Well, I still haven't figured it out yet. That is for sure. I am working in a regional situation where I have the opportunity to get home almost every weekend. That is unless I am stupid enough to ask for it....
I am not being a dickhead here. I am simply noticing that in the last seven friggin weeks, I have managed to get home during the friggin weekend. I also noticed that when I requested that the Sunday of my family reunion be left unscrewed, I suddenly ended up with a 24 hour layover on Wednesday in Summit, IL.
I have liked the way I have been run. I have liked the people that I have worked with. I, by the way got rid of the stink in my truck...I cut the carpeting out of it and threw it out. I now love my truck. I also do not mind the way I have been treated here now that the friggin truck does not stink like dead bodies. I am making what the bankrupt assholes at Jim Palmer Trucking paid me and yet I manage to get 9 or 10 days off a month. Go to hell, Jim Palmer.
Off the hook for now...Dedication:}
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Osseo
Well, all I can say is that I have been running just over a month with my new job here at Johnsrud Transport and I have been rather busy and getting used to the places where there is computer access and having time when I am at those places. It has been a challenge. The largest challenge was the fact that they put me into a truck that had a slob in it before. They tried to act all dumb and say that the guy that had the truck before was a good guy and good driver and that they are just "shocked" that there would be a problem.
That was when I got the Human Resources Director to sit in the bunk of my truck and I shut the door for good measure. He agreed that something had to be done and dispatched my manager at Fargo, Don Depee to tend to the problem by setting up a detailing. This he did and the first time the truck got done it was also wet...too wet to even sit in. So, Don had me take the Yard truck on a Chicago run while he dried the truck out. The yard truck, a 1999 Freightliner, had the AC go out 50 friggin miles into the trip. I toughed it out until I got to Tac in Summit, IL and got my load dropped in the yard and got her parked with some wind coming probably from a toxic waste site as it all smelled like refinery and was hot and muggy as hell. I sat there for 4 hours until a cool breeze came in and then I could retreat to the bunk.
The next day I went up to Milan, WI and could not friggin wait to get this hot air blowing piece of shit back to the Fargo yard so that I could at least get a shower and grab a blanket and pillow and sleep in this truck of mine that I knew would have AC. When I got there, the damn truck was not there and I was pissed. During this whole time, whether I was in the stinky truck or the truck blowing hot air, I was not getting any sleep as it was either hot or stinky. Anyway, I am back in the stinky truck and it still stinks but not as bad as before. We even put inside an odor bomb that would handle odors up to 10,000 square feet. It smelled like bubble gum for a day and then went back to the smell of ass.
The interesting thing is that I was approached by a mechanic and a driver on separate occasions where they told me that my truck was for a period of time occupied by a homeless person. I guess the security was so lack at one point that a homeless dude was able to get hold of a key and sleep in the truck. One of the guys insists that the company is not being forthright about the situation and that maybe I should go to the Labor board. That really would not do me or anyone much good unless I start growing a tail from this odor.
That having been said however, at this point, I have really no complaints. I am running a sorta regional run...I either go to Summit, Il or Des Moines, IA. I grab a back haul when there is one available. I am making pretty good pay for what I do...It compares nicely with Jim Palmer, who, by the way, declared bankruptcy recently. I do not regret leaving that company. They have changed and not for the better. It really has little to do with Jim Palmer himself...it is all the sycophantic losers he has representing his name. They are butt snufflers and have no vision or any ability to survive. They are the company and yet they are the biggest problem. I feel sorry for them.
Anyway, it is so far so good. Hopefully I can keep you updated with my adventures or lack their of. Dedication :)
That was when I got the Human Resources Director to sit in the bunk of my truck and I shut the door for good measure. He agreed that something had to be done and dispatched my manager at Fargo, Don Depee to tend to the problem by setting up a detailing. This he did and the first time the truck got done it was also wet...too wet to even sit in. So, Don had me take the Yard truck on a Chicago run while he dried the truck out. The yard truck, a 1999 Freightliner, had the AC go out 50 friggin miles into the trip. I toughed it out until I got to Tac in Summit, IL and got my load dropped in the yard and got her parked with some wind coming probably from a toxic waste site as it all smelled like refinery and was hot and muggy as hell. I sat there for 4 hours until a cool breeze came in and then I could retreat to the bunk.
