I lost A/C 9 days ago. I drove 900 miles in 97 degree temperatures to get the truck to Bergeys in New Castle DE, which is the only place Korena will fix ANYTHING.
I knew I was in for it, because Bergeys is a Volvo Dealer that NEVER HAS THE PARTS WE NEED, and rarely gets the truck in within 24 hours.
I was already almost broke again as usual, and of course who pays for hotels and transportation? ME! The COMPANY Driver!!!
The front desk calls me at 4 pm to tell me that CLC rejected my payment for the first night (NSF). Korena had done me the huge favor of stopping by one of my banks in person to deposit my latest overdue check, but the bank hadn't processed it yet.
They wanted a cash deposit for the regular rate. I didn't HAVE it. I managed to make a CLC-sized deposit to avoid becoming homeless again.
The deposit came through, but so did my Sprint bill and my collections agency payment (both of which I had had to yet again struggle to delay), and I have now been here EIGHT DAYS.
I am penniless. Literally. ETrade just emailed to tell me that my account was negative. I think I have barely enough in the account I set up for Korena's convenience in paying me (hahaha) to cover my hotel bill.
I have some Triscuits, the last of my salami slices and swiss cheese left (thank god I don't eat much)...
Korena will pick me up early tomorrow. The truck is not fixed. I am to take it to another joint to get it fixed, then I guess to get it inspected.
Good thing she's picking me up because I CAN'T AFFORD A 13.60 UBER trip.
Believe it or not, I've left a bunch of stuff OUT!
If I kill myself, you're an idiot if you can't understand why.
Having said that, I'm working on something else long-term. Top secret, since every time I tell anybody about anything I'm doing in advance it fails miserably.
...but dammit you guys what about my invention!?! That was a better Xmas gift than any of you ever traded!!! You GOT IT!!!
...nothing. Guess I'm "the Browns", right?
Monday, July 22, 2019
Sunday, November 18, 2012
It Started Here
The People lived in a river valley somewhere on Earth, where they had remained for three generations.
Before they had settled, they had moved from place to place, as food in one area became depleted, and greener pastures forever beckoned.
They had been able to settle here after they had begun raising their own animals, and learned how to cultivate their own crops. There had been division about this.
The People had long since adopted wolves, who helped them hunt and guarded the camp and children, so the idea of raising other animals was nothing new. But some had resisted the changes, and left the People to continue traveling with the herds.
Now, fewer children had died in infancy, and there was sufficient food, so the People had grown in number, and were strong. Others had come, to kill the People's animals or steal their food, but the People were strong and had driven them away.
Still others had come to trade, and the People had welcomed and befriended them. Not only goods were exchanged, but ideas, and the People had learned.
And the People were strong not only because they could now use the land to make their own food, and had learned to preserve it. They were also frightening warriors.
Halos was one of the older ones among those who had first settled here at the Parting. He was a quiet, thoughtful one; a thinker who some saw as useless.
Korbos had noticed how a thin branch would spring back when bent. He had placed a small stone in the fork of a branch, then bent and released it, and seen how far the stone flew.
The People were already using levers and fulcrums to move large stones out of fields, so Halos partly understood the great potential here, and resolved to see if he could use it to throw a spear harder and farther.
He had invented the spear thrower. It was simply a length of wood about a little shorter than his arm, with a sort of curved cup at the end. The end of the spear was carved to fit this in a certain way. The spear was made lighter and shorter, (and could be better described as a dart), and Halos amazed the People as he demonstrated it. He threw spears three times as far as the strongest hunter, and was just as accurate. The new spear could penetrate the thickest hides.
Soon, all the hunters had spear-throwers and carried more than one spear. They competed with eachother to become more accurate and throw farther, and became the most formidable group known.
But the People were peaceful, and had enough land, and only killed to defend their property, or when threatened. Others who crossed their path grew to become good friends. Those who traveled would save extra hides and collect the types of stones the people wanted so that they could trade with them as they passed.
Now that the People had the time, some were able to be like Korbos, and think of new things to make life better. Some developed skills which others could not match.
Sabos, the grandson of Korbos, made the first bow and arrow, and also made a three-wheeled cart, with one wheel that turned. The first, he made for his grandmother to sit in, for she could not walk.
