a position where I had no choice. I told him that I had to be parked at 7pm. So what happens? I get a load that doesn't get me to the shipper at...wait for it....7 PM! Go figure. So once I got docked, I got watch as trucks came in after me, got unloaded and leave. And wouldn't you know it...I was pretty much the only truck left in the row by the time they finally got around to unloading me and got to leave at 2am. Well...sleeper berth split again to make it legal for me to drive to a truck stop. 

And this is where the miracle happens. It's a rare thing to find parking spots open after 7pm. I pulled into the closest one from the receiver and OMG! There was a spot open just beckoning me. Obviously someone up there was watching out for me. So now I get to unwind a bit. Gotta get up at 10:45 (that's the earliest legal time according to my Driver's Daily Log software). And then pass out.

So it's a g'nite y'all!

Here I Am Stuck in the Middle With You

Here I sit in the driver's lounge of a Freightliner dealer in Knoxville, TN. Yes...I'm still here. Four days now. The initial part finally came in this morning and they installed it...but it's still needing more work. They replaced the filter for the DEF, but now they have to replace the pump. Of course my company is NOT at all happy, but can you really blame them? The dealer has told them each day "tomorrow" and then on tomorrow it's still not done. But I've been told the average wait time here is 5 -6 days. So the company was positive I'd be back on the road today and went ahead and setup a load. I kinda figured they were jumping the gun...and I was right...truck needs different part now. Go figure. Dispatcher says this is bullshit...I told him that it's what you can expect anytime you go to a vehicle dealer for repairs. I personally have not come across any dealer of any vehicle type that can get a vehicle repaired within a day or two.

BUT...the good thing to have come out of this was I got to eat at Bojangles again! I hadn't had any Bojangles chicken for about 6 years and it was great! And only in Tennessee can it seem normal to see a blue grass band playing live in a fast food chicken restaurant. LOL! I made sure to make a note in my phone on where this Bojangles is located since there is a truck stop right across the road then I can stop in again should I get through the area.

HOS...Hours of Shit...I mean Hours of Service

The date that the new hours of service rules is enforceable is fast approaching us. There are still many who are confused on how the whole thing works. Company's are pushing to get all their drivers trained for it. These new rules will have a huge impact on the driving industry and drivers are all up in arms over it. As one driver said "If the old rules worked...why fix something that isn't broken?" And it's true...the rules that have been in place since 2003 has done what they wanted it to do. Increased safety and reduced accidents. It worked! So why are we changing it? Well...basically the FMCSA wants to (without any true merit behind it).

I've had the pleasure of discussing these rules with an ATA member and they were kind enough to provide me with two documents that may shed some light on the changes themselves (which can still be kinda confusing in some areas) and the ATA's response to those changes. Now..if only the FMCSA would actually take to heart those points made by the ATA regarding these rules changes.

Take a look...see what you think.

FMCSA Restart Phase 1

ATA's HOS Comments

We'll Leave the Light On For You

It would seem that everything was conspiring against me to NOT make it to the 2nd receiver yesterday. Six hours at the first receiver. Actually more than that but thanks to HOS I couldn't really start the official waiting period until 6am...I was actually there all night waiting in line with the rest of the trucks. One guy had been there since 6 pm the previous day so I guess I can't complain TOO much...but I'm going to anyway. My dispatcher made a phone call and not too long after I got called down to dock. Got all snug in my assigned doc...went inside to check in...WRONG DOCK! That dock was for chicken loads only and I had beef. No dock for you! Go sit by the fence. More waiting...then FINALLY into a dock where I belonged. And finally unloaded.

Stopped to get fuel at a Pilot. Used the Comdata card...told it I wanted both reefer and tractor fuel. Didn't really pay attention to the screen and started to fill up. That damned thing cut off at about 25 gallons. Tried to run the card again and it told me to see the cashier. So I went in and the damned pump had only given me reefer fuel and I was pumping in the tractor. ARGH!!! He was able to get the tractor fuel set back up for me but no reefer...there was a two hour wait on the card before you could get reefer fuel again. No biggie. I had half a tank...it could wait until I got close to the destination. 

BUT on the way to the Pilot this light that looks like an engine symbol  lit up on my dash. Not long after the check engine light is on. Pulled out of the fuel island and found someplace to sit for a few while I called the shop about it. After much discussion and trying a few different things the shop decided the tractor needed to go to a shop to be looked at. So the only place they could find that was in the direction of the next receiver was in Knoxville...an hour and a half away. Got over there and after several hours of waiting they finally put the machine on it to read the codes. It's an issue with the stupid regen. It had already started shutting down "zones" as they told me. If I had kept going it would have shut down the truck completely at some point. So! The truck was going to be there overnight for them to look at it. Continental paid for me to stay at the Motel 6 (as they have a shuttle that runs from the Freightliner Dealer to their motel).

