Life Day 21229: Ripon Revelry
August 26, 2005 on 7:55 pm | In On The Road | No CommentsSunday, the 21st, was not a good day to be a Doggie. I ate breakfast about 0800, then played around on the computer until about noon. I then drove to PetSmart for the Shot Clinic. The MMM were due for about 3 shots each (I finally have their vaccination schedules syncronized) plus a renewal of their Heartworm medication prescription. They do not like these visits. After the clinic, they got to go ’shopping’ for treats in the store. They do like these visits. I went to the Tony Roma’s in the same shopping center for dinner. I had a Pulled Beef Sandwich, Fries and a bowl of Baked Potato Soup. I was unimpressed. After that I went back to the Flying J and ‘computering’.
On the 22nd, I ’saved Swift’s bacon’ (again). After making my ‘live’ delivery at 0500, the Planner gave me a load that picked up at a Truck Repair Shop in Needles (needless), CA and delivered ASAP in Maricopa, CA (109 miles empty and 314 miles loaded). Evidently, the drivers’ truck was brokedown and they needed someone to make the delivery on this load. I accepted it and left Vegas at 0730. I arrived in Needles 2 hours later. When I arrived, I found the trailer right where it was supposed to be, but it was still attached to the original drivers’ tractor so I couldn’t hook to it. I knocked on his door, but got no response. I was on the phone with my DM telling her what was up when I tried again this time knocking (loudly) directly on the sleeper by the driver’s head. This time I got a response. After hooking to the trailer, doing the Loaded Call (which actually involves the QualComm and not a telephone), and walking the MMM, I left Needles at 1115. I drove to Barstow, CA and took a 1/2 hour break. At 1430, I left there and drove to Bakersfield. I took a quick dinner break here at the Burger King next to Bruce’s Truckstop at the junction of CA-58 and CA-178 (Morning Drive). At 1745, I left and drove to Maricopa. I delivered the load then went to bed at the Customer. Of the 9.75 hours I logged today, I used 8.25 driving 418 miles.
I awoke at 0600 on the 23rd with a PrePlan on my QualCom. It picked up in Oxnard, CA and delivered in Las Vegas, NV (120 miles empty and 327 miles loaded) with 1 extra drop, also in Vegas. I left Maricopa at 0815 and drove to Oxnard. This was a drop/hook Customer, so all went quiockly and smoothly. After the drop/hook, I drove to our Terminal in Fontana, Ca for fuel and a MMM jaunt. I left at 1515 and drove directly to the TA Truckstop in Las Vegas. I had a TacoTime dinner here, then tried to get online and do some computer work. They still haven’t fixed their WiFi yet, so I packed it in and drove to the 1st Consignee and went to bed. Of the 10 hours I worked today, I utilized 9 driving 450 miles.
After making both deliveries on the 24th, the Planner offered me a load which picked up in North Las Vegas, NV and delivered in Tracy, CA (2 miles empty and 519 miles loaded). I arrived in NLV at 1215, did the drop/hook, and left at 1230. I drove to Primm (Stateline), NV and had lunch there at Whisky Pete’s. At 1400, I departed and drove to Bakersfield. Again, I had no time to linger. A quick MMM walk and off I went Harris Ranch. I had dinner here. On the recommendation of my brother, I had the Chicken Fried Steak. It was excellent, but a little too “pricy” for my budget. It will be a good place to stop when I want to ‘treat’ myself, but not as a regular stop. After dinner, I drove to Santa Nella, CA where I stopped for the night. Of the 11 hours I logged today, I expended 9.5 driving 482 miles.
I left Santa Nella at noon on the 25th after having lunch. I had my usual Tuna Sandwich and All-You-Can-Eat Split Pea Soup. I can’t seem to stop here without having at least 1 meal at Split Pea Anderson’s. I drove to Tracy and made my delivery. I then went to our Terminal in Lathrop. I fueled as I entered the Terminal, then put my truck into the Shop. I was due a PM Service. I also had a “nasty” vibration in my front end; I think due to an out of balance steer tire. I checked in with the Service Desk at about 1430. They said that it would be “a while”. “A while” turned out to be over 8 hours.