Sabos was creative, but Sieka was much more skilled with woodworking. She had a strange sense for the properties of different types of wood, and tried using layers of different types. Sabos helped her by experimenting with tree saps and other materials to make glues and coatings.
Some of the People called her a magician. She took Sabos's ideas and began making truly excellent bows, arrows, and carts.
Everyone wanted these things from her, and offered things in trade. Sieka was only one person. She was teaching Korbos to help her, and sharing with him, but no one else could match her skill, and the two of them couldn't keep up with the demand.
This is how it began...
Before they had settled, they had moved from place to place, as food in one area became depleted, and greener pastures forever beckoned.
They had been able to settle here after they had begun raising their own animals, and learned how to cultivate their own crops. There had been division about this.
The People had long since adopted wolves, who helped them hunt and guarded the camp and children, so the idea of raising other animals was nothing new. But some had resisted the changes, and left the People to continue traveling with the herds.
Now, fewer children had died in infancy, and there was sufficient food, so the People had grown in number, and were strong. Others had come, to kill the People's animals or steal their food, but the People were strong and had driven them away.
Still others had come to trade, and the People had welcomed and befriended them. Not only goods were exchanged, but ideas, and the People had learned.
And the People were strong not only because they could now use the land to make their own food, and had learned to preserve it. They were also frightening warriors.
Halos was one of the older ones among those who had first settled here at the Parting. He was a quiet, thoughtful one; a thinker who some saw as useless.
Korbos had noticed how a thin branch would spring back when bent. He had placed a small stone in the fork of a branch, then bent and released it, and seen how far the stone flew.
The People were already using levers and fulcrums to move large stones out of fields, so Halos partly understood the great potential here, and resolved to see if he could use it to throw a spear harder and farther.
He had invented the spear thrower. It was simply a length of wood about a little shorter than his arm, with a sort of curved cup at the end. The end of the spear was carved to fit this in a certain way. The spear was made lighter and shorter, (and could be better described as a dart), and Halos amazed the People as he demonstrated it. He threw spears three times as far as the strongest hunter, and was just as accurate. The new spear could penetrate the thickest hides.
Soon, all the hunters had spear-throwers and carried more than one spear. They competed with eachother to become more accurate and throw farther, and became the most formidable group known.
But the People were peaceful, and had enough land, and only killed to defend their property, or when threatened. Others who crossed their path grew to become good friends. Those who traveled would save extra hides and collect the types of stones the people wanted so that they could trade with them as they passed.
Now that the People had the time, some were able to be like Korbos, and think of new things to make life better. Some developed skills which others could not match.
Sabos, the grandson of Korbos, made the first bow and arrow, and also made a three-wheeled cart, with one wheel that turned. The first, he made for his grandmother to sit in, for she could not walk.
Sabos was creative, but Sieka was much more skilled with woodworking. She had a strange sense for the properties of different types of wood, and tried using layers of different types. Sabos helped her by experimenting with tree saps and other materials to make glues and coatings.
Some of the People called her a magician. She took Sabos's ideas and began making truly excellent bows, arrows, and carts.
Everyone wanted these things from her, and offered things in trade. Sieka was only one person. She was teaching Korbos to help her, and sharing with him, but no one else could match her skill, and the two of them couldn't keep up with the demand.
This is how it began...
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Getting up Again
Korena left our carrier for a new one two weeks ago, and I went with her.
I completed my last load in El Paso and hit an International dealer to take care of a slipping clutch and get a DOT inspection for the new carrier...which will pay me 87% rather than 75%.
ELEVEN DAYS later, I had replaced the clutch, the rear main seal, mounting brackets, pilot...I had to cough up six thousand six hundred bucks. This brought my total in repairs for the last 3 months to over twenty thousand bucks, and my total money to under one thousand bucks--with bills rolling in.
They did a TEXAS STATE inspection, so I still need the DOT, and now I had a check engine light on, which is a DOT issue. The truck ran fine and all fluids and charges were normal. I couldn't hang around any longer. I spent much of what was left of my money on fuel.
