Just Spent 8 Days Out -First Time Rider!

First of all, I have a greater appreciation to all of you out there on the road. I do have a story to share, something I wrote while out there, but I just got back tonight and want to work on it, maybe even add some pictures I took. It feels very strange driving instead of being the 24 hour passenger. I took a quiet trip into town, six miles out, and wondered, "What am I doing here?!". You think I'll miss the idling tonight?

O.K. what the heck I'm going to try my hand at a quick Fortunately Unfortunately story: (I know it's a children's story idea, but I that's all I have right now)

Fortunately for my first trip my s/o took me on his dispatch to Sunny California. It was hot there, but it was nice not to have the humidity that we often get with the heat. We finished our delivery pretty early in the morning.

Unfortunately we had to give up the next dispatched destination because of an overheating issue. We really had a hard time on I-5 going over Whistler's Ridge on the way there from Oregon.

Fortunately we were able to get to the Peterbilt shop in Fontana shortly after our delivery, around 0900.

Unfortunately they wouldn't be able to get to it until the next morning.

Fortunately we were able to go to another place, Parkerhouse Tires, I believe, and they were available to check it out soon.

Unfortunately we had to wait around all day for the go ahead on fixing the problem.

Fortunately we were able to spend our time in a cool (temp wise) waiting room. It was 106 outside.

Unfortunately it took til my s/o put a call in to "the company" to get it moving one way or another, to only find out that we were not o.k.'d to get the work done there. They decided to fix it at the company's ?yard? remember I'm new here) and that we were to deadhead back where we began in Oregon. It's now dinnertime. Also they changed our status and put us on a light load back.

Fortunately we were able to Bobtail out that evening and pick up a bite.

Unfortunately we ran out of hours by the time they found us a light load and we had to stay over in the Fontana yard.

Fortunately we made it back to Oregon alright on Saturday. The problem was fixed by noon on Sunday.

Unfortunately we didn't get a dispatch.

Fortunately we were able to check out a van for a couple hours and do a little shopping and dinner.

Unfortunately we got a dispatch right before it was 24 hours of being on layover and didn't get paid for sitting. Also the same story for the breakdown in Cali.

Fortunately the truck made it alright to our next dispatch.

Unfortunately the weather was hot and humid that last night at the Pilot in Central Point/Medford?.

Fortunately I am home and the air is cool and crisp and my windows are open. No getting up every hour or so turning the truck over to get the air conditioner going.

Unfortunately I really miss my S/O very much already! We talked alot. Enjoyed our dinners together. Took a couple walks together. He let me sleep on the bottom bunk! Listened to the C.B.ers. I even miss the eerriee ghost trucker I heard on the radio one night. (well that's what I want to believe)

Fortunately my dogs are happy to see me. And they'll keep me company til I get out there again soon. I am planning to make a refer run with him before the summer's over hopefully. Oh, and I have the forum!


Thanks for um, being here...
Penny

 

Thanks all. I most definitely am glad I went. I really hope the Logistics work themselves out. I don't think some of what happens can really be helped but hope the company turns out to be supportive when needed. I know my spouse gives 100%, more if necessary, on the job. Here are a couple of my "company" comrades while s/o is out.

 

When you think of relationships in general, everyone usually goes through a tough enough battle dealing with trust. This kind of job could definitely wreck havok on the not so mature relationship, especially if the driver's spouse doesn't go along for the experience. Even a day in the life log to start them out would be a good thing but the experience wins hands down to really understand it better.

 

That's good that you work with this frame of mind. I've only heard of a few stories, but enough to know that you'll get bad attitudes at times from some of the docking areas/pick up and drop off. (sorry, I don't have the lingo just yet) Although it's not easy to have a good attitude all of the time it has power of possibly changing the dynamics in your favor. Shock the #### out of them, when they dish it out, and end up patting yourself on the back for being the better person.