Swift is celebrating National Driver Appreciation Week this week by providing lunch for its employees at each Terminal from noon to 1500. I just barely made it in time. The fare that Lathrop offered today was assorted Sub Sandwiches, Chips, Soft Drinks, and Chips Ahoy Cookies. I selected 2 Sandwiches (a Dagwood and something called City Streets: The only discernible difference between the 2 sandwiches was that the Dagwood was dressed with a Gouldens-type mustard while the City Streets was dressed with Mayonnaise). I also selected 4 bags of Chips (they were small and I only selected 1 of each variety remaining), 2 cans of non-Pepsi soda (an A&W Root Beer and a Dr Pepper) for a change, and 2 pakages of the cookies. ( Who says there’s no such thing as a Free Lunch). Having just had lunch 4 hours prior, I saved them for later. About 1930 we finally had our ‘dinner’. I don’t know whether the MMM were able to ascertain a difference between the sandwiches either (as a matter of fact, I don’t think they gave the contents of the sandwiches a moments’ thought) as they ‘wolfed’ down their meager portion.
Finally the Mechanic came for the truck at about 2300. The MMM and I exited the truck per Swift Shop policy. Lathrop is a ‘pet friendly’ Terminal as they provide 2 6×6 portable dog kennels for use by drivers with pets. I put the MMM into the one which was on grass. About a hour later, the sprinklers came on, and I had to ‘rescue’ them. I took them for a walk, then put them in the 2nd kennel which was on a concrete slab, but at least wasn’t wet. I then went into the Shop to check on the progress of my Service. As I came out of the Shop about a 1/2 hour later, Walter greeted me at the door. The ‘clever little scamp’ had discovered a hole in one corner of the kennel just large enough for him to squeeze through. Wolfie was upset when I returned with Walter. I don’t know if it was “separation anxiety” or the fact that Walter had escaped and he was too large to fit through the opening and go ‘play’ too. As I was walking the 30 odd feet to the “smokers’ patio”, a ‘little black blur’ shot past me. Walter had escaped again. Realizing that it would be impossible to keep Walter incarcerated, I surrendered and put them both on a ’short leash’ and kept them with me on the patio . About 0245, they finished my Service. However, the Mechanic had found some things which needed attention. Because they were getting ready to close for the night, the repairs would have to wait until the Shop re-opened at 0700. GREAT!! Now I’ll have to waste most of tomorrow getting the necessary repairs done. I went to bed shortly after 0300. Of the 2 hours I managed to work today, I used 1.25 driving 64 miles.
I pryed myself out of bed at 0645 on the 26th. After walking the MMM, I checked in with the Service Desk (again) at about 0715. They said that they would “get me right in”. “Get me right in” translated to about 4 hours. Since they said “get me right in”, I took the MMM out of the truck right then, put them into the ‘escape proof’ kennel on the grass again and began the vigil. About 1000, they moved everyone off of the patio and began to set up for the Driver Appreciation lunch. I ascertained that the menu du jour was going to be Tri-Tip Steak, Hamburgers, and Hot Dogs along with Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Green Salad, assorted Chips and Soft Drinks, Chips Ahoy Cookies and of course, condiments for the ‘burgers & dogs’. YUM YUM!! It’s nice to know we’re appreciated. I took these photos as they were setting up.
The MMM were anticipating the arrival of a Tri-Tip “sample”. They were disappointed this time but not later. The 2nd kennel from which walter kept escaping last night is located on the concrete slab just to the left of the pictured kennel about 10 feet away just out of the photograph.
Representatives from the CHP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit arrived. They set up under the awning next to their vehicle with some literature and some ‘trinkets’ (ie: key chains). They answered questions ranging from the pertinant to the inane. For instance: The reason that California has a 55 MPH speed limit for Commercial Vehicles is “stopping distance” and has nothing at all to do with “revenue generation”. Right. Mostly drivers wanted to know the ‘key items’ they were looking for when they did their CVSA inspections and how they selected which vehicles, of all the ones that go through the ’scales’, they would inspect. It was interesting.
