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.