Well it's been nearly five months since my last post here. Things are secure here on the home front with all of the drama put to rest. The job hunt is still on. I guess I can't rule out driving OTR again but it's not my preference. Can you believe that the pizza delivery jobs that I have applied for haven't even called?
I was talking to a driver friend the other day and we were wondering aloud if having 'OTR Truck Driver' on my application and resume was the problem. So many people have a stereo type image of drivers as gypsy, unwashed, theive'n, speed heads who would probably pee in their parking lots. I hope not but I wonder.
I have started a new and more ambitious blog called VBobVille. While there is no menu button on the top menu there is a Truckin' link in the right column categories list, or just click Truckin' here but please take a minute to look around the rest of the site. Comments, likes or other feedback is useful. I only have a couple of videos posted in that category because it's not the purpose of VBobVille.
That's my update. Everyone be safe.
VBob
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Final Chapters for VBob OTR
Well the journey is over. My venture into driving a big truck over the road has come to a close. Today I turned in my keys and said goodbye to the Millis folks in Cartersville GA and to my travel agent in Black River Falls WI. For now I'll just say that I have circumstances that require me to be home. It wasn't going to be a long term career anyway.
I drove for 13 months straight and 20 months total. I had a commitment to myself to drive at least 12 months. I will be returning to my technology roots in some form or another. The job hunt is beginning now.
I will do another post soon summarizing my time and lasting impressions as a driver but need a while to put that together.
I drove for 13 months straight and 20 months total. I had a commitment to myself to drive at least 12 months. I will be returning to my technology roots in some form or another. The job hunt is beginning now.
I will do another post soon summarizing my time and lasting impressions as a driver but need a while to put that together.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
I'm Still Gone, I Ain't Back Yet.
Another week is is in the book. The last time I posted I was headed to Milwaukee. After delivering there, I went to the terminal in Richfield to wait for my next load. And I waited. Finally I got a message. I saw a load going to Shawano WI just about 100 miles north, delivering at 1200 the next day. I figured I had lots of time so I walked and ate and slept and slept and slept some more. I woke up around 0500 and decided to go take a shower and get some coffee to go with my oatmeal. While my breakfast was cooking I decided to see exactly where my delivery was.
It was then that I noticed it was two stops. I scrolled down quickly and saw that there was another stop in Fond Du Lac. Great, I'm not even fueled and I need to be 40 miles down the road in 30 minutes. I scrambled and made both stops while kicking myself, verbally, out loud, the whole time.
Back in control of myself again, I then headed over to Green Bay. I had a load of reconditioned kegs going to Anheuser Bush in Columbus OH. I also had a pre-trip plan to go to Trenton OH and drop and hook, going to Jessup MD for 0800 on Monday. That's right between Baltimore and Washington DC.
crossing Ohio my truck suddenly got real loud while. There is a flex pipe beneath the turbo that is part of the exhaust system. It was hanging by a thread, rusted through. I got to the Trenton terminal and contacted dispatch and the shop in Black River. Thinking my weekend was shot I was surprised when the shop said they would call someone in on overtime. By 2030 I was fixed. I contacted dispatch and found out that my load was given to another driver so he sent me another. This one I picked up this morning and it delivers in Richmond VA. That's a real break for me. I would choose Richmond VA over the crazy traffic between Baltimore and Washington DC any day.
So I'm in Richmond now and will deliver in the morning. The miles are a little short again this week but the driving was tough. I've been on the east coast twice now including New Jersey and Philadelphia. I also have been through Chicago twice and have had to cross the mountains four times, about 2680 miles.
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It was then that I noticed it was two stops. I scrolled down quickly and saw that there was another stop in Fond Du Lac. Great, I'm not even fueled and I need to be 40 miles down the road in 30 minutes. I scrambled and made both stops while kicking myself, verbally, out loud, the whole time.
