I don't have a good quote for today's post; I've taken a little time off, for a couple of reasons: First, I'm not really sure how many people are even reading this damn thing, so I've become somewhat discouraged about the whole process. I KNOW nobody's checked out my sponsors (or very few anyway), so the $ I'm spending on adwords to promote this blog is not getting me many results. Secondly, I guess I just needed some time to gather my thoughts. Really, I'm running out of bullshit! I've been posting these blog articles for 8 months now, and, my job being so repetetive, there's really not much new going on. Same ol' bullshit, different month/year.
Anyway, I thought I'd review my positions here, for those of you who may not have read my earlier posts, so here goes.
I don't consider myself an actual "trucker" despite the handle trucker44; the job I'm in right now is different from what OTR truckers do. Not better or worse, just different. Perhaps the day will come when I actually go over-the-road, right now I can't say. I guess I'm content, if not happy, with what I do, although every week I ask God to deliver me from this f'ing BS. Maybe I do need a change, I dunno. But, I have mixed emotions about you OTR people: I respect what you do, don't know if I really would or could do it. On the other hand, the way some of you present yourselves, and the way many of you drive, kinda disgusts me, ya know? Sorry, that's the way I feel.
I've talked about the different places I've gone, some of the more interesting occurences I've seen, truckstops, drivers, the sweet little waitress I never really got to know, that kind of stuff.
To those who have responded with comments, I thank you, and will be more than happy to check out your sites as well. I've also mentioned my strong desire to get out of this line of work altogether. I still feel that way, although it's becoming more and more apparent that my "retirement" from trucking is still a long way off. I mean, I'm sure like many of you out there, I can't afford to quit working (still playing the lottery, though, lol). My bills seem to be growing far faster than my income, that's for sure. Now, the wife is talking about buying a house next year, and my daughter turns 16, so she'll be wanting a car of her own. It all seems so overwhelming sometimes, ya know? Shit I can't even afford to have the transmission (slipping) on my car looked at. But, I suppose it could be worse; hell, I'm still able-bodied, and willing to bust-ass for my paycheck. Turning 45 this year makes me start to think about how long my body is going to hold out, though. And this fucking smoking is really starting to kill me. My next vacation is next month, so I'm commited to quitting, this time for good. Can't afford to go anywhere, besides the kid goes back to school that week, so that puts a damper on any travel plans.
I know I sound like just another guy bitching about his job, but this is my forum, so I guess I'm entitled. People ask me "Do you enjoy your work?" Enjoy? WTF is that? I don't know the meaning of that word. My job is something that I "get through" till the next weekend. Yeah, and I'm lonely out there by myself too. The family doesn't care. They barely even talk to me when I call. They have their own issues to deal with, I guess. Yeah, so I reflect about my life, my work, home, family, etc., and I find I'm not as satisfied as I'd like to be. But, truth be told, I'm kind of scared of the alternative: being an OTR driver, with no sense of when I'll be back home again. I know there's middle ground out there, but, like I said before, the grass isn't always greener on the other side, and sometimes it's best to just stay put.
So, grit yer teeth and bear it, that's my situation at the moment. When a change might happen, I couldn't tell you. I have to keep my family's needs first, which helps them, but makes me unhappy. Oh, well, that's life in the big city. Speaking of which, my next post will be about Chicago. Again, thanks to all who've read this rambling idiot's warped view of the world, or my little piece of it, anyway.
More soon,
Steve
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Illinois
"Illinois, I'm your boy..." Dan Fogleberg
Ah, good ol' Dan Fogleberg. When I was in Peoria in the late 70's, he was one of our "claims to fame," along with Richard Pryor. In fact, I think I went to high school with Richard Pryor's son,
but I'm not certain. So, I live in the flatlands, anyone know why I love it so? Well, speaking as a truck driver, it sure beats the shit out of hilly states like Missouri, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, etc.