I bobtailed to Ohio, where I had to get license plates, pay my delinquent 556 dollar road tax bill, and file with Ohio IFTA for my own stickers. I will now be an independant contractor, of sorts--responsible for my own licensing and fuel taxes. (IFTA collects fuel taxes. If I get cheaper fuel in other states, they gouge me for the difference).
The new company sent me to a Freightliner dealer for my DOT inspection. I failed due to the engine light, a cracked brake cylinder, a frozen slack adjuster, and some other stuff.
After some negotiation, the new company actually fronted me money for the 1,490.oo plates (due for renewal in November...I'll guess near 3 grand for the year), the road use tax, and some fuel to get out here to Thomaston, CT where they have their own small shop.
From here, I faxed my IFTA application to Ohio IFTA. Ohio IFTA called me back and said that I had failed to file or pay for one quarter in 2009.
I was driving for Jamestown Transportation at that time. Per the lease agreement, they were responsible for filing and paying. So now, along with not paying me 5 grand they owed me and putting me out of business--breaking me (again) after six weeks downtime--now I'm supposed to provide intimate details on how many miles per state I drove, and exactly how many gallons I bought in each state, for one quarter of 2009.
I saw the form they faxed me and was horrified. Bad enough that that now I have to keep these detailed records and file quarterly, but I have no CLUE about what I did three years ago!
I called them back and cried, begged, and pleaded. They'll get back to me. I might still have to pay them something since I no longer even have Jamestwon's lease agreement to prove who was responsible...
It just never stops. It just keeps getting better. I'm not even allowed to save money by fueling in states with lower fuel taxes now!
My appointment for the repairs is tomorrow, but I got here last night. I'm working on the IFTA thing, and already made a chart that I'll use to track fuel purchases and approximate mileage--what a PAIN IN THE ASS they just never stop piling this crap on you know?
I surrendered my title to the new company pending repayment of the 3 grand they've already fronted me, and I presume some charges for these repairs. I asked them to leave me 700/week so I could FIX the bastard like I usually do, and take the rest.
Oh--does that sound like a lot? Why am I whining? Because I'm BROKE again!!!
3 grand a year for the license, 556 road use taxes, IFTA, and repairs--I'm an ATM for my truck!
Glass half full: I'll net a little more with this carrier, I'm getting fixed, they loaned me money and there's no legal lien on my truck, and I've now replaced everything except the drive shaft, engine, and tranny at least once. All but one of my $400-600.00 tires are in good shape, I got Korena, and should finally be rolling again in a few days.
They mail their checks. I have to Fedex my paperwork to Korena so she gets it by monday, then they pay friday. I called ATT and asked me to delay my next charge so I shouldn't get an NSF this month.
While I'm here I'll try to get them to fix my a/c and re-align my springs, which are screwing up my one 600.oo drive tire and probably costing me .1 cents per gallon.
I'm not beaten, or depressed. I'm just pissed off. I'm a real american...with a "c".
I completed my last load in El Paso and hit an International dealer to take care of a slipping clutch and get a DOT inspection for the new carrier...which will pay me 87% rather than 75%.
ELEVEN DAYS later, I had replaced the clutch, the rear main seal, mounting brackets, pilot...I had to cough up six thousand six hundred bucks. This brought my total in repairs for the last 3 months to over twenty thousand bucks, and my total money to under one thousand bucks--with bills rolling in.
They did a TEXAS STATE inspection, so I still need the DOT, and now I had a check engine light on, which is a DOT issue. The truck ran fine and all fluids and charges were normal. I couldn't hang around any longer. I spent much of what was left of my money on fuel.
I bobtailed to Ohio, where I had to get license plates, pay my delinquent 556 dollar road tax bill, and file with Ohio IFTA for my own stickers. I will now be an independant contractor, of sorts--responsible for my own licensing and fuel taxes. (IFTA collects fuel taxes. If I get cheaper fuel in other states, they gouge me for the difference).
The new company sent me to a Freightliner dealer for my DOT inspection. I failed due to the engine light, a cracked brake cylinder, a frozen slack adjuster, and some other stuff.
After some negotiation, the new company actually fronted me money for the 1,490.oo plates (due for renewal in November...I'll guess near 3 grand for the year), the road use tax, and some fuel to get out here to Thomaston, CT where they have their own small shop.
