Profile For Thomas D.

Oh, the preventable was all me. I caught a yellow post at a shipper and damaged my hood and right headlamp backing in to a platform. Totally a rookie move, but I stopped and called it in.

I'm with Roehl, and I take my truck home with me on home time, with trailer (loaded or not). But the deal with that is, I'm responsible for the truck. If a tree limb falls on the truck and damages it, it's on me. Someone vandalizes it? Yup, on me. Now I'm not sure of the exact distance, but I believe that if you are within a 50 mile radius of a terminal or drop yard, you have to park there. But with that comes a release of liability from damages.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, I'm still alive and well since picking up my truck. It's been a great time out here on the road, and I'm working consistently. I've logged 22,127 career miles so far, but I did have a preventable, and was backed i to at a truck stop. I completed my Phase 3 training last Friday, and I'm now a full fledged driver!

When I went to pick up my truck, a 2022 Freighliner, it was abandoned at a drop yard in Bensalem, PA. The windshield had a starburst the size of a half dollar on the left side near the windshield post, the steer tires looked rough, and the paint was scratched on the lower left rear fairing. I picked up a load in NJ that went to Indiana. When I was making my drop operations called me asking if I still needed service, so they told me to bring it in to our terminal in Gary, IN. I pull in at 05:30 on a Sunday morning, my truck went straight into maintainence. By 11:30 am, new windshield, new steer tires, paint touched up, and trim on both door mirrors replaced. I don't know about all our terminals, but Gary and Marshfield, WI both have automatic drive thru truck washes. I hit them every time I'm in there.

I just graduated to Phase 3 (Solo driver), and I couldn't see me driving for anyone else right now. Any issues I might have, I know a resolution is only a phone call away.

I know, I know. It's either 12 hours to late or 12 hours too early, but I was chasing the dawn.

I hope I never get used to the view from my office.

Yeah Brett, might need to put something else in the subject line, I think we all answer to hey stupid. But seriously, thank you for all the hard work keeping TT trucking along ( sorry Momma Anne, couldn't help myself).

Chains? What are these chains of which you speak??

Mythical devices to locate every loose item on, around or near your truck.

Oh, I'm familiar with Bonehead Truckers. I asked my wife after I got my CDL's if I could get me some official truck driver flip flops. She asked if I wanted a divorce. Not sure which way I wanna go with that one....

New windshield, new steers, mirror trim replaced and some paint touch ups, we're ready to dance. Shout out to maintainence at Gary yard, got us in before 6am and ready to roll by 11am. You guys rock! On our way to Michigan for a 7am live unload.

I completely understand what you're saying Old School, I have 3 goals for every day I wake up. #1) Don't hurt anyone #2) Don't hurt yourself #3) Don't hurt the equipment.

I handle myself in a safe, courteous and professional manner at all times.

#4) Don't end up on Bonehead Truckers or the local news!

I understand completely, and my question might not have been worded clearly. I'm not fixated on the miles, I understand that safety is job #1. Any incident, accident, transgression, mishap or folly that is within my control negates the mileage no matter if it's 1 or 1 million. If I'm not where I'm supposed to be when I'm supposed to be there, the miles don't matter. The safety of others, myself, my equipment and my load come before any miles.

I guess I should be proud of 656.8 safe miles today driven then.

I completely understand what you're saying Old School, I have 3 goals for every day I wake up. #1) Don't hurt anyone #2) Don't hurt yourself #3) Don't hurt the equipment.

I handle myself in a safe, courteous and professional manner at all times.

Got routed to our terminal in Gary to get my ride some TLC, and we ran hard, but traffic and the clock were against us. Stopped with 8 minutes left on the 11 hour and 6.7 miles from the terminal. Can't complain, the truck gave me everything that was allowed, so rest tonight and put it in the shop in the morning. Hoping it don't take forever to get ship shape, we've got work to do.

How many miles in a day would you call a good day?

Hmmm Not Like they can't afford to equip their rigs with a fridge at the VERY least lol a microwave, eh can go either way, with, or w/out 175k on clock, it ain't even broke in yet

Yeah after me and the truck came to an understanding, it ran like a champ. PC started behaving itself, and the service engine soon lamp went out. The fridge and microwave I have at home, them not already being here aren't dealbreakers for me.