Flip side of "worst times on the road"

My first year driving I got dispatched to pick up a load in Chicago, IL at a steel company. Dispatch gave me directions and I followed them to a "T" and ended up head on with a low bridge and two roads, either to the right or left, both residential. I pretty much flipped a coin and made my right hand turn and ended up at the next intersection (again residential) with cars parked on both sides of the road. So at 6:45am, I went knocking on doors to find the owners of the cars to have them move them out of my way. Needless to say when I gave the option of moving their cars or me running them over, most came out and moved right away. After I got out safely and no damage, all I could think of was, "Oh well, just another day".

 

I'm supposing you are starting a "Best times on the road" thread.

 

Already been done a few days ago..


My worst time on the road would have to be Month of Dec in 2007 and first week of 08. I had gotten sick and asked to be routed back toward home so I can see my Doctor. It was not just a cold and I had a deep down bad feeling. But instead I was sent further west. I ended up spending Christmas and New Years in New Mexico. I could not walk from the door of the truck to the bumper with out being out of breath, and the truck was a lite Blue but at the Drivers door was black from throwing up when I was running. They finially got me a load going to NC picked up in Southern CO. I left the T/S and just got on I 40 and got pulled over by NM DOT. This was Jan 3rd. I had not touched my Log book since Dec 24th. At that point I did not care a rats rear end about the Log book which I told the DOT, I was sick the company finially got a load home after a month of me asking and if I am to die I want to die at home. That I also had a friend waiting for me in Denver to drive me home since I am so sick. He fined me but let me go with my Log book as is. Did not shut me down. Got the Load and made it to Denver to pick up my friend and was asked by the Fuel desk if I needed them to call 911. I said No, I am homeward bound, If I to Die I want to die at home. My exact words. Well I drove out to get past the Port of entry and then my friend took over. He only had a Learners permit so I had to stay in the pasenger seat but he already had his CDL to drive a 10 wheeler. Just did not have the part to allow to drive an 18 wheeler. He got us to Ill and I started to drive again but I only made it 30 miles and parked it for then I could not keep it between the lines. We made it on into Georgia and parked the truck at the company parking and told the boss get another driver to finish the run to NC, I was to sick. I made it home Jan 7th. Jan 8th early AM I was admitted to the Hospital with less than 2 days till death due to lack of Blood.

 

My worst & best were at the same time, delivering to a nudist resort in Tennessee during a nudist convention. Fortunately, for me the delivery people didn't have to disrobe.

 

Lets just say I have had WAY more good times than bad

 

<sniped>
Sorry to hear about that. Upper GI bleed? Dang.

My husband and I have both seen some bad things, but really haven't been OTR long enough, for that to be the reason. Nothing bad has happened to us "on the road".

I was a paramedic, so I've seen all kinds of bad things. I voted with what "we" have seen since he started driveing OTR. Cause otherwise it would have been the highest number.

 

For me it has to have been about 6 months after I went solo. Around 2-3am I was heading to a Walmart on the north side of Chicago. I had been given directions from dispatch. I took an exit before the one I was supposed to by accident. When I came to the end of the off ramp I had a tunnel to my right at 12 foot, the only option was to turn left. I could see the road in the distance to my right at the next intersection. It was pouring hard as hell at this point. I had to make a right at this intersection because there was another 12 foot tunnel on the other side of the light. I proceed down the road and notice a recycling plant on the left and condos on the right. A ten wheel dump passes me and I start to feel better until I get past the 90 degree bend to the left. About 500 feet in front of me is another low clearance of 10 feet. I was still not that great at backing. Now I am going to have to back around the bend and all the way to the small driveway for the recycling plant. Took me about 30 minutes to get back to the plant. Now I am on a 2 lane road with some #### nice cars parked al the way down both sides. Wasn't about to start knocking on doors here, way to many. I still to this day can't believe I made it out. Literally inch, set brakes, get out and look. I somehow jacked it into the plant with inches to spare. 3 hrs later I got out of there. I learned how to back that night.