Meanwhile, back at the shop, the ‘Tire Guy’ finally brought my truck in just before noon, then promptly took lunch because the food was ready. After they replaced my steer tires, I moved my truck to the Maintenance Bay so the Mechanic could start on it. The Service Tech last night had found that: 1) The left front Shock Absorber was loose. 2) There were cracks in both of my steer axle brakes. 3) The actuator for the 5th Wheel Slide mechanism was not working. 4) The left front Wheel Seal on the drive axle was seeping. 5) The Diamond Seal on the engine is leaking. 6) The Transmission Seal is leaking. 7) The Air Line to my right front drive axle is chaffing. 
The Air Filter is clogged. 9) The Glad-Hand (the connector that connects the airlines from the tractor to the connections on the trailer) seals are deteriorated. And 10) The windshield washer is inop. I decided to leave the Diamond Seal (which requires being sent to either Freightliner or Detroit Diesel to have the “heads” removed and takes a minimum of 5 hours once you’re in their shop), the Transmission Seal (which was not leaking at all that I could see) and the Wheel Seal for another time. I also changed the Air Filter and Glad-Hand seals myself to save a few bucks on Shop Labor charges. About 1400, the Mechanic began to work on my truck.
Meanwhile, back at the kennel, the MMM finally obtained their first morsel of Tri-Tip from me about 1130 after I had finished lunch (part 1). About 1300 after lunch (part deux) they each recieved a bite of Cheeseburger and a bite of hot dog. Thereafter, I sporatically gave them tid-bits which had fallen to the ground (either by accident or design) from other drivers. They were well fed. I took them for a couple of walks where they recieved much attention and ‘tummy rubs’ from those gathred around. As the festivities were scaling down, I asked what they were going to do with the disposable roasting pans which the cooks had used to serve the meat. They said that they would just be thrown away, so I appropriated a good one (with many crumbs) for the MMM to “re-cycle”. They thought they were in Heaven. A bit later, the cook came by with a plate of “crusties” from the grill for them. They knew then that they were in Heaven .
Meanwhile, back at the Shop, the mechanic finished with my truck about 1730. By this time I was ready to “call it a day”. I’d been up since 0645 with only about 3 hours of sleep the night before. I’d been standing around in the sun most of day because the Bar B Q had usurped the use of the patio ( the only source of shade). The MMM were in the “same boat”. I re-set my PTA for tomorrow at 0800, and drove the 10 miles to the Flying J here in Ripon. On a brighter note, by the time I’m available tomorrow morning, I’ll have accumulated enough consecutive hours off (34+) to re-start my 70 hour clock.
Life Day 21223: Las Vegas Lackadaisicalness
August 20, 2005 on 9:42 pm | In On The Road | No CommentsBack to the Daily Journals: Continuing the trip to University Park, IL, I left Knoxville at 1130 on Saturday, the 13th. I drove to Richwood, KY. I had lunch here, walked the MMM of course, then left at 1700. I drove to Hebron, IN where I stopped for the night. I used 8.5 of the 9 hours that I had available to work today, driving 493 miles in 8.25 hours.
On the 14th, I had a short day, but not by design. I left Hebron at 0830 and drove to University Park. I did the drop/hook delivery then drove the 1/2 mile to the truckstop to wait for my next load. After about an hour or so, I got a Pre-Plan which picked up in Monee, IL and delivered in Kansas City, MO (4 miles empty and 478 miles loaded). However, it did not pick-up until 1000 the next day, so I settled in to wait. It was just as well because I was feeling a bit achy and feverish. It would have been a perfect day for WiFi, but nothing was available at this location. I worked 1.5 hours using 1 hour driving 41 miles.
The 15th, I left University Park at 0800 and drove across the Freeway (literally) to Monee to pick up the Kansas City load. While I was waiting for my load to be completed, I took the MMM for a walk. There was a pond behind the Shipper with a gaggle of Geese in residence. I took the following pictures.
I tried to get them to take flight by walking toward them, but they were too tame. They just took to the water instead. Another “Kodak Moment” thwarted by uncooperative subjects.
I left Monee at 0915. I drove a 6 hour stretch all the way to Foristell, MO. I took a short break here, then drove to Oak Grove, MO where I stopped for the night. I worked 9.5 hours of which I utilized 9 hours driving 488 miles.
