PackRat's 2020 Daily Driving Diary

...... Plus I suck at bein a writer. That’s why I only have one article up on this site.

A Summary of My 1st Year in Trucking And Why I Returned

millionmiler, I beg to disagree.

I just read lots of your stuff from that link and more.

We expect art to act on, or somehow move, affect, the viewer. Written work can function as informative or more like art.

I found your writing to be extremely artful and I'm very grateful for what has been refined and added to in my life perspectives from that.

Ive been debating a writing a daily journal from a rookies perspective for a few weeks now myself. Figured it could help fellow noobs as well as having some vets give their advice and criticism would help as well.

You better do it soon, because you won't be a rookie much longer. How long have you been solo?

Since late may. But ill be a rookie awhile. Atleast thats how i feel. Lol

Ive been debating a writing a daily journal from a rookies perspective for a few weeks now myself. Figured it could help fellow noobs as well as having some vets give their advice and criticism would help as well.

You better do it soon, because you won't be a rookie much longer. How long have you been solo?

Since late may. But ill be a rookie awhile. Atleast thats how i feel. Lol

Shoot! We all feel new some days, especially when it comes to backing or navigating.

Start a thread on here, because time is always moving faster. "In two days from right now, tomorrow will be yesterday"...

I love reading peoples diaries whether they're experienced or a new driver. For one it allows me to see in depth what an OTR driver goes through because I've only done local/ home daily. Plus as you mentioned you may receive some advice on how to be more efficient by doing something you don't realize. When I was sitting on the outside looking in reading what day to day life for some drivers was like made me want this even more.

Had to look that one up. Impressive.

I never quite learned the Navy rank structure, although the officer ranks were a lot easier.

Back when I was in (72-75, 76-88), all branches had their pay stopped when they went PCS. I worked in Military and Travel Pay, so got to see the different services that would come to my base to get paid. The Navy was the most confusing but I really just dealt with pay grades: E1 - E9, W1 - W4, O1 - O6.

My son did 20 in the Navy (when asked why the Navy, cause his Dad retired from the Air Force, he said to me, "Cause the Air Force is for wimps, Mom"), retiring in Sept 2013. He was also on the USS Enterprise coming home after 6 mths going through the Suez canal when 9/11 happened. He said they did a U-turn and went somewhere classified and went silent...no emails, phone calls, etc. It was nerve wracking cause I always thought ships were relatively safe and then the Cole was hit the year before.

Laura

I love reading peoples diaries whether they're experienced or a new driver. For one it allows me to see in depth what an OTR driver goes through because I've only done local/ home daily. Plus as you mentioned you may receive some advice on how to be more efficient by doing something you don't realize. When I was sitting on the outside looking in reading what day to day life for some drivers was like made me want this even more.

Your diary was prolific, Rob T. ~!

PackRat ... what in the HECK with that dock in your last picture?!? It's like a 'V' .... ?!?!? Yeah, nope in the snow, for sure!

22 February 2020 (Part two)

No real excitement to report on today from CFI Joplin. I brought the relay trailer in last night, then checked in with the maintenance shop. Was told that I could wait until sometime during the night to be called for the garage assignment, or I could sleep for the night and check back around 0600 on Saturday morning. I picked option B---Sleep.

After my five hours, I checked in again at 0530 and was told which space to drive to for the nickle and dime repairs. Around 0615 I was in the waiting area, waiting.

I had to get a spare gallon of antifreeze, a pair of spare wiper blades, and a handful of spare lightbulbs. My new favorite Saturday mechanic fixed my air conditioning, caused by the filthy, original factory cabin filter behind the glove box. He also replaced my Ravelco ignition safety lock device, put a new inspection sticker on, removed the 2018 and 2019 IFTA stickers, checked out some fuses, replaced one of the privacy curtains, and replaced a missing grommet on the driver's side door fairing. The fifth wheel was greased, the A/C charge pressure was verified, and the battery output was checked. All completed and back outside by 1030.

I walked over to local dispatch to give them the "All Clear," then got onto the board for a dispatch. "You're number 12 on the list." Odd, because when I arrived last night at 1945, I was number 14....

Around 1430 (just as the NASCAR race was starting from Las Vegas on the radio), I got the message for the next trip. This one will be a relay from Joplin to Plainfield, IN, transporting a trailer load of plastic parts 519 miles. Drop off at the delivery any time before midnight on Monday.

No miles today, but now the truck is good for several thousand more miles, so I can stay away from Joplin for awhile. I refer to this place as The Hotel California. "You can check in anytime you like, but you can never leave," unless you're pulling a trailer out of here on a dispatched trip.

Time for a nap until 0200, then it's time to hit the road....

Lol on the Hotel Ca reference. I’m heading toward Cleveland this week maybe we may cross paths. That would be cool.

Lol on the Hotel Ca reference. I’m heading toward Cleveland this week maybe we may cross paths. That would be cool.

It sure would be fantastic! I could meet you at a truck dealership and talk you into trading in that fuel hog of a long nose for something that will put some money in your bank account, instead of in those tanks. How about that plan? I know, I know.....

However, I'm about at a point where I'm ready to offer up some kind of sacrifice if that's what it takes for me to get a load going to the west coast. I am soooooo over doing 95% of my time east of the Mississippi River for the past three months!

...... Plus I suck at bein a writer. That’s why I only have one article up on this site.

A Summary of My 1st Year in Trucking And Why I Returned

millionmiler, I beg to disagree.

I just read lots of your stuff from that link and more.

We expect art to act on, or somehow move, affect, the viewer. Written work can function as informative or more like art.

I found your writing to be extremely artful and I'm very grateful for what has been refined and added to in my life perspectives from that.

Thanks that means a lot. I truly appreciate it. 😜