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		<title>TruckersReport.com Trucking Forum | #1 CDL Truck Driver Message Board - Blogs - Car hauling or flatbed? That is the question. by Bayou_baby</title>
		<link>http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/blog.php?u=33933</link>
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			<title>TruckersReport.com Trucking Forum | #1 CDL Truck Driver Message Board - Blogs - Car hauling or flatbed? That is the question. by Bayou_baby</title>
			<link>http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/blog.php?u=33933</link>
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		<item>
			<title>Benifits of being a trucker</title>
			<link>http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/entry.php?b=4970</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:32:41 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>only god and truckers can say that being a truck driver can get you either in a lot of trouble or get you out of a lot of trouble. this is one time...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore">only god and truckers can say that being a truck driver can get you either in a lot of trouble or get you out of a lot of trouble. this is one time and please god and all truckers forgive me for saying this,,,,<br />
but this is one time i wish i was trucking,,cuz i'd find the SOB that killed my niece in Phoenix,AZ cuz he wouldn't see nuthing but my tires.:biggrin_25510::biggrin_25510::biggrin_25510  :</blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Bayou_baby</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/entry.php?b=4970</guid>
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		<item>
			<title>Where not to go in a 18 wheeler</title>
			<link>http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/entry.php?b=4933</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 29 Mar 2012 03:32:20 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Image: http://www.tailofthedragon.com/picts/flame_logo185.png  (http://www.tailofthedragon.com/index.html) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
*NORTH CAROLINA...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore"><a href="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/index.html" target="_blank"><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/picts/flame_logo185.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>NORTH CAROLINA ERECTS NEW TRUCK WARNING SIGN ...... </b>This sign has been installed on NC28 at US74 and gives truckers plenty of warning and time to turn around. Now let's see if Tennessee can follow suit. <i>Photo by John Bunch, Fontana Village</i><br />
<font color="black"><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/newNCsign.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></font><br />
Another similar sign has been installed near Robbinsville on US129.<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/052403_4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
May 24, 2003<br />
<a href="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/video/movie_files/trucks.WMV" target="_blank"><b><font color="#0066cc">CLICK HERE FOR SLIDE SHOW</font></b></a> <br />
OF THIS THING COMIN' AT YOU ....<br />
Killboy had to jump down the bank to avoid this one.<br />
<i>Photos by <a href="http://www.killboy.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Killboy.com</font></a></i><br />
<font color="#0066cc"><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/Truck61011.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></font><br />
June 2011<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/031811.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
March 18, 2011<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/031811_B.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
March 18, 2011<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/032811_railing.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Guradrail damage near Fugitive Dam after WalMart semi crushed it about 11 am March 28, 2011. It took two large wreckers and other vehicles to free it. Road was closed for more than and hour.<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/Oct1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
October 2010<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/Oct2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
October 2010<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/TruckStuck2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
October 2010<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/Oct3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
October 2010<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/Truck3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
September 2009<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/Truck2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
What's this coming around the corner? Sept 2009<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/swift.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
September 2009 SWIFT once again !!!<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/6-24-09_videopic.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Trucks detoured by closing of I-40 June 24, 2009<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/FlatBed_Moonshine.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
May 2008<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/080107.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
August 1, 2007 truck tipped over near Picnic Tables.<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/PaperTruck0807.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