The 16th was a frustrating day. I awoke at 0330 with a Pre-Plan on my QualCom. It picked up in our Terminal in Edwardsville, KS and delivered in Los Lunas, NM (21 miles empty and 798 miles loaded). I accepted it, fueled, then left Oak Grove and drove to KC, MO to make my delivery. This all went smoothly and I was finished by 0500. I then drove to Edwardsville to pick up my Pre-Plan. Here’s where I encountered the “glitch”. I discovered when I reported to the Dispatch Window, that they had somehow managed to lose the paperwork for my load. They (Dispatch) had to wait until the CSR for the load (in Phoenix) arrived at work. The CSR then had to contact the Shipper and have a copy of the paperwork faxed to them, then, in turn, fax it to the Edwardsville Terminal. This rigmarole took over 6 hours (my 14 hour clock ticking away the whole time). After FINALLY getting the paperwork in hand, weighing the load, and walking the MMM one last time, I left Edwardsville at 1345. I drove to Goddard (Wichita), KS where I had to stop for the night because of the 14-hour rule. I managed to work 5.25 hours expending 4.5 hours driving 265 miles.
The 17th was grueling. This load delivers at 1600 today which would be O.K., but for all the time wasted yesterday with the lost paperwork. Now, it’s a problem. I left Goodard at 0515 and drove to Liberal, KS. A 15 minute break here, then I drove to Santa Rosa, NM. A 1/2 hour break here, then on to Los Lunas. I arrived at 1545 (just in time for my appointment). It was a drop/hook delivery, so it went quickly. After the drop/hook, I recieved a PrePlan which picked up in Belen, NM and delivered in Rialto, CA (10 miles empty and 736 miles loaded). I accepted it and drove to Belen, NM. It was also a drop/hook. After picking up the load, I drove to Albuquerque, NM where I was forced to stop for the night by that “pesky” 14-hour rule again. I worked 11.25 hours using 10.5 driving 623 miles.
Another grueling day on the 18th. I left Albuquerque at 1015. I drove to Flagstaff, AZ. After a short break here, I drove to Kingman, AZ. Another short break, then I drove to Barstow, CA where I stopped for the night. I worked 11.25 hours utilizing 11 hours driving 639 miles.
On the 19th, I left Barstow at 0700. I drove 1.5 hours to Rialto. This was supposed to be a drop/hook Customer, however there were no empty trailers available onto which to hook. After waiting here until about 1400, I drove to Ontario for lunch. After lunch, I retreated to our Terminal in Fontana. I waited until 1630 before the Planner offered me a Pre-Plan which picked up at the Terminal and delivers in Las Vegas on Monday at 0400 (10 miles empty and 231 miles loaded). I accepted it, picked up the paperwork, walked the MMM, fueled and left at 1745 (right in the middle of “get away Friday” traffic). BLEAH!! I drove directly to Las Vegas. I arrived at 2230. I worked 7 hours 6 of which I used driving 296 miles. HOME AT LAST, HOME AT LAST.
Today, Saturday the 20th, was a lackadaisical day. After dropping my trailer in a secure location at the Wild, Wild West I drove to the TA Truckstop. I did my laundry, then tried in vane to get on-line. Since I had encountered the same problem the last time I was here, I called the Tech Rep for the TA Speedzone Server (with my technical illiteracy, I have them on speed-dial). :>} After spending a half hour on the phone with him, we ‘discovered’ that there was, indeed, a problem with their equipment at this location. He said that they would get the problem fixed as soon as possible. I don’t know whether this means that they will be sending someone out from their office, or if they will contract with someone locally, but my bet is that nothing will be happening until at least Monday. I’ll try it again the next time I’m in town. After getting a shower, I decided to move north to the Flying J. Along the way, I stopped at the Palace Station for dinner. On the spur of the moment, I tried the Buffet. It was only $6.99 for dinner. It was definitely worth the price, but it’s not the RIO.