From here, I faxed my IFTA application to Ohio IFTA. Ohio IFTA called me back and said that I had failed to file or pay for one quarter in 2009.
I was driving for Jamestown Transportation at that time. Per the lease agreement, they were responsible for filing and paying. So now, along with not paying me 5 grand they owed me and putting me out of business--breaking me (again) after six weeks downtime--now I'm supposed to provide intimate details on how many miles per state I drove, and exactly how many gallons I bought in each state, for one quarter of 2009.
I saw the form they faxed me and was horrified. Bad enough that that now I have to keep these detailed records and file quarterly, but I have no CLUE about what I did three years ago!
I called them back and cried, begged, and pleaded. They'll get back to me. I might still have to pay them something since I no longer even have Jamestwon's lease agreement to prove who was responsible...
It just never stops. It just keeps getting better. I'm not even allowed to save money by fueling in states with lower fuel taxes now!
My appointment for the repairs is tomorrow, but I got here last night. I'm working on the IFTA thing, and already made a chart that I'll use to track fuel purchases and approximate mileage--what a PAIN IN THE ASS they just never stop piling this crap on you know?
I surrendered my title to the new company pending repayment of the 3 grand they've already fronted me, and I presume some charges for these repairs. I asked them to leave me 700/week so I could FIX the bastard like I usually do, and take the rest.
Oh--does that sound like a lot? Why am I whining? Because I'm BROKE again!!!
3 grand a year for the license, 556 road use taxes, IFTA, and repairs--I'm an ATM for my truck!
Glass half full: I'll net a little more with this carrier, I'm getting fixed, they loaned me money and there's no legal lien on my truck, and I've now replaced everything except the drive shaft, engine, and tranny at least once. All but one of my $400-600.00 tires are in good shape, I got Korena, and should finally be rolling again in a few days.
They mail their checks. I have to Fedex my paperwork to Korena so she gets it by monday, then they pay friday. I called ATT and asked me to delay my next charge so I shouldn't get an NSF this month.
While I'm here I'll try to get them to fix my a/c and re-align my springs, which are screwing up my one 600.oo drive tire and probably costing me .1 cents per gallon.
I'm not beaten, or depressed. I'm just pissed off. I'm a real american...with a "c".
Monday, December 5, 2011
Portland
Korena says she'll sign a Fedex contract after the first for a dedicated coast-to-coast run...for me.
She also said that she may well go independant; ie start her own trucking company.
I would have the option of remaining with our current carrier or going with her. No contest.
I'd make 15% more and keep hauling the same exact loads (or the coast-to-coast and return).
She mentioned a good deal she could get on trailers, and I said I'd rather buy one than lease one. I have no credit (as in just haven't borrowed any money), and I'm pretty sure she would connect me and back me up. My current lease is 150/week. I think I could arrange the same or lower payments for a trailer of my own. If payments are made through Korena, I'd think it only fair if she skimmed some.
I'd have to maintain the trailer at my expense, of course, but that's okay. That's WHY I want to own it.
Conventionally, trailer tires are recapped drive tires from tractors. A true trailer tire costs more, but offers massively lower rolling resistance. As I got baldies and flats, I'd replace all eight with real virgin trailer tires, and increase my fuel economy significantly.
I'd also install wind-resistance reducing devices and stuff like that. The guys on the trucker channel make me think I can get another mile per-gallon or more with these changes. That's a LOT.
15% more, my own trailer, and Korena? Outstanding.
If I get money ahead, I might even do the tire thing early--if I can get a decent deal on the trade-ins. I mean, the fuel savings could be over 100 bucks a week, so I have to think about it.
Trouble is, actually getting ahead. Ten grand in repairs 3 weeks ago, with more than that many days downtime. Now I've got uneven wear on a steer tire. I'm going to stall as long as I can, but soon I'll need to replace both steers and get whatever caused the bad wear fixed (I suspect the kingpin).
But I just did an oil filter change. My oil capacity is about fifty quarts. I was down TWENTY QUARTS, five gallons, 40%. (I know I'm an idiot for not checking).
Point is, I use the ceramic additive. I saw no hint of a problem. Never got hot, lost power or mileage. FRIKTON works, and might have saved my engine.
