November 30, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Memphis, Tennessee)
Awoke at 6 AM and was pulling out of the yard at 6:15 AM . Was at the customers at 6:30 AM waiting for them load me. They got to me around 8 AM and they told me that they would unload me where I was sitting. They told me to open my trailer doors and when I did I could heard that they where not happy, They where going to just drive them off onto a flat trailer until they saw the one sideways fork truck in the end of the trailer. They tried several ways to get it out but all failed. They finally brought their big fork truck out and picked it up and took it out. The rest they drove out with one gas tank. After I got done with them, I called dispatch and they said to deadhead(go empty) to Nashville(Tennessee) and then call in. Took off for Nashville east on I-40. I got to our fuel stop at Kingston Springs(Tennessee) and called in as it is close to Nashville. Dispatch told me to go to the Ford Glass Plant tomorrow for a load to Toledo, Ohio. The plant wasn't too far from where I was, so I decided to stay here in Kingdom Springs for the night. Watched my truck TV as I got Nashville TV stations. Set my alarm clock for 6 AM tomorrow morning.
--tomorrow, things change and you can't get upset about it. You have to go with the flow!!!--

Trucker Helpful Hint: (The early trucker gets the best load???)
I learned from my trainer-when I started driving-that when sent deadhead(with empty trailer), try to call in before you actually get to where you are told. This could put you higher on the "ready board" for a load with your company. OR it could actually put you closer to your pickup as it did with me in today's blog. NOW, THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE WHEN YOUR TRAILER IS EMPTY!!!! I HAVE HAD TOO MANY TIMES WHEN I HAD LOADS THAT SEEMED LIKE THEY WOULD BE EASY "UNLOADS" BUT ENDED UP WITH PROBLEMS. These problems took extra time...one I remember(problem with customs) took about 7 hours. Your company does not want you to tell them you are ready when you are not! They could have something that needs your immediate attention.

November 29, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Lexington, Kentucky)
The shipper this morning was in the northwest corner of Lexington. I was told to back up to the dock to be loaded. I got 9 gas engine fork trucks which I watched loaded. They would drive each of the first 8 fork trucks into the trailer, then take the gas tank off. The last one was put on the back of the trailer sideways(It was put in by a much larger fork truck). I was loaded by 9:30 AM and on my way by 9:45 AM. I was just south of Hwy 60 which I took west to the, BluegrassParkway. I love the green "color" of the scenery in this part of the country...it is different. Anyway, went on down to Elizabethtown(Kentucky) where I caught I-65 south. I stopped for a short break at the rest area by Plum Springs(Kentucky) around noon. I spent 30 minutes here as I just wanted to be standing up a little longer. I got moving again about 12:30 PM. Big Drive!!! I pulled into the Nashville(Tennessee) "All Right Truckstop" an hour later(about 1:30 PM) I was going to fill my tanks but decided to wait as I have enough to get me to Memphis(Tennessee)terminal. I went into the restaurant and had the buffet lunch. After eating I pulled out on I-65 took it to I-40 east, and headed for Memphis. Pulled into our Memphis, Tennessee terminal at 6:45 PM. I could have gone to the customers but I decided that I would sleep at the terminal tonight and go to the customers real early. I filled my tanks went I got to the terminal and I took 185 gallons. I went to eat with two other drivers and then came back to the truck and went to sleep...

November 28, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday-Wright City, Missouri)
Woke up another 8 AM as I wasn't in a hurry to get involved in the “going to work” traffic around St. Louis, Missouri. Was heading east by 8:30 AM with traffic not too bad. The ride on I-70 over the Missouri river wasn't bad. After crossing the Mississippi River, I followed I-64 east. The state truck weigh stations were open in Missouri & Illinois but I wasn't concerned with a load weight of 19,000 lbs. I was having a kind of negative day so I stopped in Mt Vernon(Illinois) at a good truckstop. I like their chef salad so I went in and had one. Back to heading east and slipped into Indiana. Got past Dale, Indiana where the mountains start. Yes, mountains in the middle west. In fact, these mountains have skiing and a town called Santa Claus(Indiana). Got through the mountains and descended down to the Ohio Valley where I crossed the Ohio River into the city of Louisville, Kentucky. I went to the east end of Louisville by taking I-71 north to I-265 south. I found the plant far far from entering I-265. I got to the guard shack and was told to check with receiving. I did and they just had me drop the trailer in the yard. I got me another trailer and called dispatch. They told me to go to the western side of Lexington(Kentucky) for a load of fork trucks tomorrow. I found the shipper and could not spend the night on their property so I went to a shopping center and bunked in for the night.....

November 27, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Casey, Iowa)
Was awake before the sun came up. Walked around the rest area and enjoyed the pre-dawn. Studied my routing to Shenandoah, Iowa and decided to go to Hwy 59 and take it south. I did that and saw a lot of farm land in my 1 3/4 hours to the pick up. Found the place with no problem. Was backed up to the dock bu 10 AM. and loaded by noon. This load was going to the Louisville(Kentucky) Truck assembly plant. I took Hwy 59 into Missouri and onto I-29 south. I was talking to a driver from another company when I crossed over into Missouri. Boy, did he have to trucker tale(see below). I continued to our Kansas City Terminal where I fueled (166 gallons). I hung around the terminal until 4 PM when I took off; I wanted to get out of Kansas City, Missouri before the rush hour. I drove to Fulton, Missouri and checked my mail and called the kids. They were all busy so I couldn't see them. I went back up to I-70 and headed east. Stopped for the night(8 PM) at the rest area right before Wright City, Missouri.

A Trucker's Tale: (crushing...)
This driver I was running with told me that he had to do as many miles as he could as he had to pay his lawyer. It seems that he was at a truckstop and a lot lizard(prostitute) had jumped on his passenger side door steps. She appeared drunk and so told her to go away. He looked away from the window and then back at it...the lot lizard was gone. He then pulled out and went on down the road. It wasn't long and he was stopped by a couple cars worth of county sheriffs. Then more police showed up. They arrested him and charged him with “assault with a deadly weapon”...his truck. The lot lizard was drugged out and fall off his truck. When the truck moved forward, one of it's tires rounded over her leg. He didn't know it. Her girl friend called the authorities for her. He was released as his storied sat well with the authorities and she was “stoned” when the police got to her. She did not loose her leg he said as his load was real light and she fell onto fine gravel. I don't know if the charges were dropped or not but he still had a lawyer handling the case....Watch out at all times!!!

November 26, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Urbandale, Iowa)
Got up around 9 AM and got my logbook all caught up. Not excited about sitting at this truckstop all day. Went in and watched movies until I had the lunch buffet; then went back to movies until about 4:30 PM. I decided to go and sent the night at the rest area west of Casey, Iowa. I did and was able to caught a couple TV stations on my TV. Watched TV and went to sleep.