August 1, 2007: And the clean-up took three days. This US highway remained closed the entire time.<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/04a_Tail-of-the-Dragon-9-18.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
This truck was near tipping on Sept 18.<br />
<i>Thanks to Tommy Taylor of Spring TX for the shot</i></div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/051807.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
This truck didn't even make it through the easy part on May 18, 2007. It held-up traffic and a couple of Ferraris for nearly an hour before being pulled out by a local work truck. <i>Photo by Michael Fletcher</i></div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/Aug1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
August 2010<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/two_meet.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Two trucks met head-on in September 2006<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/100805.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
This truck passed so close to this rider that one of the straps holding down the load actually hit him it the helmet. Oct 8, 2005. <i>Thanks to Denise Just and Mark Caesar for this action photo</i>.<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/100705.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
And another close call for the same rider!<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/041007FX.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
FedEx on April 10, 2007 <i>photo by Tail of the Dragon</i><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/Oct1505.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Oct 14, 2005<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/092105.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Sept 21, 2005 - <i>Photo by Andrea Batts</i><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/7152005.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
July 15, 2005 Photo by Killboy<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/072305_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
July 23, 2005 at the Hump</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/41505.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
April 15, 2005, Photo by Killboy<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/061606.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/danger.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
NOTE ALL THE WARNIG SIGNS - AUGUST 2005<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/mealsonwheels.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
August 17, 2004 <i>Photo by Ron Johnson</i><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/080604_1wide.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
August 4, 2004<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/080604_autocarrier1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
August 6, 2004<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/mathews_0804.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
August 4, 2004. <i>Photo by David Mathews</i><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/0813_4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
August 14, 2004<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck04.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We followed this truck south bound through the Dragon on June 18. It was frightening to see how much he drove left of center to get through the corners. <i>Todd LeMaster </i><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/TRUCK_051906.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/trk_vs_miata.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Truck vs. Miata - May 24, 2003<br />
<i>Photo courtesy of Sara McBride</i><br />
<font color="#330099"><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truckwarn_sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></font><br />
<b>Thursday Sept 19, 2002: BULLETIN </b>Tennessee has finally erected a warning sign to truckers. It is located on US 129 at <br />
the Foothills Parkway. &quot;Warning to trucks dangerous <br />
curves ahead consider alternate route.&quot;<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/Don_truck.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<b>SEPTEMBER 29, 2004: </b>Crud Corner crash involving two bikes and an 18-wheeler. One rider suffered broken arm, cuts, and abrasions. Second rider several cuts.<i> Photo courtesy of Jim Long</i></div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><font color="#330099"><b><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/0916_rear_sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></b></font></span><br />
<b>Monday, Sept 16, 2002: </b>5pm we came upon the above <br />
pictured semi stuck in a corner at the state line</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><font color="#330099"><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/0731_hump2_sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></font><br />
<b>July 31, 2002 </b>and yet another!! This wayward trucker got stuck in The Hump. He lost traction and had to back-up 3 times before getting enough umph to power through. More scrapes on the new surface. </div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><font color="#330099"><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/tanker3_sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></font><br />
