Comments By Snappy

Jesus Christ tap-dancing on a cracker! They get paid for the sleeper berth time... and they're COMPLAINING THAT IT'S NOT ENOUGH?

Jeez, what a bunch of crybabies!

There are some. Honestly, Northern Idaho was steeper overall. I assume you're taking I 80 after Salt Lake City in Utah? I just drove that route from Portland through Iowa last time I was out.

You check your mirrors in your pv to see where the non-existent trailer is heading while turning corners.

The first time you start your pv after getting home, you stomp on the clutch so hard you hope you didn't break it. Then, after getting ready to move, you kill the engine because the clutch engages about an inch off the floor instead of an inch from the top.

Agreed. You did the right thing. The old saying that no load is so hot that it needs to cool off in a ditch applies to late night runs too.

Rand McNally TND 730... Period. Of course, it helps to remember to stay away from populated areas.

Yep, I use the 530. Same info with a 5" screen, which is big enough for me. You can tell the GPS what type of placarded load you're running, and it'll adjust your route accordingly. Not a substitute for real trip planning, of course, but it is a nice help with that process.

Didnt post yesterday because well i didnt drive and was still exhausted. 3 drop and hooks washington DC Traffic and didnt shut down till 130. Today though i drove backroads bypassing washington drove through most of the PA mountains. Wow what an experience my stomach has finally detatchd its self from my butthole. I was exhausting but fun. I stopped at the last sunoco rest area in PA heading toward Ohio. Trainer D said that i did pretty good. We are here in Ohio and will deliver our load in the morning.

Now you know the rest of the story

That's pretty cool! My first experience driving a rig in snow was on those mountains! Man, was that a scary morning! Just keep plugging away at it man, it gets way better. :)

Hi Bob! Well, your question -- and the subsequent observations -- show that you are bringing a lot of assumptions to the table.

First, yes, if I was a family guy, doing what I do would be a lot harder. In fact, I would probably seek out a regional, dedicated, or local LTL position that would get me home every weekend, if not nightly or almost nightly.

As it is, I enjoy traveling and seeing new sights. My office is located in the continental United States and Canada. And the view is great. You know why office folks like corner offices so much? It's because they have two windows. My office has three.

As far as your recommendation to "go to college and get a degree," well, here's the thing. People who drive these wonderful 80,000 pound murder machines (let's face it, one slip and that's what they can become) come from a wide variety of backgrounds. I do have a degree -- a BS, actually. I spent eight years feeling miserable in one job, and two years feeling the same way in another. I've managed over 20 people, worked 17 hour days, and came close to ruining my health through overwork and stress. Life is too short for that.

Everyone will have different priorities in life, and everyone finds satisfaction in different places. Personally, I love what I do now. With a little bit of experience, I now have a base pay that is close to what I was getting before bonuses as a corporate manager with my own region to take care of.

;-)

If I hadn't needed to get a tarped load reworked yesterday, Errol... I would have posted this last night. Didn't see yours til just now.

Really hoping that I get my home time now. I put in for it three weeks ago ;)

http://www.cvsa.org/programs/int_roadcheck.php

It's almost that time of year again. This year's emphasis is to be on load securement. Of course, they'll be doing tons of level 1 inspections to boot. It's scheduled for June 2-4.

Be ready and be safe (and secure! HA!), everyone.