I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm sure those places are lovely, I just don't wanna drive thru them, especially if I have a full load on, that's all. Hell, and I won't even mention the mountain states, in the winter time. I've had plenty of blizzard and white-out conditions right here in the midwest, thank you very much. Yep, just give me my flatlands, the central plains, and I'm a happy man. Now, I know all you OTR truckers are experience driving through the hills and all, and I tip my hat to ya, really. I remember when I had to pick up pepperoni in small-town central IA, and you'd have to make a right turn out onto the main road, which was a steep hill going up. So, you're starting off from a stop, turning onto a busy road, and going uphill in winter, with a full load on. It's not really scary, just challenging in it's own right. Shit, I've been watching this wonderful program on the History Channel called "Ice Road Truckers" - Sunday nights - now these guys are nuts! Hauling heavy mining equipment over frozen lakes in sub-zero temps, with little daylight, and, because there's no DOT (in Northern Canada), they put in 17+ hour-days. Now that's dangerous! Not worth risking your life to make some good cash. Obviously, it's worth it to them, but, like I said, they're a little crazy.
Look, I'm not like most of you guys. I'm happy just to put in my time (kinda like prison) at my job, and then go home. This is not a lifestyle to me, like I've said before, it's just a means to an end. I can appreciate those who DO choose trucking as a lifestyle; it's a big commitment: you have equipment to buy to furnish your truck, supplies. You have to be away from home days and weeks at a time. The larger vehicles you drive are more difficult to maneuver (backing, docking, etc.) You have to eat sub-standard truckstop food (it's not that bad, is it?) I actually prefer it to Mickey D's all the time, ya know? Anyway, I couldn't do what you guys and gals do, just like I'm sure you wouldn't want to do my job.
The other aspect of my home state that I want to address is speed; yeah, I'm kind of protective
of that, if that makes any sense. Look, I know you people are from states where the speed limit is 65+mph, but here in IL it's generally only 55 for trucks. In fact, coming out of IA on I80, we go from 70 for all vehicles, to 65 when you hit the quad cities ( I usually jump onto 280 to bypass, plus I have a delivery in Rock Island just off 280) and then 55 for trucks once you cross the river. I know 55mph is antiquated, and pretty unreasonable. I mean, no one should have to travel that slowly. But people, it's the damn LAW! This isn't friggin Montana, where you can drive as fast as you please, because there's nobody around. This is civilization; there are populated areas here! The rule of thumb I live by is this: "Nine is fine, 10 you're mine..." thanks to the Bob and Tom radio program (funny as hell, by the way) who apparently know some state troopers that use this "over-the-speed-limit" rule. I don't drive 55, like I said, it's unreasonable, but I don't blow the speed limit away, either. Many of you people do, don't deny it, you know who you are. I'm not an agent for the Illinois State Police or anything, although sometimes I wish I had them on speed dial to report some of you assholes. In fact, I point and laugh when I see one of 'em pulled over ("Ha-ha" Nelson from The Simpsons). Look, I don't wish any misfortune to anyone, but if you're driving like an asshole, then, you should suffer the consequences. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it. So, I'm usually in the middle of the pack: I'll pass a few slower trucks ("obeyers" is what I call them - tip of the hat to Eric Idle from Monty Python "Is your wife a goer? Nudge, nudge, wink wink" "Are you an obeyer?"), but most
trucks are passing me, and not just passing, but blowing me away. Like I've said before, I don't give a shit if everyone and their grandmother passes me, as long as they don't fuck with me. That means tailgating me before they pass, cutting right in front, and not acknowledging my signal to pass. That last one pisses me off more than anything (along with not using turn signals). It's very rude, but most drivers don't give a shit anymore. Courtesy is going the way of the cab over engine truck - fading out of existence. So, it's every man and woman for themselves, now, right? Kinda sad, as far as I'm concerned.
Ok, that's my rant for this week - I just wish some of you would slow the fuck down a bit, that's all. What's the damn hurry? I have a schedule, too, and I am able to keep it, without driving like a maniac (like many of our 4-wheel friends out there - I'll discuss them in an upcoming post).
Yeah, so I'm happy as a pig in shit just to be here, and to be from IL. Wanna make something of it?
