COMING SOON! A TRUCKING NOVEL- WRITTEN BY A TRUCKER - "CORRELATION" a NOVEL by CRAIG FURNISS

MILE MARKER #68

At Road2Trucking, we like to support up-and-coming projects by truckers and we would like to give you a head's-up on a novel that will be available soon to purchase. A driver himself for the last 24 years, Craig Furniss is soon to release his debut Romantic Thriller "CORRELATION." Craig is currently working on the sequel to "CORRELATION" and is excited to share his work of fiction.

His unique writing style provides the reader with visual descriptions of plots and characters, not to mention his obvious sense of humor in all the right places. This novel is truck driver written and professionally edited. Craig's vivid scenes are penciled from past experiences on the road and as a firefighter. Craig's main character Will is a truck driver also, and is tangled in a life of twists and turns. An emotional ribbon of highway.

Below is the cover art to "CORRELATION", along with the back-jacket book description. In the near future, Road2Trucking will feature an "Ask The Author" blog with Craig Furniss. If you have any questions for him, please e-mail them to:
Road2Trucking@hotmail.com

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Will Dempsey’s life is an emotional roller coaster with cork-screw twists and hair-pin turns that would stop anybody dead in their tracks. Literally. A tormenting ride to the unknown, where life is a privilege and your last breath is in the hands of a deadly curse.

The Dempsey family is plagued with an unexplainable curse that breeds from generation to generation. The curse’s arsenal riddles the Dempsey’s dreams, robbing them of happiness, and burying them in depression, therapy and funerals. Friendships and the power of love come with a consequence, knowing that they could be taken away in a heartbeat.

Will’s father Carl is the gene carrier of his era. Carl’s lethal breaking point erupts with the sudden loss of his wife, and escalates when he discovers that his son Will appears to be possessed with the unjust affliction. There is a correlation, but is it a curse, or is it just a family tree broken with misfortune?
After his mother’s sudden death, Will Dempsey is awakened by his father’s suicide, leaving him orphaned at the age of fourteen. As a grown man, Will alienates himself from others with a career that his uncle had promised him as a child. The perfect job.

Weak in the knees, Will surrenders to lust, but provides adequate warning. Still, the stunning Emily Fairchild, a writer, claws her way into Will’s virgin heart, oblivious to the severity of the curse. She doesn’t believe in curses. All she wants is Will. A blind craving.

Will Emily be able to slay the curse, or will she pen her own death sentence?

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R2T will keep you posted on the book release date.

CONSTRUCTION ZONE CONFUSION FOR TRUCKERS AND AUTOMOBILES

MILE MARKER #67

Just recently, I often wondered, "Are these construction guys serious?" The lines in the construction zone were crooked and looked like they had just been thrown down. I could have done a better job throwing the lines down as I drove by in my big truck.

Then, I read an article in one of the trucking publications, that this was done on purpose. Really? The DOT figured that by putting temporary jaggedy-ass lines on the roadway will slow the traffic down. It's proven that it does. It sure did me. I was like, "What the hell?" I couldn't believe how narrow the lane was, so close to the cement wall. I've been driving 24 years and even I was confused. Some states are even zig-zagging the lines. Unreal....

I understand why they are trying to drum up solutions for slowing the traffic down in construction zones. The worker's safety is number one supposedly, but I think the chance of a construction worker getting injured or killed has to be greater by causing this ridiculous confusion, while people are making their way through the work zone. God for bid, if people followed the these crooked lines while drunk (It still happens) or confused in the dark, the worker's safety is in serious jeopardy.

LTL TRUCKING PRICE WARS - AN ADVANTAGE FOR SHIPPERS

MILE MARKER #66

Shippers are taking advantage of the competitiveness of trucking discounts, some reaching the 90% to 95% range. These LTL ( Less-Than-a-Truckload ) heavy discounts are a result of a downward economy, and competitors are trying to make it difficult for their rival YRC to survive during their Yellow/Roadway merger in a so-called recession. These competitors are looking to pounce on them, or as some articles call it, "Put a stake in them " to acquire YRC's market share.

Through this process, the shippers are reaping the rewards and getting their product moved cheaply. Unfortunately, for YRC's competitors like Conway, FedEx Freight, UPS Freight, Old Dominion, and Estes, YRC didn't go down like they had hoped, and are now in a financial bind themselves. With freight tonnage down and the deep discounts they are providing, these competitors are finding out that they are now struggling, coming in to the slow period of shipping.

