Newbie.... blah blah blah....yadda yadda yadda

I'm now running with the big boys.
I'm actually glad for my education in truck driving. All the problems. The failures of companies. Incompetent wickedness of FMCSA. Which DOT don't like one bit. Everything...
It all seemed to add up to making me better for running with the big boys.
Working for an O/O. There are three of us. Work for a cement plant. Haul cement powder regionally with a pneumatic tanker. I might be out overnight maybe a couple nights a week? Usually home each night.
This is alot of responsibility. It's almost as if the truck is mine. Boss is great at taking care of things. Well maintained. Good equipment. But I gotta let him know about any problems. I gotta get things done. Don't have no idiots in an office watching over my shoulder electronically.
The other day they gave me one place to deliver. Just let me go. Do as many runs as I can. The cement plant dispatch we work for is very good. Think it was a little gift. Knowing I'm new. Need the money. Then... got a bad oil leak. Had to stop in ND. Wait till next morning. Get it fixed. This is a new engine. (Last driver is gone because he let the engine run dry on oil.) All this ruined my rolling in the money. Oh well. I know it comes with working like this. I also know the advantages of working like this.
There aren't benefits like companies have. I am W2. I also make real good money.
And all my off time is actually at home. Home most every night.
Through everything. Last 2 years experiences. It's all led to this.

Didn't mention my health. OTR was getting to my legs and my health. Loved OTR. But not good for me. Now I drive for 5.5 hours to deliver. Get out. Legs hurt. Working a pneumatic tanker. Not too much walking. Mostly standing. Move a little here and there. It's good for me. Good to allow me to rehabilitate my legs. This Regional pneumatic tanker is much better for my health than OTR. .... confess I loved OTR. Running all over the country.

I"m sitting here at home now. Had a long day yesterday. Used up all my HOS getting it done. First time I haven't had a load to do in a week. Just waiting for dispatch to call. I am on call 7 days a week. Have to watch the phone from 7am to 5pm.

 

Look what I just bought for unloading in North Dakota during winter.
I already had insulated boots. Even Pac boots. But none with steel toes.
I knows North Dakota. It's bad. I even got Ski Goggles for unloading there.
Told my O/O I got these. He said he'd reimburse me $120 on them. That's nice of him.

 

This is almost weird. I'm liking it...a bunch...
Didn't get a call for a run yesterday. Got a day off. There could be several reasons. Including work being done on my truck...possibly. Also thought maybe (?) they shy away from runs in bad weather. We do have a storm. Worst kind of ice...warm ice at 30 degrees. Either way...
This is weird. I'm used to floundering in truck stops. But here at home? This is nice. I'm having to get used to this. Oh and it's 9am...haven't gotten a call yet today.
I just hope I get enough runs in winter to pay my bills. O/O tells me I will.

I just found out. We're all floundering. Guessing it's the warm ice?

 

Thought I"d put this out for discussion...
Really like what I"m doing. Regional pneumatic trailer. Hauling cement powder. It's healthier for me. Don't spend nearly the time in the truck. I'm at home on all breaks and hometime. Except when I spend the night on a run.
Only down is. Gonna be tough making it through winter. Low pay. But also don't do much. Spend that time at home. Also... old truck... things keep having to get worked on.
Otherwise seriously like this job....

I have the opportunity to apply with Crete on a dedicated Wallyworld account. They can get me home for my 34 once a week. Can make more if I pass on that home once a week.
Definitely more stable and better income.

I'm thinking here.
Thoughts?

 

Appreciate the replies.
Have been busy since this morning.
Sitting in ND now. Waiting to unload.
Not too sharp right now. Unload then sleep. It’s midnight.

I could sing great when I ran a lot. I had the breath to do it. Now I’m a lousy singer.
Have to say my favorite singer is Lea Salonga. Girl sings with all her heart, mind, and soul.
I’ve studied music. Might get back into that. Want to write lyrics. Maybe more. But need to learn.
Some of the best songs are out of Broadway.

You go OTR. Don’t miss Liberal, KS. That’s where Dorothy’s house landed on the witch.

I always wonder if I’m talking to a supercomputer. They’re training it. It has hundreds of discussions going on all at once. That’s why I won’t talk to Siri.