Saturday night/Sunday morning they had my load set up with a return trip out of the routine. I was returning with a load of pallets to Dallas, relay drop at the OC. Having to go to the OC is a nightmare in and of itself. But, you'll have that on them bigger jobs. It turned out to be a blessed twist of fate.

Saturday night I got a call that my grandfather had fallen and broke his neck. They flew him to a Dallas area hospital. I made my run and it appears my return trip would just barely ...

Today I was called in to the OC for a Safe Track assessment that was supposed to be done months ago. Ergo, I was shut down for the day waiting on class (or whatever you call it.)

The instructor went over log violations with me, not logging feuling (which had already been discussed with me,) some incident that occurred recently where a load shift had caused product to fall from the back of my trailer when we opened the door; someone entered it as "logged off duty during accident." ...

I've got some new pix of the tornado damage. I'll add them in at the bottom.

Today was a hurried day. I woke dark & early in Huntsville and boogied back to Dallas to make my drop and get my truck back.

Turns out there's more to that self serve p/u than I thought. I apparently got the wrong bill. I checked in at seven and he tells me I have an 11 appointment. What? Yeah, this bill is for 11. So I had to call and get them to change it so I could mosey on.

...

FYI- Soon Schneider National will be hosting a benefit concert for victims of Dallas' recent tornado. Headlining the act will be none other than quasi-famous rap band (or something, I dunno what they sing. I never heard of em) Smashing Pumpkins!

Keep an eye out for specifics in an upcoming edition of OTRA Newsletter.

(thanks Pumpkin King for the inspiration on this one. "looked like a squashed pumpkin", ha!)

As most of you probably know by now, today, April 3, 2012, a tornado hit the Schneider O. C. in Dallas, Texas.

Thankfully, I can report that, thus far, everyone is accounted for and no injuries are reported. Furthermore; the facility proper in undamaged. The yard is what took the hit.
Word is also, the Flying J next to the O.C. is in bad repair, but I can't find any definites on it.

With that, I don't know what else to say on the matter. Therefore; I'll just share ...

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Couple nights ago I parked at the FJ in Tulsa to kill time while waiting a new assignment. Whole backing into my spot, it was a little bit tricky. Another driver came over to assist. I don't often offer help because of a couple reasons: instinctively I feel every one around me is better qualified, therefore who am I to offer help? I know that's a bum thought and I strive to overcome it.

The second reason is more prevailing; I have mixed emotions when someone spots for me. On one ...

In case anybody actually takes the time to follow me or wonders,

YES, I did get home this weekend, as promised. Had a very confusing work assignment, but I made it. (dang this is nice to do on PC rather than Evo.)

I actually was able to get HOME for my 10 hr break between 3:30-4 this morning. The delay was because of repairs needed that I reported on earlier.
Then I finished up and came back to the house.

Nonetheless, I was NOT on a hard deadline, so ...