Took a wonderful shower after sweating all day. Ate some dinner at the Ihop (because I can't miss an opportunity to hit one up since there isn't one in my home city). Came back to the room and got to sleep to wake up an hour later VERY sick). Doing better this morning but tired as hell now.

So that's the end of my update for this morning. I have to get dressed and get my crap together to take the shuttle back over the dealer.

Stay safe my friends!

I'll Get You My Pretty...and You're Little Dog Too!

Funnel Cloud of a Brief Tornado in Shelby, OH

Amazing weather yesterday and this morning. Luckily I did manage to miss most of it. Saw some heavy rain for a short bit as I headed for Chicago from Louisville. I stopped to shut my eyes for about a half and hour and when I got up it was gone. But I got to see a hellacious light show before hand. It was so beautiful...flashes of lightening every 2 seconds. Most of them just in the clouds but a few were earthbound too. Now they had a little more excitement back home. A small town, Shelby, close to my home of Mansfield experienced a brief funnel cloud but it did not fully form thank goodness. Shelby is probably about 20 miles from my house. It was scary for me since I wasn't home but my daughter and all the furbabies were. I'm so glad that no damage was seen there. I worry that something will happen at home while I'm out on the road. But I am thankful that I didn't run into any of that bad weather. I heard it got pretty nasty north of where I was.

Tonight I'm parked at a teeny, tiny Pilot truck stop with only about 15 parking spots...maybe not even that many. But of course you know there's more than that parked here. They are parked around the edges, next to the scales, and in the striped no parking areas. Got one guy parked right in front of another truck that's in a parking spot (he'll be getting woke up to move his out of the way I'm sure). From what I'm seeing out my window I think there's another parked cross-ways across several trucks that are in parking spots. But hell...I bet they don't have much choice. When you're out of hours you're out of hours. And there's not a lot of choices around this area for parking. I was lucky (or unlucky considering I was out of hours) that I got in early and had no problem getting into a spot. There were about 4 open when I got here. Now if someone parks in front of me...no problem. I'm stuck here until tomorrow afternoon. If I leave in the morning I'll be bumping my 70 hour clock before I can even get to the receiver. But the delivery time isn't even till 8:30 pm anyway and I'm 4 hours away so if I wait until afternoon to leave I won't have to worry about the 70 hr clock. Hopefully it won't take them long to unload me so I can get on to the 2nd receiver (another 5 hour drive) so I can get unloaded and parked for the rest of the night before my hours run out.

So let me mention here that the tool I use to make sure my hours are all straight is Driver's Daily Log. It's not pretty to look at but it does the job and it does it very well. It's already got the new HOS rules in it all I have to do is switch over to them come July 1st. It really helps me keep  my paper logs in proper order and I never have any mistakes on them.

I'll be working this weekend...3rd week straight...but by choice. I could go home every weekend if I want to. But I need the extra miles (money) right now. I will go home next weekend though. I'm gonna need a break by then. Going to tell them I need three days...that's one day for each week I've been on the road...I think that's fair. Need some downtime OUTSIDE my truck. :-)

While I don't have to get up early I am getting tired. I got up and on the road at 2 am so yea...I think it gives me good cause to get my ass in the bunk and snooze! Night y'all!

The Incredible, Edible Egg

Today's message brought to you by the letter E. I picked up a full load of eggs from Croton, OH this morning. Talk about tight parking! Holy cow! They don't give you much room to get just three trucks into the bays. Plus they have empties sitting around to avoid. While I was sitting there waiting for them to finish loading the eggs I played around with phone camera and found the panorama option! Of course by the time I played around with it the parking area had been cleared out of all the trailers parked on the opposite side. LOL

As you can see I was in BFO (bum fuck ohio). Miles and miles of...well...not much of anything. I then carried all that precious cargo to London, KY to the Wal-mart Distribution Center located there. 


Then I got sent over to Bowling Green, KY for a drop & hook...that wasn't actually a drop & hook. Apparently at one time they had a trailer there for doing those, but some bobtail went in one day, took it and another was never put back in. So that quick drop & hook turned into a 3 1/2 hour loading time. Oops...out of hours! Argh! And no place there to park for the night of course. 

