My new, final resting place

On the way to Ohio, I came into a rest area that doubles as a Pennsylvania DOT spot. I was tagged with a Warning because the bags of trash had started to lean 6" beyond the rail and the required placard was not properly done. Instead of it being at least 6" tall and with contrasting color/background, mine was handwritten with a Magic Marker. But the company, well...the DOT officer did not like what Western has been doing with trash in Pennsylvania (who does?) , so he wrote a citation for them. And he made me tarp.

I told my DM and he had a fit, saying these are no-tarp loads...until I said 'When the DOT says tarp, I tarp.' And he paid me the $25 tarp pay without my asking for it. Thanks, DM!

 

I kind of wish I'd known about Boyd earlier. The drivers I talk to on the road have very nice things to say about them...nothing at all like my current experience. I've said this before: the only happy drivers here are the lease ops, strange as it seems.

What a backward company.

 

But surprise, surprise!

I get an over-the-weekend run! The night crew last night botched things up big time - the story is too complicated to write, but involves invalid pickup numbers and HOS running out - but my own DM, the Ops Manager, is working the weekend, so instead of sitting in this small Pilot all weekend...in the rain, I might add...I am taken care of.

Nice!

 

I met a team at the dump yesterday - and yes, my tarps still have that 'municipal refuse' smell, even after being rained on all day yesterday - and the trainer said the same thing about his trainee. Apparently, the 30-day rule is flexible; they are heading back to the Mother Ship where the trainee will take his final road test, as we all do.

 

No worries. Change is in the wind...I hope.