Melton, Whatcher 20

I'm back at CASS in Oakland. Delivered in Fremont CA this morning with another driver. He got a preplan for CASS going to post falls, then apparently someone took him off the load and sent it to me. Running down my 14 right now waiting to be loaded. I am NOT sleeping on the side of the road in oakland. Not gonna happen.

 

Army91W, I knew you looked familiar, but it didn't click. So you sit for the weekend? I have to be in Birmingham on Monday morning. Last couple of days were "interesting". I shut myself down yesterday afternoon because I had over done it in the heat and humidity on a load that I had screwed up. 100% support from my DM; wanted to know what the problem was, but that was it. This is why I like this company so much. Did my 10, pounded the fluids and got it delivered as soon as I could. When she got in this morning, she QC'ed me wanting to know if everything was good. Trust is a wonderful thing in this world.

 

Sitting just a little outside kansas city, Missouri at a pilot. I've got about 750 miles to go to the 1st drop, due Monday. Think I'll be alright. I put in my hometime request so I should be heading back towards the west over the week. Maybe I'll see you guys around soon.

Triletter that sounds good! Not the over doing it but I have a feeling if same thing happened to me my dm would be understanding. When I had that ac load out of Laredo I stopped so many times while strapping for that reason... Just too hot and humid. Strapping ACs isn't much, but standing out there takes its toll.

I've been watching this series on global warming, well they started investigating how many deaths are wrongly classified thinking it's some other problem when really it's the heat. They had a story on a high school football kid perfectly healthy but after a few days of the heat in practice, he just passed away. Heat exhaustion doesn't kill you quickly I guess it can happen over a few days... Just be careful out there guys when in the heat. You might think it's nothing but it can get you. Take breaks, don't wear yourself out. No need to be exhausted and driving 70k+ and something happen.

 

Triletter I am glad you were able to rehydrate. Everyone thinks because I sweat more then everyone that I am working harder, but I was a medic in the army most of my work was dehydration and of course the medic could not be dehydrated. I drink fluids like crazy even today.

Within the last year a Melton driver was not feeling well, I think the flu and let his dm know. The DM looks up a walk in clinic for the driver to drive to and he just so happened to get stopped by a Trooper within a mile of the clinic. He is honest with the trooper but the trooper cited him for driving while unfit to drive, (just as bad as a dui in csa terms). Both the driver and dm were fired. If you say you are not well and it can be interpreted as unfit or impaired your dm is going to have no part in telling you to move.

You guys stay safe.

 

Yep, little green book says that you can't drive while ill, and the boss can't make you drive while ill.

 

Yea, same run! I'm just a couple days behind you. Concrete from cheyenne to fremont now CASS to post falls. This time I wasn't lucky enough to get finished ingots, I got scrap bales. Tarped. No fun.

There was a Systems driver that was getting finished ingots, talked to him for a minute and he went back to his truck and started taking pictures. Noticed that his window at the top of the cab was smashed, asked him how that happened. He gave me a story about a meteorite hitting his truck last night on i5 in CA while driving. Showed me the "metiorite" that ended up landing in his sleeper. Wouldn't be surprised if it was just a rock thrown at him by someone else.

And now I'm in Lodi, out of route but the only truck stop i could make it to. I wasnt going to attempt getting thru Sacramento during rush hour, and sure as heck wasnt going to sleep outside CASS! (For those that havent been to CASS yet, imagine Compton times 5) Left oakland with an hour and a half on my 14, during rush hour. 70 miles to lodi, I made it. Maybe not legally, but I made it. Then again, maybe it was legal. You'll never know! Lol.

 

Genie loads are supposed to be preloaded, but I have had a live load there one time. Pretty easy load. Make sure to check in via cb when you get there. Channel 16 sounds familiar for genie. I could be wrong.

 

Spending the night at the Ft. Campbell Flying J. Being retired Navy, I feel like I'm in indian country.

Staying hydrated has always been an issue with me; I don't sweat, I melt. However, I have enough experience running a couple of marathons and Ironman distance triathlons to know when my body is telling my mind, Shut 'er down or I'm shutting it down!" Can't seem to get it in fast enough and I get focused on the task at hand. I can strap and tarp one load, but then to undo and redo is a bit more than this old body can handle. Bottom line, more breaks is better than a long break where you wind up taking a dirt nap.

Sounds like a catch-22 for the driver and dm. Based on that I guess I would a) call a cab or b) call 911 depending on the severity. Wonder if Melton would pay the tab?