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Decided to stay home until after New Year's. The boards aren't moving that well, so even if I got a load from here I would most likely sit for a couple of days waiting for the next load. It's much more comfortable here and I'm not burning diesel to stay warm.

Christmas was great and sad at the same time. First one without my father-in-law. Don't have any plans for New Year's and since we are supposed to get a couple of inches of snow on New Year's Eve, I'm glad we didn't make any.

Started getting the truck ready to roll yesterday afternoon, and the laundry is working it's way through right now.

I plan to get back on the board on the 2nd, but may not get a load right away. We'll see how it goes.

Happy New Year to all!!!!!

WI-IL-OH

Arrived in Plattesville, WI at 0100 Friday morning. Load wasn't ready so I backed up to the door and waited. Finally got loaded and left at 0210.

Trip took longer than it should have due to the dense fog. Visibility was only about 50 yards. The pavement was about the same color as the fog, so it made for an interesting drive. Took 61 through Dubuque and Davenport IA and then to 80 and finally 74 into Peoria. There was hardly anyone on 61 so it made for a lonely drive. Kept waiting for a deer or other critter to materialize out of the fog, but apparently they had the good sense to stay away thank goodness.

Dropped in Peoria at 0610 and headed for a truckstop in Bloomington, IL for some eats and sack. Dispatch woke me up at 1000 with a load from Chicago to Willard, OH. Pick up was 1300.

Arrived in Chicago at 1302. It was a cartage company and they had not found the skid I needed. Sat there for 2 and 1/2 hours before they found it. Left at 1540.

Drive to Willard was uneventful with the exception of all the holiday traffic. Dropped at 2155 and headed home from there. Arrived home at 0100 Saturday morning. Advised dispatch that I would be down for the holiday.

Haven't decided yet whether to go back in service Wednesday or wait until after New Year's. I'll watch the board and see what happens.

OH-OH-IL-WI-IL

Well, things picked up. Got a load yesterday morning from Dayton,OH to Toledo, OH. No sooner dropped that when dispatch called with another load from Wadsworth, OH to Loves Park, IL. I didn't have to be in Loves Park until 0930 this morning so I picked the load up at 1830 and drove to one of the travel plazas on the Ohio Turnpike, ate and slept until 0100. Left the plaza at 0200 and arrived in Loves Park at 0830 even after playing around with the Chicago traffic.

Went to a truckstop just south of the WI border to eat and sleep. Dispatch called with a load from Plattesville, WI that picks up at 0100 tomorrow going to CAT in Peoria, IL. Will leave here about 2300 to make the pick up.

Since things are winding down and I doubt that I will get a load out of Peoria, I'll most likely deadhead home for the holidays from there.

Sit, Sit, and Sit Somemore

Still no load. Only one van got a load today. My other truck was idle as well. Looks like the Christmas slows are upon us.

What we have to be careful about now is as we get closer to Christmas is not to take a load that is far from home like Texas or New England. It will be hard to get a load back, and what money is made will be cut by the deadhead home.

Not much else going on, just waiting. At least it warmed up around here so I don't have to run the inside heaters on the truck so the water won't freeze.

Sitting and waiting for a load is probably the worst part of expedite freight.

Electricity 101

No load today, but it wasn't dispatch's fault. The culprit was the outside Christmas lights.

Wife put them up Sunday, plugs them into the outlet in the garage. No problem, right? Wrong.

I was up this morning when she yelled that she heard a couple of "pops" and now her curling iron won't work. Went downstairs into the basement and sure enough the circuit breaker was tripped. Thing was I could have sworn I saw a wisp of smoke. Tried to reset the breaker. Bad move. Huge spark, LARGE wisp of smoke. Great, I thought, a wire fried somewhere. I go into the garage to get some tools and on my way back in I notice that the garage door opener buttons are dark. Sure enough, garage doors have no power, but the overhead light works. WTF. Went out to the truck, it's heaters aren't running either. Back to the breaker box. Yep, only one breaker tripped. Up to the bathroom. Pulled the GCI outlet and yep, power wire and wire nut completely melted, plug reset switch had fused. It's the original and the house is 30 years old, so I suppose it was due. I'm standing there trying to figure out what the upstairs bathroom has in common with the garage.

First, call dispatch and have them put me on an 8 hour break. Second, repair the damaged wiring and replace the GCI plug. Third, see what works. Everything back on. Breaker and GCI plug trip. Whomever wired this house is an idiot.

Believe it or not, this circuit has three outlets in the garage and the one outlet in the upstairs bathroom on it. I unplug everything and reset the outlet and breaker. Then plug everything back in one by one. Garage doors, fine. Truck heaters, fine. Christmas lights, POP

Soooo, solution is easy. Don't run the truck heaters while the Christmas lights are on as together they draw too many amps for the circuit. Go back out into the garage to put tools away. Overhead light is out. NOW WHAT!!!!!!!!

Blown bulb. BAH HUMBUG

OH-IL-OH

Started Thursday at #4 on the board. Things got crazy from then on. I got up at 0630 to clean up, get the truck ready, and eat an unhurried breakfast.

Nothing happened until 1545 when dispatch called with a load offer from Perrysburg, OH to Lexington, NC. It was a good load, but a 14 to 15 hour drive given it was almost 200 miles to the pickup and 561 miles to the drop or 761 total miles. I asked if there was a break built into the load and was told no that it was direct. That meant I would have be up for almost 24 hours straight. I refused the load since I couldn't do it safely. She hangs up in a huff. When I checked the board a few minutes later, I noticed I had been put on 8 hour refusal. Now it gets dicey.

Since Friday is trash day around here, I gathered up the trash and took it out to the curb. A neighbor from across the street came over and we talked for 20 minutes or so before I went back into the house. I checked the QC message log to see what they had sent concerning the load I refused and found that they had sent TWO other load offers. One was a transfer and was doable and the other didn't pay enough. However, both had additional messages saying refused for no contact within 10 minutes. They knew that I wasn't in the truck where the QC is and they knew the truck wasn't running since the QC registers the ignition being on. Contacting them would serve no purpose as the loads were gone and all the calls are recorded. If you blow up at them they have a record of it. Funny thing was that I was no longer on 8 hour refusal, and was #1 on the board.

I figured there was no reason to cry over spilled milk and went to get some rest. Dispatch called at 0000 with a load from Bucyrus, OH to CAT in Peoria, IL. Pick up was at 0300 direct delivery. Ran the load and dropped at CAT at 1315.

Went to a truckstop in Bloomington, IL and had just laid down when they called with a load offer from Decatur, IL to Evansville, IN. ready now, direct delivery. Told them that I needed a couple of hours sleep first and she said she would put me on a 10 hour break and hung up before I could say anything. I sent a QC message saying that I didn't want to be on a 10 break that 2 would do. No response. Since a 10 break would keep me from getting any loads out of Peoria until Monday, I decided to get some sleep first and then head home and avoid the snow storm that was due to hit the area. Arrived home at 0045 this morning and am #2 on the board. Should get a load Monday provided the dispatchers have recovered from their brain disease.

The moral of this story is simple. Dispatchers sole purpose is to get a load covered. They do not concern themselves with how much sleep or food you've had. It is you're responsibility to determine if you can run a load safely. The dispatcher will not ask you anything about that. If you put your truck in a ditch because you fell asleep at the wheel, the first thing they will say is that if you could not run the load safely, you should have refused it. Their sometimes crappy attitude towards you is one of those job benefits that you don't have to pay for.

WI-OH

Dispatch called yesterday at 0945 with a load from Milwaukee to Sunbury, OH. Didn't pick up until 1300, so I spent some time trip planning trying to find a good way around Chicago. Couldn't really find a way that didn't add too much mileage to the route. I wish now that I would have taken it hang the additional mileage.

Picture a 6 lane highway. That's I 94 going into IL. Just after you cross the IL line on 94 there is a toll booth. Three lanes are for I Zoom, the automated toll system and three lanes are for cash payment. Just after the toll booth, construction workers had closed all but one lane of 94. So, three lanes of I Zoom vehicles coming from the left and three lanes of vehicles that paid cash coming from the right are all trying to shrink into that one lane. It took over an hour to travel one mile. What are the cw's doing?? Drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, and waving at traffic. They are so lucky that someone didn't blow their heads off.

Finally delivered at Showa at 2130. All I had was a 9lb box of springs. When I got to Showa, I was looking around for the receiving dock because it wasn't marked. I hear this strange horn and look in my left mirror to see a fork lift chasing me. Turns out that they were looking for me since these little springs were HOT, HOT,HOT. I wasn't scheduled to be there until 2330, and this guy acted like it was Christmas and I was Santa bringing his toys. So, he signed for the box right there in the parking lot and took off on his fork lift. I still don't know where receiving is though.