A Trucker's Tale: (dancing in Jamaica...)
While I was filling my tractor tanks in Olathe, Kansas, I started talking with a mid aged redheaded female driver from Canada filling up also. We talked and found that we both were going to be going east on I-70 and decided to run together. I was only going to exit 121 in Columbia, Missouri but in that distance she told me two tales that I never forgot. Her company did some special trucking jobs. She claimed she once picked up a load in some town in upper Quebec (Canada). As they loaded her, two black conservative looking cars pulled up. They talked with her and told her that one would follow her and she was to follow the other all the way to southern Florida. They went on to say that she was not to stop at any weigh stations or customs anywhere along the way. She was given the route they were going to take. All her stops were told to her. They would not tell her what she was hauling. When she got loaded they all moved out. They followed the route and she never stopped at scales or customs. Her meals were all paid for as she had to stop were planned. She had all her legal breaks. They got to the docks in southern Florida and she drove the truck onto a ship. She was to stay with her truck all the way to Jamaica even with a couple of the guys watching the truck all the time. She was given a gun and told to use it if anyone came near the truck-no one did. When the ship got to Jamaica, she followed the cars to a building and was unloaded. When unloaded, the men in the trucks checked her into a motel until the ship was to return to America. They asked if she had a dress to go dancing in and she said NO. A couple of the men took her shopping for a dress and they all went out to eat and dance that night. She said that they really had a good evening. The next day, the ship took her back to the states and she never saw the men again. She never really knew what she was hauling but she never had to put placards on the trailer. She felt she had been hauling flaked gold but wasn't sure.

November 25, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday-Williamsburg, Iowa)
Was up at 8 AM and wanted the truckstop breakfast before I left. I had the one pound streak and eggs breakfast and then headed west by 9:30 AM. Got to the big truckstop at Altoona, Iowa around 10:30 AM. I asked dispatch if they could call the receiver and see if I could get unloaded. They gave me the number to call. I called and was told to bring the load in and get unloaded. I did and was unloaded by 1 PM. I called dispatch and told them I was empty and they gave me a load to pickup in Shenandoah, Iowa Monday afternoon. I then went to the truckstop off of I-80/I-35 in Urbandale, Iowa and stayed there the night. I head the “really poor” buffet for dinner and then watched movies in the movie room until about midnight. Went out to my tractor and went to bed.

SECOND 5 YEARS:(Backyard mechanic???)
I had a load that needed to be delivered to the Jacksonville, Florida shore line for transport by boat. I got the trailer there and was given a place to put it and I did. I needed to pickup an empty trailer and so I looked around for one. I could only find one and so I went to hook up to it. Got the fifth wheel and air lines hooked up OK but the electrical socket was all broken up. I took the trailer outside the gate of the company and called dispatch. They tuned me over to the shop and they told me to wait right there. I did. About twenty minutes later the repair van I was waiting for drove up. He told me we would have to go down the road a ways to a city park for repairs as this company was a UNION company and he wasn't. I followed him to the city park and there he replaced the trailers electrical socket. I was on my way in less that an hour for my next load in South Carolina.

November 24, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Hannibal, Missouri)
Woke up and looked over the routing to Des Moines, Iowa. Studied several possibilities and decided on going up to Iowa City, Iowa and them going west to Des Moines. Headed north on Hwy 61. I remembered that the bridge into Iowa, on Hwy 61, was closed to big trucks. I started asking truckers how they handled the crossing. Well, there is a small toll bridge that I followed a driver to. The toll was $1.00. I got to it by taking Hwy 61 to Hwy 394 north. On the Iowa side, Hwy 394 hooks up with Hwy 218 that goes to Iowa City, Iowa. I stopped at the truckstop in Mt Pleasant, Iowa for a break. I liked the restaurant so I sat down and had a hamburger and fries. Followed Hwy 218 to Iowa City and them west to Exit 220, Williamsburg, Iowa where I stopped. I had dinner here and then watched movies with other drivers until midnight. Slept here....

SECOND 5 YEARS:(rejected...)
I had not been a meat hauler very long when I got a 42,000 lb load of hamburger to a store warehouse in Elloree, South Carolina. I had a couple interesting experiences in this town but I am only concerned with the meat now. I hired a lumper(person who loads/unloads trailer) and when he got done there was one box of hamburger rejected. All the boxes I had on this load were 80 lbs...8 ten pound plastic tubes. One box had been damaged with 2 tubes ripped opened(not bad). The warehouse rejected the box and I called it in. My dispatch told me to throw it away per the meat company. Another truck driver told me he would buy me a cooler, since I didn't have one, and give me $20 for 3 good tubes and one bad tube of meat. That left me with the same. I said OK and carried the hamburger with me until I got it home(1 1/2 days). Over the almost 4 years of hauling meat, I had only a few loads where the meat was rejected and I got it.

November 23, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday-Stringtown, Oklahoma)
Thanksgiving Day...Kept on going as no one to spend day with. Woke a little after 7 AM and was headed toward Joplin, Missouri by 7:30. I stopped in McAlester, Oklahoma around 8:15 AM and went to the Wal-Mart store. Closed. Wanted some munchies so went to truckstop across street and then got back on the road. By noon I was rolling into our terminal in Joplin, Missouri. I had a drive wheel seal leaking on my new tractor and so I parked my empty trailer. Went back to the maintenance guys who got hopping on fixing my tractor. While they where working on the seal, I went to dispatch and was given a load to Maryland Heights, Missouri(outside St. Louis) that was due in the morning. I fueled and weighed my load. I took 108 gallons of fuel and under the hood checked out fine. The load, according to the paperwork was only 23,560 lbs. I was ready to go by 2:30 PM and I took off up I-44 east. The state coupe(weigh station) was open but it was no problem. Stopped at the 100 mile marker at one of my favorite restaurants. Had the buffet of ribs, salad, potatoes and corn. Filled my tank and continued east on I-44. The ride to I-270 was uneventful. The conversations I had on the CB radio were so so. The state weigh station near Sullivan, Missouri was closed and the most exciting part of the trip was my 15 minute break at the rest area just past Stanton, Missouri. Went up I-270 to Dorsett Road and went east. Found the receiver real easily and they were open. Checked in and they unloaded me within the hour. My logbook still has 2 hours to drive before I needed a break and I was feeling pretty good. Dispatch was happy to hear that I was unloaded as they had a load in Bridgeton, Missouri to pick up. I went to Bridgeton(about 15 minutes) and swapped trailers. This load was going to Des Moines, Iowa for Monday morning. Headed west on I-70 to Hwy 61 and went north. Weather was nice and clear. I got to Hannibal, Missouri and found a parking place at the small truckstop. I stopped there for the night.

November 22, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Laredo, Texas)
Slept in my tractor at the terminal last night as I hoped that I would get a load out. (see helpful trucker hint below). Stayed up until about 2:30 AM swapping truck stories with the other drivers. Interesting or important stories? NO, just stories. Woke up at 10 AM and checked with dispatch as I saw trucks(full semis) pulling out of the yard as I got my logbook caught up. I was deadheaded (sent with empty trailer) to Joplin, Missouri to get a load. I like Laredo but only at a couple days at a time. I grabbed my empty assigned trailer, hooked up, did a vehicle inspection, caught my logbook caught up and headed out. I was running by myself even though there were about twenty of us going up to Joplin. I drove to San Antonio(Texas) and stopped at the "Just A Truckstop" for lunch and fuel. Did both and headed north on I-35. Took the lower lever of the interstate dual level structure through Austin(Texas). Continued north past many of the population centers of Texas. Took 35 E to our Red Oak, Texas terminal where I stopped just before they closed for the day(6 PM). Found they had a load to Salt Lake City, Utah but they could not give it to me. I was programed to go to Joplin. Left Red Oak and caught Hwy 75 north. Hooked up with Hwy 69 and after going over the Red River into Oklahoma lost Hwy 75. Stopped about 10:00 PM at the medium sized truckstop in Stringtown, Oklahoma for the night.