Drove about 22 miles to get to a truck stop in Somerset, KY. It's one of the no-names (not one of the big names) but has pretty good size parking lot so even at 9pm (central) there were still actually spots open! Not a lot but at least 7 that I could count and that's something you usually don't see at one of the big name truck stops. Unfortunately I'm often wary about trying to go to one of the no-names listed in the gps because the last three turned out to be shut down. 

A lot of people have no idea how hard it can be for a semi to find a safe place to park. I know I harp on that...but it's a huge issue. The recent debate regarding the ban on trucks in Coon Rapids, MN continues on and yes...they are getting lambasted by the truckers for this ruling. One thing I find unsettling in the debate is the statement that "truckers are lowlifes". Of course there are some truckers who are...but not all of them. There are "lowlifes" in EVERY profession. Not all "lowlifes" dress in ragged clothes and drink beer as a hobby. Some are clean and polished and blend into society. Unfortunately it's the actions of the few that make the rest get blamed and stereotyped.

Anyway...time for a snooze. Stay safe and remember...trucker's deserve to be thought of as more than lowlifes. They are hard working friends, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, sisters and brother's. 

Day Oh, Day Oh, Daylight Come and We Wanna Go Home

Can you guess what I was delivering today? Lots and lots of bananas to Meijer distribution centers. Open those doors and my GOD it smelled so good! Now something that just tickled my funny bone was in the last one they sent me back to this guy half way back through the warehouse to let him know I was docked. What does this guy do? His sole purpose is to inspect the quality of the bananas being received. Holy cow! Obviously he is a banana connoisseur. 

Now at this same facility you have to park out in their "bullpen" to wait your turn to go in and be unloaded. They actually had a bathroom available for the drivers (which some places do not). It's a unisex bathroom which really doesn't bother me. What does bother me is that it was absolutely NASTY! I'd rather use a port-a-potty. There was rust everywhere, a nasty little bar of soap to wash your hands, no paper towels to dry them (the towel holder was broken) and the toilet looked like it got a cursory scrub in the bowl every once in a while. I felt nasty just going in there. Isn't it wonderful the kind of facilities that many shippers/receivers provide their truck drivers?

 

Anyway...gonna lay back down for a just a bit. Been relaxing all afternoon due a shortage of hours. I can't leave until 10pm tonight to head for Detroit to do a drop & hook which I then take down to Fairborn, OH...then Springfield, OH...then Piketon, OH. We'll see how the hours play out. I know I can get the first and second load in by playing with the sleeper berth split but not sure about the third drop. We shall just have to wait and see.

So later tater! Hope you are sleeping well while I'm driving all night. :-( 

Hey There Mr. Blue / Trucker Ban

Was good to see blue skies again today after driving in rain for the past few days. And wouldn't you know it...Mr Blue Sky came on the radio today! How fitting. 

Not going to be much of a post tonight. I have an early morning and much to do tomorrow. 

I do want to throw this out there though...Coon Rapids in Minnesota has deemed semi's as an eyesore. And I almost pity them because word spreads fast amongst the trucking community. They will be finding less truckers willing to deliver their goods because of their ban. A similar case has already occurred in a small town in Georgia. Truckers let the town know that if they ban them from their town...that the military base next to it will no longer get their deliveries since they didn't even want a truck to DRIVE through their town. That town had a change of heart. Coon Rapids better do the same...or they will find themselves in a similar situation. One of their citizens was kind enough to let a fellow trucker know how their citizens feel about about semi's in their town by leaving a nasty note taped to the trucks windshield. What is your opinion on the whole situation?

(click the pic to get a closer look)

Welcome to Joyzee

Last night and today I made the trip across PA to get to New Jersey. Goddamn there's a lot of hills in Pennsylvania! And tolls sure aren't cheap. Thank goodness I can get a Comcheck to get money for the tolls in advance or I'd be following all those little ass two lanes roads over or driving way out of the way to stay on a non-toll interstate. Heading in this morning wasn't too terribly bad...but heading out this afternoon SUCKED! Pouring rain and idiots all over the place. I've said for a long time that the rain and snow brings them all out on the roads...they can't help themselves. Major slow down at one point. Why? Because too many cars wanted to get off at one exit. And you have the ones that are in the middle lane who decide at the last minute they want to get off at that exit too...so they tie up the traffic behind them so they can get over to that exit! Oy vey!