Since Sunbury is only about 15 miles north of the house, I came home arriving about 2200. Wife has a bad cold, so I waved to her and got mobbed by the pups. Currently sitting #4 on the Columbus board.

OH-MI-WI

I was standing in the Tri-State building when dispatch called with a load offer at 1045. I didn't expect one so soon since I was #3 on the board. Turns out that the other two ahead of me didn't want the load due to the bad weather. Why are they doing this then????

Deadheaded from Millbury, OH to Belleville, MI to pick up at 1300. Load was 128 engine fuel lines going to Bombadier in Sturtevant, WI for their snowmobile engines. They didn't expect me to get there until 2300, but I dropped it at 1945. I didn't even have any trouble going through Chicago on I 94. Cold and snowy up here, but didn't have any major problems. 94 was closed near Battle Creek due to a tanker that overturned and the reroute slowed me down quite a bit. You just have to be careful and be aware of what goes on around you.

To TT: Not everyone uses the FAST program. You can get into Canada using a passport or birth certificate but it takes quite a bit longer. Since the FAST program has express lanes at the ports of entry and the info they need is encoded on the card you're issued, it speeds everything up. It's actually harder to get back into the US than it is to get into Canada. Glad you like the blog and let me know if you have any other questions.

OH-MI-OH

Dispatch called with a load offer from Sidney, OH to Taylor, MI. Not a huge paying load, but something is better than nothing. It was 1145 and #1 and #2 turned it down. Turns out it was a good decision since #2 is still sitting in Columbus.


P/U was at 1600 so I had gobs of time. Pulled into the shippers lot at 1545 just as they were opening the door and bringing the pallet out. Timing is everything. Had to hang around for 20 minutes waiting for faxed paperwork though.


Ran into some fog and drizzle south of Toledo on I 75 on my way north. The temp was hovering around freezing so everyone was backing it down in case the bridges froze. I should say that when I say "everyone" I mean all the trucks. The cars were doing their normal 70 and above oblivious to the danger. STUPID.


Ran out of the mess just south of the MI/OH line. Made the drop at 1915 and the consignee was opening his door just as I backed in. Timing is everything. Did I say that before???


Decided to run back down to Tri-State's yard in Millbury, OH rather than sit in Detroit since it's a slow board. Besides, I want to try and get a face to face with the people that have not answered my e-mails and phone messages regarding Canadian shipments. I've received provisional approval for my FAST card from the Canadian Customs people and I need to find out from T/S what port of entry they use the most so I can schedule an interview. As I understand it, the Canadian officials will talk to me, fingerprint me, and take my picture. All of this goes on a credit card type of deal that take the place of a passport or birth certificate. I will also be able to use the fast lanes to enter Canada and return to the US with this card.

Currently #3 on the Toledo board, so I hope I'll have time to talk to everyone I need to. More on that tomorrow.

Truck Ready, I'm Ready, Freight Ready????

Truck started normally Sunday and it was WET around here. Tugged on the repaired wiring harness and got no reaction from the engine. Sent a Mac 9 over the QC to put myself back in service. Currently #3 on the board.

If the articles I've read hold true, expedite freight will be soft for the rest of the month. Don't know how they decide on how freight will be, but we'll see how accurate they are.

Truck Fixed - Ready to Roll

Wasn't a fuel problem after all. The trouble code set in the computer was a loss of buss data. Translated that means that the various computer modules were not talking to the central computer. That's a basic description.

The central computer is located under the dash. The various modules, (ABS, Airbags, Instrument Cluster, et al) are located under the driver's seat. The computer, modules, and various sensors on the engine are connected by two wires called the PCI Buss. One wire is 2.5 Volt positive and the other wire is 2.5 Volt negative. The voltage pulses constantly. This is how the central computer "talks" to the modules. Each sensor is connected to its respective module by individual wires. The sensors function at a voltage rate of .5 volts. If there is a problem the voltage of a sensor will increase or decrease. This variance is picked up by the module which in turn increases or decreases the PCI buss voltage to the central computer and it will test the voltage of the sensors governed by that module. Whatever sensor does not have the proper voltage will be located and a code is set. The computer does not know what the problem is, only that the sensor voltage is outside of the voltage range indicated in the computers programming.

Since I had a total loss of communication, I knew that the problem was with the buss wires themselves, or at least it was the place to start. I also knew that I was most likely looking for a chafed wire where the insulation had been worn through by something.

First order of business was to locate the main wiring harness connectors on the engine. Schematics told me there were two. One attached to the cylinder head and the other behind the battery. Next, with the engine running you perform a very difficult procedure, you gently tug on the harness to see if there is a reaction.
When I tugged on the harness behind the battery, the engine died. BINGO.

Sure enough, the positive PCI buss wire insulation had been chafed through exposing the wire and it would touch the retaining clamp grounding it out. The clamp was missing its rubber lining that was supposed to protect the harness. A factory mistake. I disconnected the battery to prevent any voltage spikes during the repair, and disconnected the harness connector. I repaired the wire, retaped the harness, and lined the clamp with piece of rubber hose. Reconnected everything and started the engine. Tugged on the harness again and did not get any reaction as the engine continued to run normally. FIXED. I'm letting the truck sit overnight to see if there is any further reaction to water as it is raining here since it was water that collected on the bare metal of the clamp that grounded the positive wire that started all this in the first place.

Now, anyone reading this should know that I spent 25 years working on electrical systems of cars, trucks, buses and such, so as they say "don't try this at home". You could damage the central computer or one or all the modules. You don't even want to know what that could cost to repair.

Anyway, if the engine starts and runs without any problems today, I'll be satisfied that the problem is repaired and go back in service.

OH-MN Almost

Got all the laundry done, restocked the truck, and was ready to roll by the end of my 8 hour break at 2300 Wednesday night. Dispatch called at 0545 Thursday with a load offer from Bucyrus, OH to Detroit, MI. Turned that one down as it did not pay well enough. Went back to sleep and got up about 0700.

Dispatch called again at 1045 with a load offer from Sydney, OH to Faribault, MN which is south of Minneapolis. Paid over $700 to the truck. Jumped all over that load. Went out and started the truck to let it warm up while I made some coffee and got ready. Went out into the garage staging the items I load into the truck last like my laptop, duffel bags, and etc. Noticed that I didn't hear the truck running. Opened the garage door and sure enough it wasn't running. Tried to start it and it started and the check engine light came on and the computer shut it down. It wouldn't restart.

Did some quick diagnostics and confirmed that it was not getting fuel to the engine. Given that it was around 5 degrees the night before, I figured I had a icing problem or the fuel gelled. I went into the sleeper to see if the Buster would start. It started fine, so that eliminated the gel problem as well as any problem with the fuel pump. I had run out of time and had to notify dispatch that I had a breakdown, so they had to repower the load.

Went back out and turned on the pre-heater and let it run for 30 minutes to bring the coolant up to operating temp. You don't normally have to do this prior to starting the engine as it is equipped with glow plugs. After 30 minutes, the engine fired and remained running. Bear in mind that the sun was out and the temp had risen to about 25 degrees. With the engine now warm, whatever was frozen had thawed, but would most likely reoccur.

I suspect that there is water in the fuel filter. Just enough to freeze and restrict the fuel, but not enough to set the water in fuel sensor off. The engine computer will shut the engine down and set a hard code if it does not read the proper fuel pressure level in the data stream. So now, I get to make a trip over to the dealer today and have the fuel filter changed, and a diagnostic run to identify and eliminate any other problems.

This is frustrating but it's just part of trucking. Even though the truck has been properly maintained, you can't prevent picking up water in diesel fuel and it will stop you in your tracks like it did here. If there is a bright side, it happened in my driveway and not in the middle of nowhere and it doesn't need to be towed.

To Gary B: Thanks for your comment. Let's hear from all you other readers as well.

IN-OH-HOME

Dispatch called at 0800 with a load to Chillicothe, OH. Two Allison transmissions for Kenworth.

The snow that fell last night wasn't deep, but with all the traffic accidents on I465, it took me 45 minutes to get to the shipper. 23 miles.

Took another hour and a half to get to I70 as careless drivers continued to have a meeting of the minds on 465. 35 miles.

I70 was clear but icy in spots and full of big rigs that had gotten jammed up coming through Indy. The wind was blowing us all over, so it made for interesting passing. Left shipper at 0900, arrived Kenworth at 1430 ON TIME. Stopped only once for fuel, coffee, and restroom.

