Originally Posted by im6under

off to one of our better accounts... where we can't touch the hoses because "we" are idiots and they have specially trained people to unload our trucks...

I am sitting in my cab talking to another driver out the window who suddenly looks like he is going to puke... then gasps and disappears in front of the hood.

I jump out to check for epilepsy or heart failure... and I too am making the funny face as the ammonia cloud hits me...

I walk to the back of the trailer to see whats up and notice all of the personel are beating feet, all I see is heels and elbows...

I look behind the trailer and and there is a garden hose pouring ammonia on the ground under high pressure... looking up the side of the 50 foot tank I see 3" vent hooked from the top of the tank showering a might fine stream down the ladder assembly and running all over heck...

I paused for about two seconds taking in the situation wondering what all that stuff was...????

ohhhhh!!!!!! the tank is full !!!!!!!!!!!! overing !!!!!

walked over and pushed a button by the motor and backed out for o2.

stupid buttons aren't labeled start/stop or on/off...

crap continues to run... and I catch a glimpse of three more guys beating feet up the street... (pandammonia) lol

take a breath and jump back in bushing the second switch... everything stops... and I unsquint to get a good look...

whoops that burns the eyes a touch...

back on out and ask if I can use the chem shower... might have got some on me... (note) one guy didn't run he just stood there staring... *blankly*

no answer on the shower... so I went back to the cab... and grabbed a pepsi and washed my hands and arms off just in case...

walk back to the end of the trailer and the mega alarm goes off... whaaa whaaaa whaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!

the big boss comes out and surveys the situation... and calls somebody on the radio for a hazmat response team...

I offer you want me to hose that down with the water hose that is sitting right there... "nope get in your truck"

I can't breath in my truck because the wind is blowing that way so I'll just stay here and out of your way...

out comes the keystone cops... little red suits (not near as sexy as ours) donning hoods, respirators, as they *untangle* the fire hoses and start drenching everything from 2 angles... *truck needed washed anyways*

they have no clue how big the spill is... but are sure its thousands of gallons... I volunteer I think it was between 15 and 20 period.

the imaginary fire fighting goes on for about 20 minutes when I ask the big guy if he would mind unhooking my truck so I can leave...

he's agreeable because then they can hose down where the truck is parked..

guy goes over to unhook the main line from the truck and I start yelling you better close the tank valve before you fuque with the line or you'll be wearing ammonia...

ohh????? yeah???? good idea... close the dump valve and they unhook me...

I call bob who says... idiots...

then I am off and down to the yard...

get there and tell hydrite what went on and to be careful with the truck because their pump had somehow run liquid up in the vapor recovery line because I saw fluid run out when they were unhooking me and I don't want anyone to get hurt thinking it is just the vapor line...

the phone rings... and guess who it is????????

its the guys from the customer calling to complain to hydrite they had a spill.... and are blaming it on the driver...

(me)

hydrite says, "bs, our driver is right here and we he doesn't hook unhook or anything else down there... so you better go talk to your people again and find out what happened... cuz our driver saved your arse and a major clean-up when all your guys ran for the hills.

good old hydrite... givem the h e double hockey sticks buddy... lol

weighed the combo when I got in... still had about 13k in the bottle...

am thinking I should'a let it run....

idiots... lol

Originally Posted by truckinusa

Well I just got my 401k paperwork. It says that they don't contribute to the 401k until 1 year and then they don't vest until at least 2 years for 50% and then 3 years for 100%. The vesting period isn't too bad but they only pay 35 cents on the dollar! These people are crazy cheap.

Originally Posted by im6under

???crazy cheap? the last place I worked was 7 years to full vestment and they coughed up a whopping 3% match after the end of the first full calandar year. I worked 22 months before I got the 3%... lol

mind you the pay was pretty good...

I think its kinda like here and everybody just has to decide what's the best fit for them...

new driver... wants a new pete... and home every weekend... no problem... they pay 29 cents a mile... lol but you look good do'in it...

old trucks, few more miles and scratches and then they can lower the insurance or increase mile pay or some other frill...

companies can only charge so much without losing customers... and the pay is the same way... they can only pay so much of the slice out to drivers and stay in business.

so far, gless and me are a pretty good fit... not the highest pay but I'm home often and that matters... unloads are reasonably quick and that matters, trucks aren't total junk and that makes a difference to me, 401k is kinda sucky but I want more in my pocket so its a fair trade to me...

family healthcare seems kinda high to me here but its good coverage... and still cheaper than my alternatives.

trucks aren't denutted down to 68, 65, or god forbid, 62 swifty... lol and that really matters...

each to their own... but it was an excellant choice for my priorities.

Originally Posted by kegger

Hello,

Been reading this board with interest for about a month. Less than a couple weeks ago a friend encouraged me to go and talk to this co. I was an O/O at another co. Well I went on up and got the app, while I was there I got to meet Tim and spend a brief time speaking with him. Very pleasant person, and encouraged me to go ahead and fill out the app, and see what they could do. They were true to their word and quick.

Since my truck has a couple issues that require some investment to change for pulling tank, I was given an offer to start as co. driver and see how it goes. Which I'm more than happy to do. I road test Wednesday, then off for the physical and drug screen, when all goes well. This gives me a chance to see if I like it, which I know I will!

I have a very positive impression about this co. The way I've been treated just as a candidate, leads me to believe that I'd be very happy and thankful to be associated with them in either capacity.

Keep up the good writing, was sorry to hear about your incidents. That last one with the overflow was a doozy.

Take care and be safe.

Originally Posted by MO family man

Ricky has been hanging out down our way lately since the deal was closed on buying the rail terminal. Asked the other day if I had met ya yet. Says he sees you quite a bit...lucky you.

Originally Posted by MO family man

So we are upset that we get an instant 35% return on our money? Sheesh some folks are hard to please. If you want a job that pays X and contributes Y then go get that job instead of settling for this one.

Insurance is pricey but they actually pay out which is a pleasant change from my last gig.

Ricky has been hanging out down our way lately since the deal was closed on buying the rail terminal. Asked the other day if I had met ya yet. Says he sees you quite a bit...lucky you.