Life on the Road – Trucking News Blog

Back more years ago than I care to remember I’d pull into just about any truckstop, and pull into the fuel island.  Normally anywhere from two to three guys, sometimes more, would walk out and meet me.  THEY would take care of fueling the truck, and usually other courtesy items such as checking tires and  cleaning my lights and windows, some would even “pop the hood” and check my oil and other fluids.  All I had to do was walk in to the Fuel Desk and pay.

All TruckStops back then had diners or at least a cafe.  I’d sit down and the waitress would walk up and we’d chat a bit and I’d order food.

When it came time to wash up I’d go back to the fuel desk, (or a customer service desk at the huge truckstops) and chat with an attendant while I was assigned a shower.

If I broke down on the road I’d call up the nearest truckstop and they’d send out a service truck.

Times were good.

Times pretty much suck now.

Just today I walked into the Petro in Weatherford Texas.  I wanted a shower.  It was over a hundred outside and I’d been working some and I needed to clean up.  The lady at the convenience store check out (where I’d been getting showers there for years) said that showers were no longer available here, not from her.  TA, having bought out Petro, had changed things.  I had to go to a machine.

Machines.

I drive a machine.  I tell IT what to do.  Something inside me rebels when Machines tell ME what to do.

I don’t like it.

More years ago than I care to remember I pulled into a Flying J and there was nobody to come “get my fueling information”.  Instead there was a new fangled thing called a card reader.  You all know what that is.

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Really? If you think someone actually has the solutions to all of your problems, I have a few ebooks to sell you. This is going to be more of how to find your own solutions. If you feel like you have lost control of your life, your country and your job, there are a few things you can do.

Let’s cut out a few things we have no control over. If you’ve ever been in a recovery program, the Serenity Prayer will sound familiar.

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

It actually goes on, follow the link for the rest. Accepting or ignoring the things you can’t change will take a load off your mind and you’ll be able to concentrate on the things that matter and the things you are able to change.

G-I, G-O

Dr. Buck has mentioned it before and it’s been mentioned elsewhere by other names, but I’m going to call it, Garbage In, Garbage, Out. If you’re sitting in your truck for hours and hours listening to politics and trucking talk shows, you’re going to get depressed, because it seems like you can’t do anything about everything that’s going on and all of the stuff you do, no one listens.

Getting Involved Helps

If your personal and family life are completely under control and you want to fix the rest of the country, get involved. Don’t just sit there, get really involved. Help out and get involved in your local party (even if it’s a Tea Party) and with local leaders you want to support. Solutions are going to come from the local level. Starting a blog and tweeting about politics and what others should be doing, you’re not solving anything. You’re venting, complaining and bitching, but you’re not solving anything and you will still feel out of control.

Take a Break

If you’re feeling out of control, change the channel once in awhile and take a break, you won’t miss anything. You can take a break from trucking and political shows for a couple months, go back and they’re still talking about the same stuff. Rush and Dale can live without you for a few weeks, you’re family needs you in the best frame of mind (and shape) as possible.

Have a Plan

If you read about some of the successful people and what they do, one of the key points is, write down a plan and write down your goals. Even if you don’t write them down, make a plan and involve your partner. The plan my wife and I came up with was very clear and with only a few changes, it’s still coming together, but we know what to do next. Plan for the worse (hope for the best) so you’ll be ready and it won’t catch you off guard. Plan what will happen if you lose your truck now and you’ll feel more in control if that event happens.

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Drivers, have you ever seen the movie Le Cage Aux Faux? Do you know the song: “I am an allusion?” I am who I am. And who I am is a trucker. I roll down the road picking up stuff and delivering it. And so forth and so on. Robin Williams and Nathan Lane starred in the movie. As a Life On The Road “contributor”, my job is to write about all aspects of what it’s like to drive a truck and be on and off the road. If you’ve followed me for a while here or on my own blog, you know I try not to hold back. You might say I roll along the fine edge of “appropriateness.”

So, tonight I’m at the Flying J – Oak Creek WI – just south of Milwaukee. I got there early but it was already pretty full. I wanted to face the interstate and grass, not the garbage bin or the fuel pumps, so I parked on the back row. Next to me was a “melting” reefer – water running out of the back of the trailer. Up front was an old very well preserved l o n g nose Pete. It was a chrome lovers lighted fantasy, even in the bright sun of the afternoon. Everything inside the cab reflected something. The driver, sitting in the front seat, was reading the newspaper. I glanced over at him and he smiled at me.

Ok, apparently a friendly driver. I didn’t give a second thought. I went about my business. My usual post trip nonsense. I had e-mailed my dispatcher that I’m MT, but don’t want think about anything until the next morning. I told her I was hiding. That was fine with her. Put the phone down – look up. That driver next to me is smiling at me again. Hum. Drugs? Alcohol? A winning lottery ticket? Whatever. I’m hungry and go inside to eat dinner. Steak and spinach quiche. Afterwards, I walk around the store looking at the same junk I look at day after day after dinner.