Trucker Helpful Hint: (go where others don't want to go...)
I learned shortly after becoming a driver that often you can get out of an area(get paid miles) where there are alot of drivers waiting for loads if you are willing to go where they don't want to go. An example: Out of Laredo, Texas I was at the terminal one night with about 60 drivers in front of me. A driver went to the dispatch window and started complaining about the load he was going to get. I asked about the complaint and dispatch had a short run for Houston, Texas. I was a new driver and dispatch told me drivers don't like waiting for days for these short runs. He said that they give these shortys away to anyone who wants them if they can. I took the load for that driver-driver and dispatch were happy- and left. The thing about this load was that I got unloaded in Houston and then got deadheaded(sent empty) to the Red Oak(Texas)Terminal where I got a load to Laredo. I was back in Laredo, Texas before I would have gotten out of there if I wouldn't have taken the Houston, Texas load. If I didn't want to stay on the "READY BOARD"(LIST OF DRIVERS IN AN AREA NEEDING LOADS), I often asked for the crappy loads. Yes, they were not worth much, but they could put you in a place where you wouldn't have to wait long for something out that might be really good. This happened many times over 10 years.

November 21, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Laredo, Texas)
Sure hoping to get out of here today. Talked with a couple older drivers and they said that the holiday freight always slows down. I am wanting to get out and they said to just stay “cool”. I will try but I didn't become a driver to “vacation”. Washed laundry at the terminal and talked with the dispatcher for a couple hours. I stayed at the terminal tonight and talked with other drivers after my calender day ended. Planning on sleeping in my tractor tonight.

SECOND 5 YEARS:(too sick to drive...)
I can remember twice when I felt too sick to drive. The first time was in San Antonio, Texas at the “Just A Truckstop”. I had finished with my load and was at the truckstop waiting for a load. I hadn't been feeling well but I could drive. While I was sicking there, the effects of what I had hit me hard. I was able to get to a phone and call dispatch. I told them to take me off the waiting list and I would call back the next day if I could. It took two days. The second time I was waiting for a meat load at Ft Morgan, Colorado and I hadn't been feeling well. I got the load and headed east with it. I remember getting past Goodland, Kansas and really stating to feel sick. Every little bunk became unbearable and I pulled into the west bound rest area near Park, Kansas. I had satellite so I typed in that I was too sick to drive. Later that day, I had a team pick up my load and give me theirs that delivered 24 hours later. Dispatch them sent me a message that if that wasn't good enough, that they would arrange a later delivery date for me. I just slept the rest of the day and was able to drive around noon the next day....Remember that if you can't drive, don't. You don't have total control of your vehicle when you push yourself too far.

November 20, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Monday-Laredo, Texas)
Woke up again in Laredo and called dispatch!!! Was informed not to get rid of room as not many loads coming over border today. This is getting FRUSTRATING. The town is starting to look like a parking lot for our tractors. Did same as other days...Ate lunch at the Chinese restaurant, talked with the waiter(as much as I could), went to Wal-Mart, got munchies for rest of day, went to motel, checked swimming pool for known drivers and then watched TV for rest of day/night.

A Trucker's Tale: (Kissing and driving don't mix...)
This tale is from me as I was the trucker involved. I and another one of our company's reefer (refrigerated trailer) unit drivers had just finished delivering our loads to the Wal-Mart warehouse in Loveland, Colorado. We both got deadheaded(sent "empty") to Holcomb, Kansas to the slaughter house for meat loads. I loved this deadhead as it is many easy going "paid" miles off the main interstates. The other driver hadn't been to this meat plant before so I said just to follow me. We took off down I-25 to I-70 east. Just past Limon, Colorado we took Hwy 287 south; we are off the main routes now. I always stopped at Hugo, Colorado for a big cold drink and a logbook break. We stopped and then headed out again. We followed Hwy 287 past Kit Carson(Colorado) to Eads(Colorado) where we caught Hwy 96 to Sheridan Lake, Colorado. At Sheridan Lake, we took Hwy 285 south to Hwy 50 east. We took this route around Lamar, Colorado just to bypass the state weigh station. We continued into Kansas where we went through the towns of Coolidge and Syracuse. The speed limit on these two lane roads is 65 miles/hour. Well, we had been out of Syracuse for awhile and I was running "front door"(first one of two drivers running along together). I saw in the road ahead a tractor trailer with it flashers blinking. I told the driver behind me that I didn't like to see this. We got to the rig and found that the accident had just happened. The road was shut down!!! No "person" was seriously injured!!! What happened? There are many details for this tale!!! A man going west bound had hit 5 full grown cows that were on the road. The truck he hit them with was sitting on two of them(one cow was lightly moaning), two were laying along the road(one of them was moaning) and one was walking along the fence(it fall over a few minutes later from bleeding to death). This was not OPEN RANGE and the cows were to be behind fencing. The sheriff or deputy got there and shot the two moaning cows. We all pushed the pickup truck off the two cows it was sitting on, pushed the pickup off the road and pulled the cows to the side of the road. This opened the road and traffic started moving again. The cause??? The man that had hit the cows had just, that day, finished restoring the mid 60's pickup truck and was taking his wife for a ride in it. He claimed to have been doing the speed limit when he went and kissed his wife. When he looked back at the road, it was too late. He killed 5 cows, totaled out a beautifully restored "uninsured"(hadn't insured it yet) pickup truck and stopped traffic for a good hour all for a kiss......The pickup truck had been finished being totally restored and destroyed the same day . At least he and his wife were wearing their seat belts. After all this excitement, we went onto Holcomb, Kansas where we had to wait for our loads...

November 19, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday-Laredo, Texas)
Called dispatch this morning and was told that there wouldn't be anything for me today so I need to keep the room. I did. Went to church today and then to the store for munchies for the rest of day. Went back to the motel and watched TV until dark. Went to the pool and found some drivers I knew so I sat down. Chit-chatted for about an hour and then back to motel.

A Trucker's Tale: (Chuck's “touch” with religion...)
Chuck, my former boss at the truck school I taught at, told me of the time he felt the “touch” of religion. He had a load and was getting close to Cleveland, Ohio with it . The traffic was starting to get heavy and he was alert of the possibility that he may have to slow down quickly. He was a safe distance from the vehicle in front of him when the time came to do a swift slow down. He began to slow down with no fear until a car changed lanes and ended up in the space in front of him. The car was TOO close and he hit it in the trunk and it hit the car in front of it. That car hit the one in front of it. Turned out that three cars were involved with his truck. The car that had pulled in front of him had Catholic Nuns in it. No one was injured but he received a citation for following too close....even though he wasn't. Since he had a good record with his company, his employment did not suffer. Watch it...This has happened to many a truck driver...If you have a space in front of you, always expect someone to pull into it...stay alert...

