CRETE - A Year in Review

Well I made it a grand total of 6.7 miles from the T/A to the Pilot in Nitro, WV. I looked like a mosquito fogger too! This thing was pouring black smoke out like crazy. So I have been sitting here the last 2 hours waiting for breakdown to get back with me. Looks like home time may be a couple more days out. The oil pressure looked good. The oil temp was OK and the water temp was OK but the way it was smoking there's no way to continue driving it. Better safe than sorry.

 

I LOVE that place! It's like a 1970s time capsule. I also love West Virginia...one of the most beautiful places in this country IMHO.

As for the smoke...black is overfueling, blue to bluish-white is oil, bright white (no blue tinge) is coolant. And definitely don't continue driving if you're billowing smoke, that'll plug up your DPF faster than you can say "replace it."

 

well after 3+ hours breakdown finally told me to take it to the International house 4.5 miles away

initial thoughts are it's a re-gen problem again!

EDIT: When I checked in the service writer said they should get it in in about an hour...
After 5 hours I am still waiting to get it in the shop. I won't mention the hold time w/breakdown about getting a hotel room

 

Finally got to a hotel room. 90 minutes on hold and then the phone rings once and goes to a message: We're having system troubles please try again later! Second call 46 minutes on hold and the phone dies then another 50 minutes on hold while I waited for someone from the shop to drive me over. Checked in on my own card, got to the room and then breakdown answers!!! At least I have a number to put on the receipt to get paid back

 

Hey I'm there right now (if it's the same as Hurricane). I got here at midnight and the parking is crazy full. Had to break down and use one of those pay slots. Maybe I have the same load, delivers at Alside Kinston. Mine also has a middle of the night appointment (0100-0500) yet I'll be there early evening.

i finally got everything set with my new employer. Just need to get some of my extra stuff out of the truck and in storage before I give notice. I'm paranoid as hell (for good reason) that my TM will route me to a remote terminal to turn in the truck. Right now I have -9 points and no accidents or tickets, but I'm almost certain she's going to try and put something on my DAC (aka HireRight).

 

OMG, that is the worst. I've had the same thing (although not quite as bad) happen twice and it put me in a seriously bad mood. Six months ago I didn't even have a cell phone, but I was getting too many messages on the qcom to call someone, and finding a pay phone/ house phone is ridiculous nowadays.

 

Well my foul luck continues....
While checking in I had the pleasure of listening to Monica's lame attempt of glomming free left over soup from the waitress at the nearby Bob Evans eatery. A five minute conversation which prevented Monica from completing my booking-in process . I guess I should not have retorted Monica's gushing about her soup..."Man I really need my soup" she exclaimed while I expressed my desire for prompt customer service with the gentle prodding of "Man I really need my room key" Monica did get the last laugh as she booked me into the furthermost room from the office. Knowing full well I had to lug all my belongings...well played Monica...well played! I guess I will have to lament the fact that I did not ascertain the knowledge of whether Monica got crackers with her soup
I do get to hear every single passing car, truck and motorcycle on I64 hence the reason I am up 0245

Maybe it's time for a vacation. I have two weeks coming to me. Perhaps I could go back to Kandahar where it's quieter...haha

 

Good evening Mr. & Mrs. America, and all ships at sea**********NEWS FLASH*************chia chkchkchk chachkchk (it's tough to simulate a teletype in words)********

It's just been revealed to this reporter by an un-named source that Supersnackbar is offically leaving Crete. When this reporter attempted to contact Crete management to confirm this information, an un-named member of senior management said ''Who?????". When this reporter showed him a picture and said 'this man', the said manager said between subtle giggle...''Oh' him....We at Crete wish him all the best". But before he could finish his statement he broke into a rather energetic 'happy dance' while singing 'Happy Days Are Here Again' until he collapsed from exhaustion, but still managing to have enough energy to laugh uncontrollably while lying there. When a fellow driver was asked about his thoughts about Snack bar leaving, this driver replied " it's about time that whiney *** crybaby got the ******* **** out of here. He was nothing but a ******* who did nothing but ***** and moan. Please excuse me, I have to get back to orientation"

(Ok, so I made up the interview part...but hey...I haven't exercised my funny bone much lately)

 

That's right. I'm out a here. Contrary to what many thought would never happen(including me) Friday, September 13 will be my last official day here at Happy Valley. (That's right, I'm leaving on Friday the 13th, I will chase a black cat under a ladder while throwing pieces of a broken mirror at him, just so I cover all the superstions at once)The speculations were correct, I am on my way to Poly. I start orientation on the 17th. So, like many of the Crete-to-Poly converts, I will pop in from time to time to say hello. I have the post's between me, Jdzr, Maj and Lilrob to thank for finally pushing the right buttons, along with the overall bombardment of problem with loads and equipment that finally pushed me over the edge. I put my app in on a Monday, that Wednesday morning I did my phone interview, that very Wednesday evening I was approved. 9 days later I was in Grand Prairie doing my face-to-face and passing my physical.

Over all, the only glitch was my timing...I picked the last Friday of the last week of summer vacation for the local school district where the clinic was located to get examined. Every student that needed their sports physical was there. What should have taken 2 hours ended up taking 4...but hey...I had the whole day off...so I was smiling the whole time.

I've been begging Crete to run me west, now, while waiting on news of my drug test results so I can put in my notice...they put me on a 2 stop...Boise and Seattle...

When I contacted my radio-managers (my AM/FM) both were happy for me and wished me well, and both said I was welcome back if it doesn't work out over there....yes right

 

Im headed to orientation with Shaffer on Monday any advice for me? Btw supersnackbar, congrats.