I don't check my oil much. I mean, the biggest part of the recent repairs was repairing two oil leaks. That's so I know for sure that I'm not losing any.
But I sure as hell should have checked after the last repair. Because I think they dumped a bunch while fixing my second leak, and never even topped me off.
Anyway after T-Day during which I had a great time with the family, she ran me around east for three quick trips and then sent me out here. Now I'm loading for Charleston TN. I should have some real money coming in soon. Ideally, enough to actually save some for once.
Oh yeah now I'm in daydream mode. Say Jan 15 she helps me get my new (maybe used) trailer, and I can consider doing the tires and the wind resitance reduction stuff right away. Maybe I got 6 grand I can safely spare (always leaving a bunch for emergencies--which happen often).
Opps I'm full okbye
She also said that she may well go independant; ie start her own trucking company.
I would have the option of remaining with our current carrier or going with her. No contest.
I'd make 15% more and keep hauling the same exact loads (or the coast-to-coast and return).
She mentioned a good deal she could get on trailers, and I said I'd rather buy one than lease one. I have no credit (as in just haven't borrowed any money), and I'm pretty sure she would connect me and back me up. My current lease is 150/week. I think I could arrange the same or lower payments for a trailer of my own. If payments are made through Korena, I'd think it only fair if she skimmed some.
I'd have to maintain the trailer at my expense, of course, but that's okay. That's WHY I want to own it.
Conventionally, trailer tires are recapped drive tires from tractors. A true trailer tire costs more, but offers massively lower rolling resistance. As I got baldies and flats, I'd replace all eight with real virgin trailer tires, and increase my fuel economy significantly.
I'd also install wind-resistance reducing devices and stuff like that. The guys on the trucker channel make me think I can get another mile per-gallon or more with these changes. That's a LOT.
15% more, my own trailer, and Korena? Outstanding.
If I get money ahead, I might even do the tire thing early--if I can get a decent deal on the trade-ins. I mean, the fuel savings could be over 100 bucks a week, so I have to think about it.
Trouble is, actually getting ahead. Ten grand in repairs 3 weeks ago, with more than that many days downtime. Now I've got uneven wear on a steer tire. I'm going to stall as long as I can, but soon I'll need to replace both steers and get whatever caused the bad wear fixed (I suspect the kingpin).
But I just did an oil filter change. My oil capacity is about fifty quarts. I was down TWENTY QUARTS, five gallons, 40%. (I know I'm an idiot for not checking).
Point is, I use the ceramic additive. I saw no hint of a problem. Never got hot, lost power or mileage. FRIKTON works, and might have saved my engine.
I don't check my oil much. I mean, the biggest part of the recent repairs was repairing two oil leaks. That's so I know for sure that I'm not losing any.
But I sure as hell should have checked after the last repair. Because I think they dumped a bunch while fixing my second leak, and never even topped me off.
Anyway after T-Day during which I had a great time with the family, she ran me around east for three quick trips and then sent me out here. Now I'm loading for Charleston TN. I should have some real money coming in soon. Ideally, enough to actually save some for once.
Oh yeah now I'm in daydream mode. Say Jan 15 she helps me get my new (maybe used) trailer, and I can consider doing the tires and the wind resitance reduction stuff right away. Maybe I got 6 grand I can safely spare (always leaving a bunch for emergencies--which happen often).
Opps I'm full okbye
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Omha, NE
I got the last steering shaft in the world for my truck. They stopped making them. At three places, including two Freightliners, they told me I was out of luck, but somehow, Sapp Brothers here found one and ordered it for me.
I failed my inspection on the 25th because of this and a carrier bearing.
I gotta say it again: All bushings on springs, one set of springs, u-joints, every section of the steering shaft, a/c (twice), tire, alignment (3 times), transmission repair 650 bucks, air dryer, wheel seal, and half a dozen other things. Over eleven grand in the last six weeks.
Once again, the repairs ongoing this time will draw me down close to ZERO.
I could wait on the a/c? And have to stop again for repairs?
You'd think I'd be discouraged by now, but really I've addressed it before. Herbie has 850,ooo miles on him, and all of this stuff was due to be replaced. All the expensive stuff should now live longer than Herbie himself.
