"Trucker Bombs" are becoming a big problem in California (and other states)

Please don't hate Casper cause he's beautiful.

I have 1000s of posts against idling as well.



All of my trucks have APUs and we are a green fleet.

Do you have an APU?

 

You might want to examine the lens covers of those clearance cab lighting above the windshield sometime. The center left two show a different lenses wear than the rest of them on that cab front. I don't know if they are sealed well against water or what. A small detail in a other wise good looking cat picture.

 

Wow, Im not sure I can respond to all of that without taking time off to celebrate 3 birthdays but, in the interest of honoring your great efforts, I will pick on one thing in your voluminous post...

Near the beginning of your post you cite in logical fashion an extended rationale as to how an innocent store owner eventually lost his business presumably due to the illegal actions of the homeless. I say "presumably" because not everyone would fold up their livelyhood in the face of petty larceny--I know I wouldn't. I would come up with a more creative approach to foil those who compromised my business.

However, just for the sake of argument, lets say there was no other option for the store owner. What again becomes the thrust of your argument is a blanket judgement of todays homeless as destructive in general. You even seem to compare yesterdays homeless population as more worthy of your generosity and charity while todays needy do not. Its an interesting rationalization to say the least.

If you have become less inclined to be charitable these days I would respectfully suggest you examine this tendency. Perhaps your insights have been colored by the fact that it is indeed more difficult in todays world than it was when you and I were youngsters. Rather than become more jaded wouldnt that fact require that, as good people in todays world, we need to become adamently compassionate just to meet the overwhelming onslaught of negativity in every corner?

I see a greatness in some that rises like an awesome tide when things become most difficult. We need those folks more than ever right now. Perhaps you are one...
(ok, now remember the word "edit"...lol )

 

Thank you again for your thoughts.

Yes it was a totally different time back in those days. I'll have to think on it some a while.

 

I’m not wasting 13 grand on APU I’ll use a few days of the year. In the winter we run the bunk heater. If were off for a long time in the summer we get a motel room. We’re also a team so don’t sit as much as a solo that spends hours a day clogging up truck stops watching dish and playing X box.

 

This is a complex problem not prone to easy fixes or explanations. In other words, sound bites don't cut it here. I am not condoning the practice in anyway, but there are logical reasons it has come to this. Welcome to the land of unintended consequences.
There are far fewer places for a truck driver to stop the truck for this human need. The number of independent truck stops with parking is down probably by 75% since I started trucking in 1976. Add to that the intentional removal of "wide spots" on many roads, which used to be near stores, diners, gas stations where a driver could stop for just a few minutes, do his thing with the plumbing inside and even buy a snack. Gone.

The whole mentality of tight schedules and "more miles" translates into fewer stops for any reason. Logistics programs that place drivers on these unrealistic schedules so your "free shipping" whatever from Amazon, Chewy, etc. can track every move with no room for any human deviation. I won't even get into the whole ELD thing.

The average driver now makes something like 50% less income adjusted for inflation than someone doing the same job in 1980. That has attracted an entirely new type of individual to this industry. And they are showing their dissatisfaction with small protests, but in huge numbers. When they throw it out the window on an entrance ramp it is INTENTIONAL. They are saying "Pxxx on you world" for making me live like an animal in a cube the size of a closet for weeks at a time. And more an more of them are making even more of a statement with solid waste. They are lashing out the only way their type knows how. These aren't the sharpest blades in the drawer you know...

Take into consideration the overall decline in civilized behavior, homeless allowed to live on the streets and defecate everywhere, derelict RV's allowed to rot with their human occupants in major cities, many other examples, and it is a national cultural phenomenon.
Don't look for any changes real soon. I am glad I am on the back 9.

 

I am inclined to agree with your assessment that those who see no need to visit indoor facilities are either genetically deprived or just expressing a misplaced social anger.

What I find difficult to accept is the idea that the dynamics of today's shipping of goods necessitates unsanitary behavior. I've travelled the highways and extreme back roads of this great country hauling fuel for firefighting operations into the most remote areas and NOT ONCE have ever needed to toss my bodily waste out the window of my truck.

I think such littering is a choice made from being too self-centered or, conversely, from lacking a sufficiently developed social conscience. Its all about me first--what I need.

As far as looking for change goes...Everything changes. It's the one constant we can count on.

 

1990.

Loaded at a metal works in Baltimore. I forget where exactly but it's downtown.

Dispatcher says you have 5 days to be in Armarillo with that delivery at sunrise 8 am more or less they open. They know you are coming for that next monday.

If I leave by midmorning I can have the truck in that general region by 8 am next morning straight through paper logs be ######. I already know this because its been done before with a dollar truck. (And a #### good one...) I also alraedy know I will sleep about 15 hours so call it Tuesday 8 AM before I will accept dispatch having filled the tanks, eaten and hydrated sufficiently and am well, bright eyed and busy tailed. IF they have something out of Houston to be back in Baltimore City Wed AM by noon....

Thats 3000 miles from the previous Wed. If not more than that accounting for empty miles to load. .38 a mile $1200 gross. Take my deductions and minimum deductions and it's clearing about 700 In a few days that pay roll is going to hit and it's going to be 1400 cash. Plus the 100 for state and 75 for fed directed deductions for the HR to have to do it anyway to comply. SO it's 1400 in cash, and 350 on paper ready to go at the end of Jan back to me regardless of taxes and DOT Per Diem Deduction. In a month it's almost 3000 cash, 700 on paper. At end of year Im at 30,000 cash plus around 7000 on paper.

With that kind of economics you acquire a attitude of ok, I can help someone with coffee this morning, it's cold out there. Look at the poor waif shivering and goosebumps. Don't be surprised to see waif get under your big jacket. (Anything else just means you are full of yourself and need to clean it up a little bit...)

After a few years it becomes possible to buy a truck free and clear plus operating capitol or a home on 20 acres in West Virginia or somewhere quiet that only you know about.

Lots of possibilities in trucking.

But .38 was 40 years ago. You should be no less than .75 or 30.00 a hour for all hours worked minimum to 40 hours then time and half.

Charge the broker and customers accordingly in your rates. Next thing you know you are a first class operation.

 

I misplaced a giant social anger in the middle of night on some CA?? right in front of these people's mail boxes.

I thought, "Hope the mailman doesn't step in that."

 

CA is complaining of alot of fires tonight.

Does it not matter a #### if we have power off or power on?

Off.... on... off.... On.... Off.... on...