Back in control of myself again, I then headed over to Green Bay. I had a load of reconditioned kegs going to Anheuser Bush in Columbus OH. I also had a pre-trip plan to go to Trenton OH and drop and hook, going to Jessup MD for 0800 on Monday. That's right between Baltimore and Washington DC.
crossing Ohio my truck suddenly got real loud while. There is a flex pipe beneath the turbo that is part of the exhaust system. It was hanging by a thread, rusted through. I got to the Trenton terminal and contacted dispatch and the shop in Black River. Thinking my weekend was shot I was surprised when the shop said they would call someone in on overtime. By 2030 I was fixed. I contacted dispatch and found out that my load was given to another driver so he sent me another. This one I picked up this morning and it delivers in Richmond VA. That's a real break for me. I would choose Richmond VA over the crazy traffic between Baltimore and Washington DC any day.
So I'm in Richmond now and will deliver in the morning. The miles are a little short again this week but the driving was tough. I've been on the east coast twice now including New Jersey and Philadelphia. I also have been through Chicago twice and have had to cross the mountains four times, about 2680 miles.
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Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Load is Canceled?
Monday I waited 11 hours for a load that canceled.
I finished up the weekend load driving the last 30 miles and delivering in Newville PA at 0600 on Monday. After waiting a couple of hours I was assigned a load from Camp Hill PA, just up the road, but the pick up appointment was at 1400. In camp hill I was told the it might be a couple of hours before I get a door assigned. Finally at 1530 I was put in a door but as soon as I shut down I got a message that my load was canceled. So, as I was headed to Carlisle PA, to a truck stop to cool off, I get another load.
A driver has gotten sick and I had to go to Breezwood PA, about 100 miles west, to get his load and finish it for him. By the time I got there and secured that load my 14 hour clock was up. The load that canceled was going back south (where God put me and where I belong) but this load was going to Mt Laurel NJ (where I certainly don't belong) and due at 0800. So this morning I drove through Philadelphia rush hour and into New Jersey. I got empty there and now I am picking up in Philadelphia and going to Milwaukee WI.
Millis likes for us to stay off of the 76, the PA turnpike so I will only take it as far as Carlisle PA then I will go 81 south, 68 west, 79 north, 70 west and 77 north picking up 80/90 west below Cleveland OH.
I finished up the weekend load driving the last 30 miles and delivering in Newville PA at 0600 on Monday. After waiting a couple of hours I was assigned a load from Camp Hill PA, just up the road, but the pick up appointment was at 1400. In camp hill I was told the it might be a couple of hours before I get a door assigned. Finally at 1530 I was put in a door but as soon as I shut down I got a message that my load was canceled. So, as I was headed to Carlisle PA, to a truck stop to cool off, I get another load.
A driver has gotten sick and I had to go to Breezwood PA, about 100 miles west, to get his load and finish it for him. By the time I got there and secured that load my 14 hour clock was up. The load that canceled was going back south (where God put me and where I belong) but this load was going to Mt Laurel NJ (where I certainly don't belong) and due at 0800. So this morning I drove through Philadelphia rush hour and into New Jersey. I got empty there and now I am picking up in Philadelphia and going to Milwaukee WI.
Millis likes for us to stay off of the 76, the PA turnpike so I will only take it as far as Carlisle PA then I will go 81 south, 68 west, 79 north, 70 west and 77 north picking up 80/90 west below Cleveland OH.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Daddy Let Me Drive
Something I've noticed out here on the road is that when younger couples are traveling the woman is almost always driving. Why is that?
I'm in Greencastle PA at the TA truck stop. When I deliver in the morning it will finish this pay period. I've run hard a lot this past week but I still came up short of the magical 3000 miles that earns an extra bonus. Here is what it looks like.
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The cold is back in the north. I saw snow flurries today coming across the mountains in northern West Virginia.
I'm in Greencastle PA at the TA truck stop. When I deliver in the morning it will finish this pay period. I've run hard a lot this past week but I still came up short of the magical 3000 miles that earns an extra bonus. Here is what it looks like.