So anyway...this morning I dropped a load of ice cream. And of course I had to be carrying my favorite flavor...double chocolate brownie. Mmmmm! Drool! Delivered it to some company called Jack & Jill Ice Cream (never heard of them before). As usual with these little company's...they don't have a lot of room for getting backed into the dock. Argh! Got some help from another Continental driver who happened to be there at the same times as me.

Then this afternoon...headed over to the Chiquita distribution warehouse. Yes...I have a truckload of bananas. And I could smell them as I was shutting the doors. I love anything flavored banana. So twice today I had loads of some of my favorite foods.

I gotta say...New Jersey must want people to stay in New Jersey. You can drive into Jersey across the bridge for free...but they charge you to leave. I had to pay almost $40 to get out of there!

And now I'm stopped at a Petro for the night. Which just so happens to be right next to the Love's truck stop I parked in last night on way to New Jersey.   There is a LOT more parking over here at the Petro. Will have to stop at the Love's in the morning though to fill up the reefer fuel (and might as well top off my tanks while I'm at it). Then cash the Comcheck for the toll money since I'll be hitting the toll road first thing in the morning.  I'm pretty much out of my own personal funds now since most of them went to tolls as well. Well...time for me to spend a little time doing some web development that has been waiting for me to get done. I need to earn some money to hold me through till I get a paycheck!

Aloha!

Can I See Your Admission Ticket Please?

Apparently I'm parked in a very popular truck stop. Well maybe not popular...it's in a good location off 70 in PA. Unfortunately...their parking is not large enough to accommodate the amount of traffic through here. It was pretty much full already at 6:30 and thank goodness I was already parked in a spot before then. I've watched I don't know how many trucks pass through since then looking for parking and there is none to be found. The small one next to this one is full as well. The picture doesn't even show the whole picture. It's slammed packed in here. It is a well known fact that our nation has a severe shortage of available SAFE parking for semis. Unfortunately it's been a huge fight to with the government to do something about this lack. Rest areas are being shut down which of course makes the situation even worse.

Now to move on to good news...Lisa Kelly will be back on Ice Road Truckers. LOL...I know...silly thing to celebrate right? But hell...that gal is my hero. For a little thing like her she's got some serious balls. 

Anyway...enough for tonight. I'm pooped...and I gotta get up early. Stay safe out there!

State to State to State

This will be a short one tonight. Spent last night in WI for a drop & hook this morning. Now I'm sitting in Ohio again. Delivering in Trotwood in the morning. Picking up a trailer there and taking it over to PA.

I did forget to mention that this last Friday as I came into Ohio from Indiana I got bombarded by the locusts. Indeed they are back this year. It sounded like pellets hitting my windshield over and over again. Got to a truck stop to clean up the windshield and one of those buggers was stuck in my wiper so I know it was definitely a locust. They make a huge mess when they hit your window! 

So anyway...I'll be heading to bed in a few minutes. So let me leave you with this image which I gotta say...it just tickles my funny bone. Sorry...but Swift drivers just make it so damned easy to pick on them.

A Trip Into Flatlands

Tonight I'm sitting in Kankakee, IL (do NOT ask me how to pronounce that...I'd probably get it wrong). Deliver in the morning about 9 miles up the road. The company set a leave time of 7pm today which would have given me the 10 hr break I need...however, I left at a little after 2pm so I could get to a truck stop while there was parking actually still available. I even got lucky enough to find a parking spot where I could pretty much straight back into it. LOL! Other than running into some rain it was a pretty smooth drive over here. Pretty obvious they had gotten quite a bit previously though. The Iroquois River was big time swollen and bottoms of all the surrounding trees were under water. Also saw some farmland turned into small ponds. 

Yesterday was a fabulous, happy yet sad day. I watched my daughter Kimber receive her high school diploma. I'm so overjoyed to see her make it. But it makes me sad too...where did all the years go? And I think of how much my sweet Mikey as missed since he passed. Of course I believe he's watching from whatever great beyond he has found...but it's not the same. He can't actively participate in our celebrating of all these precious moments. 

Kimber surprised her dad and me both with a little gift. Well I guess you can't really call it little. She got us each a 4 foot long fish pillow (because she knows that we both enjoy fishing). He got to pick first so he picked the colorful one which I would have picked but that's okay. I still love the one I got because she bought it. She wanted us to each have one for our trucks. So I have Mr. L. Bass laying in the truck next to me now. Isn't he cute?