More soon,
Steve
Ah, good ol' Dan Fogleberg. When I was in Peoria in the late 70's, he was one of our "claims to fame," along with Richard Pryor. In fact, I think I went to high school with Richard Pryor's son,
but I'm not certain. So, I live in the flatlands, anyone know why I love it so? Well, speaking as a truck driver, it sure beats the shit out of hilly states like Missouri, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, etc.
I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm sure those places are lovely, I just don't wanna drive thru them, especially if I have a full load on, that's all. Hell, and I won't even mention the mountain states, in the winter time. I've had plenty of blizzard and white-out conditions right here in the midwest, thank you very much. Yep, just give me my flatlands, the central plains, and I'm a happy man. Now, I know all you OTR truckers are experience driving through the hills and all, and I tip my hat to ya, really. I remember when I had to pick up pepperoni in small-town central IA, and you'd have to make a right turn out onto the main road, which was a steep hill going up. So, you're starting off from a stop, turning onto a busy road, and going uphill in winter, with a full load on. It's not really scary, just challenging in it's own right. Shit, I've been watching this wonderful program on the History Channel called "Ice Road Truckers" - Sunday nights - now these guys are nuts! Hauling heavy mining equipment over frozen lakes in sub-zero temps, with little daylight, and, because there's no DOT (in Northern Canada), they put in 17+ hour-days. Now that's dangerous! Not worth risking your life to make some good cash. Obviously, it's worth it to them, but, like I said, they're a little crazy.
Look, I'm not like most of you guys. I'm happy just to put in my time (kinda like prison) at my job, and then go home. This is not a lifestyle to me, like I've said before, it's just a means to an end. I can appreciate those who DO choose trucking as a lifestyle; it's a big commitment: you have equipment to buy to furnish your truck, supplies. You have to be away from home days and weeks at a time. The larger vehicles you drive are more difficult to maneuver (backing, docking, etc.) You have to eat sub-standard truckstop food (it's not that bad, is it?) I actually prefer it to Mickey D's all the time, ya know? Anyway, I couldn't do what you guys and gals do, just like I'm sure you wouldn't want to do my job.
The other aspect of my home state that I want to address is speed; yeah, I'm kind of protective
of that, if that makes any sense. Look, I know you people are from states where the speed limit is 65+mph, but here in IL it's generally only 55 for trucks. In fact, coming out of IA on I80, we go from 70 for all vehicles, to 65 when you hit the quad cities ( I usually jump onto 280 to bypass, plus I have a delivery in Rock Island just off 280) and then 55 for trucks once you cross the river. I know 55mph is antiquated, and pretty unreasonable. I mean, no one should have to travel that slowly. But people, it's the damn LAW! This isn't friggin Montana, where you can drive as fast as you please, because there's nobody around. This is civilization; there are populated areas here! The rule of thumb I live by is this: "Nine is fine, 10 you're mine..." thanks to the Bob and Tom radio program (funny as hell, by the way) who apparently know some state troopers that use this "over-the-speed-limit" rule. I don't drive 55, like I said, it's unreasonable, but I don't blow the speed limit away, either. Many of you people do, don't deny it, you know who you are. I'm not an agent for the Illinois State Police or anything, although sometimes I wish I had them on speed dial to report some of you assholes. In fact, I point and laugh when I see one of 'em pulled over ("Ha-ha" Nelson from The Simpsons). Look, I don't wish any misfortune to anyone, but if you're driving like an asshole, then, you should suffer the consequences. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it. So, I'm usually in the middle of the pack: I'll pass a few slower trucks ("obeyers" is what I call them - tip of the hat to Eric Idle from Monty Python "Is your wife a goer? Nudge, nudge, wink wink" "Are you an obeyer?"), but most
trucks are passing me, and not just passing, but blowing me away. Like I've said before, I don't give a shit if everyone and their grandmother passes me, as long as they don't fuck with me. That means tailgating me before they pass, cutting right in front, and not acknowledging my signal to pass. That last one pisses me off more than anything (along with not using turn signals). It's very rude, but most drivers don't give a shit anymore. Courtesy is going the way of the cab over engine truck - fading out of existence. So, it's every man and woman for themselves, now, right? Kinda sad, as far as I'm concerned.
