Non Typical Trucking Jobs

I have been driving for 20 years and have done allot of different things, and pull many different types of trailers and freight. I have been a company driver,lease operator and an owner operator.
When I first started driving my goal was to own my own truck. I was always envious of those "Chicken Haulers" hammering down the road in their 379 Pete's and stainless spread axle reefers, that was my dream job. I never made it there, but I have no regrets, and besides I ain't done yet.
But another aspect of Trucking has always drawn my attention and admiration, and soon took over and surpassed my "Chicken Hauler" dream. That is pulling multi axle and specialized loads, heavy haul and 19 axle trailers. I started to want to do this type of work when I was pulling Mobile homes all over the country, being somewhat similar as you are pulling up to 16' wide and 80' long trailers. Still it does not compare to a 200 thousand lb load on 19 axles with steerable "jeeps" at the rear.
The problem for me personally getting into this type of job, is simply my location. I live in Maine where there is not very much of this type of work going on. Sure you see them once in a while, but not like you do out west.
So it still just remains a dream, I almost made it though, just a few months ago I was considering moving to Texas and taking a job at E.W. Wiley. I had done everything up to going to orientation, I just had to relocate, as they will not hire drivers from Maine. Well after considering all the aspects of relocation, I decided to let it pass me by.
That's the problem with Maine, no one wants to hire you, except a few companies, that quite frankly I would not give the time of day.
So I put my dream aside and kept plugging along, I am presently driving Line Haul from Boston to Maine, hauling High value freight.
After selling my own truck a year and a half ago, I really have struggled to find something that is challenging and interesting. I am one of these guy's that I am not happy unless I am doing the "imposable" type jobs. I once pulled a 14' X 70" Mobile home from Maine to Washington St. just because I had never heard it had been done before. So pulling a Van or even a basic Flatbed, just don't do it for me anymore.
I may not have found my dream yet... but I think I have come close, I am working my 2 week notice at the moment, preparing to start a new job pulling specialized freight. It is not really multi axle ... but it does go "BOOM" and if it don't blow you up it will make you "Glow in The Dark" . I will be hauling explosives and radio active loads otr. I will be with one of those companies that require a DOD Secret Clearance, and have to run team. I really can't say allot about it, mostly because I have not done it yet, but I think this is right up my ally.
I really started this thread because I see mostly posts about your "Typical" trucking jobs .. but what about those drivers that do the things that are a little different... Like Mullti axle and Wind Energy? and some of the other jobs that most drivers just dream of doing...or not.
So let's here those stories from these drivers, and maybe some of the others can dream a little.

 

R and R trucking in Joplin, and that is what they do is Military Munitions, and Commercial Explosives, as well as hauling spent Nuclear fuel rods.

 

There ya go now that is pretty extreme for sure.

 

Well so much for me going to R and R Trucking, my co-driver bailed on me and he is not going to take the job after all. So I will not be able to go as they require teams only. Oh Well.... I talked with Superior Carriers in Auburn, Maine and sent them an ap. Talked with the Terminal Manager yesterday and it seems to have potential. Have to wait and see.
So much for being a Suicide Jockey... have to settle for being "Tanka Yanka", it's different anyway so maybe it will work out. Never thought much about hauling Tanker. Seems most of the guy's I have talked too that do it like it. So just have to get used to the little differences of pulling liquids.
From what I have read Superior Carriers seems to be a decent company, good pay and decent equipment. That will be different in itself the company I work for now has low pay and Junk for equipment. Not to mention seem like they will close the doors any day now.
Hopefully I can get on with Superior Carriers, I look forward to the challange of something new and different.