Once I got the truck stop for the night I went in and got me another bluetooth headset. I've been using the Blue Parrot Express and just didn't like the speaker quality I was getting out of it. I swear it sounds like people are talking with cotton in their mouths. The one I got tonight is a Blue Parrot too but hopefully it will do much better. I've seen good reviews on this particular model. I had hoped to find a Blue Tiger but Love's doesn't carry it so I'll give this one a try. If I don't like it any better then I'll just return it and save the money for the Blue Tiger. 

Well I think that's it for me tonight. I need to start getting ready for bed. It doesn't have to be an early morning for me but it would be nice to have a good night's sleep. So sleep well my friends...and stay safe. These recent storms have been harsh and I want all my friends and family to be safe when they come rolling in. Peace out!

Follow the Black Paved Road

Second day on the road with Continental Express. Wasn't able to post yesterday...by the end of the work day I was exhausted. I was up at 6:30 in the morning for the 2nd day of orientation (half day). Got my truck and got my first trip. By the time I was done with my work day it was 4am. So yea...a VERY long day! 

My truck is a beautiful light blue Freightliner Cascadia. Cascadias are my favorite. I like the room in them and how the  shift stick feels. 

They are definitely gonna keep me running. Home most weekends but it's not really the whole weekend. Might get in Saturday morning but then leave Sunday night. That doesn't thrill me much. But it's a job...we'll see how it goes with some time.




Today while driving a two lane road in Indiana I got to see a beautiful large rainbow. The colors were so vivid and bright. The pictures really don't do it justice...they don't capture how bright the colors were. That brought a smile to this ol' broads face. I've always appreciated the glory to be found in rainbows.

 

Well my friends...it's late and I need to hit the sack soon. Have a good night!

A State of Orientation

First day of orientation today. Mostly watching movies, doing paperwork and going over the rules. Since I was the only one in orientation today we got done pretty early. Obviously I passed the driving test because they sent me on for the physical and drug test immediately afterwards. The truck was an automatic. Wow...that was way different. Who'd of thought that there is still a clutch in an automatic. 

Tomorrow I go to learn the Qualcomm and a visit to the maintenance guys so they can show me some things on the inspecting the truck/trailer. Then I'll get assigned my truck and get my first load. I've already let them know that I HAVE to be home Friday night. Saturday morning is my baby girl's high school graduation! I will NOT miss that! 

Off to bed now. Staying in a local motel for the night. Gotta be at the office at 7:45 am.

Free Food for the Kiddo's!

TravelCenters of America Invites Kids to Eat Free All Summer Long at TA and Petro Stopping Centers Full-Service Restaurants!

Fresh and Delicious Meals Served in Clean, Friendly, Convenient Locations Nationwide

WESTLAKE, Ohio, May 20, 2013 - TravelCenters of America (TravelCenters), operator of the TA® and Petro Stopping Centers® travel center brands, invites all kids to eat free for the summer. From May 27 - Sept. 2, 2013, Memorial Day through Labor Day, TA and Petro will give children, age 10 and under, a free meal from the kid's menu, with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Free kids' meals are available at breakfast, lunch or dinner. And, each free meal includes a small beverage. There's a variety of options on the menu to satisfy everyone's taste buds … burgers or spaghetti for the kids, salads for mom, and steaks for dad! Simply drive to your closest participating TA or Petro Stopping Centers sit-down restaurant and enjoy!

In addition to these savings, TA and Petro offer American Automobile Association (AAA) members the opportunity to show their card and save an additional 10% off at participating TA and Petro full-service restaurants. This discount may be combined with the free kid's meal special for amazing savings!

TA and Petro locations are conveniently located off interstate highway exits. TA and Petro restaurants have been recognized by customers for great food, cleanliness and an unmatched level of service. Kids eat free and AAA discounts are available on dine-in purchases only. One free kid's meal per adult entrée will be given.

Where's my Valet?

In recent months there's been an increase in the discussion regarding plentiful, safe truck parking. Yes...I highlighted the word safe for a reason. There's a lot of research and survey's being undertaken right now to try to address this problem. If you're  not a truck driver then you may ask yourself "How can they consider this a problem...I see truck stops every other exit on the highway!" And you're right...in SOME areas there are many, many truck stops to choose from. Generally those the highest travel traffic lanes and with the large amount of trucks passing through there...I can guarantee that sometimes trucks will still have difficulty finding parking. Recently we've even seen truck stops implementing "reserved parking" where you can call ahead and reserve one of several spots designated as reserved parking...for a price of course (so what do you do if you have no money to reserve a spot?). "What about all those rest areas?" Rest areas fill up quickly. There are not a lot of spaces available to start with and it doesn't take long for trucks to fill up the side of the roads leading in and out of the rest area. And sometimes...you even come across a rest area that doesn't allow overnight parking.