I should be rolling again on monday, and not have to stop for awhile. I should be able to save up some money, which I'll need.
The engine's life expectancy is 900,000 miles, but I'm sure that I'm extending it substantially using ceramic coatings, my OPS oil filter, and my APU to replace idling and starts. The ceramic stuff expecially, since I should be able to keep tolerances where they belong indefinitely as long as I add it every 60,000 miles.
Another thing I want to do is switch to this no-water antifreeze. It doesn't boil; doesn't build pressure. Using it, you can replace your thermostat and run hotter for better economy.
All the same, I must expect to replace my engine or my truck within the next 14 or 15 months.
I hope to replace the truck with a much smaller vehicle and run expedited freight.
If I've got this massive expense coming up anyway, I might as well give myself a raise and get out from under the DOT...
Speaking of which, this officer in Minnesota invented three violations and shot my CSA score to hell. Then this Texas Patrolman gave me a ticket for having a flat tire.
Yeah--now we're supposed to pull to the side of the road and get a road service truck every time we get a flat!
I got sixteen tires designed to support half again my max legal weight. I drive ten times the miles you do, and have four times as many tires, excluding steers. I get flats FOURTY TIMES as often as you do!
The road service guy in this case would have had the tires, his tools, and himself IN THE ROAD while fixing me.
Do-gooders are the bane of american society. Rules upon regs upon laws are suffocating truckers. This one will kill people, let alone cause more traffic jams, more fuel consumption, shut down factories, overtime on docks, shortages, and general misery, and it's totally unneccessary.
I had 40,000 pounds and could have had two more flats on different axles and gone over 100 miles to a repair shop without a problem. And of course I was heading for the next one I got to. DUH!
I'm sick of it. They're suffocating us. Some people think that unless they're concocting more rules they're not earning their pay. They'd issue breathing licenses if they could!
And the Minnesota DOT has a policy about screwing over drivers. Probably, they reward officers who find the most things wrong. That's the only reason I can think of why this one invented a bad marker light and tail light (they both worked fine).
Right now? I'm shut down because I couldn't pass an inspection in time for my company's deadline. Their policy is to have us get one every six months instead. I respect that--it's smart.
However, the last beancounter I talked to trying to get an extention wouldn't help me. He keeps asking me what about the DOT cops at the weigh stations when they see my sticker.
My sticker is an ANNUAL inspection conforming to DOT regs and is valid for several more months. I tell him this and he repeats his question: What about when the DOT sees my sticker? I ask him what company policy has to do with that, and he repeats the question.
Because of this, I had to deadhead four hundred fifty miles and burn at least two hundred bucks worth of fuel. If I hadn't landed the last steering shaft in existance, I would have been screwed. Again.
Ohhmmm....ok better now. Monday I should be ready to roll and keep rolling. Got a great dispatcher and damn near a new suspension. New tires all around, wearing evenly-oil changed, 34 hour reset, freight booming...
And the bar in this hotel just opened okbye.
I failed my inspection on the 25th because of this and a carrier bearing.
I gotta say it again: All bushings on springs, one set of springs, u-joints, every section of the steering shaft, a/c (twice), tire, alignment (3 times), transmission repair 650 bucks, air dryer, wheel seal, and half a dozen other things. Over eleven grand in the last six weeks.
Once again, the repairs ongoing this time will draw me down close to ZERO.
I could wait on the a/c? And have to stop again for repairs?
You'd think I'd be discouraged by now, but really I've addressed it before. Herbie has 850,ooo miles on him, and all of this stuff was due to be replaced. All the expensive stuff should now live longer than Herbie himself.
I should be rolling again on monday, and not have to stop for awhile. I should be able to save up some money, which I'll need.
The engine's life expectancy is 900,000 miles, but I'm sure that I'm extending it substantially using ceramic coatings, my OPS oil filter, and my APU to replace idling and starts. The ceramic stuff expecially, since I should be able to keep tolerances where they belong indefinitely as long as I add it every 60,000 miles.
Another thing I want to do is switch to this no-water antifreeze. It doesn't boil; doesn't build pressure. Using it, you can replace your thermostat and run hotter for better economy.