Life Day 21221: Albuquerque Addlement
August 18, 2005 on 7:51 am | In On The Road | No CommentsI’m still alive!! I don’t have time today to catch up on my daily journal entries, so I’ll do that when I get to Las Vegas this week-end, if I can get a _______ (insert favorite expletive) WiFi connection. The MMM and I are in Albuquerque, NM enroute to Rialto, CA. Then, hopefully, on to Las Vegas for some time off. The last few days have been greuling and frustrating, but things are on the right track again.
Life Day 21215: Knoxville Knonsense
August 12, 2005 on 9:59 pm | In On The Road | No CommentsI left Gretna at 1300 on the 7th and drove to Des Moines, IA. I took an hour break here to fuel, walk the MMM, and grab a snack. I then drove to Davenport, IA. I stopped here briefly, mainly due to the Speed Limit change between Iowa and Illinois. It’s easier to Log this way. I left Davenport at 1945 and drove to Minooka, IL, about 10 miles from Elwood. I stopped here because I didn’t want to arrive at the Consignee in the middle of the night. I neither saw nor did anything out of the ordinary. Of the 8.5 hours I drove today, I used 8 hours driving 446 miles.
The 8th started out well but soon degenerated. I awoke at 0630 with 2 PrePlans on my QualCom. The first picked up at our Terminal in Gary, IN and delivered in University Park, IL (51 miles empty and 31 miles loaded). The second picked up in Naperville, IL and delivered in Wilmington, DE (46 miles empty and 759 miles loaded). After accepting them both, I set off for Elwood. After the drop/hook delivery, I drove to the Gary Terminal. I arrived at 1030, picked up the paperwork for the load, walked the MMM, then departed at 1130. I arrived in University Park at Noon, checked in with Security/Recieving and proceeded to my assigned door. At this point, the day began to DISINTEGRATE. This was a High Value load, so it was secured with a double Cable Seal. This is fine if the Reciever has the proper tool to cut the cable. This place, of course, didn’t. After ‘flattening’ the cable with the Bolt Cutters they gave me, I used my Diagonal Cutting Pliers to actually cut the cable (about 2-3 strands at a time). While I was busy with this, a driver behind me became impatient and attempted to drive around. He mis-judged his proximity to my trailer by about 3 inches and impacted the right rear corner of my trailer with his left trailer door, which was open , with enough velosity to break all 5 hinges and completely sever it from his trailer. Fortunately, I saw the door coming and was able to flee in time to avoid injury. His severed door impacted the ground in approximately the same place that my ‘poor ole’ tender tootsies’ had been mere moments earlier. There was no damage to me or my trailer, so I just continued what I was doing after the dust settled. He, on the other hand, had to call his Company and inform them of his innovative new ‘door opening’ procedure. I’m confident that they didn’t approve. I finally backed my trailer into the dock about 1/2 hour after arrival. I then waited 2.5 hours to be unloaded. I departed at 1500. The second load was supposed to be an ‘open pick-up’ until 2000, but when I arrived at 1600, I was informed that they closed at 1530 and I would have to wait until 0800 tomorrow AM to pick up the Pre-Loaded trailer. With no Truckstops or Rest Areas within a 20 mile radius, I spent the night in their parking lot. Of the 4 hours I Logged today, I spent 2.75 driving 128 miles.
The 9th was far less eventful than yesterday. I left Naperville at 1000 ( I was in no hurry after being made to wait overnight) and drove to our Terminal in Gary, IN for fuel and an MMM excursion. I left at 1215 and drove to Stony Ridge, OH where I stopped for lunch. I left there at 1730 and drove to the Sidling Hill Service Plaza on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76 exit 172). I stopped here for the night. I drove 600 miles in 10.25 hours and worked 10.75 today.
On the 10th, I was pretty busy. When I woke up at 0700, I had a Pre-Plan which picked up in Seaford, DE and delivered in Sylvania, GA with 2 extra deliveries: 1 in Glasgow, VA and the 2nd in Rocky Mount VA (85 miles empty and 703 miles loaded). I accepted it and left the Service Plaza at 0930 and drove to the Consignee in Wilmington. This was a drop/hook delivery. I had to run Toll Roads all the way from the Chicago area, so I spent about $120.00 in Tolls. That’s a lot of ‘out of pocket’ expense. Anyway, I left for Seaford at 1400. I arrived at 1600 ($8.00 more dollars in Tolls). This was a ‘live load’ and I recieved a door immediately. I was loaded in less than 1/2 an hour. I left Seaford at 1645 and drove to Tom’s Brook, VA. I took a short break here to walk the MMM. I then drove to Greenville, VA where I stopped for the night. Of the 10.75 hours that I logged today, I used 9.75 driving 513 miles.