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The cold is back in the north. I saw snow flurries today coming across the mountains in northern West Virginia.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
I've been home for nine days now and tomorrow I'm back to the truck. You would think I could catch up on all of the things that have been put off while being on the road. Nope. In fact I'm further behind because a whole new crop of issues have come up. I don't talk about my personal life here but I'll say that with a death in the family and some health issues that my wife is having to endure, my time off was not spent on recreation.
In the past I would almost feel relief to get back in the truck because the isolation and distance seemed to externalize all of the storms brewing on the home front. I felt justified neglecting things because, well, I had a job to do you know. I had to make money. Figuratively, I had to go out and kill something and drag it home.
One of the reasons I started driving was to isolate myself and regroup. I have concentrated on learning while driving, listening to many hours of books, podcasts and meditating on who I am and where I'm going. I have got some good ideas about what the next big thing for me will be. Driving allows for dreaming but not for laying out concrete plans. I mean, down on paper, action item plans. Plans that must be acted on. Hard to do when you are moving hundreds of miles every day and put on a shelf every night.
I wrote a couple of years ago about how this job will gauge your integrity. It angers you when you have so much responsibility but still get treated as if you are less worthy of respect and dignity than other people. I can say that I have stronger character from driving a truck. I have learned that my dignity and worth come from my actions and attitude. It is my self, not others that determine the things that count.
I also know that I have a lot of room for improvement. In Genesis 2:18, The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man (VBob) to be alone." I added the (VBob) part. It was solitude and adventure that attracted me to drive a truck. Now I see my choice as selfish. I have been gone during some of the biggest life changing events my family has seen. Things that can't be excused. I don't blame Millis. They are very family oriented and will get you home and give you the time you need.
At any rate, like all drivers, I'll be back out there tomorrow. I'll be faced with all the frustrations while enjoying Gods creation in the spring of the year and accepting the challenges of the job. At least for now.
In the past I would almost feel relief to get back in the truck because the isolation and distance seemed to externalize all of the storms brewing on the home front. I felt justified neglecting things because, well, I had a job to do you know. I had to make money. Figuratively, I had to go out and kill something and drag it home.
One of the reasons I started driving was to isolate myself and regroup. I have concentrated on learning while driving, listening to many hours of books, podcasts and meditating on who I am and where I'm going. I have got some good ideas about what the next big thing for me will be. Driving allows for dreaming but not for laying out concrete plans. I mean, down on paper, action item plans. Plans that must be acted on. Hard to do when you are moving hundreds of miles every day and put on a shelf every night.
I wrote a couple of years ago about how this job will gauge your integrity. It angers you when you have so much responsibility but still get treated as if you are less worthy of respect and dignity than other people. I can say that I have stronger character from driving a truck. I have learned that my dignity and worth come from my actions and attitude. It is my self, not others that determine the things that count.
I also know that I have a lot of room for improvement. In Genesis 2:18, The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man (VBob) to be alone." I added the (VBob) part. It was solitude and adventure that attracted me to drive a truck. Now I see my choice as selfish. I have been gone during some of the biggest life changing events my family has seen. Things that can't be excused. I don't blame Millis. They are very family oriented and will get you home and give you the time you need.
At any rate, like all drivers, I'll be back out there tomorrow. I'll be faced with all the frustrations while enjoying Gods creation in the spring of the year and accepting the challenges of the job. At least for now.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The Best of West Virginia
When I got empty in Pontoon Beach IL I got dispatched to pick up a load just down the street, going to Statesville NC. The appointment time was 1700 so I sat around until then. It didn't take long after that so I headed out and stopped near Scott AFB for the night. Today, having only 9 hours available, I only got as far as the Tamarack travel center on I70 in West Virginia.
Up on the hill here there is a place called the Best of West Virginia. I have been here before but haven't had a chance to walk over there and check it out. I'm glad I did today. The place is full of some pretty remarkable art. All kinds, from paintings, ceramics, marble and iron sculptures, wood crafts both fine and rustic. There are rooms where the artists demonstrate but they weren't there today. Also the cafeteria had chefs who were apparently artists and I had some great food. If ever passing through here it's worth stopping to see.