November 18, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday-Georgetown, Texas)
Woke at the sun was coming up but I think I beat it up. Walked into truckstop and got some munchies to eat(didn't eat them until today) and talked to the clerk about Georgetown. Got log book caught up and headed out for Laredo. Got to where they have a double decked interstate freeway through Austin, Texas. I took the upper level as the traffic was very mild on top. Being Saturday, the lower level was mild also most likely. Just before San Antonio I slowed down for the know speed trap through Selma, Texas. The speed trap no longer exists as the highway was redone and the places the policeman sat were done away with. Stopped at “Just a Truckstop” east of the I-10 & I-410 intersection east of San Antonio(Texas). Filled my tanks(took 44 gallons) as there is no good fuel stop for us in Laredo, Texas. This stretch between San Antonio and Laredo usually has several broken cars around the road. This is a long quiet drive if you are running by yourself. The towns you encounter are very small and off the road one side or the other. Got to our terminal in Laredo,Texas and found that they wanted me to deliver the load to the custom broker's(the company that takes care of the trailer going across the border) yard. I delivered the load and then bobtailed(no trailer) to our yard. No load out and was told it would be awhile and to get a motel room(our company paid $20.00/day for us to get a motel room).

Trucker helpful hint: (watch yourself...)
For refrigerated(reefer) trailer drivers....I ran across a driver with the company I was driving for, that had a story that we all can learn from. He claimed that he stopped for the night at the southbound rest area on the West Virginia Turnpike. He had left his reefer unit running and went to sleep. He woke up during the night and the reefer unit was NOT running. He got out to check it and as he was looking at it, a person stuck a gun in his back and robbed him of $400+. He had been saving that money for his daughter's Christmas present. Possible suggestion... 1-blow your air horn before getting out of your tractor. You will irritate other drivers, but may scare a thief away. 2-get up and drive your rig down the road before checking the reefer unit. 3-keep any large amount of money hidden and always keep a small amount of money easily available. Truckers are believed to be carrying good amounts of money as they often have fees to pay. Be careful...

November 17, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday-Joplin, Missouri)
Had a wake up call at the motel I was at for 7 AM. I went to the terminal and checked on my load. The trailer was sitting in the yard and dispatch gave me the paperwork. I went out to my new tractor and drove it around the yard for awhile. My previous tractor was a cabover and I felt like I wasn't going to be able to keep the tractor in the proper position in the travel lane. Anyway, I filled my tanks with my knew fuel cards and hooked up to my trailer, weighed load(whole truck: 57,260lbs) and started moving toward Laredo, Texas. Wouldn't you know it, the I-44 Missouri couple(weigh station), before going into Oklahoma, was open. I still wasn't comfortable with where I was in the lane. Now I have to pull onto the scale. I did it very carefully and successfully. On to Big Cabin, Oklahoma where I will get on Hwy 69 south. Those road signs advertising the buffalo farms; I really need to stop and see them one of these days. I got to Wagoner(Oklahoma) and felt I needed a break so I stopped at Wal-Mart department stores. I walked around the store just looking at people and things. Saw nothing exceptional...bought some stationary supplies. Went back to the truck and headed south. Drove through Muskogee, Oklahoma. Just after passing I-40 we get into the hill country which ends with a good downgrade into McAlester, Oklahoma. Got to Stringtown, Oklahoma (interesting history) and slowed down for the well known speed trap(in1989) and then back up to a decent speed and hooked up with Hwy 75. Took Hwy 75 over the Red River into Texas and then down into Dallas. Went through downtown Dallas and hooked up with I-35E to our Red Oak Terminal(Texas) Filled with fuel to see how my knew tractor is doing with fuel. I got 5.89 mpg and I guess the engine still is tight. Continued to where I-35E and I-35W merge into I-35 and then kept going. Stopped at a truckstop at Georgetown, Texas for the night. I had plenty of time to get to Laredo, Texas.

Trucking Student Question: My rig(18 wheeler) weighs 57,260 lbs. My steering has 11,060 lbs on it, my tractor drives 28,800 lbs. What is the weight on my trailer tandems??? Even though I am legal, what would I have to do if I wanted my trailer tandems and tractor drives closer in weight(my fifth wheel doesn't move)???

November 16, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday-Joplin, Missouri)
Got new tractor late yesterday so today I finished moving into it. Had to get dispatch to move me on the computer to my new tractor number 5948 and then get my permit book from the permit department. This I did and then I requested a load to Laredo, Texas. Dispatch had one coming in but it would be here early in the morning. I had dispatch assign it to me and then went to the motel for the rest of the day and evening.

I am sick today(11-16-09)so this is it for today...Sorry....PT

November 15, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Tulsa, Oklahoma)
Woke in Tulsa where I went into the truckstop for some munchies. Came out and got my logbook all legal and headed for Sand Springs, Okl,ahoma for a glass load. Got to the shipper and had to wait until around 11 AM before they loaded me. I got out of there around noon and headed toward Joplin(Missouri). I was in the company yard around 2:15 PM and I was asking for my new tractor. I had to drop my trailer and check in with dispatch. Dispatch told me to check with maintenance for my new tractor which I did. I parked the new and the old one next to each other and spent the rest of the day moving things from the old to the new. Tomorrow I will need to get my permits.

A Trucker's Tale: (the trucking joys of Quebec...)
I had been in Quebec several times and never had any trouble with the Quebec Department of Transportation or Highway Patrol(Provincial Police). One of our training drivers came into our Detroit, Michigan terminal with his student. They had just come from Quebec. They had been stopped by a Quebec officer when the officer pulled over several trucks. The trainer than said the officer, in his very clean outfit and out of his fully equipped white van(even had a dispenser for his gloves), proceeded to do a vehicle inspection. The driver said that this officer couldn't find anything wrong with the unit except for an outdated “company” sticker. This outdated sticker meant nothing to any government entity!!! This officer then fined the company $550 US dollars for that sticker. The driver then said this officer had a wireless FAX and setup for importing US “ComChek”s(checks that give truckers easy access to money). The company had to send this officer the $550 before he would release the truck. The company did send the money. The officer then went to the other trucks....After I heard this, I tried to avoid the Quebec law enforcement altogether--Ontario law enforcement???I never had trouble with them all the many times I was up there and I never heard other than "normal" stories about them...

November 14, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday-Troy, Illinois)
Was woken up at 6 AM by a company driver who was told to swap his trailer with me. I swapped it with him and called dispatch. This load was set up and I wasn't told of it. Anyway, I had this load that was to go to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma car plant. Left Troy and headed for Joplin(Missouri) first. Went I-70 west to I-255 south and which changed to I-270 north. Kept on I-270 until I got on I-44 west. This routing kept me out of the morning traffic. Got to the restaurant at Marshfield, Missouri that I simply enjoy...great salad bar, fried chicken and ribs...The lunch buffet was just getting started so I helped myself. After lunch, I headed for our yard in Joplin(Missouri). Got there and found that they had gotten in a few new tractors. I requested one but was told to go ahead and take my load to Oklahoma City. I did and around 7 PM I had dropped my trailer at the car plant east of Oklahoma City. Went to our yard in Oklahoma City and called into dispatch. Was told to pick up a load of glass tomorrow in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, just west of Tulsa(Oklahoma) and take it to the Joplin yard where I was scheduled to get my new tractor. I went to Tulsa and parked for the night at the truckstop just entering Tulsa.

SECOND 5 YEARS: (I don't understand...just do what I am told...)
I once picked up a full load of frozen whip cream in midstate New York and took it to the caves around Kansas City, Missouri. While I was being unloaded, a truck from my company was being loaded with the same frozen whip cream to New Jersey. Why couldn't I just have taken my load to New Jersey? I saw this once in awhile with different companies. I once picked a load of glass up in Sand Springs, Oklahoma to Columbus, Ohio. After I was unloaded, I was sent to Zanesville, Ohio for a load of glass to Dallas, Texas. I get paid to do it, not to ask questions...