<b>July 2002</b>. Another trucker bitten by the Dragon. Imagine if this gasoline tanker truck had flipped over and caught fire. Probably would have made the fires out west look small in comparison. The wrecker pulling the truck out gouged the new pavement. <i>Thanks to Myk Freeman of Knoxville for the pictures.</i><br />
<font color="#330099"><a href="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/pics2002/trucks/061902_slide.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/061902_slide_sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></font><br />
Ron followed this logging truck home on June 19, 2002. This picture is taken at the Slide near Fugitive Dam after a near collision with a truck towing a boat. Who says sportbike riders are a danger on the Dragon?</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><font color="#330099"><a href="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck_bike_lrg.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck_bike.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></font><br />
Darryl Cannon - killboy.com sent this photo of a truck on the Dragon June 1 that ran a bike off the road.</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><font color="#330099"><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/0501_accident1_sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></font><br />
BY MAD BIKER ON THE THE ABOVE TRUCK vs CAR</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><font color="#330099"><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/ms2_sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></font></div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/steve_wreck.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
One truck, one corner, Two Harleys.<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/02.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
This is not Great Britain! <i>Photo by Killboy.com</i><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/flatbed.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Nanc and I met this one on Cattail Straight August 27, 2003<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck_091403.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
September 19,2003<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck_090103.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
September 1, 2003<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck_092103.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> Photo from Glenn B.</div> <br />
 <br />
 <br />
 <br />
<b><a href="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/news_articles2003_landline.html" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">CLICK HERE</font></a> to see recent write-up in Land Line Magazine</b><b>SWIFT Trucking Problems on the Dragon <a href="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/news_swift.html" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">CLICK HERE</font></a></b><br />
<b>UPDATE January 2006 email from Swift Transportation:</b><br />
How are we doing? We have been making every effort to route our trucks away from the Dragon, but occasionally we still have a rogue Driver that wants to do it &quot;his own way.&quot; <br />
If you see us up there, I would sure appreciate notification. I assure you we will address it. I still frequent your website. What a great job you have done on that! Beautiful scenery. <br />
The Trucking industry sure gets a &quot;black eye&quot; but rightly so. I hope that we (Swift) will be able to outlive our earlier reputation and become known as the Company that took action and made a difference. We are truly trying. I wish you safe and enjoyable riding. <br />
Sincerely, Jim Wright,<br />
CDS Swift Transportation Manager Driver Safety Performance &amp; Log Audit<br />
<b>EQUAL ENFORCEMENT????? <a href="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon_equal_enf.html" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">CLICK HERE</font></a></b><br />
 <br />
Trucks on the Dragon have caused very few problems for both motorcycle riders and car drivers in the past. But now that more traffic is using the road these larger vehicles have become a hazard to avoid. Anyone using the Dragon needs to be aware that they might encounter one of these 18-wheelers around any curve.<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/bloodsign.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
For the most part we do not blame the drivers of these big-rigs. Nine out of ten did not realize what they were getting into until it was too late to turn around. All nine say they will take another route next time. The tenth one is probably a local who knows the road and how to drive it. Many of the locals actually have warning vehicles ahead of them, so if you see a car or pick-up with a flashing yellow light on top be sure to pull over and stop because something big is coming!<br />
We have asked semi drivers how they got on the Dragon. Some say they just looked at a map and it was the shortest route. Of course the curves don't show-up on highway maps so here they come. Others have said they used Expedia.com on the Internet .... just fill-in where you are and where you want to go and you map will be prepared for you. Frankly I wouldn't use this method to go across the county, much less across the country. The computer uses no common sense and anyone who follows such directions deserves to get lost and end up on some forsaken backroad where the only place to stay for the night is the Bates Motel. I find it incredulous that professional truckers would use Expedia. <br />