Left Kenworth at 1500 and told dispatch to put me on an 8 hour break since I was listed as #1 on the Columbus board. Allowed me time to stop here at home to do some laundry and restock the truck. Not to mention seeing the better half and the pups. I expect to get out early in the morning since Columbus seems to be busy right now. I actually hope that I don't get out until after the morning rush hour as it's dropped into the teens here and black ice will be a problem.

IL-IN

When I went to bed last night I was #5 on the Chicago board shown by the QC to be in Henpeck, IL. This morning when I got up and checked my postition, I was listed as #2 on the Rockford board. I looked outside to see if the truck has decided to go farther west when I wasn't looking. Nope, still at the truckstop I was at last night.

I queried dispatch over the QC what the deal was. Answer: You're on the Rockford board. I pointed out that I was told the location was on the Chicago board. Answer: You're on the Rockford board.

OK, moving on. I spent the next hour or so checking other boards and watching their activity. At 1000, I decided to move. I asked dispatch where I should go to see what they would say and if they would pay bonus mileage. Answer: Stay where you are for now. Sorry, I'm on my way to Indy.

Arrived in the Indy area at 1630 and was #3 on the board. I had no sooner finished dinner than I noticed that the #1 van had gotten a load. (He was parked next to me) So now, I'm #2

I checked the Rockford and Chicago boards and I wouldn't have moved in Rockford, and would have only moved two spots in Chicago. Add to that there is a snow advisory out for that area to the tune of 5 to 7 inches. I made the right decision to move.

My other truck was still #2 in St. Louis, but managed to get a good load to Temple, TX. His luck came back, but with the way mine runs I'll get a load to Rockford in the morning.

To Bruce: Thanks for the comments. Glad you like the blog. Don't know where you are, but if you look out your office window tomorrow morning and it's white, think twice about getting back into trucking. Think twice anyway. Even though I'm an Owner Operator, I'm still at the mercy of dispatchers and the quirks of slow freight periods.

If there are any other readers out there, make some comments and ask any questions you have about life over the road. I always give straight answers.

IL-IL

Left at 0600 to run the load into Peoria. No problems as the wind had died down quite a bit, just cold. Delivered on time and showed available at 0845. #5 on the Peoria board.

Ran over to a Pilot in Bloomington, IL so I could drop off my paperwork in the TriPak box to get the load on this week's check. Stopped on the way at a MickeyD's for a big breakfast. Laid down about 1000 for a few hours sleep.

Got up at 1330 and at 1400 I was still #5 on the board. Was just about to ask dispatch to bonus me somwhere when they called with a load offer. It was a crappy little load from the CAT plant in Peoria to Addison, IL., only 141 paid miles. Since they were offering it to me, I knew the 4 vans ahead of me had turned it down. I figured it was better than sitting there or deadheading somewhere else, so I took it. Made the pick up and delivery with no problems and showed available at 1945.

Made the same decision and ran over to a truckstop in Henpeck, IL to drop my paperwork off. I was pleased to see that it will be picked up at 1100 tomorrow, so it might make this week's check also.

Had dinner, and checked the boards. I am #5 on the Chicago board which is normally a decent spot but the #1 van has been here since Friday. I checked the surrounding boards and they are all in the same shape. Vans backing up for lack of freight. The 4 vans that were ahead of me in Peoria are still there so I guess I made the right decision by taking that load crappy or not. Oddly enough, the hottest board right now is Columbus. When I was home last week, it took until Thursday to get a load. Now, the #1 van has only been there a few hours. That's how my luck runs.

My other truck didn't get a load today, so it looks like we are entering the SLOW period. Will probably ask to be moved somewhere in the morning, or I'll move myself. I hate Chicago, and they are calling for 2 to 4 inches of that white stuff tomorrow night. Time to get out of Dodge and head south.

MO-IL

Left Hayti, MO at about 1000 this morning. GPS said it was a 4 hour drive at average speed, 302 total miles. It was 55 when I left, winds were calm, cloudy but dry. That didn't last.

Before I left, I went in to the truckstop to get some coffee in my new Official Pilot Travel Center Thermos. It holds 44 ounces of whatever liquid you prefer. I prefer COFFEE. I'm fond of their house blend. Anyway, I paid $7.99 for the thermos when I was out last and this is the first time I've used it. So, I fill it up to the brim with the juice of life and went to pay for it. The cashier looks at me and I said it's full of coffee. She says: "That will be $1.50". Now I've stopped at many a Pilot over the last year and I always bought the smallest cup. The price ranged from $1.09 to $1.39 for a 16 oz. cup. I asked her why so cheap and she said that it's part of Pilot's deal. Fill their thermos with their coffee and you get it at the one cup price. Merry Christmas to me.

Now back to the trip. Had no problems for 250 miles or so went through a few rain showers but no big deal. I took the outerbelt around St.Louis and swung north on I55. When I got onto 55 I noticed a HUGE black cloud in front of me. It wasn't but a few minutes and it began to pour, but only lasted for a few miles and slowed to a steady rain. I was thinking that boy I'm glad that didn't last when I noticed the semi in front of me suddenly lurch to the right. I was planning my move in case he had swerved to miss something when it hit me broadside. WIND. We're not talking a mild breeze, we're talking gale force. It moved me clear into the berm and I've got over a 1000 lbs. in the back. I was doing 68 MPH and had to slow down to around 60 to keep the truck on the road. I had the steering wheel turned to the left slightly to keep straight on the road. This lasted the rest of the way with the only respite being when I went through Springfield. Oh, the temp dropped from 53 to 35 in 20 minutes.

I made it to the truckstop in Williamsville around 1500 and the wind is rocking me back and forth as I write this. I have the Buster running and my space heater is on the floor keeping my feet warm. Hopefully, the storm will blow through without dropping any of that white stuff.

To Kimzoid: Thanks for your positive comments. I'm glad you like the blog and my tribute to Dad. He was actually my wife's father, but we got along like father and son as we were a lot alike. My father passed in 1986. I understand when you say that you miss trucking, but the wanderlust that drives me can be a hard mistress at times. Being away from family and friends this time of year is tough. That's one reason I started this blog. It helps pass the time in this 60" sleeper that will rock me to sleep tonight. Merry Christmas to you and your family, and keep commenting when you have the time.

MO

I decided to stay here in MO for tonight since I am only 360 miles from Peoria and I would have to stay for two nights there anyway.

Turns out that was a good decision as there was an ice storm north of here in IL right along I55 so I would have run right into it before I got to the truckstop. It was 60 and sunny here today. What a difference a few miles make.

MS-TN-MO

Sat at the truckstop in MS all day figuring that I was stuck there for the weekend when dispatch called at 1800 with a load from Ripley, TN to Peoria, IL for Monday delivery.

Picked up in Ripley at 2030 and drove to a truckstop in MO for the night. Will drive some tomorrow and some Sunday to get close to the drop.

Sure beats sitting in one spot for three days.

OH-TN-MS

Finally got a load. Dispatch called at 0545 Thursday morning with a load going from Bucyrus, OH to Memphis, TN. I was beginning to think that I was going to be home for another weekend.

Picked up at 0830 and left at 0900. Even though it was listed as a direct load, the drop time was 2359. I didn't hurry and dropped at 2115.

Had my choice of truckstops to go to. Two Pilots and two Flying J's. I prefer the J's since they have large parking lots and I can park away from other vehicles and run the Idlebuster without disturbing anyone's sleep. Not that it makes a difference since I will not freeze for anyone, but I try to be considerate as much as possible.

It was somewhat odd about the truckstops though. The two Pilots were a block apart, and one J was in Arkansas and the other in Mississippi. Memphis sits right in the corner of TN, so 5 miles west and you're in Arkansas and 5 miles south and you're in Mississippi. I picked the J in MS since it was closer. It was a good choice since it's a nice newer one. Both are still considered to be on the Memphis board. Go figure.

I'm #3 on the Memphis board and since I've never been on it before I don't know how it moves. Hopefully, I don't have to spend the weekend here.

Chores Page 2

Well, the carpet is in the middle bedroom and the Rumble Bee is in the garage.

Now all I have to do is get the truck ready to roll Monday, and complete my laundry. I don't know why I always wait until the last day at home to do the wash. I suppose it's a man thing or maybe it has to do with the fact that I live out of a suitcase. Sounds like something a think tank should ponder over and supply an answer to.

Me, I'll just put the next load in the washer and go to bed. Simple.