The 11th, too, was a full day. There was a lot of driving on ’secondary’ roads, some of which were Restricted to Truck traffic. In fact, there was no ‘legal truck route’ into my first drop. I was assured that, despite the Restrictions, I could still make the delivery so I drove to Glasgow. I arrived at 0900, immediatly got assigned a door, and was ready to roll again within 45 minutes. I used the time being unloaded to walk the MMM. I arrived at Consignee #2 in Rocky Mount, VA at 1145. Again, I was immediately given a door. Only 3 pallets came off here, so I was done almost before I could leash up the MMM. They got a ’speed break’ and I left at 1230. I drove to Salisbury, NC. I took a short break here because I didn’t know how long it would take to get to Sylvania and I wanted to get there before I used up my 14 hour ‘driving window’. It wasn’t nearly as far as I thought, and I made better time on the ’secondary roads’ than I expected so I needn’t have worried. I arrived in Sylvania (at little Truckstop on the out-skirts actually) at 1945. Of the 9.75 total hours I worked today, I utilized 9 driving 494 miles.
Today, the 12th, all went smoothly. I awoke again with a Pre-Plan on my QualCom. The load Picked up in North Charleston, SC and delivers in University Park, IL (124 miles empty and 851 miles loaded). I accepted even though this the same Consignee where, on the 8th, my day began to disintegrate. Hopefully, there won’t be an encore performance this time. After walking the MMM and ’spritzing-up’ in the Truckstop, I arrived at the final Consignee at about 0730. I immediately got assigned a door and backed in. At 0830, I left for North Charleston. I arrived at 1115. This was a drop/hook Customer so all went quickly and I left at 1215 after doing the paperwork and walking the MMM. I drove to our Terminal in Greer, SC for fuel, lunch, and another MMM ‘outing’. I left Greer at 1600 and drove here to Knoxville, TN where, after a nano-second of deliberation, I decided to call it a day. With only about an hour remaining available to drive today, and no more promising Truckstops within the 1 hour driving range, I decided this was far enough. I worked 9.25 hours today, 8.5 of which were expended driving 490 miles.
Life Day 21210: Gretna Gobbledegook
August 7, 2005 on 12:32 am | In On The Road | No CommentsI spent most of the 6th engaged in hi-tech electronic wizardry (updating my BLOG and copying CD’s to my hard-drive). I left Cheyenne in mid-afternoon after successfully using my recently acquired TCH Fuel Card for the 1st time. I worry needlessly whenever I attempt something new (especially when it involves the combination of electronic media and human input), so I was relieved when the transaction went through without a glitch. I drove to Big Springs, NE where I took a short break for an MMM relief excursion. I then drove to Gretna, NE. Here I stopped for the night. I arrived precisly at the witching hour. I detected no presence of evil spirits, but was entertained for a few minutes by a breech of “truckstop etiquette”. A driver was attempting to back into a parking spot about 2 stalls to my right. Another driver who was behind him had neglected to turn off his headlights, so just when the driver attempting the backing maneuver needed to use his mirrors to check his position, he was blinded by the glare from the “truckstop etiquette” violators headlights. After a couple of trys, the “backer” stopped his truck, walked back to the offending driver and, I assume, requested that he turn off his lights. A brief verbal exchange ensued, then the offending driver turned off his lights, and the “backer” was able to finish his maneuver. Aside from the “etiquette” violation of not turning off his headlights, the offending driver was also ‘guilty’ of a second minor violation of etiquette by not having his C.B. radio on so that he could hear the “backer” requesting him to turn off his headlights. Seems trivial, but I’ve seen a few fist-fights over lesser “etiquette violations”. Testosterone combined with fatigue can be dangerous. Of the 8 hours I worked today, I used 7.75 driving 470 miles.
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