Central Refrigerated Truck Stop II

In this case it works like this - I get a preset, it's preloaded and a drop at 99. I can go grab it and run it, or I can wait 6 hours and then run it and get a 34 in the process. The only real difference is how much time I have to kill in Orlando. Given that scenario, I pick the 34 every time.

Also, bunk heater works now. Just a fuse, but it wasn't blown, it was altogether missing. Add the fact that it wasn't labeled and you see the problem. Took (jimmy? I think?) like 20 minutes to figure it out after 3 people tried and gave up.

 

Not at all. I love driving. Here's the good side for me... I don't drink anymore, ever. I finished seeing all 50 states before the year was out (born in Hawaii and flew to Alaska a couple of times in my earlier life.) I feel completely at peace in rush hour traffic when I pick a speed where I don't have to brake every five seconds, in a lane with little to no resistance, floating the gears and laughing at the 4-wheelers (and sometimes big trucks) who have absolutely no concept of merging or maneuvering in heavy traffic. I like being able to plan trips on the fly and somehow beating my goals on an almost daily basis. I'm cut out for this and I would probably still drive a truck even if I was able to retire tomorrow. Then there's coming home. The kids wanting to know what you got for them, the birthdays, family you haven't seen in months, and the food is SOOOO good compared to what you eat on the road.

My girl has been sick the past couple of months. She's raising three on her own. She is my world and it's hard to remember that I'm out here to provide for her and the kids when and if she needs it. No, not in my first year here. This is all for experience and a year's safe driving. Which is what got to me. There is a whole lot to put up with for some experience to appease a bunch of "bureaucrats" that base every hiring decision they make on A safe years driving. It's a trip and I am very capable at landing a decent job. But, unfortunately, I don't want a different job. This last time to the house just hit me a little hard and I wasn't ready to be back out just yet. I also got sick this weekend and that SUCKS in the truck. This is a job that will not wait. Yes, I leased which means constant expenses. It's roughly $122/day for me to operate, moving or sitting still! So sitting is never an option for long. There are a million reasons not to do this job but if it's in you, for some reason you can't help yourself. This will be a rough few years OTR, but I'll see it through. I just can't rightly recommend it to anyone with no preparation or with too much already on their plate. But if you have what it takes you're probably not gonna base your decisions on some post in TTR. Good luck all

 

Did everyone get their safety bonus today? I didn't get mine but I did get my on time. I did the class and the online vids and went another 3 months without hitting anything. What gives?

 

I called payroll... She said it should be on next weeks settlement...

 

Thanks AF. I too have a wife and 3 kids at home. The hardest part for me has been missing sooooo much in my youngest life. I missed her birth, her sitting up for the first time, crawling and I hope I can get home soon because my wife thinks she is about ready to walk. Like you, however, I love this job. We just seem to mesh. I have always been a hermit and used to be an alcoholic. So like you I have completely stopped drinking and my idea of a good day is a long drive with an audiobook playing. I have been put out of my comfort zone many times as a trainer, but I just keep telling myself it's only 4-6week.

On the safety bonus I got mine on this last check.

 

I didn't get my safety bonus on this last check either.

 

Ditto to what Frost and Moose commented on, and I'm sure others have stated before. Fortunately, all my kids are out of the house now with my youngest now in college. Yes, I still miss them but they are out on their own now making their own decisions. And yes, I miss my wife too but we understand what we're doing and it IS GREAT when you get back home for a bit. The few times though that I 'don't' like being out on the road are the times that I sit too much not doing anything...like when I get a load to the 99 early but don't get a drop so I sit for 24+ or my preset is for the next day late in the eve when I delivered in the morning the day before. I like the drive though...always new things to see even on old routes, and I don't mind being by myself - it's nice quiet time. Anyway, just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.

 

Totally hearing you on the sitting around part. Had drama at home today. Last night I arrived to a location in Orlando with no appointment. Big city, no appt time, must be 24/7 operation right?! Errrrrr!!!! After running around the block going back and forth with dispatch and turning around in a gated yard (fun times), I found out their hours are 8-5. Great. Being Irlando there is no convenient parking and I end up 30 miles away in a rest area. Takes an hour to return to the 99 and I'm unloaded no problem. Run around after, take the long way to a washout, grab a quick shower, eat in the truck and move on to the next 01. Experienced drivers may notice what's missing from my day so far...
No trip planning!!
here's what I missed. My 360 mile trip is closer to 390. When I stop at the scales it's 1700. Neither of my breaks earlier in the day was 2 hrs long, although altogether about 3 hours. So, with drive times I'm down to 5hrs 45mns for the day. 372 miles to go and a 0830 appt. 10 hr break puts me getting there over an hour and a half late. Luckily, they stop receiving at 0900 and I'll get to sit on the load til Monday if they're not forgiving. Anybody ever been to Lion Foods?! Lol.

Anywho, rushing is good but never let drama take you from planning ahead of time. I should have been pushing for an appt the last three days but I've been distracted and I made some assumptions that thoroughly bit me in the ###! One week bad weather, one week going home, one week coming back, and now this week makes for a rough 4 weeks. Hope yall's be mo better!! Oh, and my ten is up in two hrs. Yay for insomnia. I promise to pull over if I'm not still wired all the way there cussing at my windshield!!

 

if you mean food lion I've been to several of there locations in nc and sc.

 

Well, my "30" days to be off of Tramadol is finally up and I'm set to be in Salt Lake Monday to start over again. At least I'm supposed to get the same "free" training that I was supposed to get for coming during the holidays. At least I know NOT to take the bus this time and have a ticket booked with Southwest Airlines. I haven't flown since the Army flew me to basic training over 30 years ago, so I'm looking forward to it. I'm not looking forward to what I can only imagine will be the frigid whether in Salt Lake. For a reason I can't put my finger on, I'm a little nervous which is not usual for me. Maybe it has to do with starting something new at 48....