**** As a shipper, listening to YRC's competitor's sales tactics, you must look at the big picture. It's not going to happen, but lets say YRC does close, the discounted shipping rates will immediately rise to today's standards. NO more price wars. You would think as a shipper, they would give YRC all the freight they can to keep the cheap rates going. YRC's competitors have nothing new to offer to shippers,they just badmouth and spread rumors about YRC to try and get freight in these difficult times in trucking, which in return, are actually trying to keep themselves afloat.****

Whether your a big fan of the Union or not, if YRC ever did go down, it wouldn't be a good thing for the economy anyway. A lot of good paying jobs would be lost, and as a reminder, the middle class drives the economy. Just like GM, people piss and moan about the wages these workers receive, thinking that that is the reason cars are so expensive. What's the problem with the little people in this world making a decent living? So, if you knock their wages down, which by the way is bad for the economy, do you think these cars are going to be drastically cheaper? Afraid not. The fat cats up top will absorb the laborer's cuts, and fill their pockets even more. Cars will still cost what they do today. Don't kid yourself.

As for trucking, YRC's competitors pipe crap up their driver's rear-ends, and surprisingly, the drivers believe them. They don't understand that the Unionized YRC family sets the standard for wages for these other driving jobs. Just a little fact, if YRC does go under, the driver's wages will too. These competitors are already taking away a lot of these driver's benefits. Why? Because they can. These drivers have no representation, no driver's rights.

Be careful what you wish for. Soon, this will be a nation of $10.00 jobs. That will be something our kids can look forward to. God help them!

Where's is my 40 million dollar bonus for providing you this educational information.

A FREE TRUCK DRIVING ONLINE GAME FOR EVERYBODY

MILE MARKER #65

I thought I pass along a pretty cool online trucking game to play on your down time. Or, this is a chance for someone that doesn't drive a big truck, to see what the profession is all about. Below, I copied and pasted the the information right from the site. I hope they don't get mad. They shouldn't, I'm advertising their website for them for free. These next paragraphs pretty much tells everything about the game. Check it out.

Did you ever want to be a trucker? Did you ever wonder how life would be on the open road? Now you can find out if you have what it takes to be an OTR trucker without having to get a special license or endorsements.Trukz (pronounced "Trucks") is a text based trucking simulation game where you create your driver, buy yourself a truck, then earn money by hauling loads to and from various cities around the world including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Australia, and numerous countries in and around Europe. Each city has its own distinct supplies and demands that update throughout the game. With the cash that you earn for successful deliveries you can buy upgrades to improve your truck, purchase various items for your driver, and eventually even buy a brand new truck.

Game play is simple but addicting. Real-life driver issues, including fatigue, diesel fuel prices, weather, speeding tickets, and driving overloaded come into play so there is always something that demands your attention. Trukz incorporates realistic climates and weather patterns that make driving in severe weather a challenge. Trukz also offers unique driving opportunities by allowing players to haul cargo to unique locations such as nuclear and hazardous waste to Yucca Mountain Nevada. Don't want to be an independent operator? No problem! Cooperate with other drivers by creating or joining companies to receive customizable assistance with repair fees, fuel costs, and even ticket fees. Complete your route on time and cities will begin paying you more money for each cargo that you deliver as your driver rating increases for each successful route completed on time. Arrive late and not only will you pay a penalty but your driver rating will decrease as well.

Your route dashboard, as pictured below, allows you to review all of your route details and even keep a visual eye on your fuel levels and travel speeds. Cities pay you money based on your driver skill rating, cargo type, and mileage so the more you work the more money you make. As you gain more money in the game purchase newer and faster trucks to stay ahead of the competition. See the New Player Guide for more information to get started playing Trukz.

PLAY NOW AT http://trukz.com/

NEVADA CAMPAIGN "BADGE ON BOARD" TRUCKER - STATE TROOPER PROGRAM

MILE MARKER #64

The Nevada Department of Public Safety received a grant for nearly $500,000 for the "Badge On Board" program. A program in which a highway patrol trooper rides shotgun with a trucker to monitor careless and dangerous behavior among drivers of cars and other trucks.

In 2006, there were forty-three fatal accidents involving trucks and cars in Nevada, and more than five-hundred non-fatal accidents. The death rate for drivers and passengers in cars is 75% higher.

