CRETE - A Year in Review

After I delivered my load a day early west of Chicago, I saw a very unusual thing - sorta' like another great white elk sighting - a choice of loads....that's right, a multiple load offer! Really...I'm not kidding. I had a choice of somewhere up in NY state or Roanoke, TX both out of Montgomery, IL...Both were similar miles, so I took Roanoke, partly because it loaded earlier...but also because it wasn't in the N/E, and I've been fortunate not to be sent up there in a while. Op's had my paranoia going again once I emptied out in Roanoke...I received an offer from Ennis to Des Moines, 1 stop, for Friday morning, but before I could accept, a second offer from Dallas to Fremont, NE and an explanation msg. Now, the last time I had something similar happen, I was routed to Lincoln for my intervention meeting...so my mind started on it's paranoid scenarios...turns out, it was only my vivid imagination again. The 2nd offer was less miles, but also less deadhead...so maybe that was the reason for the change. Honestly, I think I need to ease up on the attitude towards Ops just a little...that way I don't have to be so uneasy whenever a load to that area comes up. After Fremont, I was given a load from Sioux City, IA that delivers in Hannibal, MO at noon on Saturday. That'll put me at 1208 on 10/2...not a bad start.

I ended up last month w/12385 mi's and ended last quarter w/just under 34900. And the load to Fremont delivered on Friday (10/1) which put me at 3269 for this week. I've still not broken the 100k mile marker yet this year, but it still looks a lot better than it did this time last year.

I did put in for home time this weekend, but since it's so easy to get on the 200-300 mi/day load schedule, I offered to extend my tour if they can keep me on this busy schedule, I mean, I would hate to screw it up while I'm hitting the right times for decent length freight miles...

 

You sound like a very knowledgeable trucker and by your writing I know you're intelligent. My question is this: On a sight like this that is devoted to truckers sharing information with one another, why do you find it necessary to express your political views and insult other peoples views? I was also wondering if you have ever been shot at while serving your country? You don't have to respond. Just think about it.

JP

 

Odd.... I didn't see him insult anyones' views or express his political views ANYwhere in that post.

You ok Jimmy?

 

Scroll down below the post.

 

His Sig? Are you serious? You have issues with someone's sig? You cant overlook his sig and look at the message he typed?

So, I guess my avatar bothers you too?

Seriously..... don't worry about it. It's his opinion, so what? You have another, thats kewl too. Don't be afraid to express it, you won't offend anyone.

 

Wait....did Hell freeze over? SS agreeing that management did something right!?

 

I am a very conservative person. I do not like the direction our country is heading in, particularly when we have a president who is hell bent on destroying this country. I served three years in the 101st Abn and no I didn't get shot at because we were not at war at the time. Lastly, it is most apparent that you are a liberal because, like a typical liberal, you have incredibly thin skin. My advice to you is to grow up and not let other peoples opinion's ruin your day.

 

i agree 110% bro,sometimes i wake up and im like wtf has happened to america.im not a republican or dem and def not a libtard.but they have ran this country into the ground but i don't blame them thats to be expected from the enemy.but i blame the ones that know better but yet stand by and do nothing.

i say let em keep thinking the way they do because very bad things are close at hand, but by the time it hits it will be to late for em.oh well you can only tell em so many times then they will have to learn the hard way.

 

I got a peak today at the next generation of tractor my company is going to.

Currently we drive 13 speed KWs with both axles (note the correct spelling) driven. As I've previously shared, I personally like this combination both for mileage and never having been stuck in something I couldn't get out of.

They're making some big changes. Still KW's, but switching to a straight 10 speed tranny (saves 300 lbs) and only one driven axle with a tag axle (saves 300 lbs and adds 1/2 MPG). The new engine requires the new urea stuff; 300 MPG with a 20 gal tank (tough to find this stuff so far). No APUs of any type, but a 1500 KW inverter factory installed.

Finally, no need to carry chains (supposedly) because the units come equipped with chain slingers. Darnedest things I've ever seen. Picture 12 inch lengths of chain mounted on a disk that can spin helicopter-style, throwing the chain pieces in front of the driver tires. No one has had any experience with these, yet, but my observation is because the mechanisms have only 6" of road clearance they will be torn off on the first trip through a rutted, potholed drop lot. Rube Goldburg would be proud.

Initial reactions so far, excluding the chain slingers and urea that no one has any experience with, is that no one likes the setup. It's too easy to get stuck any time you're in a situation where the weight is removed from single drive axle (potholes, drainage dips at the fuel islands, etc.) and the 10 speed won't allow optimum RPMs for commonly posted road speeds.

I think I'm looking to hold on to my unit for as long as they'll let me. :-\