Life on the Road – Trucking News Blog

I had a rare treat this weekend. It was my birthday. I was home. Home after being on the road for only 1 week – 7 days. When I parked the truck, I actually felt l as if I had been out much longer, but it was, in fact, only a week.

The place where I park the trailer asked if there was something wrong. My neighbors thought I had joined the ranks of the unfortunate unemployed. Henry, my terry-poo did a double take when I walked in the front door.

I had left Tampa for San Antonio – the first trip – last Friday. They needed a “high value” driver in Laredo so I dead-headed there Monday. Staring the swine flu right in the mouth on the border – I then headed, Tuesday afternoon, to Miami. Since it was the first of the month with absolutely no freight, after MT/ing out I dead-headed back home.

I can’t tell you how awesome this is – to NOT be on the road for a month or more. I feel clean. I got some exercise. I saw a REAL movie – Marley & Me. I ate dinner – twice on REAL plates with REAL silverware on a REAL tablecloth. And talked to my wife face to face and not on a cell phone. Holy smokes! I was out of the darn truck taking REAL showers and drinking out of a REAL glass – not that plastic truck stop “germy” junk.

But now it is Sunday night. Tomorrow I leave for Lake City then Chicago. I wish I could get home next Friday. Be a REAL person again. I’ve told my company to PLEASE let a select few drivers run regional – Florida to Texas and back and everywhere else in between. I’d could make just as much money or more just running in Texas. With few exceptions being in a truck for more than a week with a day or two break is “old.”  I’ve been doing it too long. I don’t believe they could devote the extra “brain power” – albeit quite simple to accomplish – to operate a regional operation. Too bad. That’s me limbering up getting ready for the upcoming weeks ahead being miserable OTR away from home. Who knows how long I’ll be gone this time.

** I’ll get back to you with the photo credit.