My New Gig

I wasn’t gonna post about this yet but some people asked about it so…yes I just started a new gig hauling pneumatic trailers (aka “dry bulk”) locally for a smaller company with 100-200 trucks. Not much to it lol, and it’s not nearly as cool as G’s new gig which I’m definitely jealous of haha.

The pay is kinda weird because it pays by the load but the load pay varies based on the load (who it’s from and what customer is getting it). I do get a guaranteed minimum but it’s not as much as I was making over at System.

The work is really easy. When I get to the shipper I pull up next to or under a platform and I or one or the workers climbs on top of the trailer and opens the hatch. Then I pull onto the scale under the silo and they drop a chute down to the hatch on top of the trailer and load her up. It’s all done by weight so I just tell them how much I want and they keep loading until I hit that weight. I’ll usually load to like 79500 so I don’t end up overweight. We do have permits to run up to 97000 on surface streets in Denver but I have yet to do that.

When I get to the receiver I back up to the hoses next to the silo and hook it up to my trailer and blow everything out of the trailer using the blower on my truck. I don’t have any good pictures today but I’ll take some tomorrow and add them to this thread. Loading typically takes 10-15 minutes and unloading usually takes about an hour or so.

My work day is usually about 12 hours and I start early so I’m done early. Monday thru Friday with alternating Saturdays so I have a consistent schedule and I’m home every night so I can take care of my house and my dogs.

Right now I’m driving a 2019 (I think?) Peterbilt 567 automatic 18 speed with a 500 horse X15 Cummins that freaking PULLS haha. Technically I’m 99% sure I don’t need to use logs because of how short my runs are (I haven’t figured it out for sure but I’m pretty sure I run in the 150 air mile radius) but we just run slogs anyways because it’s easier to make sure we’re in compliance that way. We use this app called Samsara which is pretty cool. There’s a unit that attaches to the truck but we control the logs remotely on the app on our phones and it works way better than the clunky slow Qualcomms I’ve been using for years.

Oh, something interesting about this gig is that I don’t need any endorsements for it. I guess it’s because there’s no liquid in the tank so you don’t have to worry about the sloshing you would with an actual tanker.

Here are some pics of the truck and trailer. I also drove one of our new daycab Western Stars over the weekend while my truck was in the shop so I’ll include a couple pictures of that one too. We run mostly Western Stars with some Petes but I think that’s it. The old Western Stars with sleepers all have 13 speed manuals, the Pete’s have 18 speeds some auto and some manual, and the new daycab Western Stars have auto shift 12 speeds (they’re basically nicer looking heavier duty Freightliners). I really like the Pete I’m in but I asked for one of the older Western Stars because I like manuals and they said I should be able to get in one later this week probably.

Overall it seems like a super chill place to work and I’m loving it. I’m having a super hard time sleeping at home though and have already spent one night in the truck so I could get some good rest lol

Oh yeah I forgot lol. You guys probably want to know WHAT I’m hauling hahah. Cement powder. There are different kinds and I don’t really know all about them but I really don’t get to see what I’m hauling because it’s a closed system. But it’s really fine and powdery and gets in your clothes and all over everything so it’s best to make sure all the connections are sealed well before you turn on that blower and start unloading lol.

Sounds like a great new job. Steady schedule and home every night! Hopefully you get used to sleeping in a real bed again.

Is there any incentive to taking a heavier load? I know you said you get paid by the load. Just trying to figure out if you get more money if you have them load you to the max of 97,000lbs. Your trucks look great!

Sounds like a great new job. Steady schedule and home every night! Hopefully you get used to sleeping in a real bed again.

Is there any incentive to taking a heavier load? I know you said you get paid by the load. Just trying to figure out if you get more money if you have them load you to the max of 97,000lbs. Your trucks look great!

Thanks! I’m enjoying it so far. And yes I hope so too haha. I’m working consistently 2-3 hours a day less than I was before and only have to drive 20 minutes or so round trip commute daily and the work is a lot easier but I have been absolutely exhausted since I started. There are just way more distractions at home.

No incentive so we don’t do it unless we have to. It actually kinda works against us if we do because it takes longer to load and unload. Dude this truck is a beast. If I set the cruise at 65 it will maintain that speed unless I’m going up an actual grade. It’s crazy

Awesome gig. All the best!

Pianoman,

I always felt that dry pneumatic was the best job anywhere if driving a truck. Many years ago, 1970 to be exact I started my career where my father was the shop steward for a chemical distributor. We picked up ground coal dust that they used to make those old hard cased car batteries with the soft tops. We had R600 Macks with Maxidynes, 5 speed trans. and those turbo conveyor pumps on the exhaust. The tankers were Butler and I never enjoyed driving for any company more than that one.

That sounds great. So happy for you! Sounds like something even old fat and lazy me could do 😂

Oh yeah I forgot lol. You guys probably want to know WHAT I’m hauling hahah. Cement powder. There are different kinds and I don’t really know all about them but I really don’t get to see what I’m hauling because it’s a closed system. But it’s really fine and powdery and gets in your clothes and all over everything so it’s best to make sure all the connections are sealed well before you turn on that blower and start unloading lol.

Color US impressed as well, good sir!! Tom did that for K & B for a skoche ... he recommends NOT to wear contact lenses, haha! Pretty 'cake' of a job, eh? How's it pay? It's hourly out here; always hiring at NextGen, too. I'd need a bigger washer/dryer unit if Tom ever went that route, LoL!

Best to ya, man. Keep them safety goggles on while off loading (per Tom...)

~ Anne & Tom ~

Glad to hear you're liking it. I'm assuming that you probably end up loading and unloading outside of the metro area? Denver traffic is a pain. Sounds like a fun gig though.

I can definitely relate about sleeping better on the truck and being home more exhausting than being on the road. The old lady usually has a ton of stuff for me to do and hen pecks me to death when I get in.

Glad to hear you're liking it. I'm assuming that you probably end up loading and unloading outside of the metro area? Denver traffic is a pain. Sounds like a fun gig though.

I can definitely relate about sleeping better on the truck and being home more exhausting than being on the road. The old lady usually has a ton of stuff for me to do and hen pecks me to death when I get in.

The 'OLD LADY?' ... have you spoken to the Tomster, on the CB????? He'd be LOCKED OUT for that phrase, good sir!

The 'wife person' or S/O, good sir!. Ask Ms. Laura, PJ, PackRat, Old School, George B., even Brett nowadays, et al. . . .LoLoL!

You're LUCKY I've got lo'afetto for ya!!!

Just me... hehehe... ~ Anne ~

ps: Just bustin' your ... um... chops?!?!?