Oops, missed a month :lol: Like I said before I don't deserve a blog anyway. I have to say, I can't believe it's already been 11 months since I decided to go for my CDL. April Fools is just around the corner. I had a FANTASTIC time last week (27th/Tues, 28th/Weds of Feb and Thursday/1 March). I was trucking all 3 days. I averaged about 350 miles a day during those 3 days, so the 1000 plus miles is more than I have done in the the last 2 months. After the 3rd day, I finally got used to the downshifting while going uphill. I had a few stalls. I think it is just a matter of not overthinking and trusting the RPM vs MPH and knowing what to do quickly in each gear. The funny thing is (laughing at self) when I took out the day cab of the guy that was on vacation, I looked all over the damn place to find the steering wheel tilt. The sterring wheel was blocking my view of the gauges (RPM/MPH) in certain situations. I never thought to ask when I had a fellow driver in the yard (I am way beyond having too much pride). I simply could not find it, so I was trusting the engine sound. I was 80 percent successful, but the 20 percent was killing me. Then I got called out on the weekend, and I used somebody elses tractor. It had a label pointing to where the floor knob is for the steering wheel tilt. I put the steering wheel to my liking and wahla, I am up to a 95 percent shifting success rate ops: 8) :lol:

Anyway, I did get my share of icy and snowy conditions. Not that I was looking forward to it, but I did want the exposure. I missed the big storm on Friday though (be careful what you ask for). I think the biggest PAIN IN THE BUTT was dealing with frozen or caked Tandem PINS on some of the older trailers. I could not get one of them to slide after trying for a half hour, so I told the customer at homebase (after parking it in the bay with the tandems all the way forward), to find somebody (another driver) that knows what the heck they are doing because I got to roll. ---So don't put a load on it until you do---.

They guys picked on me a few days later because I had the same problem on a few other trailers and the word got around. One of the drivers said to let the trailer roll one to 2 miles an hour and push in the clutch, then hit the trolley brake -- it should shake her loose. I tried that later and it did make some affect, but I still could not slide the tandems the way that I wanted to. I don't have "THE TOUCH" yet. Anyway, the dispatcher pushed me hard. I did 13.75 hours day one, 10.5 the next, and 13 the third. I thought I was going to have to take a 16 hour exception rule on day one (local provision/long story). On the end of the 2nd day the dispatcher asked me if I really want to take the X, Y, and Z loads the 3rd day. X load started at 3 AM, and I did not get off duty until 5PM the day before. I could hear him laughing in the background when I said yes. Plus I was sent to 3 locations (paper mills) where I had not been before (the tricky ones for a rookie). I had one close call backing up (nearly breaking my driver side mirror), but I caught wind of the insuing damage about 2 inches before it was too late. I bumped off an Icy bit into the side rail on an offramp (no damage). Other than that, no nervousness (except when I mis-shifted on a few hills). As a result my confidence is a little higher. The dispatcher did call me to do some weekend work which I had not seen in awhile. I could tell there was a little more respect/appreciation in his voice, as I had (in a very small way) paid my dues.


Now back to the boring routine of splitting time with my desk job :cry:

We will see what March brings?

 

This time (day) last last year was my first day of Truck School training. I was gitty with excitement. After putting it off for decades I finally took the plunge. I have no regrets. I still get gitty after not going out for a week or two. VA kicked in $2.5K and the course cost $5.2K. On average I only truck one day a week. So I am just starting to get in the black moneywise since I also had to travel 100 miles plus and stay in hotels while I was in school those 10 weekends. I have invested time and money in many ventures throughout life that have not panned out financially, but were rich experiences. Thankfully, I am finding a bit of both with trucking, though the extra bucks threw me into a new tax bracket (long story).

At least I found a driving job that will keep my driving history/employment going, as I figure out just how much trucking I will be doing in my future. One thing is for sure, "it's in my blood". Why else would I catch myself saying, "why am I doing all of this for $45, $60, $90 or top $100 loads"? Plus having to fight against some of the bad weather elements. I had some doubts in mid March when I signed up for a weekend of hell. Having missed a weekend, I had not been out for 14 days, so I volunteered to work a weekend. I knew we were going to have some bad weather and another NorEaster was coming. I know the runs now like the back of my hand, and I would leave plenty of time to travel them. What I was not ready for was the BLACK ICE conditions and not using chains (we don't carry them). I think I will get my own personal set next winter!!!

Examples:

Saturday Morning March 17th I get to my home base yard at 9AM for a usual departure of a half hour and 1.5 hour run -- then back.

- 9AM, digging my tires out of snow and ice and unhooking the extension cords (keeping diesel warm).

- 9:30 break free and setup under trailer (could have use a set of chains).

