Profile For Thomas D.

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.

My first truck with them had 300k plus and the a/c never worked right. Guess they stepped up their game a little.

My poor old ride just hit 850k and is probably in better overall condition…

I'm told that average age is less than 3 years with a replacement rate of 600 per year. The truck we used in Marshfield was the oldest truck on the lot and it was a 17.

175,799 miles, EPU with Opti Idle, I can put my own fridge and microwave in. In fact they are already waiting for me at home.

Reminds me of a song, 'Red, Red, Wine.....' changing the last word to Roehl (and lyrics) of course! "Red, Red, Rail....with you, I hail !" etc...

Do YOU install the peripherals at home, or take to the shop, for their professional installs? Will they provide you with a new mattress, as well; or are you planning to go all 'Rainy' and buy one of those high dollar dealios, too ?!?

Questions to help future members of TT.. and me!!

~ Anne ~

I will install the microwave and fridge when I get home, and yes I probably will purchase a mattress for myself, but probably not as nice as Rainy's. I'm sure they would replace it at the terminal, but I prefer a slight bit more comfort than the factory provides lol.

Those usually suck. You may have got somewhat lucky.

It was possessed, the PC refused to work from the time I got to the truck yesterday until 10 am today, then finally came to life like nothing happened (must have thought this was a union job). Get to the shipper for a tiny ( less than 7000 pound) live load in New Jersey. So while I wait I call safety up to update my logs and take me off paper, no big deal. Then the co-pilot takes a crack at trying to break me and takes me back where I started in Bensalem. I get there and say to the co-pilot "Ok, so you wanna be funny do ya, well get a load of this." Yeah, I talk to my truck, who don't? So another call to fuel and routing to reload my co-pilot and it's been smooth sailing ever since.