Chores at Home

Freight is pretty slow right now with the holiday and all, so I decided to stay home until Monday and take care of some projects I've been putting off.

Going to replace the carpet in one of the bedrooms today, and clean out one side of the garage so I can get my Dodge Ram Rumble Bee in so it won't sit out in the winter weather. May take more than one day to do all of this, but we'll see.

Will be getting the truck ready to roll as well, doing some laundry and such. Plan to leave the first of the week when a load comes up and staying out until just before Christmas if the freight holds. Would like to have a strong December so we can start the new year on a roll.

Second truck is doing great and I hope to increase my trucks income now that the family situations that kept me home recently have been pretty much cleared up. Plus, I just need to get out of here. I need some solitude to get into the Christmas spirit, and the road has been calling.

Measure of a Man

Sunday we held the memorial service for my father-in-law. The church was packed. The number of people that came to pay their respects on this cold gray afternoon was surprising to us.

During the portion of the service where people were given time to make a comment or tell a story about him progressed, a common thread began to emerge of how this quiet yet forceful, compassionate yet firm, man had affected their lives. Some stories were funny others inspiring. His life affected so many others, some he had never met face to face. That is the measure of a man.

This man, a product of our greatest generation, tested by the depression, forged in the furnace that was WWII, lived his life with dignity and honor. His life was described best by the pastor of the church when he said: "He never complained about the ups and downs of life, even as he neared the end. He just lived it." That is the measure of a man.

After the service we went to a nearby private lake that was his favorite fishing hole to spread his ashes in the lake. We thanked the owner of the lake for allowing us to fulfill Dad's last wish. He said "No, thank you for the honor of having him with us." That is the measure of a man.

Good-bye Dad. You are no longer with us on the physical plane, but you will live on in our hearts and in the hearts of so many others. We love you always. That is the measure of a man.

To Jim in Toronto. I appreciated your comment and glad you like the blog. I wish more readers would take the time to comment as you did. I started this blog so those interested could track the life of an OTR truck driver and to wile away some of the lonely hours spent on that road. It's nice to know it's being read.

PA-PA-PA

Dispatch is keeping me busy while keeping me close to home. Picked up a load in Apollo, PA on Weds. going to Shawville, PA. Odd part about this one was that the driver of my other truck got a load from OH to the same consignee in Shawville. We met up at Sapp's in Clearfield, PA and had dinner. I crashed early as I had a 0730 pick up today in Johnstown,PA going right back to the same plant in Shawville. Dropped that load at 1014, and went 25 yards to pick up the next load going to Export, PA. Dropped that load at 1338 and went back to the J in Smithton, PA, exactly where I was Tues. night only three parking spaces east.

I'm #1 on the Pittsburg board right now, so hopefully dispatch will find an OH load tomorrow. They will pass me up for any other loads since they know I need to get home.

Either way, I'll be glad to get out of PA. This is a dirty area and the truck is covered in muck from dirt on the roads being thrown up from the wet roads. I went through snow, ice, and rain this afternoon since I've been going up and down the same mountains for two days. If I have to go onto Route 119 again, I'm going to puke.

NY-OH-PA

Got bonused to Cleveland,OH after sitting all weekend in Buffalo, NY. Got a load from Wooster,OH to the Kenworth plant in Chillicothe since I had to get home due to the death of my father-in-law.

Went back in service this past Sunday and sat #3 on the board until this morning when a load that was too big for a standard van came up. Picked up at 1200 in Groveport, OH and dropped at 1555 in Coraopolis, PA. Actually picked up from and delivered to another expediters dock. They couldn't do it fast enough to meet someone coming down from Canada to inspect the freight.

Hopefully, I can get a couple of good loads in before I have to get back home for the memorial service. Don't know if I'll come back out the following week since it's Thanksgiving and three days doesn't leave a lot of time to run very far.

Still NY

Still sitting in Buffalo as I figured I would be. Don't know how active this board is, but I'm #1. Will sit here until 1500 and if nothing happens I'm going to head to the Cleveland board as it is the closest active board.

My father-in-law passed away last night around 2100, so I'll be going home for the weekend and hopefully I can get some runs in Ohio or the surrounding states until then.

I actually have to be home the next three weekends when you include Thanksgiving, so we'll see how T/S is in keeping me busy when I limit the travel distance to the surrounding states.

OH-GA-VA-NY-Almost MI

Sitting on the Cleveland board when dispatch called at 1300 with a load from Valley View, OH to Smyrna, GA. with a p/u tim e of 1500. Load was direct and consisted of three lawn mowers and a tiller. That grass must really need cut in GA. Drove all night and arrived at o600. Consignee didn't open until 0800. So much for the rush in getting it there. Unloaded and went to a nearby truck stop to sleep number #3 on the Atlanta board.

Dispatch calls at 1500 with a load from Atlanta to Roanoke, VA a transfer shipment with the ultimate destination being Wall, NJ. It was another direct load and the transfer driver was already in Roanoke. Load was five links of elevator chain weighing 1200 lbs. Drove all night again arriving at the Overnite terminal in Roanoke at 0230. Transfer was made and I headed off to the truck stop in Roanoke, #5 on the board. Didn't think I'd get out that day.

Having a Sprinter got me another load ahead of the other vans on the board. Picking up at 1800 in Altavista, VA going to Auburn, NY. I was enroute to the shipper when dispatch called saying that a line went down and the shipment wouldn't be ready until 2100. Found a Wal Mart and picked up some supplies and sat in their parking lot until time to leave. Arrived at the shipper at 2100 only to be told that it would be another hour before the load was ready. Finally got loaded and left at 2200.

It was a direct load so I drove all night (is there a pattern here???) and arrived in Auburn at 0851. Unloaded and went to a real nice truck stop off of I90. #2 on the Syracuse board. Now it gets dicey.

I had a real nice parking spot away from everything, buster was running to keep me warm, and I was just getting ready to fix dinner when dispatch called at 1930. They had a load from Elma, NY (103 miles away) to Auburn Hills, MI. There were no other vans in the area and I had moved up to #1 on the board. P/U time was 2200.

Packed up and jumped on the horse. Arrived at shipper at 2205 despite customer service sending QC messages saying I was 40 minutes behind schedule. Shipping clerk tells me that another T/S driver had already picked the shipment up. Needless to say, I wasn't a happy person when I called dispatch. They knew nothing about it, and the clerk confirmed that it was picked up. Apparently, dispatch had orders for TWO shipments from this shipper, when in fact there was only one. The other driver grabbed it and took off without contacting dispatch like he was supposed to, or at least it looks that way. I was told to submit a request for a dry run. That I won't take lying down. I sent a message to the Fleet Coordinator asking him to check the QC and phone logs to see what happened. If the other driver didn't contact dispatch, he violated protocol and in my opinion shouldn't be paid for the load. If dispatch screwed up, I should have been notified prior to going into the shipper's location, and there should be more compensation other than the dry run charge.

So here I sit in a crowded truck stop outside of Buffalo, NY for what appears to be for the weekend. I am certainly going to enjoy blowing stuff up on my Playstation.

PA-OH

I was right. No loads from the Danville, PA board. Waited until after 1500 to check with dispatch and they came back with a bonus offer to the Cleveland board. I had been watching the boards and Cleveland or Akron were the two that I figured would be offered as bonus.

The way this works is that 1200 to 1500 is prime time for loads. If you do not have a load offer before 1500, chances are you aren't going to get one. If I had left Danville for Cleveland prior to 1500, I would have lost the chance for a Danville load and wouldn't be available for a Cleveland load since I would not have arrived there before 1500.

I pulled out of Danville at 1630 and arrived at a travel plaza on the Ohio turnpike at 2130 putting me #2 on the Cleveland board. I beat the #3 van by 3 minutes. Cleveland is an active board, so I will most likely get a load today.

My second truck was #1 on the Columbia, MO board at 0900 yesterday. Columbia is a slow board so he moved 20 miles to put himself on the Peoria, IL board. Peoria is active. He was #3 at 1100 and got a load to Sumter, SC paying over $800 to the truck.

It's all in knowing how to play the game and budget your time and try and end up where the loads are. The bonus pay for my deadhead was enough to pay for the fuel to Cleveland, so yesterday wasn't a total loss plus I got to see my daughter for the weekend. Priceless.

NJ-PA

No loads showed up in Allentown or points east Friday afternoon, so headed off for my daughter's place in Danville, PA Saturday morning to spend the weekend with her.

Had a real good time just visiting. She wanted me to help her find a 4X4 truck since she now lives in the mountains. Found a real good '05 Dodge Dakota at a really low price, or it seemed that way to me. Trucks are priced lower here than at home, so that was the reason.

