The amazing part..........the little amount of snow that created this havoc or was it the drivers? Hmmmmm
Friday, December 9, 2011
Good morning from Omaha, NE, a city covered in snow and off road vehicles!
Good morning from Omaha, NE, a city covered in snow and off road vehicles (like in the OMG, it is snowing and I can’t slow down before that curve) type of vehicles. I counted two semis and a dozen cars that I could see, off the road, some on their sides, due to going too fast for the weather conditions. Another great reason I don’t drive nights!
It was a long day to only end it finding out that my step father has passed away. I contacted dispatch and asked for a load to Yuma so I could be with my mother. I was quite surprised that this load that they wanted me to drop in Omaha got changed and I am taking it all the way to New Mexico. If they get me a load from there, I can be in Yuma on the 11th.
Charlie was a good man and was only with my mom for roughly three years (I am notoriously known for being terrible with dates). It wasn’t until after they were married that they found out that he had a lung disease that kills within 10 years, and sadly, he had lived through five of them. His time with his new family was too short. Safe journeys Charlie and thank you for the time we did share.
Time to check the fluids and get back on the road while the getting is good.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Hello again from Mauston, WI..........
And what a long day it was, a whopping 230 miles! Dang nab it! I was able to drop that load this morning before its appointment, saving us 3 hours to only get a load of pallets from the same location to deliver 357 miles north......tomorrow at 8 AM! This is suppose to be the season to be jolly and full of retail deliveries! What is wrong with this company????? I think WE all know the answer to that one!
So, I made a day of it! We stocked up at Walmart, I got my hair trimmed (and Mom, NO to cutting it off.....yet) and we stopped early enough for a nice walk, wash a small load of laundry and now, time to finish my movie. I am double layered in clothes as it is 24 degrees here and I am watching my IDLE time. I feel great so it shouldn't be an issue tonight..ya right, it won't be down to 20 percent......
My fingers are crossed for Marie as she has an interview tomorrow with a trucking company that is working the oil fields in North Dakota. I told her if she could do the job, I would apply as well. It pays over $20 per hour for up to 70 hours per week with overtime. It just sounds sooooooo freaking cold and miserable, I would have to work for my paycheck and break many nails!
Do let me know your thoughts on the letter as I might have to use it soon.......you all have been riding with me for quite some time and I am sure, have your own personal thoughts.
See you in the morning!
So, I made a day of it! We stocked up at Walmart, I got my hair trimmed (and Mom, NO to cutting it off.....yet) and we stopped early enough for a nice walk, wash a small load of laundry and now, time to finish my movie. I am double layered in clothes as it is 24 degrees here and I am watching my IDLE time. I feel great so it shouldn't be an issue tonight..ya right, it won't be down to 20 percent......
My fingers are crossed for Marie as she has an interview tomorrow with a trucking company that is working the oil fields in North Dakota. I told her if she could do the job, I would apply as well. It pays over $20 per hour for up to 70 hours per week with overtime. It just sounds sooooooo freaking cold and miserable, I would have to work for my paycheck and break many nails!
Do let me know your thoughts on the letter as I might have to use it soon.......you all have been riding with me for quite some time and I am sure, have your own personal thoughts.
See you in the morning!
First draft of the IDLE letter!
Reia
Duvall, WA 98019
December 6, 2011
Safety
My Company
Omaha, NE
RE: Over Idle, Safety, and Equal Rights
Dear Safety,
During one of the hottest days in Kansas City, I was parked for 24 hours in a truck stop while waiting for a load. During this time, the temperature reached over 118 degrees between the sun and all the idling trucks. I idled during this time to keep myself and my black lab in a comfortable and safe environment. Due to waiting in such extreme weather conditions, I over idled by 65 percent for the week.
I was notified by my fleet manager per her supervisor’s instruction, that due to excessive idle, that my truck would be governed down to 62 miles per hour. She stated that I must shut down the truck and go inside the truck stop. I stated the extreme heat was not safe for me or my black lab and pets are not allowed in truck stops. I had no place to safely keep my lab and locking him in the truck while inside the truck stop would kill him. This is my office and my home; I am fully self contained with a computer, cooler, television and clothing. I don’t need to go into the truck stop except to use the restroom. Please imagine going to your home to find your living quarters turned into an oven. You contact your landlord for repairs to only be told to go to Wal-Mart where it is cooler!
She went on to state that I could idle during my 10 rest break but I must bring my idle down to 20 percent. If the math is done correctly, a driver can be expected to idle up to 41 perfect in poor weather conditions, which is ten hours. If you are only allowed 20 percent, that is five hours and expect a night of very little rest; not a safe situation for a driver that is expected to drive up to eleven hours.