November 13, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Monday-Marshall, Michigan)
Woke up at the truckstop here in Marshall about 7 AM. I immediately got to cleaning the trailer out of that horrible dark purple natural asphalt I had been carrying. I swept out a little of the stuff but it still was on the floor and I was tracking it around with my shoes. I went into the store and bought paper towels and some cleaner spray and went back to the trailer. I got on my knees and hand wiped the whole floor and it still looked dark purple. I decided that I had done what I could so that was it!!! I called dispatch and was told to pick up a load of auto parts in Battle Creek, Michigan and take it to Troy, Illinois for a relay. I got to the pickup in Battle Creek at 10:30 AM(CST) and was told to back up to the dock. They started to load me as soon as I did. I watched the fork truck load me with dark purple tire tracks as they exited my trailer. The dock was clean. I was headed for Troy, Illinois by 11:45 (CST). I went I-94west to I-80 west to I-55 south. Stopped at Funk's Grove, Illinois rest area off of I-55 for a short break(I love writing Funks Grove in my log book) and then I was on my way again. Got to the truckstop at Troy, Illinois at 6:30 PM my time and traded loads. I was told I would get a relay in the morning. Backed under the other drivers trailer he traded with me and went into the truckstop and watched TV until about 10 PM. Went to bed...

SECOND 5 YEARS: (difference between receiving companies)
One time I received a meat load from Colorado to two companies in Kentucky. I decided to unload the meat myself. The first stop, I was given a powered pallet jack, pallets and told to "GO FOR IT". Before lunch in Kentucky, I was at my second stop. This second drop, I was told that I was to palletize the boxes of meat and the dock employees would take the pallets out. Well, the employees went to lunch and I had gone as far as I could with the palletizing. I went and got a powered pallet jack and was moving the pallets out. An employee came onto the dock, saw me using the pallet jack and started yelling at me to not use their equipment. Luckily I got enough out of the trailer to finish stacking my meat load before they all came back from lunch.

November 12, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday-Williamsburg, Iowa)
Woke up at 7 AM and the gal (Sugar Plum) I had been running with was up at her steering wheel. I asked if she had plans for breakfast and she said she was thinking about it. We went back into the restaurant. She had a simple breakfast and I had the steak breakfast(1 lbs steak with potatoes and 3 eggs). We then headed east on I-80. She wanted to stop at the truckstop at Walcott, Iowa for some reason, so I pulled in also. A female in the parking lot signaled for me to stop so I did. She told me that one of “MY COMPANY “ drivers had told her that if she would spend the night with him, that he would take her with him. Well, she did and he kicked her out of the truck and took off. Because I worked for the same company, I owed her a ride. I told her that I didn't think so and to get lost. She did. Sugar Plum was really to go by the time I was done with that gal wanting a ride. We continued east into Illinois and then into Indiana where we split up at Lake Station(Indiana). She continued east and I stopped for fuel at “Just A Truckstop. I took 136 gallons. I didn't need to be in Marshall, Michigan until tomorrow so I stopped to eat and watch a movie. I was about 6 PM went I left Lake Station. Traffic was heavy but flowing at a good speed. Crossed into Michigan about 7 PM and was just enjoying the evening. I passed a small truckstop when I got to Marshall at 9(CST) and found the company had just opened for the week. I told them what I had on from where and they said to just back up to the dock and they would unload it, which they did. I watched them unload the trailer and found out that one of the 4500 ten pound bags had broken open. I looked in the trailer to find this dark purple power over the entire floor. I decided to clean it in the morning....OR AT LEAST TRY TO!!!! I was back to the Marshall, Michigan truckstop before my calendar day was over. Went to sleep....

A Trucker's Tale: (The danger of tire pressure)
I was sitting in a tuckstop between Cincinnati and Dayton(Ohio) when I heard this one....We must realize that truck tires, when inflated correctly, hold 100 to 125 lbs of pressure. Well, at one time, according to the tale, one trucker's girl friend left and this trucker (call him Pete) found her with another driver and they were in the second driver's tractor. Pete started arguing with the second driver and the female. When he realized he wasn't going to win this argument, he took his pocket knife out and stuck it into the driver's tire. The blade penetrated the side wall(It had to be a "mean" pocket knife to do this on one blow) and the blade broke off. The air pressure shot the blade out hitting Pete in the throat. He started bleeding badly. There was a male driver watching all this that was registered nurse, but he didn't want to get involved. Before the medical help got there , Pete bleed to death...

November 11, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday-crossing border into Nebraska)
I started the day off under a logbook violation as I will get to my goal of Big Springs, Nebraska about 1:30 AM which I did. I parked and went to sleep. Got up at 9 AM, fueled my truck(only put on 130 gallons because of my weight), had some breakfast and got my logbook caught up. Took off for Michigan. Had a goal tonight of getting to Williamsburg, Iowa where I will have a steak dinner and go to the movie room and hopefully watch Crocodile Dundee 2(never have seen it). Took off east... I was nearing North Platte, Nebraska when I picked up a female driver on the CB radio really getting a mouthful of garbage from the male drivers. I talked with her and we went to channel 26 and talked for a long time. She called herself “Sugar Plum” and seemed like a nice gal. We stopped at “Just A Truckstop” at York, Nebraska where she had to fuel. We continue on into Iowa and stopped at Williamsburg, Iowa for the night. Sugar Plum went in and had a steak dinner also but she said she would like to go back to her truck and talk some more. I had plans so I said I would see her at 8 AM and I went to the movie room. I was the only one down there so I saw Crocodile Dundee 2. Went to my bed about 11 PM and sawed some logs...

NOVEMBER 10, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday-Little Bonanza, Utah)

Awoke at 6 AM Utah time so I would be up when the crew got here. I found a moving van sitting next to me with the driver sitting at it's wheel. I talked to the driver(Dan was his name) and he had gotten this loud from a broker(Brokers find loads for trucks and get part of the pay). I forgot where his load was going. The crew finally drives in in a bus. I found out that they are all bussed in from Vernal, Utah. The residence are all bussed in??!!! After everyone got to there work stations and down to work, we(the moving van and I) were escorted to docks away from the main buildings and over a hill. We both opened our doors and backed to the docks. The guys working the dock were all covered in masks and wore throw away white suits with shoe covers. All these pieces of covering are taped together. I and Dan asked why all the covering. They said this stuff is really messy. It is called Gilsonite(natural asphalt) and it has a really dark purple color. Dan decided to pick up his blankets as they were laying throughout his trailer. I helped him pick up and store his blankets and he gave me a bland new heavy one. It took till about 1 PM to get me loaded and longer to get the paperwork ready. They had a truck scale and I asked them to weigh my truck with the load of 45,000 lbs. Since the scale couldn't be trusted-(probably never saw someone to certify it), I just got it so it weighed about the same on the trailer tandems(trailer double axles) and my tractor tandems(tractor's double drive axles). I also checked to see how it read on my steering wheels. Things are close but I will be OK. Took my mileage as when I fill with fuel, I don't want to put in anymore than I burn. Will figure my fuel at 6.5 mpg. The manager showed me a road that's not on the map and will save me about 45 miles he claims. I took that road and left at 2 PM (MST). Caught Hwy 64 north to Dinosaur, Colorado. I stopped at the post office and mailed 3 postcards to my kids with the Dinosaur post office stamp on it. Left east of Hwy 40 and got a lot a frustrating up and down driving. Yeah, the weight of the load stops one from keeping the speed up going up a hills and them trying to keep it within the speed limit going down a hill. Got into Steamboat Springs, Colorado and I just fell in love with this town...”Love at first sight” even if it is 6:30 and after dark. Didn't stop and shortly hit a very steep grade. No runs at this grade as it was steep before you get to the steep part. How steep??? How about 4^th gear in low range for about 20 to 30 minutes. I was working my way over “Rabbit Ears Pass”. Finally over it and caught Hwy 14 north to Walden, Colorado. Caught Hwy 125 north where I descended a 6 % graded for 6 miles. With this weight on, special attention had to be paid to my downhill decent. Took Hwy 230 into Wyoming and then into Laramie where I stopped for a break at 10 PM. I finished my calendar day off by crossing the border into Nebraska....