We hit the Wally World in Bloomsburg to get some supplies and I found a couple of shirts dirt cheap and a pair of slippers to keep my feet from freezing in the truck.

There was a hard freeze in Bloomsburg last night, so when I run the 'Buster it will be on the heat side from now on. Don't see any prospects of running it on A/C for the rest of the year unless I get a load south. Of course, with the time change next weekend I doubt that points south will be that much warmer.

Waiting for a load at a truck stop in Mifflinville, PA since I couldn't park the truck at my daughters house because the street was too narrow and the trees too low. It sit at her clinic over the weekend instead. Don't know if I'll get out from here today since I don't know the freight activity on this board. I'll probably end up deadheading this afternoon to a busier board.

OH-MI-PA-NJ

Things didn't go as planned from my last entry, but that's life. Went back in service Monday the 22nd. No loads available on Monday, and I thought Tuesday was going to be the same when dispatch called at 2200. Load from Bucyrus, OH to Detroit, MI. I was surprised since they had never called that late before. Delivery time in Detroit was 0600 on Wednesday so I had plenty of time.

Dropped in Detroit and went to a nearby truck stop to eat and sleep. Woke up about 1300 and waited for a load offer. Nothing happened into the early evening so I planned on spending the night where I was. Was preparing dinner when dispatch calls with a load. Toledo, OH to Macungie, PA. Since I was #2 on the Detroit board and the Toledo board had 4 vans on it, I was surprised at the offer. I jumped on it nonetheless. Turned out that the shipper had specified a Sprinter and I was the only one in the area. Another plus for buying one. Load was three pallets, and two boxes. It would not have fit in a standard van. They had to turn the last pallet sideways to get it in. Pick up was 2100 deliver direct to Macungie. 42 miles from the pick, 533 miles to drop.

Arrived at Mack Trucks plant in Macungie at 0709. Another TS van was there just finishing his drop. Checked in with receiving and the clerk started making a stink about the last pallet being sideways. Said he wasn't going to accept the shipment since he couldn't unload it. I told him that all he had to do was get the tips of the forklifts forks on the pallet, raise it up enough to allow me to put my 2X6 boards under it and then the forks would go all the way under the pallet. He said that it couldn't be done and walked away. I called dispatch and informed them of the situation and they said they would call Mack.

Several minutes later, a man comes out and starts taking pictures of the load and he started asking me questions about the Sprinter. We talked for awhile and he asked me if I had any suggestions on how to get the pallet off. I told him what I told the clerk and he had a forklift driver come over and do what I had said. Worked perfectly and the pallet came off. Put my chain on the other two pallets so the forklift could drag them to the back of the truck and they came off. Took all of five minutes after waiting over an hour. Never did see the clerk again. The forklift driver apologized for the delay and I said it wasn't his fault that the clerk didn't know what he was doing.

Went from Macungie to Bloomsbury, NJ since it was the closest truck stop to eat and sleep. Am #2 on the Allentown, PA board now after starting at #3. Didn't get a load today, but my other truck got one from WI to Chicago. We'll see how tomorrow goes and if the weekend will be spent in this or another truckstop.

IN-WI-IL-WI-OH

Started to post last Thursday while I was sitting in Green Bay, WI. but got a phone call from my daughter saying that my mom was undergoing emergency surgery that Friday, so I dropped everything and took off for home. Took me a little over 8 hours to get there. 660 odometer miles. I was kinda moving when you consider I had to go through Chicago. Anyway, everthing turned out fine, and I hope to get out of here tomorrow.

To bring things up to date, I got a load from Indianapolis to Kohler, WI Monday morning. It was direct so I delivered it around 2000 that evening. Before I even reached Kohler, I got another load offer going from New Holstein, WI to the CAT plant in Peoria, IL. That one picked up at o700 Tuesday and was also direct. Dropped it at 1300 Tuesday afternoon.

Yet another load offer came accross the QC about 10 minutes after I dropped at CAT. This was from Straeter, IL to Kewaunee, WI. Another nuke plant. It picked up at 1300 on Wednesday and was again a direct delivery. I was starting to feel like a yo-yo going back and forth to WI.

I drove about 60 miles north of Peoria to the truck stop in LaSalle, IL, about 13 miles from my pick up in Straeter, to spend the night. I bumped into the Tri-State Road Patrol at the truck stop. Turns out he was looking for me since the truck's quarterly inspection was due. He completed the inspection, I replenished my supplies of bills of lading and trip-pak envelopes and we went into hit the buffet.

We were sitting there eating and dispatch called wanting me to go pick up a load back down in Peoria and take it to the CAT plant in Joliet, IL. turned that one down. Finished dinner and went to the truck. Now that it's getting cooler, it actually pleasant to sleep with the truck buttoned up. After chilling out watching some tv and blowing stuff on my playstation, I went to bed.

Picked up the load in Straeter and took off for WI. Arrived at the nuke plant at 1900. At least this one looked like a nuke plant. They weren't going to let me in at first since someone was supposed to call them telling them I was coming and didn't. Took about 20 minutes to straighten everything out, I dropped the load and headed for a truck stop near Green Bay, WI.

So now things are up to date and like I said earlier, I hope to get out tomorrow.

OH - IN AGAIN

Second truck completed orientation and is now running. Presently in VA after delivering a load from Lima, OH.

I lost another few days due to paperwork related to the second truck. Finally got a load from Grove City, OH to Indianapolis late Thursday. Had a delivery time of 0700 Friday, so I slept at home and left at 0300 Friday morning.

Dropped the load and am at a truck stop near Indy. I was #5 on the board when I arrived, but moved up to #1 late in the day. Will most likely not get a load until Monday now, but it would not pay me to go home since I would be #4 on my home board.

Sure am glad I brought the Playstation with me this trip, and with the record heat, the Idlebuster is keeping me comfortable. It runs off the truck's fuel tank and after running it all day yesterday, there was no noticeable drop on the fuel gauge. Had I run the engine all day, I would have burned a quarter of a tank. It won't take long for 'Buster to pay for himself with fuel now over $3.00 a gallon.

Oreintation - Day One

Second Sprinter and driver are at Tri-State for day one of orientation. Confident in his ability to complete the class with no complications.

I will be going to Tri-State Tuesday or Wednesday depending on how long it take to complete the paperwork here. I have to be here to sign documents that are being overnighted so there will be no delays in getting the memo title and such.

After working on this since May, I'm ready to relax and just drive. Next project on the horizon is to make sure the trucks are ready to operate in winter weather.

Project Complete

Finally completed the project I've been working on. Bought another Sprinter and added it to my lease with Tri-State.

This one is a used 2005 that's set up exactly like mine complete with the Idlebuster. The truck and driver go up to oreintation on Monday. This is the second phase of my retirement plan. Two more trucks to go and I can sit in my recliner and watch them run.

VA-Almost OH-VA-PA

Almost got a load to Lima, OH, but it was cancelled a few minutes before I moved from Carmel Church. Had already done my route planning and filled out my paperwork. Oh well, that's how it goes.

The Lima load offer came at 1215. The next load offer came at 1500. Hampton, VA to Erie, PA direct. Hampton is 101 miles from Carmel Church so I got paid bonus miles for the deadhead. Arrived in Hampton at 1700 and it took the shipper 15 minutes to find the freight and decide that Erie wasn't in Canada. Don't ask.

Left Hampton at 1730 arrived in Erie at 0315. 653 odometer miles. Started to see a light show going on over Lake Erie about 40 miles south of Erie on 79. Big bolts of lightning that lit up the sky. Poured rain for about 20 minutes and stopped. Sort of anti-climatic actually. Now at a truck stop waiting for the next load.

I Goofed!!!!!

I made a mistake this morning that cost me a load. Usually dispatch calls when the Qualcomm is in quiet mode, but today they sent the load offer over the QC. It woke me up when it beeped, and when I read it I was half asleep. I mistook the pick up time to be 0700 9/25 when it was actually the delivery time. I refused it thinking that I didn't want to hang around here until 0700 the next morning. You can refuse a load that has a pick up time more than 10 hours from the time the load is offered without any penalty.

Imagine my surprise when a mac message comes across saying that I am on 8 hour delay for refusal of a legitimate load. I read the load offer again and realized my mistake. You have to list a reason you're refusing a load and I had listed the 10 hour rule so the dispatcher knew I was mistaken, but did not say anything about it. I called the dispatch supervisor and was told that it was not the dispatcher's job to point out my mistakes. Since all calls in and out are digitally recorded I said thank you very much and hung up. I didn't want a verbal explosion on tape. I did send a QC message back to the dispatcher saying "I wish you had told me I was making a mistake." Maybe it will make her feel guilty, but I doubt it.