- 10:30 finally get out of yard after trailer falls on tires, and me and another trucker (good thing he was there) try to crank up the trailer in with the pin stuck in it's normal position. We could not get the crank in the low gear position (too icey). As far as the trailer falling, I thought those days were behind me. I ALWAYS take a flashlight and crawl under the trailer and make sure I see the 5th wheel cross bars locked into position. They appeared to be. Well with the ice it appears they (bars) slipped and were not truely locked (clasped). I now look at the entire fifth wheel from behind and side to see if everything is in the correct position -- especially the 5th wheel pulling pin/lever. AGAIN, I THOUGHT THOSE DAYS OF DROPPING TRAILERS WERE BEHIND ME. :roll: One can never get too comfortable.

Anyway, on top of this the tandems would not slide (too icey). The Vet driver finally got them to release after doing several donuts in the yard and finding a non icey spot (or created one). I asked him several safety questions about taking hills in these condidtions, and he instructed me on the use (pros and cons) of locking your differential (only partially discussed during school). I had to lock my diffs on several occasions just to get out of the yards that weekend.

So with a cautious 7 gun salute the vet driver bid me farewell, and I was off to Southern Maine. At least my tandems were slid all the way forward, so I had extra maneuverability.

11:00 AM, Exit 132 I-95 exit, I keep my truck in 3rd and diffs locked. The highway speed was 45MPH for a reason and the turn at exit 132 can be tricky on a dry day, as I need to work a tight corner and incline upon exit. Keeping some momentum (not coming to a complete stop), I round the corner and I feel like I am revisiting an LA earthquake. I am still moving forward and I am battling the lack of RPM, but I am moving along a foot a second. Then I get a screech coming from the CB. It startled me at first since there were few vehicles on the road, and I had already seen there was no near traffic to my left before turning into the exit. I look out my mirrors, my trailer is still not directly behind me. I am bouncing on black ice. The trucker belts out, "ROLL HER BACK, I GOT THE BRIDGE". Meaning that he he would block traffic. The vibration was subsiding, and I wanted to get off the icey bridge exit in my first try if I could. I kept whatever military bearing I had left, as I did not want to get into a rollback situation if I could avoid it. I did! I thanked the trucker. Saying something like, "thanks for the offer, but she pulled out on her own". I got the customary Maine reply "YUP" :lol:


12:30PM, an hour overdue, but I get to Jay Maine. The yard is full, and the yard dog has me zig zag back between a few trucks and park along a propane tank and drop (did I ever say how much I enjoy backing up
8) 8) ). After dropping I have to bobtail to a separate yard to get my return trailer. I have my choice between taking 53' and a 48'. The ground conditions were the same for each, so I opt for the 48'.

I need to borrow a shovel from security and dig myself a path to the get under. I tap the trailer, and I inspect my line up (5th wheel/Kinpin). I go to move up, so I can gain some momentum getting under the trailer and WHALA! I am stuck again (where are those chains..lol). Luckily the yard dog is very cooperative, and we agree that he nudge me from the front (he has the soft rubber bumper) to get me under the trailer. I guide him bumper to bumper. I get partially under the trailer, but I am stuck. I signaled to him to back up, as I tested new earth to pull forward. I was able to, and he pulled the trailer out for me. I hooked the trailer and went on my merry way after returning the shove to security.

The ride home was uneventful, as most towns are pretty good in salting the roads. But my usual 3 hour run turned into 5.5 hours. This is when I asked mysel (is it really worth it? $45, $60....)


Sunday, March 18th, I get to the yard at 4:30 AM. I select the truck with the best traction/tread on the wheels. The truck was inviting since it was a day cab and it was already pointing away from the building, so I just need to drive her out forward. Problem, she was back against the wall and there was a lot of snow to dig out. Worth the investment of time as the other trucks were not in much better conditions.

5:30, I am still digging my way out and trying to rock the truck to move just 5 feet (where are those chains..lol). By now, a plant worker arrives, and we start throwing fiber, paper mulsh/pulp around the tires.. no affect.

Lastly, like out of a Ford truck commercial, he gets his truck, and tows me 5 feet to freedom (almost embarrasing). Once again, I am an hour behind schedule. Once again, the Tandems won't slide (too icey). I donut for about a half hour and try sliding the tandems to no avail, and call it quits. All I can think of is exit 132!!! I take off with the intent of stopping at a truckstop prior to exit 132. I have never been to the truck stop before, so I do not realize that there is not much flat land. You have an incline upon entering and decline on exiting. I am the only fool on the highway, so the truck stop is full. No place to do any manuvers, so I carry on and exit. Luckily I did not have a repeat of exit 132 from Saturday. I kept her in 3rd like last time but I pegged her at 2K RPM and watched her drop to 1K at the top of the hill. I dealt with a little vibration (begging me to downshift), but I could tell I was in no jeopardy.

