By the standards of my last post, I didn't get lucky. What I did get was a twenty-four hour bus ride from Wisconsin to Georgia. At least the company paid for it. For those fortunate enough to have never experienced bus travel, allow me to explain. You're crammed into a seat with less room than an airplane, the interior was last sanitized in 1973 when the bus was new, and every person you never wanted to meet will be on the bus with you. But who cares? Just over twenty-four hours after leaving the yard, I was home.
After getting up Friday morning, I dropped my load in Stevens Point, WI and dead-headed to the yard. It took about an hour or so for me to pack my belongings, and after returning the company's items, I was free to go. Pretty simple, really; no hard feelings on either side.
I've been surprised at the number of people that seemed unaware of how truckers live on the road; "where do you sleep?" was a surprising question I received on more than one occasion. Life in a truck isn't too bad. It's kind of like a really long camping trip: Space is at a premium, so you pack the essentials; in the winter, you have a warm, cozy place to bundle up in at night; in bad weather, you have a comfortable shelter from the storm. Most of the larger truckstops have everything a driver could need, including hot showers (that are usually free with a fuel purchase). So, it's pretty easy to get by. All in all, I'll be able to look back on my experience as a favorable one. I was prepared to not get home every weekend, and I didn't. I was prepared to miss meals and drive all day, and I did. I was prepared to see the countryside, and I did. I've learned that proper preparation, in a addition to your expectations, can make a world of difference in how you view your situation. I've learned that there are thousands of hard working men and women on the road that sacrifice time with their families to do their job and that we enjoy the benefits of that sacrifice. And I've learned that being lost isn't so bad. Thanks for following along with my travels; I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as I did.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Janesville, WI - 7/23/09
Unless anything changes between now and tomorrow morning, I have picked-up my final load. I'm set to deliver in Stevens Point tomorrow
morning and then head to the yard to turn in the truck. On more than one occasion today, I've felt it necessary to remind myself that soon I'll be getting paid for ALL the work I do, not just the miles I drive, in addition to being home every day, having weekends off, and plenty of paid holidays and vacation - and it's even a job I'll enjoy! Yessir, things are looking up.
I made my delivery this morning and had to hang out for an hour or so before I received my final pre-plan: a load from Chicago to Wisconsin. I guess I couldn't finish things up without getting caught-up in Chicago construction and traffic. I escaped unscathed, fortunately; it couldve been much worse if I actually had to go downtown.
With any luck, I'll be able to hitch a ride heading south with another driver within the next day or two. Without any luck, I'll be on a very long bus ride or a very expensive flight. Let's hope Lady Luck is feeling generous.
morning and then head to the yard to turn in the truck. On more than one occasion today, I've felt it necessary to remind myself that soon I'll be getting paid for ALL the work I do, not just the miles I drive, in addition to being home every day, having weekends off, and plenty of paid holidays and vacation - and it's even a job I'll enjoy! Yessir, things are looking up.
I made my delivery this morning and had to hang out for an hour or so before I received my final pre-plan: a load from Chicago to Wisconsin. I guess I couldn't finish things up without getting caught-up in Chicago construction and traffic. I escaped unscathed, fortunately; it couldve been much worse if I actually had to go downtown.
With any luck, I'll be able to hitch a ride heading south with another driver within the next day or two. Without any luck, I'll be on a very long bus ride or a very expensive flight. Let's hope Lady Luck is feeling generous.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Seymour, IN - 7/22/09
Exactly ten hours of driving got me to Seymour for the evening. I should be in good shape to make my noon appointment in Carol Stream, IL tomorrow.
Once again, dragging 41k lbs across the mountains ensured I had to actually work a little today. And it was perhaps the last time I will cross the mountains in my truck. I drove through a pretty good rain storm in Kentucky this afternoon. Other than that, it was a pretty smooth trip today. Not sure what the next load will be. Guess we'll find out tomorrow.