So..let's address the term SAFE parking. Truck drivers are limited to no more than 11 hours of driving in a day within a 14 hour window of time. Once they have reached the maximum of one or the other they are required to take a 10 hours break. At this point...you MUST be parked or you'll be breaking the "hours of service" rules. As we are working careers that don't pay unless we are driving (you ain't earning if the wheels ain't turning) we try to run our allowable hours to the maximum. If my hours allow me to run until 10pm but I stop at 7pm that's 3 hours of time I couldn't be earning money but am not. Unfortunately if you don't get into a truck stop or rest area by 7pm at the latest you may not have a space to park in. So where does that leave you? If you still have those 3 hours you can drive further down the road and try to find somewhere else (although it'll still be a stretch after 7pm to find anything). But let's say you're hours end at 7pm. You start searching for a place to park but everywhere you go is filled up. What now? You may have no choice but to park on the side of an on/off ramp, in a store parking lot and as a very last resort...along the side of the highway. These options are NOT safe. A slightly safer choice would be to park at the shipper/receiver's but many of them will not allow overnight parking for trucks.

I myself have had no choice but to park in areas that were not considerably safe. Mall parking lot in Detroit, side of an off-ramp, the side of a highway once. It's dangerous for any trucker, but I worry because as a female trucker it truly makes me a much bigger target than a male trucker. 


A perfect example of the danger's of having to park any place other than areas designed specifically for truck is of the story of Jason Rivenburg. On March 4, 2009 Jason had gotten close to the shipper he was scheduled to pick-up a load from but he was not scheduled for loading until the next morning. He had plenty of time to get there...that was not a problem. Where the problem came is that the shipper did not allow truckers to show up early. So Jason asked some other truckers where would be a good place to park for the night and was told of an abandoned gas station that was supposed to be safe. Jason proceeded to park there but unfortunately it was not a safe place to park after all. Jason was murdered in his truck that night and the assailant got away with $7. That's right...I said seven dollars. You can find stories of many other trucker's who have been robbed and/or assaulted by having to park in non-safe areas to take their rest break.

Jason's widow has initiated a bill called Jason's Law to get our government to address the problem of safe, accessible truck parking. Safe parking is high up on the list of any truck driver's concerns and it has to start being addressed by those in power. Truck driver's are the life blood of the flow of commerce in this country. It's so important that we pay attention to this issue! Show support for Jason's law by doing what you can to help (Jason's Law - How You Can Help). And let you're friends know. We need this support to make life on the road safer!

Riding the Continental Express

This gal is employed again! I'll be attending orientation on the 28th for Continental Express out of Sidney, OH. Now I can't say that running refrigerated again is up there with the thrill of say riding roller coasters (which I absolutely LOVE!), but I can live with it. I'll be driving again is all that matters. They are a small (but not tiny) company with at least 325 trucks. I do like the smaller companies.

I can guarantee I will never make that same mistake while parking again. Now this job will have me home every weekend although I can work the weekend if I want to which I will probably do on the first weekend as the next weekend is my daughter's high school graduation. I could have gone to orientation next Tuesday but my daughter's OPATA graduation is next Wednesday. For the time being, I'll probably try to work every other weekend to help me catch up on some bills.

They require the truck go into the yard every weekend that you are home so I'll have to leave my van parked there when I'm on the road. But the recruiter did say that later after I've basically proven myself they would consider letting me take the truck home. Sidney is about 2 hours away from Mansfield which isn't really a huge deal. My mini-van gets excellent gas mileage (I can go over 500 miles on a tank).

So for the next weekend and a half I'll need to try to get some things around the house taken care of while I have the time on my hands. But I am excited to get back out there again!

Where Art Thou?

So you may be wondering why there's been nothing but silence from me recently. Well that would be because I screwed up again. I've had a bit of a run of bad luck it seems and it followed me into my new job as well. I'm not going to go into full details. It was a stupid move and I paid for it by being terminated because of effect it would have on the safety ratings that FMCSA determines from all accidents and tickets.

Will I get to drive again? I don't know. It could be a long shot. Two accidents so close together could be the death of my driving career. I have applied with a couple of places. Whether I can be hire-able is yet to be seen. If not...then I will definitely miss the road. I'd look for a local job with dump trucks or something...but they want a minimum of 2 yrs OTR experience (which I don't understand why...what does driving semi OTR have to do with hauling rock within the same region of the state?) But anyway..this story will continue once I know what the answer is from the placed I've applied. Or it may end. We shall just have to wait and see.

