Good Night From II

Hammond, LA. Think that tonight I am going to splurge on the buffet. Normally have a pretty decent one here on Saturday.

 

Kicking back on my 34 at the TA in Greencastle, PA. Ribs on the buffet that are NOT, surprisingly, "New England Style" (put in pan, drown in BBQ sauce, bake until a 1/2" layer of grease forms). These are baked, yes, but dry with a tasty rub. *Almost* makes up for the swill that was on the buffet here a couple weeks ago.

 

Same as I just got here at the Petro. Pork and Beef and Chicken. Wish that it would have been Friday. Would have been a few different styles of fish and shrimp.

 

You're right, I was being a bit facetious ... I tend to get that way when I have time on my hands ... I suppose it's the inner smarta-- trying desperately to garner attention.

I'm actually not getting impatient and am looking on the bright side of things ... I'm in South Carolina and the weather isn't oppressive for once, I have a motel room with a TV that works and there's FOOTBALL on today!!! I got to see a great Hokies upset of 'The Ohio State' last night, and I had some $$ for a passable meal ... all in all it's been a good weekend so far.

A far as the mentor goes, apparently his DL dropped the ball ... or so it was inferred. I checked on an ETA like scottied suggested and they hadn't gotten a return call from him in the four hours between when I first checked in and asked for an update. The gave him another call and found out that he had told his DL that he was taking hometime before he picked up a new student. Apparently his DL didn't hear him correctly and set his PTA for ten hours instead of 72. At any rate, my mentor will be picking me up today or tomorrow ... not sure exactly which ... it sounded like he was rather ticked. I know I would have been if it had happened to me.

Either way I'm good to wait, I'm actually a very laid back person when it comes to SNAFU's like this one. I don't think this would have been anything other than an oversight. I don't think his DL would have done this on purpose ... at least I hope not, it would take a real a-- to do something like that.

This isn't my first dance at the rodeo, and I expect delays ... especially in this industry and the transport industry as a whole whether it be trucking, the airlines or the sea lanes ... delays will always happen and will always be the norm. All I can do as a driver is do my best to see to it that the delays aren't because of something I did or didn't do. Unfortunately, since I am waiting on a mentor, there isn't a whole lot that's within my sphere of influence let alone in my control. So, there's really nothing to get upset about ... other than the paycheck delay, but then I haven't gotten a paycheck in over 1 1/2 years. I'm used to it at this point, amazing what you can actually get used to.

So I'm now at the Super-8 in Greer, waiting, but waiting patiently.

 

From the day I reported for orientation to the day I left on my first solo load, I must have spent ten nights in the Days Inn in Jonestown, PA. You have a good attitude; delays are part of this job. Hopefully, you'll get on the road soon.

 

Funny how life works. About the same time MsJamie was leaving her post I was on the phone with my mentor. He apparently felt bad that I was waiting in the hotel for him and decided to leave home a day early. So far I like this guy. I'm gonna miss football, but such is the life of a trucker. Perhaps I'll be able to get the games on SiriusXM once I'm out on my own.

 

Backed up against a Costco dock in Gypsum CO for a 5am 2-pallet unload. Then finish crossing the Rockies to another Costco in Arvado CO. Accepted a ppln for a 1000 mile hop to Milwaukee that delivers Wednesday afternoon. Perfect as this will close my week with over 3000 miles again. Also gets me out of Denver ASAP...a good thing.

The drive down US-6 from SLC and I-70E through the western mountains was truly a joy for once. Fantastic scenery, very light traffic and perfect weather. I've rolled this route many times and the scenery is always impressive.

 

San Antonio, TX. Pplan for a 2 stop one in the morning. Back to Houston and then Muskegee. Works with my hours. Now decisions to make. Was looking at my paperwork today and found out that my lease is done the 1st of April. Now decision time soon. Keep this truck and refinance. Get a new one(first have to find out if we can really spec it or not. Was told one time that the only specing we can do is choice of color) If this is true then forget the new truck. Like he t-680, but not the stripped out ones that I have seen here. My 3rd choice, walk away. Due to retire in 27 months. Might keep this one if can get what is wrong with it fixed.

Fr8monkey, guess that now I am in the same boat as you. Know that this truck has some issues, and can not get them fixed since keep getting told, everything looks fine. Not one person has taken it for a test drive to actually see.

 

wow, I got with a mentor just hours after the last day of orientation


Been fairly busy averaging 500-600 miles a day for the past couple weeks, hit the 3k weekly miles for this next check and net was over $1k so im pretty happy bouncing back from my vacation and so far this week has been great too, Friday went to Vegas, yesterday picked up an extra load that changed my 300 mile day to well over 500 and then today went to Valencia then Palmdale and from there shot all the way to Long Beach for a Yussen and made it back to the DC, tomorrow is a little lighter so far going to Grenada hills then to Long Beach and finishing off with a Porterville.