My log book is puny right now. I have about 200 miles to deliver this tomorrow but only 7 hours so I can't do much else. I will have to conserve some anyway to get home on Friday for a weeks vacation.
Up on the hill here there is a place called the Best of West Virginia. I have been here before but haven't had a chance to walk over there and check it out. I'm glad I did today. The place is full of some pretty remarkable art. All kinds, from paintings, ceramics, marble and iron sculptures, wood crafts both fine and rustic. There are rooms where the artists demonstrate but they weren't there today. Also the cafeteria had chefs who were apparently artists and I had some great food. If ever passing through here it's worth stopping to see.
My log book is puny right now. I have about 200 miles to deliver this tomorrow but only 7 hours so I can't do much else. I will have to conserve some anyway to get home on Friday for a weeks vacation.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Finishing up a Good Week
After 662 miles, starting at 0500, and winding up in Roxbury PA, on Friday I got up and started at 0330 on Saturday to finish the run to Richmond VA. After emptying out I went over to Suffolk VA and picked up the load going to Pontoon Beach Il. Being dead tired I stopped in New Kent VA on I64 to sleep.
This morning I was rested and set out going west on I65. I encountered rain and fog along the way and decided to stop for the day in Grayson KY. I have plenty of time to run the last 400 miiles in the morning since the load delivers any time between 0700 and 1900.
When I deliver tomorrow I will have around 3300 miles for the pay period. That's just right for me.
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This morning I was rested and set out going west on I65. I encountered rain and fog along the way and decided to stop for the day in Grayson KY. I have plenty of time to run the last 400 miiles in the morning since the load delivers any time between 0700 and 1900.
When I deliver tomorrow I will have around 3300 miles for the pay period. That's just right for me.
View Larger Map
Friday, March 26, 2010
Winter is Back for a While
Google made a new tool for customizing templates so I grabbed this one. There are a lot of customizations that you can do but as usual I'm beat and don't have time right now. Anyway, I'm working on a Wordpress project or two.
As my Twitter feed over on the side bar says, today I started at 0500 and drove from Milton WI to Roxbury PA, 652 mi. It was across I90, I80 and I76 through Pittsburgh to here. We usually don't drive the PA turnpike but this load would be late if I didn't and tomorrow being Saturday I have to get there on time or I'm stuck with it until Monday. After unloading in Richmond VA tomorrow I pick up in Suffolk going to Pontoon Beach IL.
It seems that winter is back for a few days. It was in the 30's all day yesterday and got down to 27 last night. Today, it was in the 30's as well, all the way across IN, OH and PA. There was snow on the ground and roofs in Cleveland. I'm glad that was all.
I'm listening to a book by Seth Godin called 'Linchpin'. No time to discuss it now but it really is a smack in the mouth. It got my attention. I know this won't make sense but it's my 'lizard brain' darn it.
As my Twitter feed over on the side bar says, today I started at 0500 and drove from Milton WI to Roxbury PA, 652 mi. It was across I90, I80 and I76 through Pittsburgh to here. We usually don't drive the PA turnpike but this load would be late if I didn't and tomorrow being Saturday I have to get there on time or I'm stuck with it until Monday. After unloading in Richmond VA tomorrow I pick up in Suffolk going to Pontoon Beach IL.
It seems that winter is back for a few days. It was in the 30's all day yesterday and got down to 27 last night. Today, it was in the 30's as well, all the way across IN, OH and PA. There was snow on the ground and roofs in Cleveland. I'm glad that was all.
I'm listening to a book by Seth Godin called 'Linchpin'. No time to discuss it now but it really is a smack in the mouth. It got my attention. I know this won't make sense but it's my 'lizard brain' darn it.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Unskilled Labor? What's All These Switches and Stuff?
It's a slow start. After yesterdays mess up by the shop I was finally ready to roll at 1500. Being Monday, all of the freight that was available was already gone by then so I got to spend the night in the truck right there in GA, 70 miles from home. This morning I hear the sweet tone of two beeps meaning a load assignment. Now I'm moving. Well not exactly, moving. Sort of moved. It was 56 miles to Stone Mountain GA.
