Comments By Mountain Matt

I've had this happen too. I try to notice the pumps as I pull in, to see if the two sides are really far offset. Then I'm more careful where exactly I stop.

Moving to fill the reefer is always a pain. One time, I had a pump want me to fill up in this order: truck, reefer, DEF. So, I had to pull forward to fuel the reefer, then backup to top off the DEF!

I also have problems with the pump timing out before I can pull up and start filling the reefer. I do it as quickly as I can, even unscrewing the reefer tank cap while I'm fueling the truck. Anybody else have this issue, or am I just "special"?

Starlighter,

I understand where you're coming from. I was a librarian for 17 years, and then it was just time for a change.

I'm not going to give you advice, but just a data point (me): The timing worked out for me, because my daughter was about to head off to college when I started training. I went through Wilson Logistics company-sponsored training, and it worked out fine for me. They do, however, expect you to stay out 3-4 weeks at a time, which is what you were wondering/concerned about.

What other options might be out there that offer more regular hometime..... well, that's what you're looking into.

Best of luck! This is such a unique job that for the right person, it is amazing and a terrific change of pace!

I find such things interesting too, Bruce. I bought this ebook a few months ago, but haven't read it yet. I wonder if it speaks to your question, and/or you might find it interesting in general?

"The Big Roads: The Untold Story of the Engineers, Visionaries, and Trailblazers Who Created the American Superhighways," by Earl Swift: The Big Roads

NaeNae, that's a good tip--thanks! I think I horrified some tourists at a rest area.

Bruce, indeed: the price of our food. That I get... just "interesting" to see the bloody details. How do I like reefer? Well, from my understanding, dry van has less specific appointments and thus more flexibility (?), though I do get some drop-and-hooks (this meat load from Dodge City was preloaded, for instance). Fueling the reefer, getting more frequent washouts... those are both more challenge and more bother. I do like the feeling of delivering food to people, though. So it's a mixed bag. At some point, I'll be interested in trying something else (tanker, flatbed, dry van, etc.)

Bruce,

Agreed that those chicken facilities smell "terrific." They also seem to have that gunky mud in all their lots.

Some weeks, I feel like all I'm doing is hauling meat and thus getting the trailer washed out.

My worst load, though, was some kind of beef product out of Dodge City, KS. The whole way back east, I had blood coming out of the drains of the trailer, hitting the tires, then getting thrown everywhere. I would park at a rest area, and a stream of blood would start flowing downhill from my trailer. I had blood on my catwalk until I could get the truck washed.

And of course, Tom & I 'ditto' and 'tritto' all he said. When Tom heard your voice, he thought I had a 'side guy' until I explained it, hahahaha!!!! It was a moment of hilarity, I'll give ya that!

~ Anne ~

Thanks for your detailed feedback, Bruce. I'm honored by all of you listening.

Thanks for the kind words and for listening, RealDiehl. Yes, your title for this thread says it nicely: stay ahead of schedule!

Thanks, Brett, G-Town, and Anne! I'm glad for your interest and hope the podcast episode introduces a broader audience to a deeper awareness of trucking and truckers.

ReChoice Podcast

It would help if I put the link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/728498/10467384