My new experience with Gordon Trucking, post-buyout

That's the main reason I use HTLD's yards, but they don't open their wash bays when the temp is below freezing, so mine will stay dirty a bit longer. I like a
clean truck, but paying $70+ for a wash on my pay isn't reasonable. I'll pay for a lot of things I think the company should provide, but washes isn't one of them. Especially when our owners provide them for free.

 

Made it to the Pilot on 80/94 in Gary. I've been pulled in for less than 10 minutes and already two guys have asked me if I could "see the way" to "help them" get a "bus ticket" to Georgia or Alabama. Or California. Or New Hampshire. Or...whatever. Uh, no. Sorry, Charlie. And I expect those ladies of the night to come (maybe a different word...) a-callin' later.

But I'll get a Subway sandwich because I ran out of my good bread. Too early for that; I've still got 3 more weeks out!

 

Nah. I'm alive and have my nose pointed toward the exit. I like it at Pilot, and not just because I am one!

 

Besides, watching drivers trying to park in challenging spots is quite entertaining...as long as both spots next to me stay occupied! No more love taps in the middle of the night, please.

 

Tomorrow, a less-than 2-hour trip to my first drop at 0600 then a short jaunt into the next state for my MT. After that, who knows where? I will send OTR a msg that my APU has an unusual condition and fault message and maybe they'll route me that way. Or I'll wait a couple of weeks and do it on my trip home.

Oh, the decisions a Road Warrior must make every day.

 

The thing is, I'm not fueling. Just staying. It's MUCH safer than it was five years ago. Back then, the Gary PD investigated 3-5 homicides in the 3 area truck stops every week. And that says nothing about the thefts and assaults. Which is why the police are a major, highly-visible presence here.

But it my doors are locked and I remain alert and aware of my surroundings.

 

Just got a fleet message from Safety about cranking the gear all the way up. Wow.