All the same, I must expect to replace my engine or my truck within the next 14 or 15 months.
I hope to replace the truck with a much smaller vehicle and run expedited freight.
If I've got this massive expense coming up anyway, I might as well give myself a raise and get out from under the DOT...
Speaking of which, this officer in Minnesota invented three violations and shot my CSA score to hell. Then this Texas Patrolman gave me a ticket for having a flat tire.
Yeah--now we're supposed to pull to the side of the road and get a road service truck every time we get a flat!
I got sixteen tires designed to support half again my max legal weight. I drive ten times the miles you do, and have four times as many tires, excluding steers. I get flats FOURTY TIMES as often as you do!
The road service guy in this case would have had the tires, his tools, and himself IN THE ROAD while fixing me.
Do-gooders are the bane of american society. Rules upon regs upon laws are suffocating truckers. This one will kill people, let alone cause more traffic jams, more fuel consumption, shut down factories, overtime on docks, shortages, and general misery, and it's totally unneccessary.
I had 40,000 pounds and could have had two more flats on different axles and gone over 100 miles to a repair shop without a problem. And of course I was heading for the next one I got to. DUH!
I'm sick of it. They're suffocating us. Some people think that unless they're concocting more rules they're not earning their pay. They'd issue breathing licenses if they could!
And the Minnesota DOT has a policy about screwing over drivers. Probably, they reward officers who find the most things wrong. That's the only reason I can think of why this one invented a bad marker light and tail light (they both worked fine).
Right now? I'm shut down because I couldn't pass an inspection in time for my company's deadline. Their policy is to have us get one every six months instead. I respect that--it's smart.
However, the last beancounter I talked to trying to get an extention wouldn't help me. He keeps asking me what about the DOT cops at the weigh stations when they see my sticker.
My sticker is an ANNUAL inspection conforming to DOT regs and is valid for several more months. I tell him this and he repeats his question: What about when the DOT sees my sticker? I ask him what company policy has to do with that, and he repeats the question.
Because of this, I had to deadhead four hundred fifty miles and burn at least two hundred bucks worth of fuel. If I hadn't landed the last steering shaft in existance, I would have been screwed. Again.
Ohhmmm....ok better now. Monday I should be ready to roll and keep rolling. Got a great dispatcher and damn near a new suspension. New tires all around, wearing evenly-oil changed, 34 hour reset, freight booming...
And the bar in this hotel just opened okbye.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Peru, Il
I deliver to Cherokee, IA monday, so I stopped at the Super 8 here. I need a trailer tire replaced anyway, and there's a Sapp Bros. here.
Last night at the bar I met an Expeditor. He showed me his little van, which had a microwave, fridge, and sleeper like mine. He gets over 16 mpg's, pays 1/10th of my maintenance, and makes similar gross moneys.
I had heard truckers bitching about these guys, but never did the research I should have.
Sure, all these (for him one or two pallets--there's a larger one-pice truck that makes more) loads are hot, but wow--they're based on 57 mph!!! I mean, I have been under-the-gun, and based on what this guy said, this aint it.
And he gets longer runs, too! I'd thought they were all shorties.
I'm obviously sick of being nearly broke, and my truck has 825,000 miles on it. I'm at the stage in it's life where I need to accumulate more savings than ever to rebuild or replace the engine. Factoring in other stuff that'll come due such as the other leaf spring, my unfinished steering shaft replacement, etc., that could take 20k.
Or, I could sell this truck and get another one. A used one that I don't know.
I don't think so. I think I'm going to downsize and be an expeditor. Park anywhere. No logs. No weigh stations.
I'll want the bigger diesel box-truck so that more loads would be available to me. I also think that the longer runs are proabably multi-stops, which would require more space for more freight. Plus, diesels last ten times longer than gassers.
Right now, I've got to keep running as hard as I can. This load is light but doesn't pay much, but Korena has preplanned me two trips in advance and is moving me to higher paying loads. I'll be coming back to Wisconsin and from there maybe Chicago--I forget. Hate the cold, oce, tolls, and short distance, but that's why these loads pay more. I get it. She's helping me dig out of the hole I'm in.