Once again, dragging 41k lbs across the mountains ensured I had to actually work a little today. And it was perhaps the last time I will cross the mountains in my truck. I drove through a pretty good rain storm in Kentucky this afternoon. Other than that, it was a pretty smooth trip today. Not sure what the next load will be. Guess we'll find out tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Catawba, SC - 7/21/09
When you enter the state of North Carolina, you'll most likely notice a sign on the side of the road that reads: "State Law: Must Burn Headlights When Using Windshield Wipers." It hasn't happened yet, but I'm waiting to one day see a car with an Alabama license plate pulled over on the side of the road, the rain-soaked driver kneeling in front of the vehicle with a lighter in one hand, confounded as to why the hell his headlights won't ignite. No, Alabama, mocking you will never cease to amuse.
I left Knoxville this morning and ended up getting to the receiver about an hour and a half ahead of my appointment. I know I'm leaving trucking soon, but I'm not getting cut any slack during my last few days; this place was not designed for tractor-trailers and my skills were definitely put to the test trying to maneuver on narrow city streets. As I approached the building, I saw a narrow driveway on the right, but it was clearly not a truck entrance. With traffic piled up behind me, I figured I should try to get off the main street. Just past the end of the building was an intersection with another narrow street. I could make an easy left and go away from the building, or I could make a hard right, up a hill, with a concrete wall lining the edge of the turn. Hoping there might be a side entrance or some docks in the rear, I opted for the hard right.
And then I saw the dock...and realized I was facing the wrong way.
"Well, you'll just have to go up the hill to turn around, pull back down across both lanes of traffic, and back uphill at an angle to hit the dock." Oh, sure, no problem buddy.
Well, eventually, I got all turned around and managed to get it in the dock. About an hour later, I was empty and ready to go.
(Author's note 7/26/09: the rest of this post was lost during the upload process due to the joys of modern technology, and perhaps, a bit of my own impatience.)
I left Knoxville this morning and ended up getting to the receiver about an hour and a half ahead of my appointment. I know I'm leaving trucking soon, but I'm not getting cut any slack during my last few days; this place was not designed for tractor-trailers and my skills were definitely put to the test trying to maneuver on narrow city streets. As I approached the building, I saw a narrow driveway on the right, but it was clearly not a truck entrance. With traffic piled up behind me, I figured I should try to get off the main street. Just past the end of the building was an intersection with another narrow street. I could make an easy left and go away from the building, or I could make a hard right, up a hill, with a concrete wall lining the edge of the turn. Hoping there might be a side entrance or some docks in the rear, I opted for the hard right.
And then I saw the dock...and realized I was facing the wrong way.
"Well, you'll just have to go up the hill to turn around, pull back down across both lanes of traffic, and back uphill at an angle to hit the dock." Oh, sure, no problem buddy.
Well, eventually, I got all turned around and managed to get it in the dock. About an hour later, I was empty and ready to go.
(Author's note 7/26/09: the rest of this post was lost during the upload process due to the joys of modern technology, and perhaps, a bit of my own impatience.)
Monday, July 20, 2009
Knoxville, TN - 7/20/09
Well, blog readers, I have an announcement to make. As some of my loyal readers know, while I greatly enjoy the travels and adventures my current job provides, I have been anxious to return to a more routine lifestyle. Recently, I was offered the opportunity to do just that. I've accepted a job offer that will soon have me off the road and back home living a "normal" life. I have given my notice to the company and suspect that I will be home within a week or so. In the meantime, the show must go on...
After a nice weekend at home, I got back on the road yesterday evening for a relatively short jaunt up to Murfreesboro, TN. I had a delivery this morning near Nashville, so the 'Boro seemed like a good place to stop for the night. After my delivery, I received a couple of pre-plans designed to get me up to the yard; I'll be heading over to South Carolina tomorrow to deliver and then pick-up a load to Illinois.