At least it's not raining and cold today. That's good because now that I'm at the customer I have to wait for one guy to empty 3 trailers before he gets to mine. He was working on that but it's gotten quiet right now. He probably went to lunch so I can wait on that time to pass as well.
If your a driver you know about CSA 2010. If not I can tell you that it is an initiative by the Federal Motor Carriers Association to tighten up assessment, compliance and enforcement of regulations of the trucking industry. It's the Government and there here to help. I'm not going to try to explain all that this involves. You can read more about it if interested at OOIDA and elsewhere. Actually, I welcome a lot of their efforts. My point is that things are changing that should improve safety and professionalism in the industry.
I am interested to see if the effort will do anything to change the perception of the driving profession. Most people don't know that being a professional driver is considered unskilled labor. Drivers are therefor not protected by the labor laws that protect most workers. I worked for 23 years for an airline and some of my best friends are airline pilots. Consider these comparisons.
Pilot - must do a thorough inspection of their equipment before flying
Driver - must do a thorough inspection of their equipment before driving
Pilot - must comply with hours of service regulations and keep a log
Driver - must comply with hours of service regulations and keep a log
Pilot - must have flight plan and know the route, fuel and time requirements, and environmental conditions
Driver - must have a dispatch and plan and know the route, fuel and time requirements, and environmental conditions
Pilot - is responsible for the safety of numbers of passengers from a few to many
Driver - is responsible for the safety of numbers others on the road passing hundreds of cars, buses and pedestrians
This could go on but my point is, being a pilot is considered a very professional occupation though being an OTR driver is considered unskilled labor. These professions are not at all the same but are they that different?
At least it's not raining and cold today. That's good because now that I'm at the customer I have to wait for one guy to empty 3 trailers before he gets to mine. He was working on that but it's gotten quiet right now. He probably went to lunch so I can wait on that time to pass as well.
If your a driver you know about CSA 2010. If not I can tell you that it is an initiative by the Federal Motor Carriers Association to tighten up assessment, compliance and enforcement of regulations of the trucking industry. It's the Government and there here to help. I'm not going to try to explain all that this involves. You can read more about it if interested at OOIDA and elsewhere. Actually, I welcome a lot of their efforts. My point is that things are changing that should improve safety and professionalism in the industry.
I am interested to see if the effort will do anything to change the perception of the driving profession. Most people don't know that being a professional driver is considered unskilled labor. Drivers are therefor not protected by the labor laws that protect most workers. I worked for 23 years for an airline and some of my best friends are airline pilots. Consider these comparisons.
Pilot - must do a thorough inspection of their equipment before flying
Driver - must do a thorough inspection of their equipment before driving
Pilot - must comply with hours of service regulations and keep a log
Driver - must comply with hours of service regulations and keep a log
Pilot - must have flight plan and know the route, fuel and time requirements, and environmental conditions
Driver - must have a dispatch and plan and know the route, fuel and time requirements, and environmental conditions
Pilot - is responsible for the safety of numbers of passengers from a few to many
Driver - is responsible for the safety of numbers others on the road passing hundreds of cars, buses and pedestrians
This could go on but my point is, being a pilot is considered a very professional occupation though being an OTR driver is considered unskilled labor. These professions are not at all the same but are they that different?
Monday, March 22, 2010
Week End? What?
Today I am back in Cartersville GA to get back on the road. I have been off for 7 days, no pay of course, to help my wife because her mother passed away. Last Monday, when I got home, I turned my tractor in for B service and to have some other things fixed. When I picked up my keys and went to my truck it's parked right where I left it, untouched. The shop manager says he remembers the write up but now they can't find it so no one worked on it. Great. He promised it would be next in the shop but B service takes about 3 hours and the other things will add to that. Not to mention 2 hours after that promise it still isn't in the shop yet.
