Calex Express....My New Home!

Apology accepted John. How are you?! Hopefully we can meet next week, since I should be in the area again once you return to PA. I love running out west, and am envious of you, since due to my truck issues I wasn't able to show my son the beauty of the country out there along 40-70-80, though I was able to finally get back to the Houston area and take him to the U.S.S. Texas and San Jacinto Monument (pics coming asap)! Be safe, hope to talk again soon!!!

 

Carlo. I've read your other blogs on the tankers, and I must say, I'm surprised to see you pulling a box, and even more surprised at you being with Calex. My time there was short, not because the company itself is bad, because nothing could be further from the truth. My leaving was based on my wife needing me home here as well as getting put on a crappy dedicated run. If either of those two things didn't exist, I'd still be there.

It would have been nice to meet you.

As far as loaner trucks, my first run for the company involved a truck rescue in Missouri. The load was going to Vegas, and then I had to reload back to PA. The day before, I had orientation and was assigned a truck, to which I loaded all my gear into. Since it was just sitting there, it was loaned out and run to the coast and back by another driver, with my high $$$ CB, and about 75% of my trucking belongings inside. I was not happy about that.

Luckily, all was present and accounted for, minus a few non-perishable food items I forgot to remove.

 

Well I will be returning to calex in 2weeks

 

Johnboy... yikes!! It sounds like it (truck wise) if it weren't for bad luck you wouldn't have any at all. I hope this one likes you long enough to get you back to get your new 1.

I have to say I'm really proud of my poor truck. Despite bizaare computer issues (short somewhere?) it still runs, brakes, and turns. But I sympathize with getting stuck waiting for to be fixed.

Well cross your fingers for me, I'm trying to get home for about a week to tear out a rotten floor and rebuild it. Oh, and convincing my honey I do exist wouldn't hurt it all.

My truck is usually fixable by friday so I do not begrudge the shop the time. It's not like they're breaking it intentionally.

As for Louie, I think he's just a hard man to get to know. He does seem to get stuck between a rock and a hard place a lot of the time that would make anybody frustrated. I try to talk to him as little as possible because I know he's got so many other people trying at the same time.

 

Having done it with no problem, can you explain to me why so many people don't like the kent washington run? I mean in the summer, winter would be a bear. The customer lets you deliver early, phoenix oregon is a perfectly good place to reset, and even with reedley california's tendency to hold you OTD is not hard.

 

Gotta give a shout out to xx258. Poor guy had a wheel come off the trailer 20 miles from effingham. He was in th TA shop when I got there for my 10 hour break and the poor thing was still there when I left. Could anybody seeing him pass along my thanks, I really appreciate his help with the fuel card debockle.

Everyone I have met at this company is really nice. I thank everybody for their problem solving suggestions.

 

Good Luck with the new gig Gary. I left for the same reason that you stated. It's a shame, quite a few good drivers have left because of his demeanor and piss poor attitude toward us. I wasn't willing to put up with it any longer either so I jumped ship also. Good luck in your next venture. Take care...Al

 

Hey John & Rhonda, thanks so much for the kind words - I always enjoyed so much being able to chat with you two - you're both very classy people and I hope and pray your experience at Calex is everything you want it to be and more. Have you had any more western runs since that disastrous (almost 1 month out, if I remember correctly) first trip you had west a couple months back? In any event I hope our paths cross again. I'll PM you my email address ok? Keep in touch guys!

Gary

 

Thanks Al - best to you and your family. Who knows? Things change - I always like to keep an open door, cause you never know. Take care.