Still others are directed on routes by their dispatchers. This is the one that upsets us. We had problems with SWIFT sending rig after rig over the Dragon a few years ago. They caused several accidents and yet repeated contacts with their headquarters failed to prevent them from coming our way. All SWIFT had to do was send out a notice telling all of their drivers to stay off this highway and word would have gotten-out. There was even one Swift Truck that ventured into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (a big no-no) and then turned into Cades Cove ... a one lane, one way, scenic loop, well marked to prohibit not only big rigs, but ALL COMMERCIAL traffic. He made it about a mile before running off the road in a tight corner. <a href="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/news_swift.html" target="_blank"><b><font color="#0066cc">CLICK HERE</font></b></a> TO SEE MORE ABOUT THESE INCIDENTS <br />
Now that we have your attention, let us tell you how to avoid running headlong into or under one of these cycle eaters. Even at speed you should be able to avoid these behemoths if you are (1) paying attention, (2) are experienced enough to control your braking, and (3) keep a cool head and react under pressure.<br />
Foremost you need to watch ahead for any indication that one of these guys is coming. You can see through some of the curves with your peripheral vision. Even if you don't see the truck because of a blind corner you will likely see it soon enough to have time to stop before you get to it (here is the cool head and controlled braking), or you will not see the truck until late in the corner and have enough room to dive for the white line and avoid it before it steals your lane.<br />
Nancy and I have met many long-trucks on the Dragon and not had a real close call yet on bikes. We were nearly sideswiped in our pick-up truck once, though. We know the bad corners to really watch-out for. Two of the worst are on The Slide just above Fugitive Bridge as you approach Tapoco Dam. There are two sharp corners here with guardrail on one side and rock cliff within inches of the roadway on the other side. We slow way down here. That is where the photo on the left of the logging truck was taken. We have actually had people who thought we faked that photo of the truck entering the curve in the wrong lane. Believe us, it is for real! Notice the burned rubber just to the left of double yellow lines. He was smoking his tires trying to break speed going steeply downhill into the sharpest curve within a hundred miles. We were praying that no one was coming at him in the corner.<br />
The State of Tennessee did manage to erect a sign late in 2002 that issues a warning to truckers as they approach the Dragon. We think a few more need to be installed way back at the intersection of US 129 and US 411, some 20 miles closer to Maryville. The State of North Carolina has done nothing to try to prevent trucks on this road. We know that it can be done as both Tennessee and North Carolina have other highways with signs warning truckers. For some reason they do not want to post obvious signs on US 129.<br />
The really bad time for trucks is when I-40 is shut-down somewhere between Knoxville and Asheville. This occurs more often than one would think because the Interstate winds through mountains with steep rock cliffs where rock slides are prevalent, there are tunnels and narrow passes where a wreck can tie-up traffic for hours, and there are very few alternate routes for a hundred miles. We once spent six hours waiting for a broken down wide-load truck to be towed out of a tunnel and there have been times when rock slides have closed the road for weeks.<br />
It looks like there will be trucks on the Dragon for the 2003 season, so be prepared. We have had some serious wrecks involving trucks, but there have been no deaths as of yet. Please don't be the first.<br />
How to Ride the Dragon <b><a href="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon_howtoride.html" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">CLICK HERE</font></a></b><br />
<b>Monday August 4, 2003 noon: </b>Flat bed semi-truck side-swipes vintage Triumph sports car on Dragon. No injuries, but damage to side of car .... occurred just north of Overlook at mile 2 on Dragon map.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/Photos/051311/truck.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
May 2011<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/Photos/052011/Truck.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
May 2011<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/Photos/052011/Truck2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
May 2011<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/Sept.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
September 2010<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/Aug2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
August 2010<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/110709.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
November 2009<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Don't want to meet this one in a corner. July 2009<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Yet another SWIFT truck July 2009<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/0603.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Semi stuck at The Hump on Tuesday June 3, 2008.<br />
<i>Thanks to Chris Peterson for the pic</i><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/0601.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
June 1, 2008<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/0521.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
