Comments By Bill M.

Hi Sandman,

Glad to hear you you learned from and aside from the incident you enjoyed the experience. When did the incident happen?

Tour is complete, and I really enjoyed being a part of it. A big plus was there was a lot of downtime, as we'd be parked at the same venue for several days. So that led to exploring the cities we were in and getting to know some of the other drivers pretty well. A downside was on the day we got reloaded after a show, we had to be up and ready to go by 10pm. 1 day this was made 5pm then 9pm. Being one of the last to get loaded, which was about 4am I believe made for a very long day.

I had an incident going from SF to L.A. when my load shifted and pierced the nose of the trailer. I didn't even know it happened until I arrived and did my post-trip. I notified my company and the lead driver right away. There was minor damage to the part of the set that shifted but the LEDs were intact which is what they were really concerned about. As driver is responsible for load securement, my company said they are treating it same as a traffic accident. Unless something changed because I thought I would've had some followup by now. Just as the entire tour was, it was a valuable learning experience.

I was already on the fence about doing Madonna but I don't know if they'll offer it now. One big concern is needing to drive in the heart of winter through the northeast, northwest, and Canada, in conditions I might not be prepared to handle. And racking up another incident. I will keep pondering on it in case it is my choice to make.

All in all, I'm really glad I did it and will consider doing touring full-time in the future.

Brian, most truck stops will be just fine. But, if you can get yourself to Toledo and it's not out of the way, get there. Not too far from there, in Perrysburg, Ohio, at the 280/76 interchange, there is a Love's, TA, Petro, Mr. Fuel, Pilot, and Flying J. My favorite is the Petro across from the Love's because it has plenty of parking and a restaurant.

Also, there is a Love's just south of Detroit in Monroe, MI en route to Toledo. ALL of these should have spots at 8:00 pm.

Best of luck. I'm sure it will work out for you!

Condolences to you and your family. My mother passed away a few weeks ago, on July 28th. I was fortunate enough to be by her side when she did.

Safe travels. Again, condolences to you and your family.

Good discussion that comes around all the time. As a kid, I used one to talk to friends in my neighborhood. It was set up in my garage! Then, when I towed cars and trucks for my uncle, I used one to talk to local police and drivers. As a driver, I only turn mine on if it's winter or inclement weather. I cannot stand to listen to the garbage coming across that thing, and it almost got me into an incident with another driver in Ohio.

In the military, I was on the front lines of the GPS tech when nobody even knew what the heck it was. I'm a HUGE fan of GPS. My GPS has helped me avoid more issues on the road than my CB ever has. A GPS finds construction, traffic, weather, and accident issues long before the CB ever will. Of all the accidents I've been around and had to sit through, the CB would not have helped me avoid having to sit through them. And, I drive defensively enough by staying away from packs of vehicles that it keeps me from having to jam on my brakes to avoid being in the pile-up and someone is always (used to be me) shouting out over the radio "Brakes, Brakes, Brakes."

However, I still keep one in my truck and will not run without it because I will use it when the weather changes and if my GPS takes a nose dive.

I have no idea. But, after four years with the same company, they want you to turn in your truck when you go on vacation? Sounds odd. Although I'm still relatively new to this industry, I've seen a lot of trucks sitting idle for days and weeks on end - brand-new trucks at that.

But, to me, a truck is a truck. Since my first truck, which I recovered for the company and then named 'Roxie', was taken and given to an entertainment driver, I try not to get attached to them anymore. As long as it's clean, dry, serviceable, and not banged-up looking, I'll drive it. I don't even want a new truck unless it's a new Kenworth W900L or W900 - and the company I drive for only runs Volvos and Freightliners. So....that's not happening.

That said, when I left my truck for a week's vacation earlier this year I took all of my personal belongings out of it. Everything!

Best of luck with and above all ENJOY your vacation! you've EARNED it!!

Bobtailed all the way to Las Vegas?

I can barely stand to bobtail across the parking lot to pick up an empty trailer! Way to bumpy and light for me. No way I could have done that! Have fun out there!

Just wanted to share an update on how the tour is going.

I started by getting loaded in Lititz, PA, at a place bands practice at pre-tour. My company has a drop yard nearby where I got my trailer. From there, I went to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. We couldn't arrive until 0230 so I spent some time at a Petro beforehand. Getting unloaded was a blindside back but not too tight and I don't do anything but follow the instructions from the lead driver over the CB. We had several days to kill from unloading until reloading. There was a mall within walking distance we went to quite a bit and went into NYC one day. The venue had catering breakfast lunch and dinner and two driver showers. Dinner was fantastic every night.

The next portion was a two-day team phase as they wanted us in Vegas asap. Us company drivers picked up our team drivers from a hotel near Scranton then high-tailed it out west. The owner-ops went solo, BT, the entire way! I couldn't believe that was the plan but what do I know. They had power-only teams pull those trailers. We dropped our drivers at a hotel here and we're at Allegiant Stadium until Friday I believe.

So far it's been more play than work but I know that's not always the case. Some tours are go go go. The hard work so far is being in the trailer quickly doing straps and load bars so the loaders can do their job, and they really move. I'm not that used to straps yet so it's a bit of a challenge, but everyone on tour is very helpful and very nice, they are fun to work with and to hang out with.

I wasn't aware of this part of the industry but it's definitely on my radar for the future now.

Personally, if I had a reward-facing camera it would be mounted inside the rear of the trailer to monitor the forklift operator's progress, or lack thereof.

On a serious note, I say nay! I use so many different trailers I would want to avoid trying to keep up with mounting and unmounting one every time I drop and hook. Like BA, I'd probably lose it. Also, for reasons OS mentioned.

However, drivers appear to be trying them. This year alone, I have found two backup cameras on the ground at the same truck stop (Milton Truck Plaza, Milton, PA). Both had minor damage but were removed and discarded on the ground for whatever reason. Maybe the driver(s) found them useless and couldn't find the energy to walk 45 paces to the nearest garbage can to dispose of them.

I like all types of driving conditions. Personally, I'm ok with big-city driving. It's predictably slow and I know everyone will try to cut in front of me. The maze of roads can become confusing at times. But, it's the small towns with only one or two main truck routes in and out of town that have streets and turns that aren't meant for a truck with a sleeper cab pulling a 53' trailer that makes me more nervous. The ones where people step out from behind their cars and just open the door in front of you to try to get in before you pass by them. Hanover, Pennsylvania and Rochester, NY, come to mind.

I'm not a fan of parking or taking breaks on ramps or the side of the road. I understand why people do it except on the side of the road where there is no runup to get back onto the road without slowing traffic.

When I trip plan, I pick 3 or 4 places I might stay when I'm ready to shut down for the day, but I go for what I can get within my allowable drive time. I play it by ear and feel as my 11 or 14 wind down. I always err on the side of caution. This approach has yet to leave me stranded on the side of the road or an on-ramp. I've always been fortunate enough to stay at one of the 3 or 4 places I've picked, or I'm well short of that in a truck stop or rest stop.

With that said, I have at least 1/2 a dozen ramps in my back pocket if I ever get caught behind the clock needing to maximize time and I would never throw my trash bags and litter the side of the ramp like so many do.

Negative, Sandman.

Currently, I'm supporting our mission in a different capacity.

Happy to hear you got something. I know you've been looking forward to it.

Have fun. Talk sometime soon.

Bill

I'm excited! Bill M., any chance you're in or assisting on this one?