Comments By George A.

Prior to posting this I did a short search for insurance information and while there was some good stuff I was not able to find what I needed:

I work as a 1099 driver and make say around 55 grand a year...I need to find insurance...mandated......if anyone knows of a CHEAP insurance premium....or a source to research I would love to hear.......

Thanks

I collect bugs....lots of bugs....the grill gets the best ones....of course....then at truck stops I have to compete with the birds that like to pick the good ones out while I am finding a place to park!

I wish we had unions....at least when I went to the home terminal and look at a 14 million dollar bs building where the only topic of concern is fat free salad dressing......I see were the money is being taken from the actual drivers who pay for that ego structure. Do not get me started on the companies corporate jet......

I would like a decent wage.....like was said earlier ......decent retirement and decent health care and working conditions....... Right now the trend is team driving....oh and guess what....companies are looking to the south to bring teams that are happy to work splitting 25c per mile.......... So yea....think you are gonna compete with Pedro and Jose????? Sure you are........

That is very nice to hear about your interactions as a female driver.......glad to know we are not all beasts!!!...

CRST is in the middle of class action lawsuit about sexual harassment and their total lack of appropriate response to female drivers complaints. This is currently in the public domain...and a simple google search will show the latest articles on this particular company, the law suit and the complaints behind this. If she feels unsafe she needs to file a report with the company....and the police department.

Ok as things are slowly getting to be routine in the flatbed world a couple of things emerge........

One is that there are fewer lot lizards than I was led to believe...I talked to one in 7 months....one....lol

Two........IDK what type of problems women drivers encounter with the profession ...but I am thinking it cannot be all positive...although I have personally not seen any issues.....However at a stop in Salt Lake City I encountered a lady in the drivers lounge...she stood a little closer than I usually like.....I am a private person....so I left to go back to my truck........about a half hour later, who comes waltzing by.......very uncomfortable now....then...she comes up to my truck and asks to speak.......here it comes.....I am thinking.....Anyway....I roll done the window and she said please talk to me I am a truck driver not a prostitute....and I drive a tractor that is the same make...I am having trouble with it.....she pointed to her tractor and so I agreed to go take a look....a short while later I got her inverter working and then she told me she shuttles new tractor to their owners....pretty great gig....but it got me thi nking......wow ......she does not get just to chat much do to the perceived ideas..........Then a couple of months later then I saw a lady getting out of her truck....so I though I would just say hi as I was walking by......oh hell no......she did everything to avoid any interaction........lol.....I honestly do not know how to react...I guess I will not say anything unless first approached.......

Three......what is common is the folks that cruise thru the truck stops.......asking for money because their car is outta gas or some such story....I guess drivers are a soft touch 'cause I get hit up every few stops......but since I am a meanie ...I just tell them ...my company only gives me a card...they will not let me carry cash....works great....every time!!! Now if they were starving or truly in distress that might ...might be one thing....but these folks are fat, healthy, and not struggling in their lives........and their car seems to always have fuel...they never want to drive to the pump and have me fill it......lol.....

alrighty then........back to the road and load......

I heard of drivers accruing in excess of 70 days.......The spouses travel with them...so.......I guess it just what works for them.........Most take off 3 days at a time.......

btw on a side note....I have lost 15lbs........lol....so I have that going for me......

Right now I am working for Melton......but I always look at the other types of trucks and companies that are on the road with me ....always wondering........

Is the grass greener on the other side.....lol

Well now....it has been about 6 months since starting on this adventure called flatbedding!........ There is of course a large learning curve and being flexible is a plus. Now I am pretty stubborn which also is a plus......... I am running over 2k miles a week, I accrue a day off for every week on the road. So far I have not taken any days off but hey....I am older, single and onery! Plus I am saving up for a nice trip to South East Asia for my reward!

No injuries or illnesses so far....:D Yay! Truck had to be put in the shop, and it took a few days to fix it but the company put me up at a hotel...so that was nice plus they do give a daily bone so that we do not go entirely without an income....certainly not what I earn while the hub is turning.

Every load is different......every securement is different so if you like puzzles and sweating then maybe flatbedding is for you!

I have been to most states and enjoy the changing seasons and scenery...yes I keep my eyes on the road and hands on the wheel!

I have seen a few accidents, after they happened ...but not as many as I originally thought I would see......which is nice....a few vehicle fires........marshmallows anyone??

Overall things are getting easier as I learn and of course I am relaxing more and getting more done in less time.

Fun...? Why yes! At times it is great and other times well......that passes ...... So hang in their guys and gals.........you can do it!!!!

Why not Zoidberg????

Wasp spray hits small spots (eyes) to 20 feet plus, cheap, legal in all 50 states and who honestly can question wasps being a tad bit nasty?

Was just at a terminal talking to an older trucker who had a shirt in great condition from 1985. He has been with his company for well over one million miles. He always said that people commented on how clean and neat he looked when picking up or delivering a load. He told me his success was wearing a short sleeve coveralls in the summer and long sleeve in the winter. He wears little underneath...changes when arrives and changes when leaves...never wears his regular clothes. I will say he is a sharp dresser....not in the coveralls but regular like. Also he buys his coveralls at the thrift shop..... Personally if I dress too heavily I sweat like crazy....so I wear very little, just enough to be safe...in the cab while running it is shorts and slippers and a tank........comfort is paramount....My feet get hot easily and sweat too much to wear shoes for too long. I lose lots of boots and tennis shoes to the buildup of funk so bad that flies die at 50 yards.