May 21, 2008<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/0511.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
May 11, 2008<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/KB_truck.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Truth in Trucking, June 23, 2007<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/092107.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
September 21, 2007 <i>Photo by KILLBOY</i><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck_1021.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
October 2007 photo by Killboy<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/scott_0511.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<i>Photo by Scott Adkins - May 11, 2007</i><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/0324_Walmart.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Photo by <b><a href="http://www.killboy.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">KILLBOY</font></a></b> March 24, 2007</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Brandon Andrews</i> August 2006<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/93005.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
September 30, 2005<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/TRUCK_061006.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/IMG_4907.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/IMG_8120.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/100905.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
October 9, 2005<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/071705.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/fadi2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Sept 24, 2004. <i>Photo courtesy of Fadi.</i><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck_truck.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Sept 2004 <i>Photo courtesy of Mark Brauning</i><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/0813_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
August 14, 2004<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/0813_3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/0813_4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck_723.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Miata weekend 2004. See results in photo below.<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/pics2004/trucks/smokin.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
July 24, 2004 Blown tire and smokin' after crossing the Dragon.<br />
<i>Photo by Ron Johnson</i><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/pics2004/trucks/truck_cop.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
&quot;No harm, no foul policy for trucks on the Dragon?&quot;<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/pics/060301_swift.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Rain and traffic and Swift<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck01.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Truck taking 3 lanes in The Whip<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/1006_truck.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
This truck driver stopped and asked for HELP. We escorted him and his buddy in a second truck into North Carolina. They both earned some Dragon stickers!<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/ms_4sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
No place to pull off the road if you meet this guy.<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck03.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
MZ Baghira (to the left of this truck) takes <br />
to the off-road at the Picnic Table.<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/cal2_0903.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<b>PICS ABOVE AND BELOW</b> I came down last week to ride the dragon and was videotaping a run when I met this semi. On my return this hapless driver discovered what that sign really meant when it says &quot;consider alternate route&quot;. Randy Bernstein, Sept. 2003<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/hump_903.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Another pic of the CalArk truck stuck in the Hump. <br />
Photo from Gary West<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/cal0903.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck071303_02.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/squeeze.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Plenty of room.<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/truck_benjam.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
April 30, 2003 Photo by Charley Radcliffe<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/sparks.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Curt Tricarico captured this photo of an auto transport with &quot;sparking ramp pucks&quot; on the Dragon.<br />
<img src="http://www.tailofthedragon.com/photos/trucks/BackHoe.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Not the best ride for the Dragon.</div></blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Bayou_baby</dc:creator>
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			<title>Trying new TROUBLES</title>
