Profile For Spoonerist

Thanks Rob!

Good advice for keeping the CDL. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to pass the physical due 8/6.

Many years ago I was in a similar position with a class B. I tried to revert the license and the AZ dmv messed up the process and I didn’t discover the error until trying to get a CA dl and discovered my dl was suspended... 3 years of higher insurance rates for a clerical error. Good times.

I’m going to be particularly focused on this errand.

Take care,

G

Greetings all,

Life and direction have changed for me.

I’ve come to the end of the road for my trucking career. My body and mind can’t hack it. It’s been an interesting year and I’m grateful for the adventure.

I’ll be reverting my license back to a non-CDL next month and moving off grid at the end of September.

Thank you to the mods and Brett for all you do!

Take care,

G

Hello,

Good question! I use Spotify and add or remove music depending on my taste for the day. I then play it on shuffle. Right now it’s as mix of classical, punk, edm, metal, and bluegrass. Eclectic to say the least.

PM me for more information.

Cheers,

G

A quick update.

My elbow is still messed up.

I cleaned out my truck so Swift could put it back to work. I spoke with my DL and he’s going to put me on the Lowe’s account when I get back.

I’m eager to get back on the road for some longer hauls. Heavy was neat, but it’s hard to get consistent high miles.

Bellingham is pretty laid back and is still on lock down.

It took some doing, but I finally got a referral for physical therapy.

Take care,

G

One can park at most stores that Swift has contracts with: Walmart, Winco, Costco etc.

If you are just buying supplies, park safely out of the way, shop, and depart.

I’m extra careful when parking at a store to make sure no other customers park me in. Ie., jam up a whole row and angle the tractor out.

Good luck,

G

Backing comes and goes for me.

It seems like the harder the back the more I succeed. The simplest ones I mess up.

I agree with the previous post. Take as long as you need and don’t hit anything.

Cheers,

G

A quick reply.

I sprained my elbow on Tuesday and will be recovering for a while.

I’m considering switching to the Lowe’s account when I return to work.

It’s frustrating to come off quarantine to have to go out again.

Take care,

G

Good morning all,

Yes, 5 weeks was too long. There was a strange mindset that occurred while quarantined: isolation from everything, including texts and online stuff.

My local gig the other day took a great deal of time. I was on time for the delivery, but waited about 2 hours for a dock assignment.

Docking required blocking 6th street south in Seattle. I’m fairly content messing up traffic and it was light, thank you lock down.

The lumper unloaded the bails into an intermodal can, I’m guessing for shipping overseas. When there was a lull in movement I went into the dock area and found him swearing about the BOL, it said 26 bails and there were actually 27, and that messed up his load on the can.

They had a big push broom, which made the clean out much easier! He repositioned the ramp so I could sweep into it. It’s the little things that make my day!

Dispatch stacked a Costco load on me after that. Another split: Wilsonville and Eugene. I decided to stop for my 10 at Toutle SB rather than push for Wilsonville and arrive while Costco was still open and struggle to park. This tactic is something that wouldn’t have occurred to me 3 months ago. Again, the learning curve!

Google maps is incredibly helpful! I always review it when I’m going to a new place. Eugene Costco was tricky to get into and required some kerb driving... to avoid the people in the turn lane.

The unload was prompt!

I deadheaded to Woodburn for a Winco load heading to Puyallup. Just before arriving at Winco I blocked the suicide lane to check google maps and take a bio break. The little things: pee before backing!

It was a drop and hook. I got some much needed supplies as well. The empty was due for its PM, so I dropped it in the shop queue and sent a Mac38 and parked for my 10.

While reviewing my posts above I missed it appears I missed a story about heavy BS before going on leave. I’ll post about that another time.

The Sumner terminal is being renovated now and has no shower. Wet wipes only go so far...

Today’s “load” is deadheading to Woodburn for a Winco load tomorrow. I’ll leave this afternoon and park at TA in Aurora for my 10, a shower, and laundry. I’m pretty stinky...

Freight has been weird. Early in the outbreak it was super heavy. Stores implemented rationing and that slowed the pace. Now, they’ve been directed to curtail non-essential product. That has definitely impacted freight. I’m grateful that I’m on a dedicated essential account, but we are all slowing.

Stay safe!

Cheers,

G

Good morning all,

Strange times we are in.

Upon tcalling my last load (above) I started developing covidesque symptoms and self quarantined. No tests were available.

3 weeks later I harangued my dr enough that they tested me. Negative for covid, but due to quarantine order I had to wait 3 days post symptom before heading back to work.

I came back Monday and had a pleasant split load to Salem and Albany, OR. Both were unloaded early. My back haul was from Hillsboro. After I got loaded, while pretripping I discovered a flat tire. Called it in.

On road came and fixed it. I made it to Toutle River rest area (one of my favorites) for my 10. Tcalled my load in Sumner around 0000 Wednesday.

No loads Wednesday. Have a local run today. Hoping for more work.

Take care,

G

Often while I’m taking a 34 and walking around, I’ll see trucks going down the road and will look after them wistfully. When I do take real time off and go home, I miss the sleep I get in my bunk.

Thus is true for me too. I sleep way better on the truck!

Home time is feeling less homey.

Cheers,

G