After a nice weekend at home, I got back on the road yesterday evening for a relatively short jaunt up to Murfreesboro, TN. I had a delivery this morning near Nashville, so the 'Boro seemed like a good place to stop for the night. After my delivery, I received a couple of pre-plans designed to get me up to the yard; I'll be heading over to South Carolina tomorrow to deliver and then pick-up a load to Illinois.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Lawrenceville, GA - 7/17/09
I was greeted with good news this morning: my load was ready in Catawba. I made the five-hour drive over there, dropped and hooked, and was on my way home. Along the way, I noticed there seemed to be an abundance of drivers on the road that woke up this morning with the sole intention of ticking me off. Dragging 41k lbs through the Carolina hills didn't help matters either, though it was easy to find comfort in the fact I was headed home.
I'll be here for a couple days before heading back out to make my Monday delivery in Tennessee.
I'll be here for a couple days before heading back out to make my Monday delivery in Tennessee.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Shallotte, NC - 7/16/09
I don't think I've been getting enough sleep lately. I can tell because the first thing I want to do upon waking is go back to sleep. I bet you had no idea I could be so profound.
I had a long day of driving, but I found a great way to pass the time: listening to Judge Sotomayor's confirmation hearing on satellite radio. Seeing how many ways she could give the same answer to the same question was quite impressive.
It went something like this:
Senator: Judge, what's your opinion on.....
Sotomayor: I rule on the basis of law, not opinion. You old, wrinkly white man.
Okay, she didn't call them wrinkly, but she was masterful at circumventing their attempts to catch her making contradictory statements or revealing in any way that her legal opinions would be influenced by any thing other than the law. Due to the similar nature of the questions being asked, her deflective answers seemed to become quite routine, almost as if mocking the entire process. I found it humorous. It's always enjoyable to see a blatantly biased senator put in his place by a wise Latina. Take that, Sessions.
As promised to my dispatcher yesterday, I arrived at the receiver this evening after 5pm. Since receiving hours were over at 11am, I was expecting to sit here all night and get unloaded in the morning, however, the kind gentleman here said "though he had to go to his mother's house, he could come back and unload load me at 9pm." Sweet. Works for me. It's just now 9pm and I'm being unloaded as I type. My next load is supposed to be coming out of the black hole that is Catawba, SC. According to my preplan the load was scheduled to be picked-up between 7/13-7/15. I knew better. I was hoping, but I knew better. After calling the guard shack, I was told they hadn't even started making the product that is to be put on the trailer. No surprise there. This load should get me home for the weekend, so I'm hoping for some better news in the morning.
I had a long day of driving, but I found a great way to pass the time: listening to Judge Sotomayor's confirmation hearing on satellite radio. Seeing how many ways she could give the same answer to the same question was quite impressive.
It went something like this:
Senator: Judge, what's your opinion on.....
Sotomayor: I rule on the basis of law, not opinion. You old, wrinkly white man.
Okay, she didn't call them wrinkly, but she was masterful at circumventing their attempts to catch her making contradictory statements or revealing in any way that her legal opinions would be influenced by any thing other than the law. Due to the similar nature of the questions being asked, her deflective answers seemed to become quite routine, almost as if mocking the entire process. I found it humorous. It's always enjoyable to see a blatantly biased senator put in his place by a wise Latina. Take that, Sessions.
As promised to my dispatcher yesterday, I arrived at the receiver this evening after 5pm. Since receiving hours were over at 11am, I was expecting to sit here all night and get unloaded in the morning, however, the kind gentleman here said "though he had to go to his mother's house, he could come back and unload load me at 9pm." Sweet. Works for me. It's just now 9pm and I'm being unloaded as I type. My next load is supposed to be coming out of the black hole that is Catawba, SC. According to my preplan the load was scheduled to be picked-up between 7/13-7/15. I knew better. I was hoping, but I knew better. After calling the guard shack, I was told they hadn't even started making the product that is to be put on the trailer. No surprise there. This load should get me home for the weekend, so I'm hoping for some better news in the morning.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