Lessons learned:
1. Don't read messages while half asleep.
2. Dispatchers don't have your back.

Richmond for the Weekend

Still near Richmond, still #3 on the board. I expected to be here for the weekend so no big deal. It's not bad with the Idlebuster doing its job.

I don't really like sitting around inside the truck stop, so I spent the weekend watching DVD's and messing around on the computer.

I decided against going to the campground as they wanted $41 for one night. I could have gotten a motel room for that, and besides it's free to sit where I am.

I did order some A/V cables off of E-Bay for my Playstation so I can bring that along on the next trip and sit here and blow things up. Very relaxing stuff.

Hopefully, I'll get a load tomorrow as I'm well rested and ready to go.

IN-OH-OH-VA

Got a load from Indy to Chillicothe, OH early on 9/18. Went to the Kenworth plant. Two large transmissions bolted to a steel pallet 1800 lbs. total.

Went home from Chillicothe (50 Miles). Next load picked up at 09:00 on 9/20 in Springfield, OH going to Bluffton, OH. 1000 lbs of steel dies. Sat on the Lima board all day even though I was #5. Dispatch requested I stay since the 1 and 2 trucks only wanted to go north. Didn't know you could do that. I'll have to check that out. Did not get anything and was still #4 at the end of the day. Had I gone home like I wanted to, I would have gotten something as the Columbus board cleared out. Left Lima at 17:00 for home. Next time, I'll use my own judgement.

Was #3 on the Columbus board when I got home, and was #2 by morning. Next load came at 11:00 on 9/21 from Columbus to Mineral, VA. One 4 lb. box containing a printed circuit board for the North Anna nuke plant south of Mineral. It was a direct load, so they must have needed it quick.

Left Columbus at 12:15 arrived at the plant at 21:58. This place was out in the middle of nowhere. No large cooling towers, just two large ominous ball shaped structures with loads of rods sticking out the top. Both were off by themselves. It was actually pretty spooky in the dark. The truck was searched at the security gate from front to back. Even had to open the hood so they could look at the engine compartment. Drove back to receiving, and the guy came outside to the truck to get the box. Guess they really did need that circuit board!!!!

Left the plant and drove 27 miles of VA backroads to get to a truck stop in Carmel Church, VA where I am now. #3 on the Richmond board, so I'm probably stuck here for the weekend. Idlebuster's running and I'm cool in the 88 degree heat. May go to a campground that is 15 miles south for tomorrow and run the a/c on their electric rather than my diesel fuel.

Back at Whiteland

Back at the Flying J in Whiteland, IN. Been here quite a bit as I dropped another load in Columbus, IN.

Idlebuster running smoothly as we speak. I'm #1 on the Indy board, so I should get out early so I better hit the sack.

All Dressed Up - Nowhere to Go

Idlebuster is repaired and works like a champ. Chafed wire was repaired, coolant leak was due to factory overfill, and the fuel leak was a bad fitting that cracked.

Truck has fresh oil and filter. Fresh transmission fluid and filter. Food, water, and other essentials restocked, clothes laundered and packed. In short, ready to roll.

Now all I need is some freight.

Idlebuster

Well, the Idlebuster has been installed but problems have developed. First a pinched wire in the control box chafed through the insulation and created a dead short that would not allow the generator to start. A call to the installer pointed me to the fuse that was blowing, and I traced it back to the damaged wire. That being fixed, the generator started and ran perfectly. However, there is a coolant leak from the unit, and a small fuel leak in one of the connections that comes from the fuel tank through the roof of the truck. Since the unit was built in Florida, the coolant leak wasn't caught by the installer since it did not show up at the shop. It's possible that a hose connection vibrated loose on the trip home. The fuel leak is just a drip but it's in the cargo bay and the connector looks damaged by the installer.

So, back to Monroe I go on Monday to have the problems corrected. I am going to complain to the head office in FL to try and get back the day's lost revenue and the fuel it takes to make the trip.

OH-OH-IA-IL

Two load days continued. First load from Euclid, OH to Defiance, OH. So sooner pulled into the drop in Defiance, before they sent the next load offer: Van Wert, OH to Davenport, IA for a 06:00 drop Friday.

Couldn't pick up the Van Wert load until 19:30, so I stopped and grabbed a bite to eat. Arrived in Van Wert at 19:20. Drove as far as La Salle, IL before stopping to grab some sleep. Made the drop at o5:35 Friday in Davenport. Stopped for breakfast and went to the Flying J in Davenport to sleep.

Got the next load offer around 13:00. Dubuque, IA to Champaign, IL. Made the drop in Champaign at 20:35, drove to the Pilot in Covington, IN to eat and sleep.

Left at 05:00 Saturday morning and arrived home at 09:30. 6 loads in 4 days is not bad and I hate to go out of service when the freight is good but I didn't want to miss my daughter's visit. Also, the Idlebuster is being installed Thursday and I couldn't change it because they are flying someone up from the main office to supervise the install. Plus the truck needs serviced. I'll just have to hope the freight holds steady.

OH-MI-OH

Been lax in posting here. Recovered from the TSBFS, and went back in service last Sunday. No loads available until Tuesday.

First load was from Mt. Vernon, OH to Warren, MI. Picked up at 16:00 Tuesday for 06:00 Wednesday delivery. Made that drop and almost immediately got the second load from Plymouth, MI to Wooster, OH. Picked up at 09:30, delivered at 13:30. Two loads completed in less than 24 hours. Not bad. Wish every day was like that.

TSBFS

Made my drop at Frankfort as scheduled, went back to the Flying J in Waddy to wait for my next load. Didn't pass a McDonalds or Burger King on the way so I decided to get breakfast at the truck stop restaurant. Big Mistake.

Sat in Waddy until 14:00 and was still #3 on the Lexington board, so I asked to be moved. Fortunately for me they authorized a bonus move to Columbus,OH (Home). About halfway there I started feeling the effects of breakfast.

Made it home and for the rest of the day, I became best buddies with the commode. Diagnosis: TSBFS (Truck Stop Bad Food Syndrome) which will cost me a day or two of lost revenue.

Won't make that mistake again.

Whaddya mean I'm in Waddy???

Yep, I'm in a truck stop in Waddy, KY. right outside of Frankfort. How they came up with a name like that for a town I'll never know.

There are four Panther cargo vans and one Express 1 Sprinter here as well. The Express 1 driver said he's been here since Friday afternoon. One of the Panther drivers said he's been here for 5 days. I'd never stay in one place that long. Bottom line is that it doesn't look good for getting a load from around here.

May head home if I'm a high number on the Lexington board. I can do it with the fuel that's in the tank, and that's better use of it than to sit and idle to keep cool in the 90 degree heat.

We're not in Kansas Anymore Toto!!!

Picked up my load in Manhattan, KS and left at 12:30. Wanted to get to a truck stop near Evansville, IN as the first leg. Made it to the truck stop at 21:30. 667 odometer miles. Had some dinner and watched a DVD to chill out.

Will do the next 100 miles later today to a truck stop near Lexington, KY. From there the drop is only 11 miles away. Delivery time is 06:00 Monday.

Will see what board position I am when the delivery is complete. Hopefully will get another good load.

Westward Ho

At least a little. Checked with dispatch at 16:00 and was still #2 on the KC board, so I figured it was a wash for today and probably the weekend. Dozed off watching some tv and dispatch woke me at 17:30 with a load offer.

Manhattan, KS to Frankfort, KY. Picks up at 13:00 tomorrow and delivers at 06:00 Monday. Will try to make Evansville, IN by tomorrow night, Lexington, KY by Sunday night, and deliver Monday as Lexington is close to Frankfort.

Good load, good revenue, and it puts me in the heart of the Midwest for the start of the week. Since I plan to take the first week in September off, I need to make as much as possible in the last two weeks of August. My daughter is visiting over Labor Day, the Idlebuster is being installed on the 6th, and the truck will need its routine maint. by then.

MO Waiting in MO

Still waiting for a load out of KC. Recent macro message shows me #2 on the board, so that's an improvement from yesterday. Idle time up to 24 hours, 33 minutes, or as I like to put it "BORING".

I can still see the other truck across the lot, so I assume he's the #1 truck since he was already here when I pulled in yesterday. At least I can tell if he gets out.

Kansas City

In Kansas City, MO. Brought 5 small boxes of automotive paint to a body shop here. Expensive paint.

