Always Expect The Unexpected

I had a first happen yesterday. I had been planned on certain loads and then one cancelled. Things happen. Dispatcher I do alot of work with always takes great care of me. I normally run longer loads, not short regional ones. She called and said the ling load cancelled but she could keep me busy. Run two regional then a long. We figured they would work with my hours so we set it up.

The first one is all two lane state highway, with a very scenic tour of alot of small towns. I hit one that was starting their annual christmas parade. An officer directed me around the main drag. I asked if I could get a truck down that route and he said sure we have sent several trucks this way. Well I missed everything, 3 ditches, 3 utility ploes and got through it.

Almost off small road and came into Rochelle Ga and another parade. No way to go around. I pulled up to the young officer blocking the road and just pulled the brakes. Got a great view of the parade. Small town so I figured small parade. Nope…

I made a cup of coffee and just enjoyed it. The officer came over at the end and said he was going to ooen the road after the last entry and to follow him.

So I did, right down the center of the road like I was the last entry in the parade… The crowd was full of kids of course. I have some pretty nice looking lights on here and had my flashers on. A young woman with a small boy yelled at me and said beautiful truck can you blow the horn. Her young 2-3 yr old son started doing the arm pump. I could not dissapoint that young boy. I reached up and pulled the cord. A couple short bursts then a longer one. That little boy and I were both smiling hard.

The horn wasn’t what they expected. I have a triple train horn on here, and it’s loud. After that first blast every kid for the 4 blocks was pumping their arms at me and some people looked like they were taking photo’s.

We drive alot of miles and it’s pretty much the same old thing. It was prettt cool to follow that parade and bring smiles to so many kids!!!

I’d do it again in a heartbeat!!!

Now that is something special. You know those kids will remember the big truck blowing that awesome horn. Good stuff.

I'm sharing that grin with you right now, man. That's one of my favorite parts of being out here, when a kid (or kid at heart) does the arm pump. Definitely upgrading the horn on the next truck!

Awesome story and experience.

I had a first happen yesterday. I had been planned on certain loads and then one cancelled. Things happen. Dispatcher I do alot of work with always takes great care of me. I normally run longer loads, not short regional ones. She called and said the ling load cancelled but she could keep me busy. Run two regional then a long. We figured they would work with my hours so we set it up.

The first one is all two lane state highway, with a very scenic tour of alot of small towns. I hit one that was starting their annual christmas parade. An officer directed me around the main drag. I asked if I could get a truck down that route and he said sure we have sent several trucks this way. Well I missed everything, 3 ditches, 3 utility ploes and got through it.

Almost off small road and came into Rochelle Ga and another parade. No way to go around. I pulled up to the young officer blocking the road and just pulled the brakes. Got a great view of the parade. Small town so I figured small parade. Nope…

I made a cup of coffee and just enjoyed it. The officer came over at the end and said he was going to ooen the road after the last entry and to follow him.

So I did, right down the center of the road like I was the last entry in the parade… The crowd was full of kids of course. I have some pretty nice looking lights on here and had my flashers on. A young woman with a small boy yelled at me and said beautiful truck can you blow the horn. Her young 2-3 yr old son started doing the arm pump. I could not dissapoint that young boy. I reached up and pulled the cord. A couple short bursts then a longer one. That little boy and I were both smiling hard.

The horn wasn’t what they expected. I have a triple train horn on here, and it’s loud. After that first blast every kid for the 4 blocks was pumping their arms at me and some people looked like they were taking photo’s.

We drive alot of miles and it’s pretty much the same old thing. It was prettt cool to follow that parade and bring smiles to so many kids!!!

I’d do it again in a heartbeat!!!

Dang onions!!!!!

Thank you so much, good sir.

~ anne ~

Awesome story, PJ. I love getting the ‘arm pump’ request too; sometimes I wonder how many kids I’ve disappointed because I can’t see them pumping their arms behind the tinted windows on so many of the new cars today.