The next day I went up to Milan, WI and could not friggin wait to get this hot air blowing piece of shit back to the Fargo yard so that I could at least get a shower and grab a blanket and pillow and sleep in this truck of mine that I knew would have AC. When I got there, the damn truck was not there and I was pissed. During this whole time, whether I was in the stinky truck or the truck blowing hot air, I was not getting any sleep as it was either hot or stinky. Anyway, I am back in the stinky truck and it still stinks but not as bad as before. We even put inside an odor bomb that would handle odors up to 10,000 square feet. It smelled like bubble gum for a day and then went back to the smell of ass.
The interesting thing is that I was approached by a mechanic and a driver on separate occasions where they told me that my truck was for a period of time occupied by a homeless person. I guess the security was so lack at one point that a homeless dude was able to get hold of a key and sleep in the truck. One of the guys insists that the company is not being forthright about the situation and that maybe I should go to the Labor board. That really would not do me or anyone much good unless I start growing a tail from this odor.
That having been said however, at this point, I have really no complaints. I am running a sorta regional run...I either go to Summit, Il or Des Moines, IA. I grab a back haul when there is one available. I am making pretty good pay for what I do...It compares nicely with Jim Palmer, who, by the way, declared bankruptcy recently. I do not regret leaving that company. They have changed and not for the better. It really has little to do with Jim Palmer himself...it is all the sycophantic losers he has representing his name. They are butt snufflers and have no vision or any ability to survive. They are the company and yet they are the biggest problem. I feel sorry for them.
Anyway, it is so far so good. Hopefully I can keep you updated with my adventures or lack their of. Dedication :)
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Fixin the Stinky Truck
I had good impressions of Johnsrud and tried to keep my mind open. I also met nice people that really seemed to like their jobs and approached their day with an apparent sense of pride. I felt that at the time that I had made the right move. I still feel that I made a good move...but was it the right move? Time will tell.
I was issued my first truck. I hook up and pull out and when I go from low to high range, there is a shreeeeeeeeeeeeeeek sound. I can't stop now and after all, it is shifting, so, I proceed. I have that truck for a week. Fast forward to my new truck...a freightliner. I was given this truck as a last minute deal and I liked the sleeper and the overall layout which, was an improvement over the T800 from the last week. I noticed as I was moving in that there was some dirt on the floor and an odor. The odor got more pronounced as I rolled down the road. In fact, at one point, the stench was noticeable at 65 mph with both windows open, vents open, and the AC on full blast with the bunk on high and the fresh air vent open.
I decided at that point that I would approach Human Resources and let them know that all the effort and money put towards a good impression at orientation is flushed good and hard down the toilet when you issue a new driver a truck like this. He agreed and there was a flurry of action and phone calls that were to tell me that the problem was definitely on the radar and that I was in good hands and the truck would be cleaned and deodorized. It was to be done last night. I will go in and see what there is to see. I do have my fingers crossed. Wish me luck. Dedication;(
I was issued my first truck. I hook up and pull out and when I go from low to high range, there is a shreeeeeeeeeeeeeeek sound. I can't stop now and after all, it is shifting, so, I proceed. I have that truck for a week. Fast forward to my new truck...a freightliner. I was given this truck as a last minute deal and I liked the sleeper and the overall layout which, was an improvement over the T800 from the last week. I noticed as I was moving in that there was some dirt on the floor and an odor. The odor got more pronounced as I rolled down the road. In fact, at one point, the stench was noticeable at 65 mph with both windows open, vents open, and the AC on full blast with the bunk on high and the fresh air vent open.