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I hope you have the time on the road or on home time to get to see the new “Star-Trek” flick. Even if you have read the book, “Marley & Me” is an excellent movie – far better than I anticipated.

But there is one movie that is NOT in the theatres that you absolutely positively must see. It stars Kevin Bacon, as Lt.Colonel Michael Strobl. The film was the most-watched HBO original in five years, with over two million viewers on the opening night, and more than 5.5 million on re-airings. It is “Taking Chance.” It will be on HBO again the end of this month. For those drivers who don’t receive HBO, the film is available on DVD.

The movie is based on real people and events. Bacon, as Col. Strobl (now retired), works at the Pentagon. He volunteers to escort the remains of Lance Corporal Chance Phelps back to his home in Dubois, WY. The 19 year old Marine was killed in action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq on Good Friday 4/9/04. ‘From the movie’s synopsis off the HBO website: “Taking Chance’ chronicles one of the silent, virtually unseen journeys that takes place every day across the country, bearing witness to the fallen and all those who, literally and figuratively, carry them home. A uniquely non-political film about the war in Iraq, the film pays tribute to all of the men and women who have given their lives in military service as well as their families.

I saw this movie with my wife about a month ago and have not been able to stop thinking about it. We both cried. What made the film even more poignant to me was my son’s recent decision to join the military. I’ve had a few sleepless nights ever since that phone call from him. Seeing this film made his decision that much more “scary” to me as a parent. I know there are many truckers who are former military – I would think that many of them also have sons and daughters who are serving. Honor their service and all those who have fallen for our freedom by making the time to see “Taking Chance.”

Watch the trailer at: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi113247001/

Yesterday’s business news reports that Navistar and Monaco Coach Corporation have put the ink on a deal to sell Monaco’s RV assets to a division of Navistar for $52 million.  Monaco, currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy will be turning over virtually all of its high-end RV manufacturing business to Navistar. The business includes manufacturing plants in both Indiana and Oregon. As facilities in both states have seen massive layoffs within the past year, there is much elation and downright prayer among the idled workers in both areas that they may be rehired.

Monaco excels in the diesel-pusher market, making it an attractive adjunct to Navistar’s diesel engine sales. Navistar reports it expects to expand the reach of its diesel engines even further into the RV field. The economy cant stay bad for too much longer-and when it rebounds, they no doubt expect many of the upper-middle-class to resume their plans to sell the house, buy an RV and tour their lives away in the drivers-seat of luxury. And, hey, even investment bankers retire someday.

Monaco has for years been the queen of high-end motor coaches. These puppies sold for more than most of our houses BEFORE the Real Estate market went south. A good percentage of truckers eye them longingly as they pass us – day-dreaming that, someday, we, too can take the wheel of one of those beautiful rigs with no appointment, no logbook and plenty of time to explore the “No Commercial Vehicles” routes.

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Susan Boyle on Britain’s Got Talent

First of all, what does this have to do with trucking? The answer is that I’m about to complete a month of being on the road. Just about everywhere I have picked up and delivered to American workers are worried, anxious and upset. At every company I’ve been to these past five weeks, there have been permanent layoffs and terminations. Many will declare bankruptcy or close their doors soon. Morale everywhere is terrible. Everyone, not just truckers, needs a little hope.

The YouTube video I have posted here has in the past 10 days been viewed 19,233,462 times. To date, 73,280 comments have been posted. It is about hope, faith, luck and by all means talent. Susan Boyle. 47 years old. Never married. Never kissed, according to her. Unemployed. Lives with her cat, Pebbles. She wants to be a professional singer, but had never been given the chance, until now.

“Britain’s Got Talent” is the UK sister show to American Idol and America’s Got Talent. Simon Cowell is the lead judge. I want you to watch this and remember that when times are tough, the tough get going. That’s Robert Schuller. Never give up hope. And perhaps you’ll get, as I did, goose bumps when you watch Ms.Boyle sing. And never forget, dreams can come true.

I’m so excited. Welcome to Life on the Road theatre. Come on in – there are plenty of seats. Plenty of room for all. Did you get some popcorn? Some Crunchabunch? Cherry Coke? Yes, we have nachos and cheese.

Now what we’re gonna show ya’ll here at Life on the Road theatre is what I, your humble Executive Producer,  considers the best depiction of the state of the trucking industry, the life of the trucker, the role of government and the DOT and the wives and moms who wait at home for as much as well, 70 days – holding down the home front – waiting for their men to come home. There is NO film out there that best shows what its like, has been like and continues to be like. Life on the Road is the only blog, web site or media source in trucking that has discovered it.