  

So this is the pic of the motor of my truck. Isn't it lovely? And I'm finally getting used to the shift pattern in the Mack.

I haven't really gotten a lot of miles this week, but it is the first week and I only really got started on Wednesday late in the day. Hopefully this next week will be much better since I'll get a start on it on Monday this time. Yes! I am actually at home tonight! Relaxing in my own room...in my own bed...with my furbabies by my side.

Yesterday picked up at a Faygo plant in Detroit. Another backing job I did pretty darned good at. Although I kinda screwed up afterwards. After backing in I had to unhook from the trailer until they were done loading it. When I went to hook back up I didn't get the heights between the tractor and the trailer quite right and ended up with the pin going over the fifth wheel and down over the front of it. Crap...and it was stuck that way. I maneuvered little by little to the side as far as I could get the tractor to go but the pin was still caught on it by just a little bit. Thanks to the help of another friendly driver...we got it unstuck. By just using plank of wood, he had me pull forward and he maneuvered the fifth wheel with the wood so the pin could go back over it. Thought was the end of my problems. Nope...when I pulled out, I went to move my tandems back forward (as they were required to be all the way rear for loading) and the tandems were stuck! We ended up having to get a roadside service out to fix them since in Michigan you cannot legally run with the tandems all the way to the rear like that. After that was fixed I immediately went to the next truck stop I could find...with parking. Went to Motor City truck stop but it was tiny and completely full. So on to the next one...The Detroiter. Pulled in and wouldn't you know it...it's a pay-for-parking truck stop. But I was willing to do it as I was tired and needed to be off the road. Pulled in and the gal at the gate said to go on in...she let's the ladies park free so they can be safe. Well bless her! They will get my patronage again if I need somewhere to go up there again. After all...they have a built-in iHOP! Yum!

Anyway, delivered this load this morning to a Giant Eagle distribution warehouse in Bedford Heights, OH. As you can see...that is the view in my driver side mirror as I sat and waited for them to unload me. Had to keep an eye on that light so once it turned green it meant they were done. Then from there I was off to Erie, PA to pick up a load. Turns out it's a load of plastic crates that you see bread stored and moved in. So it's actually a light load...about 10k pounds. Not very often you get to haul a trailer that's FULL and weighs so little. 

So anyway...I'm home for the night AND tomorrow! Woohoo! Delivery isn't scheduled until noon Monday so I will actually get a 34-hour restart. I can get two good nights sleep two nights in a row! Next time I post I'll have a pic of the truck for you! I'll be out there tomorrow actually getting it setup for my comfort (as I've been missing all my "truck stuff"). 

First Day

First day on the road for Rush. They sent me by bus from Detroit to Cincinnati yesterday. Then I picked up my truck last night. I can with all honesty say it's not my favorite of all the ones I've driven. It's a 2010 Mack. It's kinda tiny inside compared to what I'm used to. There's not even a space for a fridge/cooler. So once I get by the house to get all my stuff...the cooler will have to sit against the bed while driving and against the gear shift when I'm sleeping. I won't go without it though. It's the only way to save money on food and drinks.

And of course it's governed at 62...yuck! Back to being passed by everything else on the road. Oh well...it's a job.

They had another driver bring me a loaded trailer he was under this morning for me to drive to Temperance, MI. It was a drop & hook. Been a long time since I've done one of those. Was kinda nice. :-)  What I found most amusing is when I called in I found out they had not expected me to even get done when I did. LOL. What can I say? I don't play around...I keep her moving and grooving. That's how you make your money. I did get a late start this morning but after riding by bus most of the day yesterday I wanted to get a good night of sleep. Riding the bus always wears me out. There's no napping on those things for me unless I'm totally exhausted.

So tonight I'm just outside Toledo, OH. They told me to go ahead and get my 10 hr break and they'll call me with something in the morning. Not supposed to idle the truck so I froze my ass off last night. Idling right now so I can use the computer, but I'll shut it down after I get done. I bought a small heater/fan so I won't freeze again tonight. It doesn't put out hot hair but it's warm air and it'll take the edge off of the cold. I can't wait till I can get all the rest of my "truck stuff" in here. I got a warmer blanket to put in here. Although not gonna need that for much longer.

So I guess it's time I got that rest. As Rush Trucking likes to say "Stay Safe!"

