Driving OTR with US Xpress

sammycat · Nov 27, 2013

Wedge said: ↑

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.
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Thanks Wedge....I am wrapping up today as my last day on my ''old'' job and start Dec 9th. I have done management several times-just my last job left a very bad taste on me for a long time.... ready for something new!

Sorry we missed you too- just had plans that night. Gets hard sometimes with Dave's school schedule. I will sure to say hello for you!

My family did Thanksgiving Sunday so tomorrow is a quiet day. We will help my parents pack the car as they leave for Florida Friday AM and then just chill the rest of the day. I am glad you will get home for Christmas!

Wedge said: ↑

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
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Training does tire you out! I love to train new people at all my jobs BUT you are still expected to do your job and train-not always easiest thing and yes can be very tiring!!

Great advise re: duffel bag. When the ex met his trainer (way back when....in the old days and remember it was USX) on a snowy Feb night (ugh I didn't even want to drive the car the roads were so bad!) I had read that on here re: duffel and what to pack KNOWING he was going to share his trainer's truck for a while. I think his trainer apprechiated that!

Wedge said: ↑

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
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Dang!!!!
Bad luck follows you!!!!

Hopefully they fix you soon and you are back moving-stay safe my friend!!!!

Bobcat Tail · Dec 3, 2013

Wedge...haven't been on the board much until recently...but I remember you from ORG's adventure before and with Swift..along with Chralb, and his adventures going to W/S....I sure hated to see those threads die...but life goes on...

So...just wanted to drop a line to say, glad you found a nitch in the trucking world...

Wedge · Dec 4, 2013

Bobcat Tail said: ↑

Wedge...haven't been on the board much until recently...but I remember you from ORG's adventure before and with Swift..along with Chralb, and his adventures going to W/S....I sure hated to see those threads die...but life goes on...

So...just wanted to drop a line to say, glad you found a nitch in the trucking world...
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Thanks for checking in.

I've been pretty busy of late. Taking on training adds a new twist to things. But this time out is without a trainee, settling for some quiet time.

I guess you could say I have found my place here at USX. Not so bad, really. I'm enjoying my time with them.

chralb · Dec 5, 2013

Hey there my brother! Good to see you still grinding up the tires. You ever head up northeast Jersey/PA way let me know and I'll buy a cup-o-jo for ya and we'll catch up a bit.

Trainer huh? Oh good Lord...LOL Glad to see they're putting some smart folks in that position

Wedge · Dec 6, 2013

chralb said: ↑

Hey there my brother! Good to see you still grinding up the tires. You ever head up northeast Jersey/PA way let me know and I'll buy a cup-o-jo for ya and we'll catch up a bit.

Trainer huh? Oh good Lord...LOL Glad to see they're putting some smart folks in that position
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Hey, this must be an early Christmas present.

What is happening, my brother?

It is really good to hear from you, Chris. It's been way too long. It's been what, almost a year. I was doing hurricane relief out your way.

Send me a PM and update me. I want to know what's going on.

We are way behind on coffee, so you can count me in on that, my friend.

Wedge · Dec 6, 2013

Hello There.

My truck shuts itself off at highway speeds.

I mean everything, electrical, motor, DT, the works. Happened 3 times yesterday.

So here I sit, in Springfield, OH hoping this is something really simple and stupid.

I could just imagine a student driving when the beast shuts off......................

I get to watch the snow.

I know.....not much but...

Thanks for reading.....anyway.
-Wedge

NoCoCraig · Dec 6, 2013

Sounds like a grounding issue. Good luck my friend.

chralb · Dec 6, 2013

Wedge said: ↑

Hey, this must be an early Christmas present.

What is happening, my brother?
It is really good to hear from you, Chris. It's been way too long. It's been what, almost a year. I was doing hurricane relief out your way.

Send me a PM and update me. I want to know what's going on.

We are way behind on coffee, so you can count me in on that, my friend.
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That would be a very long PM but I'll see if I can't keep it short...LOL

I see you read the last post on my thread so that kind of sums things up. I'll get to that PM this afternoon.

Meanwhile, keep it safe out there. That truck shutting down doesn't sound good brother.

I agree (first thoughts) with NoCoCraig that it does sound like a grounding issue and most likely a major hook point. i.e.... Battery, Engine to Battery (starter), or engine to frame.

TruckDuo · Dec 6, 2013

We left Springfield, OH last night.

Love the showers there.

biggare1980 · Dec 7, 2013

You still in Springfield Wedge? Im waiting to get my truck in the shop again so ill probably be here a few days

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