Comments By Vendingdude

Squatch is correct. The staging area in front holds about 6 or 7 trucks and they don't​ open the gate until 4:30 or something like that. Mind the one way streets! Confusing as heck the first time I went there. There's a TS on the other side of the freeway. Be early or you won't get in.

You know how some people just naturally tell a good story, with interesting vocabulary and engaging style. That's Turtle. Now put a drawl and body language in with this story and Turtle's got a backup job as a comedian. Keep em coming!

(raising right hand). I second everything that has been said here. This is one of those threads where several people hit the nail on the head and built a masterpiece. Brett's advice is so true and universal. I feel like we all just a big group hug.

Now get out there Kyle and kick some butt for the Gipper!

This the place?

https://m.facebook.com/pages/Plateau-Truck-Auto-Plaza-Plateau-Tx/402623056464519

If you really can't park your truck closer than eleven miles away, is it possible to park it somewhere where a trusted friend, relative, etc can start it a couple times on their lunch break or whatever. Even if it was further away it would be irrelevant because it's not you driving out to the truck anymore.

Yes, private property apparently. No signs, no warnings, nothing. Signs are all over the place on other streets saying no commercial vehicle parking, but not on this street or in front of this lot. It literally is just a twenty acre lot of dirt and weeds behind a quarter mile of commercial businesses. I wouldn't argue about the principle of law, as you put it. Obviously, a city has every right to make and enforce whatever laws they want. My objection is the lack of signage, which should be expected as a minimal courtesy. Would it be fair to issue me a speeding ticket if there was no sign saying the speed limit is changing, I just "should have known", or a ticket for making a right turn on a red even though there's no sign saying it's prohibited. (Aside from the fact that there ARE states where it's prohibited, but not in the city and/or state I'm referencing).

I used to stop there every week to get a meal at a choice of an In-n-Out burger, Popeye's Chicken or Jack in the Box. I would also stop at that city's Pilot to fuel if needed. I have now changed my habits and do these activities at the city 50 miles down the road. I wrote an email to the city code enforcement telling them of the tax dollars they've permanently lost by this chickshirt policy. Other drivers in my company have been made aware of this as well. No response, not holding my breath.

Funny thing, a parking ticket goes against the truck, not me the driver. I asked the boss about it and even though we both agreed that morally I should pay it, ultimately he said "screw em, what are they gonna do?". I read to him the fine print where it says they can put a fine and a hold on his registration. He laughed and said let em try, that's California and they can't do squat because our trucks are registered in Utah. So the city isn't getting their $100, and a whole lot more.

"Same principle why - if there isn't a "No U-Turn Sign" at the intersection, you are ALLOWED to make a U-Turn. "

Well, I got a parking ticket for taking my thirty minute break in an empty lot at the edge of a commercial area that has obviously been used for years by cars and trucks as a parking area. No city ordinance signs, no "No Parking" signs, no fencing, nothing. I was in the truck napping and code enforcement didn't even have the courtesy to knock and tell me to move on. Found ticket stapled to door handle four hours later at next bathroom break.

To know this was a no parking area one would have to be a local resident, or be curious enough to Google a city's website before shutting down. Clearly a bush league money grabbing tactic right out of the movies. Property is probably owned by a city councilman's brother or something.

So just because something isn't posted as prohibited doesn't necessarily mean it's ok.

Many of the exits off 99 in California are very sharp 90 degree turns with NO deceleration lane. You literally need to slow from full speed to 25mph in a few yards. Very unsafe, and if traffic is stopped just around the corner, it's even worse. If you forget for just a second and commit to the exit, there's not much you can do. Especially with liquid surge. RIP Driver.

Bob, Brett has given you the Truth, for sure. You're in an interesting position, and I feel for ya. Short answer, you're not gonna exactly replace 78k out the gate. It could take years to get to that level, either by working your way up in a company or acquiring tenderfoot experience with company A and jumping to company B that pays better for experienced drivers.

I'm kinda curious about the other side of the equation. Namely, do you really need to make 78k? Can you cut down on lifestyle expenses? Can you move? Can you sell toys, eliminate lattes, whatever? Where do you live? Is there any way you could get by on a couple hundred dollars less per week?

This thread swerves again:

It takes a certain level of drive and crazy to get out on the road and stay out there all the time driving hard

Very well said, and very true.

And I must say that the guys who do it nowadays on elogs are even crazier than guys like myself who did it with paper logs. I could cheat all I wanted to on paper, which for me meant I could drive whenever I wanted to and sleep whenever I wanted to. I didn't have to keep pushing through for super long stretches at a time like guys have to nowadays.

I would give anything to eliminate that stupid 14 hour rule. I still can't believe they ever created it, and I'm even more appalled that it still exists today. I thought for sure they'd come to their senses and realize you shouldn't make someone cram all of their work into one super long stretch like that.

So kudos to all of you pushing 3,000 miles a week on elogs with that awful 14 hour rule. It really is impressive.

One of the things I'll miss about being on paper logs is being able to park at a truck stop or Walmart 5-10 miles from my delivery. I can drive there without starting my clock and sleep near food and bathrooms rather than outside the receivers gate on the street with no services. Just to deliver without starting my 14.

It takes a certain level of drive and crazy to get out on the road and stay out there all the time driving hard

Very well said, and very true.

And I must say that the guys who do it nowadays on elogs are even crazier than guys like myself who did it with paper logs. I could cheat all I wanted to on paper, which for me meant I could drive whenever I wanted to and sleep whenever I wanted to. I didn't have to keep pushing through for super long stretches at a time like guys have to nowadays.

I would give anything to eliminate that stupid 14 hour rule. I still can't believe they ever created it, and I'm even more appalled that it still exists today. I thought for sure they'd come to their senses and realize you shouldn't make someone cram all of their work into one super long stretch like that.

So kudos to all of you pushing 3,000 miles a week on elogs with that awful 14 hour rule. It really is impressive.

I agree in totality here. Brett, and others, are there discussions on this site about what a better solution would be? I have some thoughts on this and would be curious to know what other drivers have to say. Alternatives, not just complaints.