I was prepared for a couple of hours of delay because I had to go to the clinic for my DOT physical renewal. I passed, even weighting in about 22 pounds lighter than the last time.
So now I sit at McDonald's nursing a lemon-aid using the WiFi.
With the weather change Millis is ramping up the Training Institute and there were about 6 students in the class in Cartersville this morning. A couple of weeks ago, while in a safety class in Richfield WI, I also attended a 'train the trainer' class. I am on the list to take on new students for 6 weeks or so and finish their training. I am not sure if I will follow through with this or not. In a way it would be gratifyin,g coaching someone along until they got their own truck assignment and the extra money would be great. Still, sharing my deprivation chamber with someone for that long is hard to face. It may be a moot point though.
I may be asking to move to southeast regional duty in a few weeks. When my wife's mother passed away I wasn't with her. Not only that but I was in PA headed to Oswego NY. Millis was great to get me a load right away from Baldwinsville NY GA but still, I wasn't there when she needed me, for a couple of days. Regional duty will keep me closer and I will be home most weekends. It's been a long time since 'week end' had any meaning to me. Oh yea, thats when I used to go fishing.. Hummm.
I was prepared for a couple of hours of delay because I had to go to the clinic for my DOT physical renewal. I passed, even weighting in about 22 pounds lighter than the last time.
So now I sit at McDonald's nursing a lemon-aid using the WiFi.
With the weather change Millis is ramping up the Training Institute and there were about 6 students in the class in Cartersville this morning. A couple of weeks ago, while in a safety class in Richfield WI, I also attended a 'train the trainer' class. I am on the list to take on new students for 6 weeks or so and finish their training. I am not sure if I will follow through with this or not. In a way it would be gratifyin,g coaching someone along until they got their own truck assignment and the extra money would be great. Still, sharing my deprivation chamber with someone for that long is hard to face. It may be a moot point though.
I may be asking to move to southeast regional duty in a few weeks. When my wife's mother passed away I wasn't with her. Not only that but I was in PA headed to Oswego NY. Millis was great to get me a load right away from Baldwinsville NY GA but still, I wasn't there when she needed me, for a couple of days. Regional duty will keep me closer and I will be home most weekends. It's been a long time since 'week end' had any meaning to me. Oh yea, thats when I used to go fishing.. Hummm.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The Toys are Coming Out
I got up at 0500 in Carlisle PA this morning and drove through rain and wind all the way to Oswego NY. I was loaded with scrap aluminum. When I got to the receiver another Millis truck was coming out. Checking in with the guard I was told that the previous two Millis trucks were rejected because the shipper failed to put some sticker in the bails. I guess he thought that would bother me or something and he was surprised I wanted to go to the dock anyway. Why would he think I would assume my load would be rejected? I don't accept or reject loads. I'm a company driver. :) After being checked at the dock, sure enough, 'rejected'. On my way out the guard stopped me and said go back in,they decided to take mine after all. I don't know where the other Millis drivers went.
I'm preplanned with a load going from Baldwinsville NY to Macon GA. It is a load to get me home to be with my wife. Her mother passed away last night. The hardest part of this job is not being with loved ones when they most need you.
I noticed last weekend that the toys are coming out. Motorcycles, boats on trailers, campers and camper trailers etc.. It's quite a site when spring and summer come and inexperienced drivers with poorly maintained toys hit the road. On weekends the shoulders will be littered with broken down junk. Occasionally a motor home or camper trailer will get smashed. Those things can really spread some junk on the highway.
I always say this but I think I'll get back on track with the blog. I've had poor access and I've been driving in blizzards and all. I have another internet project or two and I hope to integrate everything soon.
I'm preplanned with a load going from Baldwinsville NY to Macon GA. It is a load to get me home to be with my wife. Her mother passed away last night. The hardest part of this job is not being with loved ones when they most need you.