I was not able to shut my truck down that evening as it was again, not safe for me. As a lone female, leaving my windows down in order to receive some type of a breeze would put my safety at risk. Again, imagine going home, placing your bed in your living room, your windows and front door are open in order to get some relief from the heat and tell me; would you sleep soundly?
While waiting for the truck to get governed to 62 miles per hour in the Denver terminal, my pet and I sat under an empty trailer as it was the only shade on a very hot day. Parked next to us, was a company truck with an APU that was running. The team drivers were sitting in comfort, feet on the dash, enjoying the cool temperatures inside the cab while reading books! Shouldn’t I have the same rights as a fellow driver?
As fall approached, I was able to get my idle down as the temperatures cooled enough for a good night’s rest. But with all things, it would not last as winter was knocking on my door. I spent a week in Montana and Wyoming with morning temperatures at 19 to 24 degrees. I was again notified by my fleet manager that my idle was at 41 percent (perfect for only ten hours per day) and that I had to bring it down to 20 percent. I bought a small fan/heater in order to comply but the truck battery would only allow it run for 2 hours. I tried falling asleep and waking up in the middle of the night to turn on the truck which took a precious hour of sound sleep from me. After a week of little sleep and becoming ill, I gave up!
I decided that if the weather conditions require me to idle, I will do so for eight hours, the time that I am sleeping. So imagine my dismay, while sitting in the cold waiting for bed time, a fellow company driver pulled up next to me, shuts off his truck, turned on his APU, rolled down the passenger window for his pet and watched a movie in full comfort while wearing only a T-SHIRT!
Being a 48 state driver, I am in constant changing weather environments. When temperatures are under 40 degrees or over 80 degrees, I will idle in order to insure a good night’s rest so I can safely deliver my load and remain healthy to prevent down time. As for the three drivers I discussed previously which are insured daily and nightly comfort, I can only expect the same will be offered to me as we are all equal, we are all company drivers.
Please don’t hesitate and call me to discuss this further or for any questions you might have.
Sincerely,
Reia
Now my virtual drivers, any input?
Monday, December 5, 2011
Good evening from La Salle, IL
I am not pleased to announce that the motel gave me $10 off my credit card. Personally, I would have been happy with $30 which would have brought my bill down the $40 that was posted outside. I will never stay there again but the odds of me doing another 34 hour break at that same location, 1 in 5000 at least!
We drove nearly 580 miles today from our morning drop of the pallets in Illinois, to Missouri, and back to Illinois. I was lucky on the pickup of the live load as the appointment was for 3 PM and I squeaked in at 1 PM and was on the road by 2:15. I am hoping I am just as lucky tomorrow. We are only 9 miles from our drop but the appointment isn't until 10 AM. The shift starts at 6 AM and I am hoping if I am there and waiting, that they will let me squeak in as well.
My parking job at the truck stop leaves little to be desired but it is intentional. I took two parking spaces as the back of the trailer is in the lane next to me. I pulled in directly behind another truck on the outside lane. Remember the last time I did that? I was blocked in by another driver who was a total JERK and wouldn't move so I could get out. I was assisted by another driver in getting the one driver to move and they nearly started swinging fists! With this angle, if someone does try that again, I will be able to get out. Of course, this might piss off a driver if they wanted to park in the lane next to me but oh well! I have seen many truck stops packed to beyond full........if that driver can make a spot, it will be taken!
It is good to be back in the truck......kinda! The view of the open road is much better than the view from that motel room ;)
See you all in the morning!
We drove nearly 580 miles today from our morning drop of the pallets in Illinois, to Missouri, and back to Illinois. I was lucky on the pickup of the live load as the appointment was for 3 PM and I squeaked in at 1 PM and was on the road by 2:15. I am hoping I am just as lucky tomorrow. We are only 9 miles from our drop but the appointment isn't until 10 AM. The shift starts at 6 AM and I am hoping if I am there and waiting, that they will let me squeak in as well.
My parking job at the truck stop leaves little to be desired but it is intentional. I took two parking spaces as the back of the trailer is in the lane next to me. I pulled in directly behind another truck on the outside lane. Remember the last time I did that? I was blocked in by another driver who was a total JERK and wouldn't move so I could get out. I was assisted by another driver in getting the one driver to move and they nearly started swinging fists! With this angle, if someone does try that again, I will be able to get out. Of course, this might piss off a driver if they wanted to park in the lane next to me but oh well! I have seen many truck stops packed to beyond full........if that driver can make a spot, it will be taken!