I decided at that point that I would approach Human Resources and let them know that all the effort and money put towards a good impression at orientation is flushed good and hard down the toilet when you issue a new driver a truck like this. He agreed and there was a flurry of action and phone calls that were to tell me that the problem was definitely on the radar and that I was in good hands and the truck would be cleaned and deodorized. It was to be done last night. I will go in and see what there is to see. I do have my fingers crossed. Wish me luck. Dedication;(
Friday, June 27, 2008
Marching Orders
I got my marching orders from the boss and I will be going to Lakeville, Minnesota for the morning. The load will be ready by noon so I can goof off for a while. I plan to go to the truck soon and start my housekeeping and putting away ritual. I have not started that yet as everything is well packed and will keep. No time like now however. I was just hoping that I would get a better idea of what I must have on the truck and what I really do not need. Well, time will tell one way or another. Dedication ;)
Hello Deery
I was driving home from the Sheyenne River Raceway in Lisbon, talking to my wife and having a good time when all of a sudden a deer appeared in front of my hood. Bang. The car looks dangerously close to being totaled with air bags out and the whole car a mess. No one got hurt but there were some hurt feelings as I overreacted and was yelling and cursing. So sue me, it was stressful.
I will get some pictures in here when I get them. I stole a nice one to show the safety director at Johnsrud but that is printed out and not in any format that I can use. I know, the world is a cruel, cruel place. Gotta get to work...more later...dedication:/
I will get some pictures in here when I get them. I stole a nice one to show the safety director at Johnsrud but that is printed out and not in any format that I can use. I know, the world is a cruel, cruel place. Gotta get to work...more later...dedication:/
Friday, June 20, 2008
Just Another Day Punching The Clock
Watching the morning sun as it is becoming a presence here gave me a thought. I figured I would take a walk, then have some breakfast. After that, I would throw my stuff together and get over to Johnsrud and get my gear and my truck and then return here to gather my suitcase. Then, hopefully I will be headed to Fargo to get more of my stuff for the truck assembled and loaded up. The best battle plans never make it to the battle field...we shall see.
I got my A-OK from Ron yesterday and we had some fun driving in Cicero on Tuesday and then some St. Louis, narrow street action yesterday. It was a situation where we had gotten bad directions and I had a hunch. Ron would not let me act on my hunch. It turned out that he had wrote down the wrong street name and the two names sounded similar and I turned out to be right. We ended up on a dead end road and I had to back out then jack her around a narrow corner with parked cars and curbs to get back on track. No harm done and it did turn out OK. I have been lost and in a tight spot before and came out on top. Instinct will keep you out of trouble sometimes and other times it will bury you in up to your neck. Just depends on how well Murphy is feeling that day I guess.
I hope this day goes smoothly and I get on my way without too much trouble. This has been a long day coming. Dedication ;/
I got my A-OK from Ron yesterday and we had some fun driving in Cicero on Tuesday and then some St. Louis, narrow street action yesterday. It was a situation where we had gotten bad directions and I had a hunch. Ron would not let me act on my hunch. It turned out that he had wrote down the wrong street name and the two names sounded similar and I turned out to be right. We ended up on a dead end road and I had to back out then jack her around a narrow corner with parked cars and curbs to get back on track. No harm done and it did turn out OK. I have been lost and in a tight spot before and came out on top. Instinct will keep you out of trouble sometimes and other times it will bury you in up to your neck. Just depends on how well Murphy is feeling that day I guess.
I hope this day goes smoothly and I get on my way without too much trouble. This has been a long day coming. Dedication ;/
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Rollin' Along to St. Louis
I finally got my marching orders after 9 days in the Hotel Des Moines (California?). There was a delay on my trainer getting to my location because he had these pesky kidney stones aggravating his life and he had to get through it without busting an organ. I am glad we waited. First of all, the three guys I worked with rated with me very high on the scale of professionalism. They blew away any memories of trainers from Crete, Werner...anywhere as far as I am concerned. It is easy to get to that conclusion. First of all, I already know how to drive a truck. I also know that there are some basics to tanker operation and there are also some tricks of the trade that will make my frigging life easier. These guys are just gushing with that good stuff that makes my life easier.
Anyway, I worked yesterday and today with Ron Brown and he has already cleared me to get into my own truck. We deliver tomorrow at St louie and then we deadhead to Des Moines to pick up my truck...:]
That is the cool part, I get to get into my own truck and nearly one and a half months of adventure and application come to fruition and I get to get paid to get home more often. More later Dedication
Anyway, I worked yesterday and today with Ron Brown and he has already cleared me to get into my own truck. We deliver tomorrow at St louie and then we deadhead to Des Moines to pick up my truck...:]
That is the cool part, I get to get into my own truck and nearly one and a half months of adventure and application come to fruition and I get to get paid to get home more often. More later Dedication
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