First you’ll need some brief information before you watch this. Nothing too political or religious. Don’t switch the channel so to speak to some other blog. Just listen and follow me a sec. In this video, you’re going to see four good ‘ole boys with badges. They’re not the bad guys. Ignore the badges. In fact, I don’t want you to think of them as a cops at all. I want you to pretend that they’re us, you – we – truckers. Truckers past, present and future. Truckers of all kind, company, owner/ops, local, OTR, box, flat bedders, reefer drivers, car carriers and all the rest. Got it – there us. OK? Good.

Now think of the other guy in this film as representing our government, the DOT. He represents all our Congress people. He is management. He is the ATA. He is everyone that tells us what to do, how to live our lives, imposes all those unfunded mandates upon us and more. And finally, the two females in the film are those wives and moms I mentioned earlier, who sit and home (as much as 70  days or more) and wait for their men to come home.

Alright, enjoy and I’ll have some more comments at the end. Hey you over there, turn off that damn cell phone. You can smoke if you want, just not near me.
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It was close. Nip and tuck. I sat there. The right hand. The left hand. The right hand again. The index finger. The other index finger. Try it again. OMG! FATAL ERROR! Listen, the last thing you want is to get a fatal error with any branch of the Federal government, especially with the Department of Homeland Security.

The agent, the TWIC card dude, the clerk – I don’t know what to call him, got ashen. “This is not good” he said. His forehead wrinkled up just like my Beagle Joe when he thinks he hears a bird. I expected him to yell to his colleagues in the outer office, CODE BLUE, GET A CRASH CART IN HERE STAT!

Another TWIC “person” came into the office to assist. She looked at me. I looked at her. She looked at him. He looked at her. We all looked at each other. Silence. He said: “fatal error.” No response. She said: “fingers?” He said: “probably.” She reached out and grabbed my index finger. It hurt. I have really bad arthritis in my hands and fingers.  She placed it – my finger -on the little square electronic reader thingy. He shouted: “not too much pressure. Slowly! OK OK press down  s l o w l y. Jesus, I thought to myself get a grip here people. But I quickly reminded myself: “fatal error.”

“No, no” he said. “Fatal error, fatal error damn.” OK, OK so my trucker arthritis high blood pressure depression suffering fingers are too fat for TWIC! Sorry. But what about all the other truckers, most of whom are twice the size of me? Did they get fatal errors? Without much emotion the TWIC woman said: “No.”  Alright already, don’t you have a large sized thumb print reader like the doctor has a large cuff for taking blood pressure? Again, without any emotion, she said “No.” “Would you please wait outside a moment, sir.” OMG! Wait outside. That can’t be good. What was I going to do, say no? I sat outside with my thin fingered son who was just handed his brandy new TWIC card. Read the rest of this entry »

Two days just does not seem like enough when someone is gone for 70 days. You have to “jam” a lot of activities and family time, as well as make decisions in those few days.

The first day consisted of taking the truck to get serviced and having a warrantied item fixed. That was followed by a banquet dinner for one of the boys and a skit. Very funny stuff from the seniors in the class. The oldest son was very happy to see dad was able to attend and dad was very happy to be a part of an activity.

The next day consisted of doing something together as a family. A road trip always works for us. Of course I drive since the hubby drives all the time. Although I do have a tendency to curse the truck drivers who will not let me over when I merge (and yes I do look and give my signal well in advance!). But then there are the drivers who are nice and let me in when someone is riding my bumper.

This time around we decided to take two of the boys’ friends with us on our road trip. My husband soon found out why these boys are nice to have around. Very quiet, but at the same time, they can be very silly. We took them to a place in Cincinnati (Jungle Jim’s for those of you from the area) that has a ton of different grocery food items from all ethnicity’s. They had fun looking at all of the new “stuff” and even took the time to put on a few sombreros so I could take a picture of them. Read the rest of this entry »

We have officially began the countdown to my oldest son’s high school graduation. With that comes so many expenses! I’m starting to wonder if someone would (or could) possibly offer a discount card on Senior expenses (no not older people either!)? If they did I would love them forever!

First you start off the year with senior pictures. These can range anywhere from a mere $250 up to over $1000. I actually know that one of my son’s friends had their parents pay over $900 for their senior pictures. All I could think was “Why??”

Once that is finished you have the option to purchase announcements through the school or on your own. Again you are looking at an expense that starts at about $50 (plain) up to over $200 for a mere 50 graduation announcements.

With that out of the way, now you are sending in college applications. This is the part that you have to be very strict on. The average cost of college application that I saw pass over my desk this past fall was $45 to $50. Now, if you want to broaden your chances on colleges, you send in more than five. So there’s another (at least) $250.

That’s out of the way so the next step is planning for the party. Where do you have it? Is every place in town going to be booked? Ok, so that one has been shoved to the back burner for now just because of snow days. Read the rest of this entry »