			<link>http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/entry.php?b=4901</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 22 Mar 2012 03:54:12 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>:biggrin_2555:*oh what a day i had! now after 10yrs otr and a new week on my new job. this morning started out like a rocket on a crash course for...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore">:biggrin_2555:<b><i><span style="font-family: Fixedsys">oh what a day i had! now after 10yrs otr and a new week on my new job. this morning started out like a rocket on a crash course for dayton beach. :biggrin_2556:first of all i work for a local company out of Dover, Oh. and the usual morning starts with fueling up at the local trk stop. Well not for me this morning. i didn't look in the load envelope right to see if the fuel payment was there. until after i loaded 45 miles down the road, causing havic in the office.:biggrin_25513:that put me behind terribly for unloading. :biggrin_2557:but as i made my way furiously to the drop point:306 miles away from pickup, by 2pm. Thinking i wouldn't make it, but i did,,,not without problems though. there was oil spewing all over the engine(top&amp;bottom) all over the catwalk, back of sleeper, ontop of the sleeper. all the way to the rear tandems, on the tarps and straps on front of load. and i still had 30 minutes to drop left to go. no cell signal, dont run qualcomm so that was out,,no trkstops for 60 miles either direction. :biggrin_25524:by 1:45 the truck began to shimmy too much to keep my nerves cool. the stop&amp;go traffic lights didnt help matters, seemed to make the truck run rougher. no cash on hand to buy oil, and by the time i got to the drop, i was leaking oil all over the customers lot. :biggrin_2556:its very embarrassing to have a customer (new customer)point out that &quot;atleast the load was tarped,,we have oil all over the tarps and in my lot!&quot; so after cleaning up the mess my truck made, and wrapping up the tarps &amp; straps, putting the equipment away.I begged the customer for forgiveness,,,Yeah right....and asked to call my dispatch. notified them of the trk issue. and was told to drive the trk back to ohio yard.but dont let it run lower than 1 gallon of oil....Hmmmmm...let me see,,the truck had just come out of the shop the day before,,i was notified that the leak is due to two bolts in the main block were missing,,thats why the trk had spewed so much oil,,,&amp; i have no money to buy oil. and now they want me to run a truck that could at any second have a sudden engine sieze up. blow a rod or worse a piston thru the block due to no oil in the engine...let me think on that.....well i did what they wanted ran the truck as far as ripley,WV and stopped to check the oil level. i parked the truck, turned off the engine (in fear it wont start back up) and waited 15minutes to see if there was anything left to show on the dipstick. OF COURSE NOT! even after waiting a full hour for the engine to cool a little,i checked again. meanwhile as i waited i had notified the trk owner and the comapny of the no money deal,,they were cool about it and sent a WILL Call# to get oil. after the red tape and purchase, i proceeded to go back to the truck. at first glance off my general look around, the oil that was ALL OVER,,had seeped down, soaking the parking lot. i did put orsorbeant down but didnt have enough to cover the full length of trk &amp; trl. i proceeded to pour 4 gallons of oil into the engine,,it drank it right up.the boss called after i had finished. let me know the whole crew is waiting for me at the shop over 140miles away and would be there until after the truck was taken care of. So with more than a bit of hesitation and panic, i started the engine. S.M.O.O.T.H start. a little to smooth for this particular trk. that made me more nervous.:biggrin_25511:not to mention the the 3 different times back to the yard the truck tried desperately to stall on the interstate while in a curve or on a downhill stretch....YIPPPS!</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Courier New">eventually i made it back to Dover. but not without manically shakey hands, and nervous of steel turned to shattering glass. but i am alive and the truck is back in the shop.. i still have a job!:biggrin_25514:dear god and all that were looking out for me</span></i></b><br />
 <br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Courier New">I'm Not Worthy................but thank you anyway. good night</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Courier New">yall be safe out there!:Pipe line:</span></i></b><br />
</blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Bayou_baby</dc:creator>
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			<title>Informal Introduction is this right thing to do?</title>
			<link>http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/entry.php?b=4799</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:24:25 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>*:biggrin_25526:Informal Introduction* 
 
Filed under: Uncategorized (http://lucilleblaser67.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/) — Leave a comment...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore"><b>:biggrin_25526:Informal Introduction</b><br />
<br />
Filed under: <a href="http://lucilleblaser67.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Uncategorized</font></a> — <a href="http://lucilleblaser67.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/informal-introduction/#respond" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Leave a comment</font></a><br />
March 1, 2012<br />
<br />
<i><b>Hello my name is Amanda. I am here in such capacity to figure out if my efforts for any job search is viable within all types of search variable. From the employment service, walk-ins,to online applications. My Work History reads like a bad nightmare or a Hollywood “b” rated movie gone wrong.</b></i><br />
