Profile For Mr. Curmudgeon

Thanks, Davy. I'm cool with running intermodal or dry van, either doesn't worry me. Haven't run I/M from AZ yet, but did it a whole bunch when I was back in IL. The downside to I/M and per mile pay is the stupid amount of sitting and waiting in the railyards... I was spoiled by hourly pay when I was doing it.

Out one, back the next was how the weeks went when I was pulling amazon. Just wondering how they make it work for a five day work week... unless it's a six day cycle?

Thanks for your insight on this!

Hello All,

I'd value the experience and opinion of the drivers pertaining to the above. Thanks.

David, speaking from the perspective of someone with what I guess are probably 'disabilities' - Inflammatory Arthritis and a Cervical Spine fusion from 2020, I'll give you my perspective.

1) Spinal issues + Micro Vibrations = Long days. I am recently off work due to my employer losing their AFP contract with Bezos' kids. I worked a four day 13-14 hour per day shift, with four days off between. By the 56th hour of working, I was pretty stove in. Granted, you're a younger man than I, and being a recently discharged Marine you're likely more a physical specimen than I. It is manageable, but the constant vibration is likely to be your greatest challenge. I love the career, started after doing the cop thing for 28, and have no desire NOT to be driving.

2) Arthritis (Inflammatory and Osteo). These are no laughing matter, and if you have heavy osteo in your left knee, running a manual transmission through traffic (think LA or Schitcargo) at rush hour, which is always, can be a major challenge. When I first started driving in 2013, automatics were frowned upon, and less common in fleets than they are now now. Look for an outfit that offers automatics, if you are affected in that left knee. Getting down under equipment to do a REAL pre-trip / post-trip is not too bad, buy yourself a quality set of gel-insert tradesman knee pads - think flooring installers. They do a bang up job and making ground work comfortable.

Good luck on working through your options and making a choice. If you have it as a dream, do it. The worst that can happen is you get hired and discover it isn't for you. No shame in that. And no "Geeeez... I wonder" lurking in the back of your mind when you reach an age like mine.

Week three into the job search. Still looking for the optimal job, but not sure it's out there.

Was looking at Knight, they are 'supposedly' offering a dedicated Phoenix to Long Beach, CA regional run. I know the easiest way to find out what THEY want you to hear about the run is to apply for the job and wait for a recruiter to call. I also know that sometimes what the recruiters say is a bit skewed from reality.

Soooo... with that said: I figured I would go on here and ask if any of y'all have any knowledge of the run, the terminal operations crew, and most importantly information on any parking that Knight may have dedicated for their drivers in CA.

Thanks in advance for any input.

The local social media is burning up with this. Seems much of the detour traffic is using roads that cross reservation land, and said roads are somewhat 'rustic'. The heavy loads are turning the roads into a NM / AZ equivalent of the Road to Basra if one can believe what's on soc-med.

This has been a disruption for a few days now, and last time I looked at it there was no definitive estimate of road opening. Eastbound is the only direction affected, although that doesn't mean they may not do temp closures or lane adjustments for Westbound.

If you're out that way, safe travels.

There is an outfit that is hiring for similar positions. Debating the application.

As for changing fields, I don't think it likely. This profession has imbedded itself as wholly into my day-to-day DNA as being a cop did. I don't want to NOT be driving.

Thanks for the positive thoughts, folks. Something will show up...

Posted partly out of self pity, but also as a statement of "Man! Sh*t can SURE change overnight!"

I found a fortune cookie in my travel slouch from a week or so ago. Opened it, and found this... maybe it was a sign?

Take naught for granted, but always look for the plus side of the circle.

Got a ten day notice. The outfit I drive for lost their contract as an Amazon Freight Partner. Lots of buzz over why, but i suspect the owner is just tired and wanted out.

So, I give up my ideal 4 on 4 off job and start looking again.

Maybe it's time to find a job as a safety manager... ?

If that lasts more than 4 hours he should contact a doctor

Last driven by "Smilin' Bob the Enzyte Guy"?

Arejay, I did 28yrs of pushing a squad, and was reputed to be "that guy" when it came to knowing the nuances of how to legally provide extra loving to someone what needed it. My immmediate thought was "Oh, HELL no, I aint pulling a crappy vin retag stolen trailer through the PRC". Liley a valid explanation, but when the first third is missing, and I dont know where the confidential numbers are on a semi trailer to verify against the registration....

Oh, the people from Amazon said thay it was OK to pull. I submitted a DVIR and made it unsafe to pull so that HAVE to give it attention... axle seals, brakes, registrations, and now VIN tags. I am pleased to hear that Im not the only ine that's looking at the paper registrations... i am constantly stunned by the huge level of grab and go with pool trailers...

Mylar label not squarely on the misshapen metal tab it was adhered to. 7 of the 17 vin digits / characters are missing. Headed into San Bernardino, CA by way of the I-10, including Banning scale routing. I opted to NOT pull it since it is an incomplete VIN tag. Thoughts?

Nothingwrong with thatkind of recognition from your outfit. Becoming a professional driver is a journey, one that I have been on for a decade now, and still have days where the "ah-hah!" moments happen.

Congrats on the safe driverof the week award, and kudos to you for gritting it out and staying with the career. It never gets "easy", but it does get "easier". If it was easy, it wouldnt be as much fun!