Ok, that's my rant for this week - I just wish some of you would slow the fuck down a bit, that's all. What's the damn hurry? I have a schedule, too, and I am able to keep it, without driving like a maniac (like many of our 4-wheel friends out there - I'll discuss them in an upcoming post).
Yeah, so I'm happy as a pig in shit just to be here, and to be from IL. Wanna make something of it?
More soon,
Steve
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Grumblings
"I can't get from the cab to the curb without some little jerk on my back..." Pretenders "Middle of the Road"
Yeah, so I'm back from vacation; it was really nice to get away. Me and the family unit went to
Starved Rock State Park here in Illinois. Really nice, very peaceful. We all got a little bit of what we wanted; my wife got pampered, my daughter got to go swimming, and I got to commune with nature a little bit. Then, I came back! Uggg! They changed the routes around again, so, I'm not going to Cheeseland any more (yay!), but I'm out in central Iowa again. Here's what happened: I pull out of the dock, and I notice the reefer is completely dead, won't come on at all.
So, I have to get re-loaded into another trailer, an hour delay. So now I'm behind the gun, so to speak. I guess it could be worse, but man, that first day just friggin' kills me. These company stores (and I've bitched about them before) just don't quit. The one in Machesney Park is the worst, not because of their ordering, but they've torn up the street you use to get back into the parking lot, and you just can't get back there any more. Like a dummy, I tried, and I made it, but wound up scraping up against a dumpster, knocking off a marker light on the side of the truck. So, after delivering their 200 pieces in 85 degree heat and humidity (yes, even at 8:30 in the morning, sweat was pouring off me), now I have to bring the truck in to have the marker replaced. I must have lost 10lbs that day! Then, because I had to blow off the Rockford store, I had to start earlier on Wed., go do that store at 3:00am, then run off to Dubuque. I told my bosses that we would have to deliver the Machesney store from the front, which is difficult during the day (busy strip mall), so it looks like a night-time delivery.
I know, I know, I sound like just another guy bitching about his job. But damn! They make it so difficult, ya know? I shouldn't be this hard. The good thing is, I've been to all these stores before, so I kind of know what to expect. I mean, there may be a few minor changes here & there, but it's pretty much the same, for the most part. But, sad to say, I'm not making it out to Des Moines, to see the lovely Marissa. I sent her a birthday card and all, but still not a peep from her, so I guess I'll just have to write her off. Chances are I won't be heading out that way, but it's still possible I suppose. They told me if the Nebraska driver was over-weight, that I'd have to catch his overflow, so perhaps I'll get a chance to see her again, I dunno. That would be really nice, but I'm also a realist, and, in the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't matter much.
Anyway, I've had the chance to run into some of my other favorite Iowans, so that's cool.
Now I'm getting back on Thur. about noon or so, and I rest up to do my local route in the city and 'burbs. I got there early, 'cause I finished early, but I forgot the first store in Chicago doesn't close'til 11:00, so I get there at 11:20, and they're just shutting the place down. I had to sit there for 40min. before I could start delivering. Then, I had a special stop in Rolling Meadows, before heading out to Hoffman Estates, the two Aurora stores I also do on my Iowa run, and finally, Chicago Heights. See, I used to do this route many moons ago, but it was on Friday night/Saturday morning, which is a lot different than Thursday night/Friday morning. There's a lot more traffic on the weekday, so as you're moving from middle of the night to morning, you have more traffic to deal with. It's ok if you're going the opposite direction, but with early morning rush in Chicago, it can take forever, especially with the construction zones on the toll roads. And, as I've said before, I hate delays! It's one of the worst parts about this job; I want to get in and out of these places, and especially the last couple of stores, get done before the workers start coming in and bossing you around. Sometimes the delays are unavoidable (like traffic); there's nothing you can do but grit your teeth and bear it. The one really nice thing about finishing up in Chicago Heights is that you're on the south side, and Ryder is just up the street (they opened up the fuel islands early, after telling us it would be two months). You don't even have to get back onto the expressway if you don't want to; it's a leisurely drive back to Cal City. So, that's something to look foreward to, as you move through the night and into the morning. We'll see how it works out.