I noticed last weekend that the toys are coming out. Motorcycles, boats on trailers, campers and camper trailers etc.. It's quite a site when spring and summer come and inexperienced drivers with poorly maintained toys hit the road. On weekends the shoulders will be littered with broken down junk. Occasionally a motor home or camper trailer will get smashed. Those things can really spread some junk on the highway.
I always say this but I think I'll get back on track with the blog. I've had poor access and I've been driving in blizzards and all. I have another internet project or two and I hope to integrate everything soon.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Last Week
Last Tuesday the week started slow with a mere 68 mile run but then it got better. From home I picked up a load that was dropped in Cartersville GA and delivered to Dacula GA. Then from there my trail went to Sandersville GA, Hoosick Falls NY, Baldwinsvill NY and back to Cartersville GA where I am now. It was smooth sailing all the way around until I got to Chattanooga yesterday. Rain was coming down so hard that the road was becoming a river. I knew I could continue but just moving a little slower. I was worried about all of the cars that were out there. They were at serious risk of hydroplaining and at their eye level the mist was blinding.
The trucking industry is still suffering with more and more stories of closings and downsizing. Millis, it seems, is filling the gap. I have recently received two messages asking for referrals for drivers. I noticed this morning that a new training class is starting here in Cartersville. I am going to do a page about Millis Transfer in the future.
This blog has been neglected of late. I've noticed that a lot of other projects that I have are in the same shape. Things always bog down for me during the months of November through March. I am always thinking of things I want to do and more projects get started. Changes have to be made because I'm not managing my time well. This week I'll trim the fat and get back to focusing on what matters.
The trucking industry is still suffering with more and more stories of closings and downsizing. Millis, it seems, is filling the gap. I have recently received two messages asking for referrals for drivers. I noticed this morning that a new training class is starting here in Cartersville. I am going to do a page about Millis Transfer in the future.
This blog has been neglected of late. I've noticed that a lot of other projects that I have are in the same shape. Things always bog down for me during the months of November through March. I am always thinking of things I want to do and more projects get started. Changes have to be made because I'm not managing my time well. This week I'll trim the fat and get back to focusing on what matters.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Back in Dixie Where I Belong
Last night I completed a run that started Friday morning. After the delivery in Greenwich NY I was sent up to South Glens Falls NY and picked up a load going to Cherokee AL. It was snowing hard and getting worse. By the time I got to I88 east below Albany the road was covered. I made it as far as Bath NY on I86 and shut down there for the night. Saturday was more of the same and stayed that way until I got headed south below Erie PA. I pushed on until I got south of Cincinnati and spent that night in northern KY on I71. Sunday should have been an easy 420 mile day but the cold and salt brine that battered my truck for the last week finally caused a problem. I started having electricle problems and lost my trailer lights. I didn't want to drive without brake lights so I called for roadside service. The pigtail cable was bad and there was a defect in the receiver on my tractor. They fixed it well enough to get my brake lights to work and I limped in to their shop. After almost five hours the ordeal was over and I was moving again. By the time I dropped my load and got an empty out it was 2100.The empty trailer I got had been loaded with scrap paper that must have been damp. Now the scraps left on there are frozen to the floor and I can't sweep it out. I'm sitting in the sun hopeing to thaw so I can get ready for my next load.
While I was at the shp a FEMA truck drove up with a flat tire. The drivers came in to get service and neither one of them could speak a word of english.
Technology of the week; This week it is my iPod nano. It has 16 Gig capacity and I'm using 10.5 Gig right now. I keep it loaded with music and podcast's. I listen to tech podcasts mostly but also motivational and opinion and I can listen to all of the services from my church that I miss. I refresh iTunes and sync when I am at home on my laptop and then I have more information than I can take in for the sixteen days or so that I am out. It connects to the aux on the radio in the truck. It really fights boredom and keeps my mind in gear. I have to have my iPod.
While I was at the shp a FEMA truck drove up with a flat tire. The drivers came in to get service and neither one of them could speak a word of english.