I get to Jay Maine just an hour overdue, and I see the same yard dog. I brought my own shovel this time in case I needed to dig out again. I had a bit of a problem setting up my drop with my tandems back. I explained to a few hecklers (CBers) that the tandems were locked. After dropping and probably because my old friend the yard dog overheard, he followed me to the other yard. But this time my return trailer came out without hassle. They seemed to work on the yard since yesterday.


When I was back in my desk at my regular job on Monday, I had a chance to reflect. It still appears the call of the wild and $45, $60,.... is worth it.


Bottom Line: I am glad that I am finishing what I started last April. I will not have a full year driving (albeit part time) until mid July. But the the first year has been worth it.

I know my events are minute compared to some of the white knuckle stories that I have been reading. Nor do the compete/compare to some of the brave men and women that take on OTR or rigors of O/O. Hopefully it speaks to people that are interested in getting into trucking part-time and not having the luxury of getting proper training and having to figure things out on your own. I am sure that I am going at things completely wrong at times, and I would find it fascinating to make a Coast to Coast run with a professional trainer. But this is all that I have for now, so I will enjoy the slices where I can get them.

PS: Watch out for the tricksters today!!! :wink: :wink:

 

Enjoyed the update, Nomad! Are you SURE you got a part time TRUCKING job? Or are you a snow remover?? :shock: :lol:

I don't know if this would work or not, but for those Icy pins (and rails)... wonder if dissolving crushed up rock salt in warm water in a spray bottle would help??

Either way, I'd carry a couple of bags of it in my truck!

 

Good ideas HOBO.

I might be able to put them to good use this weekend. We are getting hammered again. 8 - 10+ inches tonight.

C'mon Mr Frost............ It's SPRING!!!!

 

Not much more to add in the part-time trucking world. I will be taking my camera out with me to show off the Maine countryside. I was going to wait until the autumn for all of you leaf lovers...lol. But I have already been out this spring on some beautiful days and some of the scenary was awesome. This especially true when I visit the Western Maine sites like Rumford and Jay , or dropping a load off near Mt Kahtadin.

I think I am 2 or 3 years away from moving west, but it could be as little as one before I am back in Southern Cal. I will still look to find a part-time trucking gig when I head west.

Ciao for now!

PS: I got my Class A this time last year and driving for 11 months. 8)

 

I have started to populate the photo album of some of the mills. Mostly of the Madison Mill so far.

 

Well it's a sad case of same ol sam ole, but that will change a little starting tomorrow. I am going on a vacation with my family to LA. I will be hooking up with my younger brother


I have been busy helping him out building an e-commerce website to go along with his RETRO website (are you ready for this) www.petsofbelair.com (Where Paris Hilton and Britney Spears/Co shop and by their pups).

I can't wait to see the replies...lol.

Oh, it gets worse, his son is an exclusing dog trainer and has access to the rich and famous.

Hence COMING SOON: www.petsoftherichandfamous.com

Seriously, I am going to LA for a vacation with the family and to look for a safe place (maybe OJAI) to relocate in a years time.

I will have to find a trucking gig to stay grounded and enjoy the diversity.

 

Well, I have been behind the wheel for about 15 months now (albeit part-time) and I still have a clean record. Winter is coming in Maine, so it's getting close to plugging in the trucks again (Keep Diesel from gelling).

When I was vacationing in California I was watching a lot of trucks doing hill climbs. That is the real deal in comparison to the ant hills of Maine.

Other than that Same Ole Same Ole. Hope everyone has a safe Holiday season. It will be here before you know it.

 

Sorry that I have not posted in a while. Work is crazy, doing close to 70 hours weekly, went back to school (2 classes), getting my daughter ready for college (did the tours), getting my Son ready for the Air Force (long story). Something had to give and it was trucking. At least I missed the Winter driving. It's been hellish in Maine. Hmm that does not sound right. It's been wet and wild for sure. So I made it 18 months with a clean driving record. I do miss running through the country roads to the mills, and I will keep my CDL up to date in case fate changes my opportunities to get behind the wheel again. I am sure I will get even stronger Pangs once Spring hits. I miss driving.

Anyway, it's weird, I felt like I partially belonged on this board when I was leading up to training, then driving. Now that I have stopped, I feel kind of guilty posting, odd. I will pop in from time-to-time, and I can never repay all of the vets on this board for your insight when trucking was just a dream. I used a lot of your knowledge. It kept me out of trouble and stopped me from looking like an assclown on a few occasions. ops:

Cheers,

Nomad/Bryan

 

Sorry to hear that trucking got "squeezed out," Nomad!! But, if you CAN keep the CDL active, do so. What happened to moving out West??

Anyway... you belong here as much as any of us do! Stay in touch!

BTW.... go ahead and tell the LONG story about your son and the Force! As an ex-flyboy.... I'm interested! :wink:

P.S. Did you ever try the salt solution on the rails?? I always wondered if it would work.

Hobo