Central Refrigerated Truck Stop

poolplyntrucker · Jan 4, 2011

:smt054

chompi said: ↑

Great job! Everyone gets an A for effort! Raincatcher you did right with the 3-6 hours extra. Usually on long trips thats good to allow that much. C'mon LadyK what about the time zones? Make your head spin a little huh?! It takes a little getting used to.

Here is something VERY IMPORTANT to remember! NEVER, EVER, EVER just get off any exit in IDAHO! There are many, many truck restricted routes and you need special permit/permission to go on just about every road out there! Central will issue an Idaho map with the highlighted roads in it that you can take. They usually put it in your permit book along with your Idaho permit. Do not veer from this map!

While on that subject (permit book) when issued your permit book make sure to go through it and double check that you have every state permit. Also keep in mind when hauling alcohol that you must have your alcohol permits for the states you will be in. If for any reason you do not let them know and they will get it to you over the road or you can check at the guard shack. The guard shack will issue you all of your permits and renewals as they come in. Whenever you come to the Salt Lake terminal when you get to the guard shack they will check your file to see what you have. Some of this might not make sense but after orientation it will. It will save you time and hassle if you can remember to do this. Whenever you get pulled into the scale you will need to bring your permit book in with you and they check through this stuff. Since you guys are on electronic logs I guess you won't be bringing that in too. You will need your bills though if you are loaded. They check those too! Another thing I will mention for the hell of it is when you are in Oregon you have to enter your tag number into the fuel pump. This is a special tax number you need for fueling there. If for any reason you have to go inside to pay don't forget it.

Keep practicing the trip planning guys. It will get easier and easier the more you do it. They quiz you on this in orientation. It helps immensely to have a GPS because it does all this for you. Just make sure to check the route it gives you with your road atlas for low clearances and restricted routes. For those of you with Droid phones or Iphones (probably some others too) there is a navigation app. that works pretty well. A little trick my wife and I used to do, which is simple yet a life saver is to get those erasable markers (you know the ones for you use on the white boards) and use them to write your directions, fuel stop exits, fueling times, phone numbers etc... right on the window. I would write on the windshield off the right of it. If you put it on the side window when you roll the window down it erases everything! Also you can draw your shift pattern on the windshield if need be. My first trainer taught me this trick and it was one of the best little things I learned from him! Saves you from trying to look down at a piece of paper. Plus when you are on the phone you can write down numbers or notes while you are driving with out taking your eyes off the road! Here's another little tidbit: replace your reading light above your head in the drivers seat with a blue or red colored bulb. This way you can drive with the light on all the time and it doesn't effect your vision or blind you. Another must have essential is the back scratching stick! Not only used as an "itchy stick" but used to reach things while you are driving. Plus if you are a husband/wife team (like the Klingon's) you can beat each other with it! Also used to poke your partner while they are sleeping in the back! One time during a blizzard a had an ice ball build up under neath of my wiper blade and it made it so that the wipers wouldn't work. It was actually snowing too hard to pull over all the exits were snowed in and the roads were covered. I had no choice but to keep going but I could not see. So, I rolled the window down, grabbed my "itchy stick" and every time the wiper blade went to the right I would reach out and jab it with my stick, chipping away at the ball of ice with each swipe to the right. After about 20 swipes I broke it all off and my wipers worked again! What a life saver! My wife thought I was Macgyver! (without the mullet!)

Sorry for getting carried away on this post! Hope something in here helps you guys!
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LOVE IT!! Good to know!!

Klingon · Jan 4, 2011

Raincatcher said: ↑

I have a health related question. I was diagnosed with COPD two years ago. I use Spiriva, which works wonders. I am really nervous that this condition may be a factor in the DOT health exam. If it is going to eliminate me as a driver I would really like to know before I leave for Salt Lake City this Saturday. Any advice? Thanks.
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I had gastric by pass surgery about 18 months ago. I wasn't sure about if it would stop me from getting my DOT either.
I went to my personal Doctor and had her to the DOT Physical. She passed me.
You should do the same thing. Go to your Dr. and let her/him do you Physical. If it is an issue she/he is not going to risk their license so you can drive. But they will know her health issues the best.

Now if your going through TDA, they should take your Physical if it was within 30 days... TDA took mine.

Jeepintrucker · Jan 4, 2011

I dont think there will be a problem. They arent going to nitpick a physical, ive been through countless ones. Of course, ive been wrong ALOT in the past.

poolplyntrucker · Jan 4, 2011

Firebirds71 said: ↑

This was my baby
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DROOL! I'm jealous! That is a GEORGOUS piece of metal!

Raincatcher · Jan 5, 2011

Klingon said: ↑

I had gastric by pass surgery about 18 months ago. I wasn't sure about if it would stop me from getting my DOT either.
I went to my personal Doctor and had her to the DOT Physical. She passed me.
You should do the same thing. Go to your Dr. and let her/him do you Physical. If it is an issue she/he is not going to risk their license so you can drive. But they will know her health issues the best.

Now if your going through TDA, they should take your Physical if it was within 30 days... TDA took mine.
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I saw my doctor yesterday afternoon. She gave me the physical and I PASSED!! <happy dance>

Klingon · Jan 5, 2011

Raincatcher said: ↑

I saw my doctor yesterday afternoon. She gave me the physical and I PASSED!! <happy dance>
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Great... Glad to here it....

niners77 · Jan 5, 2011

Raincatcher said: ↑

I saw my doctor yesterday afternoon. She gave me the physical and I PASSED!! <happy dance>
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Good to hear! Good luck with all of the training and orientation, and welcome to the big, weird family we are a part of.

Raincatcher · Jan 5, 2011

Good morning Klingon! How's it going out there? I hope all your expectations are met and your dreams come true. I will be trying to follow your adventures while waiting for my own to begin. Not real sure I'll have much time, but I'll try to check in on the forum at least once a day. Stay in touch and stay safe.

Raincatcher · Jan 5, 2011

G'morning niners77! Thanks, it scared the shipoopy out of me for a few hours, I'll tell ya! But I'm glad to have my confidence and enthusiasm back in place. Heck, even my doctor is excited for me. I can't wait for it to begin.

niners77 · Jan 5, 2011

I am currently sitting in Chelan, Wa. I love these apple loads that come out of Washington, the scenery is beautiful. Heading to Nebraska.

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