Driving OTR with US Xpress

Hello There.


Student number 2 is finished and off my truck after completing his 150 hours behind the wheel.

He really seemed to get his act together in the last few days. We were hit with team runs which I basically refuse altogether as my CPAP doesn't hold up well to water splashing around, and I'm not fond of inhaling water in my sleep. It seems the weekend folks can't discern that we run super solo.

So I dropped him in Ellenwood, even though he needed to be in Tunnel Hill. The training department arranged for transportation to get him up to TH for his upgrade.

And me, I'm at home enjoying some much needed HT.

BTW, I'm out of the Prostar and back into a Freightliner. I had idle problems with the Prostar they were unable to fix, so they re-seated me back into a Freightliner.



No students for my next session with the holidays coming up. I'll look into taking on another student after Christmas.




I need to give my throat a rest.



Thanks for reading.
-Wedge

 

Nope. It's a 2012 with an 10 speed.

If they assigned me a truck with an auto, I'd probably stand there and silently stare back at them.

 

Of course you know it would make my job much easier.


Yuk!


I didn't say that...........pox upon me.

 

Hey Sammycat.

Good to hear from you.


I'm staying out over Thanksgiving. I'd rather save up the days off for Christmas. All the kids are flying in, with a few in-laws added to the mix. It should be quite a crowd.


I'm fine with that................. as long as they don't sleep in my bed.


Good luck with the promotion. Now your management. Hope that works out for you. But, you know everyone you work with , so I expect your transition should be a smooth one.


Make sure you say hi to Dave for me. Missed you the last time I was up there, actually, I was up there twice but couldn't stop the second time so I didn't bother calling you guys.


Catch you later, Sammycat.

 

Hello There.


My last student has successfully upgraded. He called me to say they gave him a Prostar. He should do fine with that truck, although I know he prefers the Freightliners after having driven both.

As for me, I'm not taking on any students until after the Christmas holidays for 2 reasons.

First reason, I want to make a comparison (money-wise) as to whether it's worth the extra effort that goes into training new people. Although I'm compensated for each day a student is aboard, my miles are considerably less. The additional time I spend educating a new driver takes away from my personal time which I normally spend working on my novel, reading or watching a movie.

Second reason, I'm tired. Training wears you out. I may not be driving but I might as well be. New drivers bring a lot of dangerous habits to the table, one of which is thinking these 80,000 lb. missiles can do whatever a car does. Guess again.


So it's decompression time for me. I'm enjoying my solitude and looking forward to Christmas time off.



Should have plenty of "me" time this session.




Back to work on my novel.





Oh, one more thing I should mention.

New Drivers: When you're packing in anticipation of getting on a trainers truck..........leave the suitcases home. Duffel bags are the way to go, folks.






Thanks for reading.
-Wedge

 

Hello There.

I repowered a driver yesterday who needed to get home to New Orleans. I was bringing a load down to Hammond, LA from Spring Hill, KS. He was heading to Denton, TX.

So we met at our Olive Branch terminal and swapped loads. After taking a 10 hour break, I headed to Denton, TX. Paid miles: 487.

Just as I turned onto I 40 heading west I had an electrical failure, truck continued to run, but not very well. Loss of power in the mid-range, engine lights on, running rough, DT nuked itself. So I pulled into a truck parking area in W. Memphis, AR. Figured I'd shut down, re-boot, move on.

The motor shut down, but I couldn't shut down the truck electrical using the disconnect switch. Tried it 5, 6 times............nothing.

Called into breakdown.......actually I sent a detailed MAC 21.......They said turn around and take it back to Olive Branch.

Grrrrrrrrr


They worked on it until mid-night. They see that there's a problem, but are having trouble finding the cause. Had to give the truck back at 0700 this morning for round 2.

So here I sit...........waiting. .........Dixie busted..........making no money.



I'll keep you posted.




Thanks for reading.
-Wedge