More soon,
Steve
Yeah, so I'm back from vacation; it was really nice to get away. Me and the family unit went to
Starved Rock State Park here in Illinois. Really nice, very peaceful. We all got a little bit of what we wanted; my wife got pampered, my daughter got to go swimming, and I got to commune with nature a little bit. Then, I came back! Uggg! They changed the routes around again, so, I'm not going to Cheeseland any more (yay!), but I'm out in central Iowa again. Here's what happened: I pull out of the dock, and I notice the reefer is completely dead, won't come on at all.
So, I have to get re-loaded into another trailer, an hour delay. So now I'm behind the gun, so to speak. I guess it could be worse, but man, that first day just friggin' kills me. These company stores (and I've bitched about them before) just don't quit. The one in Machesney Park is the worst, not because of their ordering, but they've torn up the street you use to get back into the parking lot, and you just can't get back there any more. Like a dummy, I tried, and I made it, but wound up scraping up against a dumpster, knocking off a marker light on the side of the truck. So, after delivering their 200 pieces in 85 degree heat and humidity (yes, even at 8:30 in the morning, sweat was pouring off me), now I have to bring the truck in to have the marker replaced. I must have lost 10lbs that day! Then, because I had to blow off the Rockford store, I had to start earlier on Wed., go do that store at 3:00am, then run off to Dubuque. I told my bosses that we would have to deliver the Machesney store from the front, which is difficult during the day (busy strip mall), so it looks like a night-time delivery.
I know, I know, I sound like just another guy bitching about his job. But damn! They make it so difficult, ya know? I shouldn't be this hard. The good thing is, I've been to all these stores before, so I kind of know what to expect. I mean, there may be a few minor changes here & there, but it's pretty much the same, for the most part. But, sad to say, I'm not making it out to Des Moines, to see the lovely Marissa. I sent her a birthday card and all, but still not a peep from her, so I guess I'll just have to write her off. Chances are I won't be heading out that way, but it's still possible I suppose. They told me if the Nebraska driver was over-weight, that I'd have to catch his overflow, so perhaps I'll get a chance to see her again, I dunno. That would be really nice, but I'm also a realist, and, in the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't matter much.
Anyway, I've had the chance to run into some of my other favorite Iowans, so that's cool.
Now I'm getting back on Thur. about noon or so, and I rest up to do my local route in the city and 'burbs. I got there early, 'cause I finished early, but I forgot the first store in Chicago doesn't close'til 11:00, so I get there at 11:20, and they're just shutting the place down. I had to sit there for 40min. before I could start delivering. Then, I had a special stop in Rolling Meadows, before heading out to Hoffman Estates, the two Aurora stores I also do on my Iowa run, and finally, Chicago Heights. See, I used to do this route many moons ago, but it was on Friday night/Saturday morning, which is a lot different than Thursday night/Friday morning. There's a lot more traffic on the weekday, so as you're moving from middle of the night to morning, you have more traffic to deal with. It's ok if you're going the opposite direction, but with early morning rush in Chicago, it can take forever, especially with the construction zones on the toll roads. And, as I've said before, I hate delays! It's one of the worst parts about this job; I want to get in and out of these places, and especially the last couple of stores, get done before the workers start coming in and bossing you around. Sometimes the delays are unavoidable (like traffic); there's nothing you can do but grit your teeth and bear it. The one really nice thing about finishing up in Chicago Heights is that you're on the south side, and Ryder is just up the street (they opened up the fuel islands early, after telling us it would be two months). You don't even have to get back onto the expressway if you don't want to; it's a leisurely drive back to Cal City. So, that's something to look foreward to, as you move through the night and into the morning. We'll see how it works out.
More soon,
Steve
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