This is as far west as I've come since I started in expedite, so I have no idea how the freight is here. There are three other trucks ahead of me on the board, so I may not get anything today. I hope that I do because it is HOT, HOT, HOT. Predicted 99 degrees. Boy will I be glad when that Idlebuster is installed. I understand that it's being built right now.

Boring Day

Didn't get a load out yesterday even though I was #1 on the board. Somewhat unusual for this area, but as I understand it all the loads were straight truck loads.

Don't anticipate sitting another full day, but with expedite you never know. The only bad thing about being #1 is the waiting. You really can't do anything since you have to be available to go on a moments notice. If you're not, it could cost you the load and some big $$$$.

Another Dry Weekend

Stayed in Louisville until 14:30. No profitable loads materialized, so I deadheaded home. Expedite weekend loads, when they happen, are usually for Monday deliveries. You have to weigh the time and destination. I turned down a load that delivered Monday afternoon because it did not pay enough for the miles, and the destination is not known for freight going out.

I have a better chance for getting a good load from here, and I'm #1 on the board as well.

IN to IL to SC to KY

That's how things went yesterday and today. Got a load from Paris, IL to Duncan, SC first thing Thursday morning. I was in Indiana so go to Illinois for the pick up and head to South Carolina. Drop the load at 23:37 on Thursday night. 774 total miles in less than 12 hours. Went to bed one tired puppy.

Got up at 08:00 today and checked in to find that my board position was #4. I knew that wouldn't fly, so I asked them where I should go. They bonus miled me to Louisville, Kentucky where I am now. Difference is that I am #1 on the board and the chances for getting a weekend load are three times better.

If I get a short run, I'll go home after I drop it. A longer one and I'll be out through next week.

Back Home in Indiana

I started the day with a run within IN with the promise that I would not lose my #1 position on the Indianapolis board. Made the delivery, sent the POD on the QC and the message I got was that I was #2 on the Anderson board. I replied on the QC listing the dispatchers name that made the promise on my board position. He calls me a few minutes later saying I could be #2 on either the Anderson or Indy board. Supposedly, another driver had more idle time than I did. I thought that was funny since I was #1 at the start of the day. So I sent a QC message that I was heading to Indy so there would be a record of it.

Before I get to Indy, I get a call offering me a load from Rushville, IN to Tifton, GA. $750 to the truck. I'm all over this figuring they are making up for the earlier mess. 8 pieces, 2100 lbs. So I get to Rushville. It's 8 PALLETS. Shipper had ordered a straight truck. Dispatcher says they will fit on my truck based on the dimensions. (they were small pallets) I explain to her that yes, dimension wise they will fit on the truck but only if I tear the roof off and load them from the top. The fork lift could push them in, but they were too heavy to manhandle into position. Meanwhile, shipper is going ballistic saying he ordered a straight truck, and that's what he wants. So I lose the load.

So, I'm back at the Flying J where I started this morning only I'm $750 poorer but hey, I'm #1 on the Indy board.

Indiana on my Mind

Back in Whiteland, IN. Got the same run that I got last week from Mt. Vernon, OH to Columbus, IN. Same shipper, same consignee, more $$$$.

When I emptied and sent the POD on the QC, they offered me a run from Paris, IL to somewhere in MI. 124 deadhead miles from Columbus to Paris and 431 miles to MI. Delivery was direct which means as fast as I can get it there.

As much as I wanted the money, I turned it down. It would have meant driving a total of 896 miles without any sleep. I figured the mileage would be more since their mileage figures are always low. Bottom line was that it wouldn't be safe.

After I turned it down, dispatch said that they were prepared to talk me out of it because of the safety issue. They had to offer it though since I was #1 on the Indy board. Didn't lose my board position though. They said they weren't going to penalize me for being tired. Looks like this company actually does care about the contractors that drive for them.

Kenworth, The Praying Mantis and the Battery Box Cover

Started the day #1 on the dispatch board. At 11:06 dispatch calls with a local run from Hebron to Chillicothe. You don't loose your board position when the run is local, so I figured what the heck and took it. Got paid for all the deadhead miles.

As I get in the truck, I notice a praying mantis on the right front fender. I hate these bugs so I don't mess with it figuring that the wind will blow it off. Start driving on the freeway and the mantis does a pretty good impression of a surfer and slides onto the windshield. So here I am trucking down the highway at 70 MPH with a praying mantis doing obscene things to my windshield. I couldn't believe it, but the wind is not blowing him off.

His backside doubles back over itself and I thought, OOOOHHH that's got to hurt!!!! Nothing. He's still there doubled over butt and all. I get to the pick up in Hebron, still there. Does he take the opportunity to bail while the truck is stopped??? Noooo, not this guy.

The "load" is a 25lb. box with a battery box cover in it for Kenworth in Chillicothe. I figure Kenworth is just as buggy as my passenger to pay this kind of money to have a battery box cover delivered. What the heck, not my problem.

So, I take off. I considered knocking my passenger off the windshield, but I thought "no I want to see how this plays out." I take the back roads towards Chillicothe, and decide to give my buddy a name. "Evel Bugevel" He's still there bent butt and all, but he's inching up the windshield towards the top of the truck. The last I see of him is his leg as he makes it to the body of the truck over the windshield.

I arrive at Kenworth. After signing in at the guard shack and getting my security pass (I considered asking for one for EB) I check the front of the truck. HE'S GONE. WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM?????? IS HE OK????

With a heavy heart I deliver my "HOT" battery box cover and head towards home crestfallen that EB left me to carry on alone.

I arrive home and the dogs and I hold a small but tasteful memorial service for EB just in case he's splattered all over a windshield somewhere, but I prefer to think that he just moved on to his next stunt. So if anyone is travelling in Ohio and you all of a sudden have a bent butt praying mantis doing obscene things to your windshield, tell EB I said hi and to please write home.

No Load for the Weekend

Sat at the Pilot in Minooka, IL until 14:00 and was still #3 on the Chicago board which was exactly where I was Friday night.

Decided to deadhead home rather than spend the weekend there or in a motel. Had enough fuel in the tank to get home anyway. If I had used some of the fuel to idle and had to buy some at this Pilot the cost was $3.03 gal. I noticed when I got about 10 miles south of Gary, IN the fuel cost at the Flying J and Pilot was $2.75 gal.

Now I'm #2 on my home board, so I'll be sure to get out tomorrow. Possible that I would get out today but Sunday loads are rare in expedite.

Drive Shafts for Cat

Delivered 1400 lbs. of drive shafts to the Cat plant in Joliet, IL this afternoon. There were only 10 of them in a small metal tub like pallet. The shafts were only about 2 feet long. Have no idea what type of vehicle they would be used on.

Spent an hour sitting in traffic on I80 waiting to pay a 60 cent toll. Then bumped into another jam caused by two big trucks going 20 MPH in both westbound lanes. Supposedly they were protesting the cost of diesel fuel. Don't know if any troopers busted up their little protest, but the CB was alive with comments, most of them not fit for this blog.

Hopefully, I'll get a load today as I don't relish the thought of sitting at this truckstop all weekend.

SUV vs. Two Big Trucks

SUV lost. I don't know how he did it but he was bouncing off the rear tandems of the trucks. One truck jacknifed in the left lane and the SUV came to rest against the tandems of the second truck in the right lane. There were parts of the SUV everywhere on the road. I even saw brake shoes on the road.

Add $300 to the week for a run from Mt. Vernon, OH to Columbus, IN. Used only 12 gallons of fuel even with the A/C running the whole way.

Only problem was the hour and a half it took to do 29 miles after that accident. Still made the appointment on time though. Sitting at the Flying J at Whiteland, IN. #3 on the Indy board, so should get a load by noon.

Short Run

Ran a short one today to get dispatch out of a jam. Started the day at #3 on the Columbus load board which usually means getting a load out between 13:00 and 15:00. Dispatch called at 10:00. Run from Mansfield, OH to Sydney, OH. 118 paid miles, 60 mile deadhead.

Some quick math tells me that I'll still make money so I tell them I'll take it. They ended up paying me for the whole 60 mile deadhead. Would have been only 10 since the first 50 is free, so I made a little more. Every little bit counts.

I've learned that in expedite, you don't turn anything down as long as you make a profit on the load. There are no guarantees that a longer run will be available, and there were two vans ahead of me on the board anyway.

Up side is that I'll sleep in my own bed in the A/C so I won't be idleing to keep cool. It was 95 here today. Also, the Idlebuster install was approved today so hopefully I'll be able to get it installed ASAP and my idleing days will be over.