<b><i>Back in 1986 i held my 1st cash paying job in Bremerton washington as a Housekeeper while attending High School and Teen Parenting Classes at the same time of caring for my 1st husband after work. Just trying to make a family. Then in 1987 went back to Louisiana with baby in arms loaded with luggage. Only to to as many mothers before me, try and find a sitter because i had to work night shifts just to support my child and the sitter. </i></b><br />
<b><i>in my 20&#8242;s it was working various jobs. From farm hand to pepper picker for Tabasco, Contruction Laborer, Janitor, temporary household plumber and electrician for family and friends, all the while caring for husband and children. in my early 30&#8242;s it was again General labor jobs in the refineries in south Louisiana. then back in 1995 i ended up homeless and with my mother being elderly i couldn’t put her under any constraints of carring for my children as i held down 2 jobs at a time. the State stepped in and told me if i can’t care for my children they were going to take them into the system. I sure wasn’t going to have that, and to be honest and blunt I’d be ###### to hell if I let the streets take my children. Either way i wasn’t going to let my children go hungry. There were only a few choices for me and my family members were in about the same bind as me at the time. I surrendered my children to their fathers, went on a drinking bing, then cleaned up and went to Oregon to find work. </i></b><br />
<i><b>After about 4 weeks of working in a Mattress Warehouse, i spoke with a friend that introduced me to a few Truck Drivers both teams and solo drivers. I sat with these folks as often as i could to get an idea of the industry. In the Fall of 1997 I was Grandfathered into Trucking with a Car hauling company out of Ft. Lupton, CO. , but before I could began to drive, i had to like many before me learn to handle a Truck and Trailer. Not just be a “Steering Wheel Holder” as some drivers are called. Now after all these years of trucking not just Car Hauling, I have an attitude that some folks will say “It’ll make a Marine and Sailor blush redder than a Strawberry.” </b></i><br />
<b><i>The following is just a small example of my work history, you tell me if the custody issues, and bad choices of companies had anything to do with loss of work.</i></b><br />
<b>EMPLOYMENT HISTORY</b><br />
<b>AH&amp;SR GROUP/PRODUCTIVE TRANSPORTATION 530 GRAND ISLAND BLVD TONAWANDA, N.Y.</b><br />
<b>5/2011 TO 10/31/11 SAM BAMBRAH 716-628-0808/ FRANK (SAFETY) 716-833-5700</b><br />
<b>now working with Sam&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;i was doing the driving loading and unloading: Logging the days and miles, driving where the company told me to go. But it was Sam that told me that he was paying me cash and taking taxes out of my pay to show New York state tax people that he was the driver. Now I want to know how in the world do you as an owner operator that owns 2 trucks, leased to a local delivery company thats permited for 48 states and Canada, can show on his taxes that he drives 2 seperate trucks in two seperate directions with two seperate loads. and still show that he was running a real estate company, atm business and several other projects. </b><br />
<b>USA TRUCK, INC. 3200 INDUSTRIAL PARK RD. VAN BUREN AR. 72956 03-18-10 to 08-07-10</b><br />
<b>I applied to USA Truck because C.Bean Transport had shut their doors leaving over 300 staff, mechanics,and drivers out of work with very little notice to get back to their Ft. Smith Terminal or Be arrested for Grand Theft of a Commercial Vehicle. And when i worked for USA Truck, they weren’t matching the 401k, and i scratched out the options to choose the 401k. had to turn in employment packett and someone chose to mark the 401k at the 100%mark to be taken out of my paycheck. my last paycheck with USA Truck was $37.00 before i just left.</b><br />
<b>C. BEAN TRANSPORT, JENNY LIND RD. FT. SMITH, AR BUSINESS CLOSED 12-01-09 to 03-12-10</b><br />
<b>Elder Wood Preserving- 334 Elder Wood Rd., Mansura, LA. 71350 318-964-2196 3/10/2008 to 06/25/2008</b><br />
<b>TRUX MAX-157 South Parkway East ste#1, Memphis, TN. 38106 901-332-3993 9/12/2007 to 02/25/2008</b><br />
<b>Now Here is a company that definitely couldn’t make up their own mind. Even when it came to the truth!</b><br />
<b>I Was under a load that came out of Iowa, had to take the back roads to get back to Memphis. Cutting Through Russel KS. My truck and Trailer were peppered by a Shotgun. The dark hours of 3-4am didnt allow for good phone cam shots. The Local Cop didnt want to file a report in the dark and it was cold that night too. My daughter was asleep in the bunk,,,Thank God and Heaven the shotgun pellets missed her!! all that day and the next we sat in Russel KS. waiting on parts and 4 tires to come in from Salina,KS. Now after Delivering inLittle Rock, AR. I was told to head back to Memphis yard. “No reason” said Marcus, my Dispatcher. He said He’d look for a load for me while I was in route. so i headed east. When I arrived in the Yard,,I did the usual…head straight back to the shop for inspection, as i got closer to the shop a new hire driver jumped on my driverside steps,,yelling..”Get the hell out of MY TRUCK!! I’m late for a load pick up!!! I was supposed to be there two hours ago!! You Made me late,,and on my FIRST DAY WITH THIS COMPANY TOO YA DM B&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;. !” Now as the settlement sheets and taxes show,I was buying the 1997 Freightliner FLD,with 13speed&amp; detroit 60 series under the hood. not to mention the Candy apple Red 48FT Aluminum Step Deck i was pulling. Less than 5minutes after i got in the yard, this driver yelling at me, the dispatch not answering, his phone, and safety calling me into the building. I Was fired because I could not provide proof of the truck and trailer being shot at </b><b>when the evidence of potshot was still on the right side of the truck and trailer! funny though, I knew Trux MAX didnt have anymore trucks to put drivers in because i saw the paperwork for all the trucks going to the graveyard. you tell me?</b><br />