November 9, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday-Ogden, Utah)
Woke at the truckstop at 6 AM (MST) and went into the truckstop and had breakfast. After breakfast, I drove to the Ogden tire store and parked on the side road where I will have to unload off of. After the store got opened, two workers came out and helped me get the trailer emptied. After my paperwork was signed, I drove back to the “No Big Deal” Truckstop, filled my fuel tanks(164 gallons) and got my logbook all caught up. Called dispatch and was told to go to Bonanza, Utah for a load to Marshal, Michigan. I took the truck back down to Bountiful (Utah) where I parked it next to a K-Mart store and behind a convenient store with other trucks. My Mom didn't live too far from there so I took her to lunch. After lunch, said, “Bye” and headed for Bonanza about 1 PM(MST). I went South on I-15 until I caught I-80 east. Did the steep climb out of Salt Lake City to Park City(Utah). Shortly after Park City, I took Hwy 40 south and east. Shortly after Heber City, Utah I was climbing toward “Daniel's Pass”. This whole area was so beautiful and I felt I was driving on the top of the world. I loved it!!!! This type of scenery makes driving great!!! When I got to Roosevelt, Utah, I found a grocery store with a parking lot that could take the truck. I stopped and bought some bottles of water and a lot of munchies which turned out to be a wise move. I left Roosevelt around 4:30 PM (MST) and started running along with two “lime” haulers who where hauling lime to the huge power plant north of Bonanza, They said to follow them as the sign to Hwy 45 and onto Bonanza was really small and hard to see. We chit-chatted through Vernal, Utah and then south toward Bonanza. These two drivers claimed to have never been to Bonanza but pointed me to it when they cut off for the plant. It was now dark out and I came upon a factory on my right side but no town. I kept going and no town. I finally went down a long grade with a sign at the bottom reading, “End of State Maintenance”. I had missed the town!!! I stopped my rig and got out and examined the desert dirt. I had to turn this rig around and part of it was going off the road and into this dirt. I decided to back the lighter trailer onto the dirt, keeping my whole tractor on the pavement. I did it!!! I was up the grade in a couple minutes and pulled into the plant that I had past. I talked to a fellow walking around and told him who I was picking up for. I told him I had missed Bonanza and he said no I hadn't. Bonanza consisted of 9 houses behind this plant. He said that I needed “Little Bonanza” which was off the road a couple miles back toward Vernal. There was a small, rusted out sign pointing the direction. I traveled over the small asphalted road a couple miles to Little Bonanza; I found "the town" and the company I was looking for. It was now long after dark and I didn't see anyone around. I parked in front of the building that looked like the head building. The parking area was a huge dirt field with a few small buildings circling it. One light was on for the whole area but the moon helped me see what was going on. The night was clear and cool as I walked a short distance from the truck. It was really nice outside for November. I went back to the tractor and tried to pick sometime up on the radio. I listened to a station out of San Antonio, Texas that faded in and out all night. Got logbook caught up, read, ate munchies and listened to the radio. Went to sleep early...

GAD! THE HORRIBLE STUFF (Gilsonite-natural asphalt) I AM ABOUT TO PUT IN THE TRAILER!!!!

November 8, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Provo, Utah)
Woke up at 4 AM and decided I would head for Sandy(Utah) for the third delivery on this load; the first two drops having been made yesterday. Got up and ready for the day. Had some leftover munchies and I was off to Sandy. Got to the tire store about 5 AM (MST) and had to back in from the street. The street had very light traffic at this time of day. Backed to the back of the truck store and parked the truck were the employees cars could get around me. Then I waited for them. The first employees show up at 6:30 AM and I just sat there until they were ready for me. They had me back up to the unloading door and I got their tires off. Headed for The “Van Winkle” tire store and unloaded their tires there. The "Van Winkle" store called the Kearns(Utah)store and let them know I was coming. Headed west and then north on I-215. Just as I started north, I got off at 5400 South St. and went west to Kearns. Got to the store and parked in the street medium as there was a small truck unloading in my place. It wasn't long before they were done and I was told to back in to the unload door. This is the first store of the list of deliveries for this load where I have to roll the tires out of the trailer "uphill". Got the tires out and most got to the end of the trailer without hitting the trailer sides. Done here; it was off to the downtown Salt Lake City store. Got back on I-215 north to I-80 east. Ended up on State St. at the downtown store. I love this town as the streets are wide. It is said that Brigham Young laid the streets out by having a wagon be able to turn around (180 degrees) anywhere on that street. Got backed up to the door for unloading and had two fellows helping me get the tires off. It is now about 11 AM and I am off to their Bountiful (Utah) store which is a real pain if their cars on the lot aren't parked right. I asked if the downtown store manager could call the Bountiful store and he said he would. Continued up I-15 to Bountiful, Utah where I drove into their parking lot. The parked cars were OK so I was able to maneuver around easily and get backed up to their unloading door. This store also requires tires to be rolled out of the trailer "uphill"-worse than the Kearns(Utah) store. Was done with this days work by 1 PM. I asked if I could talk with the Roy, Utah store, my next stop and I could. The Roy store said to bring them on!!! By 3 PM I was in Roy, Utah and only have one more drop and that will be tomorrows job. Went to the "No Big Deal" truckstop in Ogden(Utah) where I will spend the night and where the last drop for this load is only two miles away.

November 7, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday-Provo, Utah)
Woke up in the motel room again. Walked outside and looked at the mountains and thought about their beauty...What a place to be struck I thought. Just took it easy through the morning. Toward the end of the morning hours, I dropped my trailer to drive over to the tire store. I talked to the manager and he said that 1 PM would be fine. The Provo store manager then called the Orem(Utah) store manager and asked, for me, if I could deliver the tires to them after I finished in Provo. That manager said YES. So I delivered these two stores this afternoon. My third drop I will be at early in the AM as they are a bit of a challenge to back off the street. After the first two loads were off, I went back to the motel room and went back to the buffet restaurant and “filled” my tank! Got logbooks caught up-logging these drops- and watched TV until I fell asleep. Set my alarm for 3 AM (4 AM Utah Time) so I come get am early start tomorrow.

