Papa Pigs Zainy Rookie Solo Adventures

Just finished reading your thread. Woof! I work outside a lot but can't imagine being in that van in this heat. Locked into my current job til Nov-Dec but planning to make the change to OTR. Already have my CDL-A T,X and TWIC. You get to Milledgeville GA give a yell. There's a DG right across the road from the Storage Facility I manage and a pretty good mexican restaurant near Lake Sinclair, Los Magueyes. There was a blue Werner sleeper pulling a reefer there today, or was it yesterday? Thanks for your loyalty and dedication to our Country. (USMC 1980-86)

TA in Montgomery. Stopped for a mud flap stayed for some “Trucker “ breakfast. Too often I end up eating a pop tart and start unloading. Gotta take advantage of good food when you can. Found out one of my flaps was gone when I did my post trip last night , had to get it taken care of before I hit the interstate. Don’t want a ticket in my way home!!

Andrew “Semper-Fi” thank you ! I have delivered to millidgeville once I think. Though it’s normally not in our AO. You will do fine at the job. Just don’t overthink and be confident. I wish you luck

Still loving the reads, R ~!! Glad you are eating well.... enjoy when you can, for sure!

OTOH... any videos?!?!? ;)

I will wait, patiently, (haha!) with the others, good sir~!!! I'm really impressed with how you're getting along w/Werner and the DG's.

I'm going up to 'our' DG with the hubby either tomorrow or Sunday, and will sure try that windshield spray, as I'm the one tasked with cleaning the in'cab windows, LoL~!!

Stay safe; again...thanks! ... I love the reads!

Anne :)

Papa Pig sounds like you are settling into the job and finding your groove. Just remember when it starts to get tough it could be worse you could be putting a thrown track back on in the pouring rain.... Keep on trucking Brother.

Chris L. Tbh I always kinda liked doing track. I didn’t mind the rain, better than desert heat, or tx heat. How is flatbed treating you?

Today I finally said “no” to something. I’m so used to following orders and want to be a good employee, I have been doing anything and everything asked of me. It’s really not in me to say I can’t do something I had delivered my last load and was halfway home. Got called and they asked a “favor”. Wanted to know if I would come back to the dc and pick up one more load. I had to tell them that it had been a rough week and I was physically drained. Honestly I didn’t have another trailer unload in me. Most of it was physical but there was the mental aspect too. It’s damn hot out there lol. I know my body and don’t want to burn out. My FM said he understood (I hope he really did and doesn’t hold it against me) sometimes you gotta listen to your body.

Did 4 loads this week and would have had 5 if it wasn’t for the breakdown on Wednesday. 4 is the average and 5 is great. I have been doing 5 per week consistently except for my first week solo, and the week I volunteered to help the reefer account. By this morning I was ok hitting the average.

Tomorrow gonna take my boys fishing. No point earning a living if you can’t enjoy the fruits of your labor!

At the end of the day this is what all the blood ,sweat, and tears is for. Y’all make sure to enjoy the time with the ones you love when you can. I was tired this morning and didn’t want to come out but the looks on the kids faces when they started slinging in fish is priceless

That is a great pic. Priceless!!

I wouldn’t worry about the no answer to your FM this week. You have set the stage with them already, and they already know you work hard and they will understand.

That's a great photo and it's obvious you created some great memories. Those boys will never remember how many loads you averaged each week, but they will always remember the great times they had going fishing with you. Well done sir!

Papa Pig,

First I thank you for your service from a former "swabby". Great pic of your son enjoying himself with Dad. Those times are what makes it all worthwhile. I did my 44 years driving mostly regional and local and took every opportunity to spend with wife, daughter and son.

Now being retired and living with my wife half year rving and the other half in Florida you do not the kids often. Our daughter is married to 20 year Army Blackhawk pilot stationed at Ft. Campbell, Ky. and our son is 17 year Senior Chief stationed in the Seattle, Wa. area so visits are once a year but memories are forever.

Good luck with the career and family.

So, I had planned to do a video of the sweep I had to do before I dropped off this trailer and picked up my new load. (New store) have to do the WHOLE trailer in one delivery lol. I was skeptical of this store because it was the example that my safety guy gave me where drivers have had problems. Here is a pic

I decided to go late in the evening but there were still cars back there, went up and turned around so I could pull into the Walgreens across the street and angle my trailer in, but just too much traffic. Decided since I wasn’t delivering I would just swallow my pride , park in the street and load that way. Better than an accident.

This video is me showing what was going on. So if it seems rushed that is why. I needed to get out of there !

https://youtu.be/iaIwulqbBTs

Normally this store is a 6 am delivery and you will see why. Lol. Stay safe guys!