Back on the Road

So here I am running the road again after losing my lease. I saw it coming for the last couple of weeks I ran with them so I wasn't too surprised when the driver coordinator called me in for a "meeting".

He started spouting about the current economic climate making it necessary to make changes, etc, etc. I told him to cut to the chase as I had better things to do than talk to him. (He's a total jerk) He said that I should look for another carrier to lease with since they had to downsize their O/O fleet due to some lost accounts.

It's a lie, but there was no sense arguing with the likes of him. I've seen this many times before. A carrier will terminate the leases of O/O's with a higher CPM and replace them with others at a cheaper rate and junk equipment. I had recently seen some of their new "contractors". One had a 1985 truck held together with bondo. This "driver coordinator" has only been with the company for two months and has already got the reputation of being a hatchet man.

I had come to this meeting prepared and even though I wanted to rip his lungs out, I stayed with my plan. I produced a letter of resignation that I typed up the night before and said: "I had already decided to sign on with another carrier since I have not been comfortable with the way you have been running operations since you came with the company, and you just saved me the two weeks notice I included in the letter."

After taking an immense sense of satisfaction from the dumfounded look on his face, I turned in my ID badge and radio, demanded a receipt for same, and left. The terminal manager told me when I stopped by to pick up my final check that the jerk was still upset that he didn't get the last word.

I had set up a lease with Tri-State Expedited several days before that only needed signed before I could start running with them, so I'll have less time at home but the money will not stop coming in.

They say that when one door closes, another opens so we'll see how it goes.

Global Warming??????????

That was the big question on I-80 eastbound from the Hoosier last Wednesday. Hit snow on US30 out of Fort Wayne on my way to South Bend. No big deal as it happens all the time up there. Kept getting worse, roads beginning to get slushy, but traffic still moving. I felt the rear end slide some, so I slowed down to where I felt safe. Unfortunately, I was one of the few that did so.

In the 20 mile stretch of US30 between Warsaw and US31 there were 10 or so cars in ditches and one big truck on it's side just east of the Pilot on 30 at 31. Headed north on 31 and just about a mile south of 6 on the southbound side of 31 sits a jackknifed big truck totally blocking southbound US31. Traffic was backed up almost to Lakeville.

Make it to South Bend Post Office, drop my load and head up to I80 to go to Perrysburg, OH. Snow is now very heavy and the wind is blowing 30 to 35 MPH. Blizzard conditions. Had to stop at a travel plaza halfway to Perrysburg to knock off the slush from the nose of the truck as the engine was starting to run warmer than normal. Thirty miles from Perrysburg, the snow turned to rain, and the temp warmed up and it was over except the wind didn't die down. I can't remember a time when winter hung on through mid April. I'll be glad when this winter finally ends.

Second truck doing well. Revenue for the first three days was $900. Not bad.

Ready to Rock

New truck has its signs on and son-in-law completed his orientation. He has been assigned his first load, a pick up in Leetsdale, PA. It's a short haul, 400 miles and change, but a good initiation for him.

I will be on my regular run tonight. Drops at Muncie, Kokomo, Fort Wayne, and South Bend, IN and pick ups at Perrysburg and Elyria, OH. an 800 mile run. Long but profitable.

If anyone on PD.com is reading this blog, add a comment or at least say you're reading this. I get the feeling I'm talking to myself.

New Truck

Been busy getting all the details finalized on the new unit going into service this week and making my scheduled runs.

Took my son-in-law along on Sunday as his final training run. He's good to go, and he and the truck will make their first revenue run tomorrow. He goes to company orientation today and the truck goes to the sign shop. Wasn't much of an Easter for us, but we needed to get this done.

We were both surprised at all the snow and cold temperatures, 19 Degrees, we experienced in Indiana and Ohio yesterday. It was Easter and it was colder than Christmas was. Must be the global warming I keep hearing about. Yeah, right.

Headed off to bed after another long day.

Day Off - Sort Of

Day off just means I'm not driving anywhere. Chores around the house, laundry, etc., all have to be done. Truck has to be cleaned as well.

Managed to get everything done in time to watch 24 and the rest of the NCAA championship game. I knew Ohio State would choke. Congrats Gators!!! Now Florida can take credit for knocking Ohio State off in two sports. Now you know why I hate Ohio State.

Due out tonight at 23:00 for Indiana route. Weather supposed to turn cold, wet, and windy. My favorites.

Headed off to bed.

The Great Northern Indiana Frog and Worm Migration

Thursday night run fairly uneventful for a change but I can't say that for Saturday night. There is a section of US 35 that runs from I-70 at Richmond to Muncie's back door which is near the post office I deliver to. The distance is 35 miles, the road is newer, but it is alive with critters. The usual stuff, Racoons, Opossum, Deer, Rabbits, Dogs, Cats, I've even seen a Coyote in there. Speed limit is 55, and I usually set the cruise for 58.

I thought I had seen pretty much everything but Sunday morning proved me wrong. I pulled onto 35 at 02:15. It had rained and was still doing so off and on. I was about 10 miles from I-70 when I started to see worms crossing the road. I'm not talking one or two here, we're talking herd. OK, all the rain has forced them out of the ground. No big deal right? Wrong. Next I start to see frogs of various sizes hopping around all over the place as well as just sitting in the middle of the road. I'm not about to swerve around trying to miss them, but I slowed down because they were bouncing off the front of the truck and I don't want a broken plastic grill. This went on for 5 or 6 miles and then they were pretty much gone.

Lessons learned:

• Frogs make a funny "popping" noise when you run over them
• They bounce when hit
• I think the frogs were herding the worms but I can't confirm that
• I now know where the bait store in one of the small towns there gets his stock
• Front brush guards are no protection from Kamikaze frogs

I asked a few of the locals at the Pilot at the junction of 67 and 69 about all this and they said they knew about the worms but the frogs were something new. All I know is that the frogs have most likely put a bounty on my head as a mass murderer. Reward: 500 bugs.

Long Day

Left the house at 23:00 Tuesday for normal Indiana route. Loaded and left terminal at 00:15. Arrived Muncie 03:07, Kokomo at 04:40, Fort Wayne at 07:10, and South Bend at 09:05. Heavy t/storms between Kokomo and Fort Wayne and very windy.

Drive from South Bend to Fallen Timbers service plaza on I-80 a tough one because of the wind. Sprinters really suck when it's windy. It's the only thing I don't like about them. Several flatbeds lost their tarps or pieces of them. Arrived at the plaza at 11:45. Grabbed a sandwich and slept until 14:00.

Picked up in Perrysburg at 14:50 and Elyria at 16:20. Started off for Columbus when dispatch called saying that a Cleveland driver did not have enough room to cover one of his stops. Turned around and went into downtown Cleveland during rush hour. YUK!!! Made Cleveland pick and headed south again. Arrived Columbus at 19:08.

• Total odometer miles: 889
• Estimated Revenue: $732.00
• Fuel Costs: $114.00
• Dr. Scholl's Vibrating Seat Cushion: PRICELESS

I get to do it all over again tonight.

New Blog

Welcome to my Blog!!

Decided to take the plunge and start one of these. I titled it "Expedited Trucking" because that is what I've ended up doing when Schneider wouldn't let me sign on as an Owner Operator without a year of being a company driver.

Long story short, I have tractor trailer experience it's just not recent. I expected to go through SNI training but did not expect the one year company driver thing. I wouldn't have been able to pay my bills at $.28 per mile, so I went looking elsewhere.

Then I found "Expediting". Considered a straight truck with a sleeper but finally settled on a 2006 Dodge Sprinter with a sleeper conversion. Going this way I'm not regulated by DOT so I don't have to keep a logbook, no HOS requirements, and no stops in chicken coops. The Sprinter gets between 21-23 MPG with a 2.7L Mercedes 5 cyl. Turbo Diesel and TAH is every other day with Mondays off.

As with anything new I had some initial problems with the company I leased to. The biggest one was sitting waiting for a load, so I didn't make much money for the first couple of months. I then found a company based in Cincinnati and haven't stopped since. I make three runs a week into northern Indiana delivering mail, then cut across I-80 into northern Ohio, pick up mail back to Columbus on two of the return trips. I've been averaging between $1500 and $2000 per week even with the third return trip being a deadhead.

Business is booming so I've got a second Sprinter going on line next week with my son-in-law as the driver. My goal is to have a total of four Sprinters leased on and retire in about 6 years. After that, if I decide to make a run I'll do it to keep my hand in.

I've linked Orange Boy and Dr.Zebra's blogs to mine. If anyone else wants theirs linked here, let me know. Feel free to link mine to yours.