SECOND 5 YEARS: (too many flies)

I picked up meat loads at a meat plant in Nebraska that just made me question the brain power of upper management. In the trailer holding yard were old trailers broken down, trailers that had blood dripping out of them and the guard house had several hanging fly catchers with a lot of flies stuck to them. When we had to wait for the our meat loads, the flies would sit on our windshields and side windows in black masses. I had one truck driver come up to my tractor to ask me an important. I didn't want to open my window but I did and let in many flies. I asked the guards at the guard shack why they don't take care of all the flies? They said that management didn't want the sprays hurting the meat quality. With the crap these flies come from, I would think they might cause the meat problems as they can't help coming in contact with the meat...

November 6, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Monday-Provo, Utah)
Had the whole day off. Walked out my door and saw those mountains. Just beautiful; and the day was great also. I enjoy taking walks and the Provo tire store isn't that far from me so I walked to it. I talked with the manager and told him that I was fine with a Wednesday delivery, but I could delivery earlier if he wanted. He said they had a load coming in tomorrow's AM but tomorrow after I PM should be fine. I said I would call him late tomorrow AM to make sure it was still OK. I finished the walk and came back to the restaurant across the street and had the lunch buffet. The waitress asked what I did as I told her I was just passing through but would be here for a couple days. I told her that I was a professional tourist and that is all I said. Ate and went back to my room and watched TV the rest of the day. Bought munchies for dinner...


SECOND 5 YEARS:(empty trailer, mountains, rain, snow and a lot more snow-Part 2...Part 1 on November 5, 1989, 2009)
I woke after sunup and the roads were in good share with plenty of travel. Got all legal and checked to see that my brakes weren't frozen and then I was gone. Went through Burlington, Vermont shortly after getting going. I decided to stay on I-89 through St Albans, Vermont and get off it at Swanton(Vermont). Caught Hwy 78 to Hwy 2 to Champlain, New York. I am now only a couple miles from Quebec, which I've been in several times. At Champlain, I took Hwy 87 south to Plattsburgh (New York) where I was to pick up my load. The shipper had been notified I would be late. I got there around noon with all great driving this AM. The shipper loaded me quite fast and very light(17,450 lbs). I was taking it to Olathe, Kansas. Looking at the routing, the best way was to go past Buffalo, New York and Erie, Pennsylvania. The weather reports I got from the radio and other drivers said different. From Rochester and Buffalo(New York) through Erie, Pennsylvania there were roads closed with snow and the three mentioned cities had numerous feet of lake effect snow. I choose to go I-87 to Albany, New York where I caught I-88 to Binghamton, New York. I then took I-81 through Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania down to I-80. There I took I-80 west to our fuel stop in Milton, Pennsylvania. As I drove down the steep grade of the Interstate off ramp, my engine acted like it was out of fuel...I took 195 gallons. I had two 110 gallon tanks.

November 5, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday-driving through Soldier Summit, Utah) The start of my calendar day found me going down the steep road grade into the Utah Valley. By 1 AM I was parked at the truckstop outside Springville, Utah. Boy, I had a lot of time and I wasn't tired. Went into the truckstop and they had a movie room and it was showing a movie so I got some munchies and watched it. After it was over, I went back to my truck and found my TV would pick up a couple stations. Watched TV and got my journal and logbook updated. Laid down and slept until after daybreak. Had the breakfast buffet at the truckstop which was pretty decent. Drove onto Provo, Utah a whole 6 miles. Parked at the motel I will be staying at until Wednesday morning. Logged off duty and stayed that way until Wednesday AM. Before moving into my room on the ground floor, I checked the miles I had driven from Red Oak, Texas to here against the paid miles. I had only driven 5 miles over the paid miles....Will use this routing again. Moved into room for rest of day.The back haul for this load, worst stuff I have ever hauled and got it from “nowhere”!!!!!

SECOND 5 YEARS: (empty trailer, mountains, rain, snow and a lot more snow-Part 1)

Got my load of meat unloaded in Portland, Maine late in the evening. Called dispatch and was told to pick up a load in Plattsburgh, New York in the AM. Said OK and looked at the routing I would be taking. Barf!!! I asked a couple drivers about getting into New Hampshire and they all said to go back into Massachusetts. In 1989, there was no other decent way for a big truck to get to where I needed to be especially with rain. Took I-95 south to Massachusetts. Just as I got into Massachusetts, I caught I-495 south to Hwy 213 west to I-93 north. Went back into New Hampshire On I-93. At Exit 4 (Derry, New Hampshire) I stopped and took a break. It was raining and I felt really nervous about my fuel. I called dispatch to turn this small truckstop on so I could get 50 gallons of fuel. The 50 gallons turned out to be a life saver and good call on my part. Continued up I-93 through Manchester and Concord(New Hampshire). At Concord, I switched to I-89 north and as I was going through Lebanon, New Hampshire I noticed the rain turning to snow. The snow seemed to get worth slowly as I continued north. Roads were starting to get snow covered as I passed Montpelier, Vermont. I am definitely in the mountains now. Roads getting slick now as I climb them with my empty trailer. Any sudden braking will put my trailer into a “jack knife”. I was very aware of that. Was approaching a hill and I could see cars spun out on the icy upward grade. I decided to go for it as I weighed, even empty, more than the cars. As a got to the cars, I felt my drive tires starting to loose traction.(trucker helpful hint) I remembered being told that loose snow has traction...not much and I thought it would be better then the packed snow I was on. I moved over to the right and got myself on the loose snow and it worked. I kept my tires rolling and didn't change their speed(could have lost traction with change of speed) until I reached the top of the grade. A few miles later I found a rest area where I pulled off and found a place to park my truck. I would be late for the pick up but it was getting too dangerous to keep going. Used my satellite link to call dispatch to let them know where I was(they knew by satellite) and why I was stopping. They responded, “OK”. I then went to sleep with my engine running and fuel tank heaters on. I also released my trailer brakes so there wasn't a chance of them freezing. Part 2 tomorrow.

November 4, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday-Santa Rosa, New Mexico)
Got up at At 1 AM to continue my trip to Utah. Topped my fuel tanks as I am going through area I am not familiar with and just feel better doing so. Took off about 1:30 AM and headed toward Albuquerque(New Mexico). Heading west on I-40 and headed down the steep grade into Albuquerque. I caught I-25 north and went about 15 miles to Hwy 550 north. I started climbing into the mountains and could see the lights of Albuquerque out my side window. Really beautiful!!! This climb wasn't bad. With 28,000 lbs of tires on, I only had to do one downshift the whole way to Bloomfield, New Mexico. Took almost all of this stretch in the dark. Rolled into Bloomfield(New Mexico) around 6:30 AM (CST), where I parked and took a half hour break. Headed for Shiprock, New Mexico, where I found a New Mexico couple(State truck weigh station) but it was closed. Headed north on Hwy 666 into Colorado where I continued to Cortez(Colorado). Found a Colorado Coupe(State truck weigh station) and they wanted to see my permit book. This is normal for Colorado. Stopped for lunch at the truckstop behind the coupe. The restaurant has buffalo burgers on the menu!!! Almost tried one. Left for Utah after the break. Entered Utah and found a Utah coupe; it was closed. Got to Monticello(Utah) and took Hwy 191 north. There is some beautiful country on this trip. Continued through Moab(Utah) and up to I-70 which I took west. Stopped at Green River, Utah for an 8 hour plus break... Since the lot is mostly dirt, I parked away from the other trucks. Went in and had me 6 3/$1.00 hotdogs and some potato chips and drip. Was up and wanting to go 9 PM. Had time so I went and got 6 more cheap hotdogs before heading on. Ended my calendar day by going over Soldier Summit on Hwy 6.