It is good to be back in the truck......kinda! The view of the open road is much better than the view from that motel room ;)
See you all in the morning!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Good afternoon from a well rested professional commercial driver :)
I had an awesome night's sleep in the second room (first room had a bad TV) which provided a king size bed and very soft pillow (much better then the two twins in the first room). I slept........10 hours! I needed the break obviously.
When it was time to take that long awaited bath..........the drain plug was broken! I told you last night, this place isn't much and full of false advertising. I saw a billboard that stated $36 a night and semi parking, so I stopped of course. While waiting in line, I overheard that the rooms where $69 but $59 for truck drivers and the big sign outside the motel, stated $40 a night! This place is only worth $36 a night. I went straight to the office to discuss the drain and they offered me a third room (the only one left) and I turned it down, it was worse than the one I am currently in! They are suppose to be making it right by me so we will see what they will offer to make me want to return. The motel............Motel 6!
I just finished watching a new series called "Hell on Wheels". It reminded me of "Deadwood" but without all the nudity and vulgar language (which of course, make it awesome, as that is how it was back then). I enjoyed the four in a row shows and hope that I will be able to follow it as my driving allows. Check it out! You can never go wrong with westerns as far as I am concerned!
As for the past week, it has been a hit and miss of decent days and days of which, no one should get out of bed for. I had one day of just searching for a dang trailer and was sent to 4 locations before it was found (much to the relief of the client as his share of this load to the consignee was past due). The only problem with this client...his load was too big for his share (trailer had a partial load from another shipper) of the trailer! They had to manually load the trailer with boxes of memory foam pads like a giant puzzle, trying to use as much space as possible. They were able to get 5/8s of their original load in but due to the delay, my clock was up and I had to spend the night there......on a brand new memory foam topper! Even though Planning messed up this load and had it running a week late, the client appreciated the fact that I would stay until their load was ready to go.
It looks like rain is in the forecast when we head out tomorrow but it will be getting colder as we head west. As long as I keep running my day hours, we should be ok as the roads will likely stay clear. I don't understand those night drivers that drive at the worst possible time as the temps get colder once that sun goes down which of course, brings on ice and snow.......and with less vehicles on the road, it can stick! Not only that, the plow trucks are well known to be out in force just before morning and evening rush hour traffic (if equipped to do so). I have better odds of reaching my drops (and driving safely) moving during daylight hours.
Off to make lunch and maybe work on that draft I have been writing about all week!
Pictures of the trucks that were either caught off guard or plain crazy that were tipped over in Utah two days ago. Glad I wasn't one of them!
When it was time to take that long awaited bath..........the drain plug was broken! I told you last night, this place isn't much and full of false advertising. I saw a billboard that stated $36 a night and semi parking, so I stopped of course. While waiting in line, I overheard that the rooms where $69 but $59 for truck drivers and the big sign outside the motel, stated $40 a night! This place is only worth $36 a night. I went straight to the office to discuss the drain and they offered me a third room (the only one left) and I turned it down, it was worse than the one I am currently in! They are suppose to be making it right by me so we will see what they will offer to make me want to return. The motel............Motel 6!
I just finished watching a new series called "Hell on Wheels". It reminded me of "Deadwood" but without all the nudity and vulgar language (which of course, make it awesome, as that is how it was back then). I enjoyed the four in a row shows and hope that I will be able to follow it as my driving allows. Check it out! You can never go wrong with westerns as far as I am concerned!
As for the past week, it has been a hit and miss of decent days and days of which, no one should get out of bed for. I had one day of just searching for a dang trailer and was sent to 4 locations before it was found (much to the relief of the client as his share of this load to the consignee was past due). The only problem with this client...his load was too big for his share (trailer had a partial load from another shipper) of the trailer! They had to manually load the trailer with boxes of memory foam pads like a giant puzzle, trying to use as much space as possible. They were able to get 5/8s of their original load in but due to the delay, my clock was up and I had to spend the night there......on a brand new memory foam topper! Even though Planning messed up this load and had it running a week late, the client appreciated the fact that I would stay until their load was ready to go.
It looks like rain is in the forecast when we head out tomorrow but it will be getting colder as we head west. As long as I keep running my day hours, we should be ok as the roads will likely stay clear. I don't understand those night drivers that drive at the worst possible time as the temps get colder once that sun goes down which of course, brings on ice and snow.......and with less vehicles on the road, it can stick! Not only that, the plow trucks are well known to be out in force just before morning and evening rush hour traffic (if equipped to do so). I have better odds of reaching my drops (and driving safely) moving during daylight hours.
Off to make lunch and maybe work on that draft I have been writing about all week!
Pictures of the trucks that were either caught off guard or plain crazy that were tipped over in Utah two days ago. Glad I wasn't one of them!
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