Comments By TCB

I always carry the packs, and throw a pair on if I see a spot or two looking pretty dry. If it's been 10 trailers dropped and hooked, I'll make sure to throw the packs on next time. I think it's possible to over do it, but the number of drivers I have seen who scrape the entire lube from the shop onto the nose of a trailer, makes it pretty unlikely that the trailer apron has "enough residue" to suffice it.

So, you guys just throw the packs onto the fifth wheel. Lol, I've been doing it wrong. I have been cutting the packs open and squeezing out the grease. You learn something new everyday.

Yes, Imports into the ports here are way down. Plus, labor negotiations are ongoing at the ports here. The good news is, it's my home terminal, so I get to sit at home. The bad news is, we get no layover pay if it's at our home terminal. So, I am limbo. I can't do anything with my free time. I have to keep my self on stand by, waiting for a pre plan.

I have been lucky this year, not a lot of snow and ice. I did get rerouted because of a closure on I-80 through WY, which closed just after opening for a few hours, after closing for about four days. I also had to shut down for about 1/2 of a day because of chain requirements. My company does not want us to drive in chain conditions. Hopefully, Mother Nature will make it up to us with an early Spring.

I have been sitting for five days in Jurupa Valley, CA trying to get a load. I had 50 on my 70 when I parked. My DL says that we are 200 loads under booked. Southern Cal. is normally busy. But, imports into the port of LA are down 41% from this time last year, and the port of Long Beach is down 38%. Another issue is, negotiations are still going on in those ports for a labor contract. So, shippers are shipping to other ports. To complicate things, my company is giving loads to outside carriers for power only. I read that some o/o are selling their rigs in this area. I know this is the slow season, but it i have never seen it this bad. I also read that many of the warehouses here are full, that they are not able to ship any product out due to low demand. I certainly hope things improve soon, or I might have to develop a plan b and c.

I am curious. Are any of you having to sit in So. Cal. I spoke with a JB Hunt driver in this area last week. He said that he is still busy. If so, I wonder what other companies are doing differently.

I have been sitting for five days in Jurupa Valley, CA trying to get a load. I had 50 on my 70 when I parked. My DL says that we are 200 loads under booked. Southern Cal. is normally busy. But, imports into the port of LA are down 41% from this time last year, and the port of Long Beach is down 38%. Another issue is, negotiations are still going on in those ports for a labor contract. So, shippers are shipping to other ports. To complicate things, my company is giving loads to outside carriers for power only. I read that some o/o are selling their rigs in this area. I know this is the slow season, but it i have never seen it this bad. I also read that many of the warehouses here are full, that they are not able to ship any product out due to low demand. I certainly hope things improve soon, or I might have to develop a plan b and c.

I've been worried about this as I keep hearing or reading that many companies are slowing down and they are getting picky with their new hire. I can say that in my area on Indeed there are a lot of companies looking. However, I have noticed that many are looking for 2-3 years of driving experience within the last 5 years. I have been bombarded with offers and asked me to reach out once I finish school.

Just last year, when times were good, many companies only required one year experience. I guess it is no longer a drivers market.

Congrats!! Wishing you a safe and propitious career.

Heads up, the I-15 in Las Vegas will be completely closed this weekend from 10pm Friday until about 5am Monday.

https://www.ktnv.com/traffic/three-day-closure-of-north-and-southbound-i-15-for-dropicana-project-to-begin-friday-night

The temp could be 33-40 at ground level. But the temp might be 32 or lower up in the clouds where precipitation forms in a frozen form before falling to the ground. The slightly above freezing temp at ground level doesn’t give it enough time to melt before falling to the ground. So, you now have a wet snow or ice, which is very slippery and dangerous. Be safe drivers.

I have no problem communicating with other cb’s no matter what vehicle it might be in. They might have some useful information, or perhaps I may share something that might prevent an accident or some inconvenience for someone. If your truck has a cb cubby, I would get a regular cb. A handheld just doesn’t get far out.