SECOND 5 YEARS: (Too tight)
Frustrations which truckers see once in a while(more often as meat haulers) are trailers parked too close together. Truckers have to go to the side of trailers to roll up/down the dollies and to release the trailer from the tractor. Well, the small yard trucks that move the trailers around the customers yards don't need to get to the side. They have the ability to raise the trailers up beyond the dollies being on the ground. When they park the trailers that you have to pick up, they often put them so close together that you can't get to the dollies without crawling under the trailer. You should not have to hook your trailer up like that. Best thing to do here is ask a yard truck to pull your trailer out about 15 feet. Some yard truck drivers will growl and sound upset but....big deal...they parked it like take!!! They wouldn't put up with it if they were you!!!

November 3 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday-Amarillo, Texas)
I have a lot of time to start the deliveries. Next Wednesday is my first delivery of this load. I decided to watch movies here in Amarillo, Texas at the "Just A Truckstop"until around 3 AM. I did and went to my tractor where I went to sleep. Woke up around noon and ate. Fueled my tractor as it was last fueled in San Antonio(Texas). It took 128 gallons. Did a simple vehicle inspection while I was fueling(paid special attention to the fueling) and headed for the “All Right Truckstop” in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. It will be my stop for most the night. I will leave Santa Rosa around midnight(my time). Got to Santa Rosa in a little under three hours. Put myself off duty from 4:30 pm until 1AM. After going off duty, I went into the trucker store and looked at clothes. Bought 3 pairs of pants(these pants were the best I have ever bought; you could not rip them. I wore the zippers out of all three pairs.) and two flannel shirts. Took them to the tractor and went back inside the truckstop. I bought some goodies to munch on and watched movies until 7 PM. Went to the tractor where I took a long nap...

SECOND 5 YEARS: ( too expensive...)
I had got back to the yard in Olathe, Kansas and dropped my empty trailer. Talked with dispatch which gave me a broker load(loads we don't carry on a regular basis) to Denver(Colorado). I was going to a warehouse for a popular hardware store chain. It was a great one day run and I knew the area to which I was going. I made the normal stops in Hays, Kansas and Goodland, Kansas before going into Colorado. I stopped in Limon(Colorado) for dinner and then onto Denver. I parked, before the sun went down, on the wide street outside the warehouse. Early the next morning, I was approached by a lumper(a loader/unloader of trailers which we pay) and I said he could unload the trailer. When I asked how much money he wanted, he said $240. What???I found out what? I had a load which the company would break down each pallet and put it away before going to the next pallet. I had on hundreds of little thingies that had to be stored. I called dispatch before being unloaded and they had to call the broker of this load for the lumper money. I got the money and it took 7 hours for two lumpers to get me empty. I gave the one lumper a “com-check”(a special trucker check) for the work and I was off to the next job.

November 2, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday)
Started the day off leaving Italy, Texas. The time had just touched midnight as I pulled out onto I-35 north. I went to I-20 west to Hwy 360 north and then off at Trinity Blvd. I was parked outside the toy warehouse 1:30 AM and getting ready to lay down. The night guard walked out and told me what dock I could back up to before I went to sleep. He signed for my seal(verification the load hadn't been played with) and I opened the doors and backed into the assigned dock. I was awakened at 7AM to come help unload the whole trailer full of "doll sports cars". I had a gal named Marlene helping me. We had a whole bunch of pallets sitting around after we got the trailer empty. Everything was there that was suppose to be so she signed the paperwork and I was done there. I called Dallas dispatch(office in Red Oak, Texas) and was told to take my empty trailer to Carrollton(Texas) and exchange it for a loaded trailer. Since dispatch knew I liked Utah loads, I was told to bring the loaded trailer to Red Oak(Texas) and switch it for a Utah load of tires. I did it and got hooked up to my Utah load. I got my logbook caught up and did a thorough vehicle inspection and found I had one trailer brake the needed adjusting. After adjusting the one brake, I went in and talked to dispatch for awhile. I was curious why dispatch remembered who I was so easily. The terminal manager said it was because of two reasons...1-they didn't like my trainer(over 9 months ago) and (2) I was the only one that would ask for Utah loads....After a lot of chit-chat, I went to my tractor and looked at the routing. A few weeks ago I had another driver in Utah tell me to go through Albuquerque, New Mexico for the shortest, easiest mileage. I decided to give it a try after I kinda figured the mileage out and it seemed pretty close. Since I do my own routing, I decided to do the trip through Albuquerque. I left Red Oak(Texas) around 3 PM and headed for Amarillo(Texas). I got on I-35E going north to I-20 going west. Just about to Fort Worth I caught Hwy 287 north through downtown Fort Worth and onto Amarillo(Texas). Got up through Wichita Falls and had a time getting through it. I think it's just a little "mind" problem when a driver have had a nice straight drive and then comes to a number of stoplights and speed limits. About 8PM I pulled into Childress, Texas where I took a short break at the truckstop on the west end of town. After logbook updating and a trailer walk around, I headed on. Finally got to my goal for the night, "Just A Truckstop" in Amarillo, Texas. Called it "quits" for the night. Went into the truckstop, eat some ribs and them went to the movie room and watched movies with the other drivers until after midnight.

November 1, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday)
Woke up again in the motel room in Laredo, Texas while waiting for a load out. I called dispatch and found I was assigned a load of toys to Fort Worth. At least I will be moving again. I finished off the munchies and junk food I had bought last night and then went to the terminal. My trailer came across the border and into the yard about 12:30 PM. I quickly hooked up, updated my logbook, did a vehicle inspection and headed for Fort Worth, Texas. I was at the “Just A Truckstop” in San Antonio(Texas) by 3:30 PM, where I had lunch, filled my tanks( took 54 gallons-last filled here going to Laredo), and decided to watch a movie in the movie room. Took off for Forth Worth at 6:30 PM. Traveled up I-35 until I-35 split into I-35E and I-35W. Since this warehouse is in a small piece of Fort Worth off of Hwy 360 and Trinity Road, I can take either I-35 E or I-35 W. I decided to take I-35E this time. As my calender days ended, I found myself getting ready to leave a small truckstop/convenient store in Italy, Texas, a short distance north of the I-35E/I-35W split.

SECOND 5 YEARS: (dispatch/computer screwups...)
In my ten years of trucking, I very rarely had trouble with dispatch or the computers “screwing” me up. The screwups I liked were the ones that got me a lot of miles empty, which I got full pay for. One such screwup was the one that put me into the west end of Bainbridge, Georgia for a delivery I was rushed to make from West Memphis, Arkansas. I pushed it all night and legally got the load to the customer on time in the morning. They unloaded me and I called dispatch and was gaven another pickup. I told dispatch that I needed an eight hour sleep break before pickup. He then asked if I could just go pick the load up first as he only had me about 35 miles from the pick up site. I said OK and went bad to my tractor to make the logbook additions. What? My pickup was about 155 miles away by my calculations. I re-called dispatch to find they had me picking the load up in Thomasville(Georgia) instead of Thomaston(Georgia). They corrected the problem and I got my sleep before I went to Thomaston, Georgia for my load of toilet seats. I was loaded after dark when I got there.