CDL in hand... Now What ? Decision time, that's what...

Here is the ceiling tile load about to be unloaded in San Antonio.

 

Steel slinky's in Beaumont, TX



At this shipper, the driver places the cardboard between the slinky's as they are being loaded (unlike the place in Saukville, MI)

I managed to get the last strap tight just before the big Texas gully washer (rain storm).

This morning it rained during part of the drive on the way to the consignee. The rain stopped just as I approached the destination. I got lucky on both ends of that trip

 

My current load.





Loaded in Gurdon, AR; headed to Independence, IA by Monday morning. A decent 800 mile run for the weekend.

Now at an independent truck stop in Caddo Valley, AR.

Going up and down the rural highways in AR was more challenging than TX. More hills, more curves, etc. Plus the routing took me over a few bridges that were 24 tons (US-59), 28 & 32 tons (US-67) limits for tractor trailers. The first one I was loaded with 38T, the others I was MT (15 tons empty). Nothing mentioned in the road atlas about it, so who was to know?

 

Here's the parking lot accident mentioned previously.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ttachment.php?attachmentid=31981&d=1339805757

 

Wow who hit who, Perpetual so how has the weekly miles been?

 

The damaged tractor was parked. The other driver clearly didn't watch the trailer in the mirror.

This last paycheck (completed load sheets submitted by Friday noon go on the following Wednesday's paycheck) was my highest so far. I had 6 loads during the period 6/1/12 to 6/8/12 with a total of 2,916 miles. Each load had at least one tarp event and I also got my 2-day layover pay from the prior week.

Next week's check will have 2,512 miles; 3 loads from 6/8/12 to 6/15/12.

So all in all I really can't complain. My temporary fleet manager is definitely on the ball.

 

Wow Perpetual, you are going pretty good out there! 3000 miles for the week is sweet! Especially for a newbie its really good! Guess you must have trucking in the blood!

That tile load you had looked like it good be #### top heavy! Bet you felt that going around the corners! Your company must be fairly confident in your driving skills. You got a nice lookin set up there. That chop top Prostar looks really good with the flatbed! Slick look!

Glad to see things are going good for you out there! Drive safe man!

 

WHAT? No tarp to protect the cardboard dunnage???

 

Advantages of nosing in: No reefer noise. Less likelihood of other drivers taking your hood off with their trailer. Not having to listen to someone else's tv/stereo/phone conversation/idling truck/running APU through your open vents while you're trying to sleep.

 

Two more windsmith, usually a better view of a cornfield or landscape instead of facing the rest of the bums, and also you don't have headlights in your windshield from the drivers who are clueless. Nosing in can be great but be careful not to bury yourself in there. You may not be able to get out until everyone has left. A lot of the driver services parking are nose in too.

Be courteous too, if you are running a reefer and there is ample space to do so then nose in. The owner op next to you trying to save fuel with his windows down will thank you for it. No one can steal fuel from you either when you are nosed in unless they have a really long hose!