Post flatbed load photos here V2.0

This job is so easy and BORING I look forward to the end dump tipping a bit!! Making me think about retiring again.

 

say it ain't so...how about 11 axles? you can come run mine and refresh your skills but no window in the back of the cab.

 

Go pro cam on back of trailer?

 

old school, just your imagination

 

What would stakes do? There are already a chain in every available pocket that keep them down tight. Stakes would just be decoration imo.

Had a gravy load this morning.



Then another BS load. The mechanics were packing stuff on pallets, I have 4 one foot 4x4's that I keep so when I haul steel plates, they are easier to load/unload. Used those on the fence pickets and first Tommy lift. Used a big Rock for the Tommy lift loaded on the rear. So I went to load the 2 fuel tanks on a pallet, the head mechanic said we have only so many, I asked well how am I suppose to unload them, drop you bed and push them off I was told.

Guess it don't matter if I make a mess.

 

Seen this picture on facebook... Pretty crazy coil must have been too heavy for the trailer.

 

I love to see a pic like that 10 days out of 10. An accident with good securement and nobody hurt.

 

I don't like to brag, and try to remain as humble as I can, but I got an opportunity today that I just have to share. I showed up at the shipper for this load, fourth in line. It's a small perforation facility out near Winkler, MB. They do almost exclusively all parts for grain bins. Huge output for a tiny operation (this is apparently the fourth load this week of these steel stair pieces going to our main grain bin distributor).

Anyways, onto the story. I show up, and know it's going to be one helluva wait. Only one forklift and lots of weird shaped stuff going on trailers. Guy in front of me pulls up to get loaded and gets out. I can tell the second he steps down from his truck that he's a very well-experienced Old Hand and should probably have retired at least 5-7 years ago. He had a bad limp, and looked very tired (more than just for today).

As soon as the loader starts loading stuff onto his trailer, I get my youthful butt out of the truck and do something I'm not hugely comfortable with (I tend to be really shy around strangers) but wasn't going to just sit there and watch this guy suffer in the heat. I introduced myself and asked if he wanted some help. He politely refused, but I insisted and he gave in (I think I twisted his rubber arm).

From what I learned talking to him while helping, he was 65, doing something in the trucking industry, mostly driving, since the age of 17 (nearly 50 years and his willpower alone is keeping him going, his body is ready to give up for sure). He just bought the truck he's in a couple years ago (early 2000's FL Classic with a 500 C-15 CAT, beauty of a truck) and while has a lot of work, just doesn't have the energy to keep up... but keeps at it because he's got bills to pay.

From what I did to help this guy load, and all the while watching him work, I don't think he could have done it all on his own. There was climbing onto the trailer involved, a lot of it, and he could barely stand for 30 seconds at a time without leaning on something. He could barely get a strap 10 feet off the ground, and by my estimation, had I just sat there, he might still be there trying to secure his load.

Now, I didn't want to pity this man, but I did, because he's at the point in his life where he should be relaxing and enjoying retirement. But he isn't. He's struggling to make ends meet and suffering physically and mentally. He didn't get to see his kids grow up and barely spends any time at home.

But I did something that I think every driver out there needs to do... give a ****ing hand to people who need it. I didn't do it because I want praise, or a reward, I did it because that's what a professional does.

He couldn't stop thanking me after we were done, and I just told him "this is what we're supposed to do, we have to look out for one another out here" and he just nodded in agreement.

I did this because I'm trying my best to keep professionalism alive in this industry. I did this because this is what we as truck drivers should be doing for one another, regardless of our ethnic origin, religious beliefs, political leanings or place of employment. The government, the police/DOT, and other big businesses don't look out for us drivers, so we need to do everything we can to help.

I don't expect this guy to pass on the favour, he deserves to rest at this point, but I hope I can inspire others to do something to help another driver when they clearly need it. And I can tell you guys this much, this won't be the last time I do this.

 

I am proud to call you brethren. I wouldn't be where I am without the help I got.