Indian River

Hey! Happy New Year! I just logged on and read the posts from the last few weeks. Thank you to the forum staff for shutting down the nasty comments.

Bigcat, things are still good for me at IRT. I’m still running the same, doing OTR loads, etc. I can understand you not wanting to be gone for weeks at a time. It can be hard to adapt to. Glad to hear you found something that will be a good fit for you.
I brought a load from McAllen, TX to Spokane, WA last weekend. I had to chain-up (signs were flashing) going west over 4th of July Pass. It was irritating because they weren’t even needed. All of the guys at the removal area were laughing at how the signs were flashing and it was a waste of time. I took mine off, merged on, and set the cruise on 70 if that gives you an idea on what the conditions were like.
I pick up in Grandview on the 3rd and deliver in Miami, Florida.

 

Everything is still going great for me at IRT. I’ve been on the road for over 2 months now due to COVID-19. I decided to stay out here away from my family and everyone I know since I’m 37 and could be in the age bracket of non-symptomatic carriers. After touching 30 plus states in a month’s time, I didn’t think it would be responsible to go around anyone. I’ve delivered in Newark and went through NYC a few times since the pandemic started... I will probably wait until June then take an entire week off.

About 6 weeks ago, I was given a stand up, double bunk condo truck due to my other one having some issues that were going to have it down for several days. My entire career I have always had mid-roofs or flat tops. I’ve been driving since January of 2010 and have always prided myself on being one of those guys who never tears up equipment. I’ve always had a knack for backing into tight spots, etc. Last month in Vermont I had my first hiccup in probably 9 years. I was backing into a bay to get loaded and the receiver was inside giving me hand signals on when to stop. The trailer was all the way inside, I’m watching him the drivers mirror, creeping 2-3 mph in reverse. I heard a crunch up top... The truck was a few inches too tall for the unmarked door frame. It didn’t hurt the cab, but it did some damage to the top air fairing skirts that come off the sleeper. Needless to say, I felt like an idiot. I took some pictures, emailed them to Florida, and called our safety guy. I owned it like a man, told him I didn’t have any excuses and apologized. He told me it wouldn’t be a problem. I guess after 10 years and over a million miles of driving low rise trucks, overhead clearance at customers have never been an issue so it wasn’t even in my mind. I had only been in this condo truck a few weeks at the time. I still should’ve thought about it, but I guess it happens to the best of us. In 3 and a half years at IRT, I’ve been to 100’s of customers and touched every state except New Hampshire and Maine. Not once have I ever had a height issue backing in or pulling through until this. Anyway, I’m sure some of you are chuckling right now, so enjoy the laugh at my expense. Lol

Be safe on the road and stay healthy - Larry

 

That’s correct on the pet policy. I don’t carry a pet in the truck, but I got the messages they sent out about it and saw the flyers on the dispatch window at one of the terminals awhile back. Recruiting can answer those other questions better than I can when you call them. Good luck with everything.