And she's great. A little later after I've done more homework on expiditing, I'll talk to her about my probable downsizing plans. If I give her some notice, I'm hoping that she can sort of stick with me and make a similar deal with an expidited carrier to the one we now have with this company, and get my loads for me.
It might not work out, because she might have exclusive contracts, and her current connections are probably all for full loads.
I'd hate to leave her. Once you get somebody like her in your corner, any move away from her you make is down.
But jeez--I always wanted one of those huge sleepers, and as an expidor I could probably have one. These things are like campers!
Well, it's down the road apiece. Either way, I've got to save up a tion of money, so I'll be running as hard as she wants.
Last night at the bar I met an Expeditor. He showed me his little van, which had a microwave, fridge, and sleeper like mine. He gets over 16 mpg's, pays 1/10th of my maintenance, and makes similar gross moneys.
I had heard truckers bitching about these guys, but never did the research I should have.
Sure, all these (for him one or two pallets--there's a larger one-pice truck that makes more) loads are hot, but wow--they're based on 57 mph!!! I mean, I have been under-the-gun, and based on what this guy said, this aint it.
And he gets longer runs, too! I'd thought they were all shorties.
I'm obviously sick of being nearly broke, and my truck has 825,000 miles on it. I'm at the stage in it's life where I need to accumulate more savings than ever to rebuild or replace the engine. Factoring in other stuff that'll come due such as the other leaf spring, my unfinished steering shaft replacement, etc., that could take 20k.
Or, I could sell this truck and get another one. A used one that I don't know.
I don't think so. I think I'm going to downsize and be an expeditor. Park anywhere. No logs. No weigh stations.
I'll want the bigger diesel box-truck so that more loads would be available to me. I also think that the longer runs are proabably multi-stops, which would require more space for more freight. Plus, diesels last ten times longer than gassers.
Right now, I've got to keep running as hard as I can. This load is light but doesn't pay much, but Korena has preplanned me two trips in advance and is moving me to higher paying loads. I'll be coming back to Wisconsin and from there maybe Chicago--I forget. Hate the cold, oce, tolls, and short distance, but that's why these loads pay more. I get it. She's helping me dig out of the hole I'm in.
And she's great. A little later after I've done more homework on expiditing, I'll talk to her about my probable downsizing plans. If I give her some notice, I'm hoping that she can sort of stick with me and make a similar deal with an expidited carrier to the one we now have with this company, and get my loads for me.
It might not work out, because she might have exclusive contracts, and her current connections are probably all for full loads.
I'd hate to leave her. Once you get somebody like her in your corner, any move away from her you make is down.
But jeez--I always wanted one of those huge sleepers, and as an expidor I could probably have one. These things are like campers!
Well, it's down the road apiece. Either way, I've got to save up a tion of money, so I'll be running as hard as she wants.
Monday, February 7, 2011
OMFG
It's monday, and now Freightliner says my part has sort of like disappeared and is not available. I mean I agreed to pay extra for overnight on THURSDAY and here I am finding out it's now gone up in smoke!
I'll wait til they get an anwer to their query (no doubt a lie. The part probably went to somebody else who ordered AFTER I did). If they can't get me tomorrow I'll pay what I owe and have to get that done next week.
Meanwhile this morning I get an email purporting to be from Hotmail asking for "confirmation" of my info inc. password because they were shutting down idle accounts. Fell for it.
Next thing I know I got mugged in Cyprus and am asking everybody on my contact list for money, my password has been changed, all my outgoing emails are being forewarded.
YOU GUYS ARE ASSHOLES. GET A JOB, YOU SUBHUMAN PILE OF SHIT.
I'll wait til they get an anwer to their query (no doubt a lie. The part probably went to somebody else who ordered AFTER I did). If they can't get me tomorrow I'll pay what I owe and have to get that done next week.
Meanwhile this morning I get an email purporting to be from Hotmail asking for "confirmation" of my info inc. password because they were shutting down idle accounts. Fell for it.
Next thing I know I got mugged in Cyprus and am asking everybody on my contact list for money, my password has been changed, all my outgoing emails are being forewarded.
YOU GUYS ARE ASSHOLES. GET A JOB, YOU SUBHUMAN PILE OF SHIT.
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