My Truck Driving Experiences

Gather round while I share my experiences traveling across the US and Canada in a Semi-Truck.

My Photo
Name:
Location: Dayton, Ohio, United States

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Minnesota


I have recently added another state to my visited states map where I have driven a truck, Minnesota. My trip was across I-90 up to about 60 miles from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Working with "Mr. Freeze"

Recently, I had the opportunity to work with "Mr. Freeze". I unloaded freight at a warehouse that was kept cool to keep the food they handled from spoiling. Well, their freight was all unloaded into docks that were chilled. I had paper deliveries, "Wendy's Paper Cups/Lids". 24 pallets to be exact. Each pallet had to be split in half, so by the time I was done, there were 48 pallets. It took me 3 hours to unload all of the pallets off the truck and break them in half. It was colder inside the warehouse that it was outside, in the middle of winter. By the time 3 hours was up, I was a chilly willie, and thought my muscles would ache the next day, but they did not.

Now, the fee for LUMPERS was $150. LUMPERS are people who will unload the truck for you. I have not figured out what "LUMPERS" stand for. When I do, I will post it to my blog. What I do know, is that a lot of LUMPERS get paid any where from $100 up to and including $300 to unload a truck. If a Schneider employee unloads the truck, the employee gets paid $80. Now you do the math. If I manage to save the company money by unloading the truck for them instead of hiring a LUMPER, you would think it would be reflected in my pay check, but it is not. Maybe I should just hire the LUMPERS each time and not worry about unloading the truck myself to save the company any money?

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

You Tube Convoy

This is really cute. It is a remake of the CW McCall's hit, plus it is a music video. Turn on your speakers. My Wife sent this link to me, so I thought I would share it with my readers. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anrTSU-kV30

Saturday, January 13, 2007

New York Area

A picture of Nanticoke, New York.
Southwest of Scranton, New York.


Pictures of Dallas, TX








A couple of pictures of Dallas, Texas from I-35E North, just before the I-30 interchange.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Cars Only?


How do you like your chicken?

Traveling across Texas I came upon a truck transporting chickens. The chickens were in carriers stacked ten high and enough room to barely sit. Yes, the chickens were still alive. I wonder how though, with all the wind rushing through the cages. Makes me wonder why the truck got off at the exit just before the poultry inspection/weigh station on the interstate. You can see the chickens in the cages in the pictures.














Sunday, January 07, 2007

2007

The holidays are over and everyone is back to work. Well, almost everyone. I ended up running a couple of deliveries for other dedicated accounts because some of their drivers were let go. Since the peak season is over the drivers were no longer needed. It is so nice to be so expendable. I guess when I get to a point where I am making more money again, someone will look at me and say, gotta get rid of the money makers, they are costing us too much money.

It is not only the drivers, other positions in corporations around the country are being axed. No job is safe any more. If you think it is, it is only a figment of your imagination. Enjoy it while you can, because sooner or later, your number is coming up.

Despite the gloomy outlook I am sharing, I would like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year. Good luck and keep your head low.