What a Rush

So...I am now officially a driver for Rush Trucking. Spent all day in orientation (why is a day spent in orientation feels like 2 days?) Did my inspection and road test first thing (first one out!). I nailed the inspection. And my driving was very good as well. But OMG! The shifting on the truck they had us use was awful! Truck was way older than anything I'd ever driven before and the shifting pattern different than all the ones I'd ever driven as well. Gotta say...my shifting for that test was a total embarrassment! Sure...I'm not beyond grinding gears some...but this went way beyond that. I couldn't get those gears to go in to save my life. I had to rev the engine higher than I'm used to to get in gear as well. But in the end...he didn't fail me so even though I'm thoroughly embarrassed over the shifting...it's all good.

I'm in the Super 8 motel in Canton, MI for a second night. They have a bus ticket for me leaving at 12:15 tomorrow afternoon to go Cincinnati, OH. That is where my truck will be waiting for me. I do not yet know what kind of truck it is. I might not be able to even get to the truck until the next morning since I won't arrive in Cincy until 7:30pm. Now...I wish they could have known in advance that I'd have to go to Cincy for my truck. I would have just driven my van up here and drove home tonight. Then have someone go to Cincy with me to pick up my truck and they could drive my van back home for me. But oh well...it is what it is (seems to be my mantra anymore). But anyway...onward and upward. A step closer to being back on the road again.

So since there isn't much else to share on this beautiful evening, I'll leave you with these:

I saw a video with a shifting setup that is interesting. Not something I'd want but interesting all the same.

And there was this doosey...all I can say is wow!

KABB Fox San Antonio :: Top Stories - 18 Wheeler Stuck On Tracks Facing Fines

 

Jitters

Now I'm a nervous wreck. LOL! I have orientation on Tuesday. Road test, pre-trip inspection test. What if I don't remember everything to the pre-trip? Test anxiety can do that to me. Lord help me...let me remember everything! I know I can do the road test okay...it's just that pre-trip that worries me. I have to state what I'm looking for as I do the inspection. How detailed do they want it? Like what I had to memorize for the cdl test? Or more general descriptions? Ahhhh!

Quick Update

Recruiter called me back today. Drug screen is okee-dokee (which of course I knew it would be). I'm setup for orientation next Tuesday the 23rd. I'll go up to Michigan the night before and stay at motel for the night (they are paying for it), they are going to reimburse me driving up (at an equal rate of what they would have paid for my bus ticket up) so my son is going up with me to drive my van home. Then I'll have orientation the next day and at the end of the day they should have a truck for me! I will have to of course pass a road test and hopefully I'll do okay. I do have a problem with test anxiety. 

But I'm so very excited. Gotta say...I am looking forward to not having to wear old clothes that I didn't have to worry about getting messed up. Now I can wear my better clothes and not have to worry about it! No touch freight, dry van (no reefer...yay!) Hoping I get a Cascadia as I know they have those and Volvo's. But I truly don't care that much...just get me behind the wheel again!

Good News & Bad News

Got great news! I got the call I've been waiting for and they are going to take me on! It'll be hauling a dry van which is absolutely fine with me! I still have my physical long form so I don't have to take another physical. I will have to take a drug test and he's checking for places in my local area where I can get one done. Then they'll have me go up to MI for paperwork and a short road test.

I needed this and not just for the income. I needed it mentally and emotionally as well. I was beating myself up really bad for being such a "fuck up" which for the past couple of months is what I've felt I am...and the feeling of being so useless. I need this.

The bad news? It's the same as everyone else's right now...the bombing of the Boston Marathon yesterday. Right before I got the call from the trucking recruiter I was reading The Onion which is a news satire site if you're not familiar with it. They have an article regarding the bombing and it's not their usual satire...they tempered it down for this occurrence which is only appropriate (good for you Onion!) The Onion - This What World Like Now And you know...the article is right on the money. We are still shocked when such occurrences happen, but it's gotten to be common place now. 

Saying that being completely shocked by an urban bombing is now a thing of the past, officials confirmed that it’s no longer outside the realm of possibility for a mother, son, daughter, or husband to leave home in the morning and not return at night. Moreover, we now reportedly live in a time and place where expecting the worst and feeling slightly afraid of what awful thing will happen next is the default state of being.

Sources added that it is a horrifying, volatile world where phrases such as “our thoughts and prayers go out to,” “responders are currently sorting through the carnage,” and “a child is among the victims” are lines that everyone is now, sadly, quite familiar with.

And the last line of the article is spot on...

“I guess the world’s a pretty fucked-up place, huh?” 

And I don't care if you support Obama or not...his response is appropriate!