The University of Nevada, Reno will conduct a study to determine the effectiveness of the campaign, and will feature commercials and billboards.

I believe that this is an excellent program, and I also think that there should be a bigger section of Driver's Education on sharing the road with trucks. Bravo. A great start.

H1N1 SWINE FLU HITS THE TRUCKING SCENE

MILE MARKER #63

Health care officials warn people to take precautions for the upcoming flu season. Obama urged the American public not to be alarmed with the virus, but to prepare themselves. Maybe a terrible cough, high fever, or exhaustion might be signs for seeking medical attention. If diognosed early, a doctor can prescribe medication to lessen the severity.

In a trucker's daily routine, he or she is in contact with cross-country connections made at truck stops and loading docks. Truck drivers don't have the luxury of taking a sick day when they are on the road all week. Therefore, if they do come down with these symptoms, it's recommended they seek medical attention at a truck stop clinic, or one that is near by.

While on the road in late August, a truck driver, a 45 year old gentleman from Beaverton, Oregon, lost his life from the H1N1 virus. His autopsy showed that he had pneumonia in both of his lungs. After driving himself to a local hospital with shortness of breath, a several-day cough, and a fever, he died three days later.

I see it regularly. Dude comes out of the crapper after double-flush'n a Growler, doesn't wash his hands, grabs the door handle, and heads out to the buffet. Call me crazy, but I'm not hungry after that. Nor, do I eat buffets anymore. I'm no germa-phobe or anything, but I try to wash my hands and face every chance I get.

Hygiene is critical. Come on people.

TRUCKING DAY CAB SLEEPING SOLUTIONS

MILE MARKER #62


Finally, I made the switch between a city driver to a line haul driver. With the merger, the line haul bid to Cleveland was eliminated, but they did add two Chicago bids. I jumped on that to get me out of the city. I will tell you, it's like I got a new job, and my stress level has decreased dramatically. Being that I did do nine years of over-the-road driving, I do know that a driver's sleeping patterns are sporadic at best. Now, I am experiencing the discomfort of the "Power Nap". I do have fifty minutes to do what ever it is that I like. Driving back to the terminal from Chicago in a day cab during the rough 4:00A.M. to 7:00 A.M. hours, I do not have the luxury to park and crawl in a sleeper.


When I first started, I tried every position possible to rest my eyes. I couldn't lay my head on the steering wheel because the horn is sensitive and activated with any light pressure. I crumpled my coat up and wedged it against the driver's side door with my feet up on the dash, but woke every five minutes with one of my limbs numb and asleep. My legs and arms got more sleep than I did. Not to mention that my back was jacked up when my 50 minutes was over.


I did some much needed research and asked fellow drivers how they managed to accomplish any sleep in a day cab. I heard of a few interesting ideas. One was a hammock that stretched the width of the cab and was knotted on both ends and was hung from the top of the door jams. I couldn't imagine me, a 6'3, 220 pound man, crawling out of that thing. I would flip over and end up with a stick shift where it wasn't supposed to be. I don't want to be that 911 call. The other ideas were things that I had already tried.


After nights of looking at the inside of my cab, I knew I had to come up with something. I drive a new Volvo, and there is an aluminum sturdy box mounted in the middle with a non-skid surface for the driver's radio-C.B. box to sit on. Most of our trucks do not have a passenger side seat in them. So, I measured the distance from the passenger side door to the driver's seat and came up with my own solution. It's called the INSTA-BUNK tm. With the air ride seat positioned to the floor, it was a pretty level to the aluminum box. I drummed up a hinged folding padded upholstered bed. The hinged weak point of the bed rests on the aluminum box. The bed is notched around the shifter and butts up against the driver's seat. Convenient to carry with handles and folds up easily for storage. I can stretch out at 6'3" and I'm low enough in the cab were other drivers can't see me drooling. Now, all I have to worry about is over sleeping.


If you shop around, the vinyl upholstery, foam, and wood, isn't that expensive, and well worth the time. I was wondering if you think this is a marketable idea or if anyone was interested in one. If you are, I will be happy to send you the dimensions and directions for making an INSTA-BUNK for $5.00. Please contact me and I will provide you with my Pay Pal account information. Please comment and give some feedback. If not, I will just enjoy my own comfortable fifty minutes of shut-eye. Nite, nite.