<b>C.R. England 4701 West 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT. 84120 801-972-2712 4/07/2007 to 08/2007…On the lease purchase,,the only money i saw was cash advances to feed my daughter.</b><br />
<b>United Road Service 94 North 400 West, North Salt Lake, UT. 801-298- 2999 10/10/2000 to 12/18/06 #### I MISS THIS JOB!!!! child custody changed when my exhusband kicked my daughter out of his house at 15yrs old on Christmas Day 2006. </b><br />
<b>Lone Star Transportation 110 Northway Drive, Fort Worth, TX.76131 800-541-8271 6/05/05to 9/19/05</b><br />
<b>good compnay, just not enough miles,,too much sitting on weekends.</b><br />
<b>DNA Trucking </b><b>63 Anthony Drive, Niagara Falls, New York 14304 716-940-5541 7/2000 to 06/2005 </b><br />
<b>these three companies listed below my husband and i were lease operators with each and ran under the name DNA TRUCKING and because of this a lot of people dont think i drove,,costing me valuable years and hours on the road as far as the big companies are concerned. hell i drove team for 5yrs with my husband. it wasn’t all</b><b>bad! </b><br />
<b>***Truckers Express, INC. Business closed phone# not available 8/2004 to 02/2005</b><br />
<b>***ROCOR Transportation Business Closed 11/2000 to 10/2001</b><br />
<b>***Burlington Motor Carriers Business Closed 04/2000 to 09/2000</b><br />
<b>Prime, Inc. 2740 North Mayfair Avenue, Springfield, MO.65803 800- 224-4585 08/2002 to 09/2002</b><br />
<b>I won’t discuss what they did to me!!! 10 cent per mile…</b><br />
<b>J.D Trucking, 7600 Miller Ave, ste# B Longmont, CO. 80504 800-699-4593 09/1999 to 12/1999</b><br />
<b>Good company in its hayday. miss yall!</b><br />
<b>Metal Transportation Systems, 1850 County Route 1, Oswego, NY 13126 800-784-6687 6/1999 to 09/1999. Hey Mark you ever get your drivers and equipment fixed,,and the right securement and didspatchers???</b><br />
<b>Anderson Trucking Services, 725 Opportunity Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56301 800-328-2307 05/1999 to 06/1999. Watch your Step with these folks. Good Company, they had good miles while Mr. Anderson was alive.</b><br />
<b>Trucks For You, Inc., 3303 North 32nd Street, Muskogee, OK. 74401 800-256-4805 02/1999 to 06/1999</b><br />
<b>only if you weigh the governments chart weights for your hieght and age.</b><br />
<b>Collins Moving Systems,(Allied Moving) Kokoma, IN. Not available 11/1998 to 02/1999</b><br />
<b>Its was good while it lasted. til one of the staff got caught embezzeling…in so many words.</b><br />
<b>Deaton, inc. Birmingham, AL. Business Closed 04/1998 to 07/1998</b><br />
<b>started weeding out Women Drivers all together before Western Express got their paws on Deaton. Same Family.</b><br />
<b>J.D. Trucking, Factory Circle, Ft. Lupton, CO. (Now Supreme Auto) (303) 485-5417 09/1997 to 03/1998</b><br />
<b>Sam Walls,JD,Al, and Curtis Butler,,I would like to Thank you and wish i could repay the favors you did to teach me about trucking, Car Hauling, Hydraulic Repair and steel cutting. THANK YOU GARTH,JEFF, MARGERATTE, ALL STAFF AT FLEET CAR CARRIERS FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND TEACHINGS.</b><br />
<b>MISS YALL</b><br />
<br />
<b>now if you have any opinions of this post,,please jot it down and let me know. would you atleast give me a shot to really work. now that there are no restrictions and issues holding me back from working??</b><br />
<b>thank you…….Amanda</b></blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Bayou_baby</dc:creator>
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			<title>Looking to get back into car hauling. Or flatbedding</title>
			<link>http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/entry.php?b=4789</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:10:52 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>HELLO ALL, NOT VERY GOOD AT TYPING SO WILL TRY THIS. I AM LOOKING TO GET BACK INTO CAR HAULING OR FLATBEDDING. TIRED OF BEING JUST ANOTHER TRUCK...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore">HELLO ALL, NOT VERY GOOD AT TYPING SO WILL TRY THIS. I AM LOOKING TO GET BACK INTO CAR HAULING OR FLATBEDDING. TIRED OF BEING JUST ANOTHER TRUCK DRIVER AS SOCIETY SEES US. SORRY FOLKS NOT MEANING TO PISS YALL OFF. <br />
MY HUSBAND AND I JUST MOVED TO EASTERN OHIO. AND NOW I AM LOOKING TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD, MY HUSBANDS HEALTH IS PICKED UP ENOUGH TO ALLOW ME TO GET BACK TO WORK, EVEN IF IT IS REGIONAL WITH A WEST COAST RUN ONCE IN A WHILE. I KNOW I WILL NEED REFRESHER IN CAR HAULING, WILLING TO RETRAIN IF ITS REQUIRED. AS FOR FLATBEDDING YEP REDY TO RETRAIN THERE TO. BEEN PULLING BOX FOR THESE PAST TWO YEARS,,HONESTLY SICK OF IT. GOTTA HAVE A REAL JOB!!!NEED TO WORK AND WORKOUT. YES I AM SMALL BUT THROWING CHAINS AND TARPS IS WHAT I'M GOOD AT WHEN IT COMES TO FLATBED. CAR HAULING IS A CREATURE TO ITSELF, NEVER THE SAME, NEVER THE SAME DIRECTION UNLESS YOU ARE DEDICATED. BUT YES WILLING TO RELEARN!! <br />
YALL TAKE CARE, BE SAFE AND THE SPRING IDIOTS ARE IN BLOOM SO YALL BE SAFE OUT THERE!!!!!.<br />
BABYOU BABY</blockquote>

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