Technology of the week; This week it is my iPod nano. It has 16 Gig capacity and I'm using 10.5 Gig right now. I keep it loaded with music and podcast's. I listen to tech podcasts mostly but also motivational and opinion and I can listen to all of the services from my church that I miss. I refresh iTunes and sync when I am at home on my laptop and then I have more information than I can take in for the sixteen days or so that I am out. It connects to the aux on the radio in the truck. It really fights boredom and keeps my mind in gear. I have to have my iPod.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Ran Hard, Put Up Wet
This load was a challenge. I picked it up on 1/6 in Oconto Falls WI, about 50 miles north of Green Bay. I ran straight from there to about half way across IN on the turnpike. Yesterday , after exactly 10 hours, I humped it from there, 611 miles to Wells Bridge NY on I88 where I stopped for the night at a rest area. Then after another 10 hour break, I left there at 0400 to finish the last 135 miles to Greenwich and the customer. For me, that's pushing it pretty hard and there was a lot of freezing rain and stuff to keep me busy. So now I am at the KMart next to McDonalds waiting for a load. The forecast is more snow but the conditions are better than they are in a lot of the rest of the countory so I'm not complaining.
I'm still having trouble finding wifi to post updates. I can mount this phone with a usb and I going to try to copy this as a .txt and see if there is an app that will let me open it on the phone. If so then I can copy and paste it into this blog on the phones browser.
I'm still having trouble finding wifi to post updates. I can mount this phone with a usb and I going to try to copy this as a .txt and see if there is an app that will let me open it on the phone. If so then I can copy and paste it into this blog on the phones browser.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Cabin Fever
It's a frozen lot at the TA here in Rogers MN. My truck is backed in against a bank of snow deposited there by the plow. There is at least an inch of ice on the lot. It was 22 degrees below zero last night. That's a new personal record for me.
The Prime truck next to mine is being towed. There is a sign that says that will happen if the truck is unattended. It looks like it's been there a while. Some driver probably left it there to go visit family for a while I guess. Silly driver. Why would you think you could park in one of the only legal places for miles around and get out. Another example of the lack of respect for our kind. I'm sure that whoever called the wrecker will enjoy dinner at home and sleep in his own bed tonight and never think about the poor driver who just wanted to park for a while and get out for a quick holiday visit.
You could say that he should have known the rule or that the spot should be for those who have to stay in their truck because there is no place else to go. I agree, especially if I were circling looking for a spot. The point is, thereare just not enough places to park. Like everyone wants energy but they don't want a power plant nearby, so everyone wants stuff but they don't want the trucks that bring it to park near by. Just bring it, unload it and get the heck out of town.
This load delivers at 0400 in the morning. I've got all day to sit and hopefully, after delivering in the morning, I can get another load and keep moving. At least I found a hotspot so I can update this blog. The Vikings play in about an hour and I can pick up that station well on my WinTV-HVR tuner that connects via usb to my laptop. It works pretty good when I'm near enough to a city with strong broadcast signals.
The Prime truck next to mine is being towed. There is a sign that says that will happen if the truck is unattended. It looks like it's been there a while. Some driver probably left it there to go visit family for a while I guess. Silly driver. Why would you think you could park in one of the only legal places for miles around and get out. Another example of the lack of respect for our kind. I'm sure that whoever called the wrecker will enjoy dinner at home and sleep in his own bed tonight and never think about the poor driver who just wanted to park for a while and get out for a quick holiday visit.
You could say that he should have known the rule or that the spot should be for those who have to stay in their truck because there is no place else to go. I agree, especially if I were circling looking for a spot. The point is, thereare just not enough places to park. Like everyone wants energy but they don't want a power plant nearby, so everyone wants stuff but they don't want the trucks that bring it to park near by. Just bring it, unload it and get the heck out of town.
This load delivers at 0400 in the morning. I've got all day to sit and hopefully, after delivering in the morning, I can get another load and keep moving. At least I found a hotspot so I can update this blog. The Vikings play in about an hour and I can pick up that station well on my WinTV-HVR tuner that connects via usb to my laptop. It works pretty good when I'm near enough to a city with strong broadcast signals.
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