AND NOW YOU KNOW

MILE MARKER #28


Why do women always try and change or correct men all the time? Males are at the mercy of females their whole lives, starting from their Mothers at childhood, to Wives at adulthood. Prior to my marriage, I dated a women who was the Queen of correction. We'll call her Lindsey. Lindsey and I were together for a long period of time, until I realized it was time to terminate this particular relationship. She always had to correct me on everything. It got to the point where I could not breath without her monitoring my breaths. I made up my mind, that the next time we met, I was going to put an end to this partnership. I told her, "Lisa, this isn't going to work out because I can't be myself, and you are always correcting my every move." She said, "My name is Lindsey!" I said, " See, this is what I am talking about - this is what I mean, you're always correcting me!" Enough was enough! I had to move on; I couldn't take anymore. The things we men tolerate to sometimes get a glimpse of heaven. Women hold the key to the highly addictive, sought-after commodity.

Now, another question that everyone has been waiting to be answered. Why is Yellow Transportation called Yellow when the trucks are painted orange? Road2Trucking's Investigative Team got to the bottom of this commonly asked question in trucking. Yellow drivers are drilled everyday with this mind-boggling situation. The public wants to know! Instead of gathering different information and answers from the drivers, we went right to the source. For your convenience, I cut and pasted the explanation right from the Yellow Transportation website @ http://www.myyellow.com/

Safety: Our Name Is Yellow, but Our Trucks Are Orange.
Yellow commissioned DuPont to determine what color was most visible from the greatest distance for the fleet. After careful research, DuPont presented a color, dubbed "Swamp Holly Orange." And so the company named Yellow had an official color—orange—the safest color on the road.
The American Trucking Assn. has recognized Yellow's Safety Program with its prestigious President's Trophy, the motor carrier industry's highest award for highway safety and accident prevention.

I went ahead and covered the two most unanswered topics in the World. Unfortunately, I could only provide you with one answer. I do not think the first question will ever be answered, and until this day, still remains a mystery. This would be a great subject for Myth Busters to tackle.

CELEBRITY INTERACTION WHILE TRUCKING

MILE MARKER # 27

America's infatuation with celebrities and their personal lives, feeds the mouths of the paparazzi and celebrity themed magazines. Even though most of it is gossip, we want to see pictures and read about the juicy details of their daily lives. Some lucky truck drivers have or had the opportunity to meet or haul personal freight for the stars.

Not too often do you run into famous or well known people here in the State of Wisconsin. Johnny Depp was here I guess shooting his new movie. I didn't get a chance to check that out. Personally while trucking, I never really experienced that type of situation. I was always looking, but I could only get a glimpse of a race car hauler, or was left wondering who was in that smoked out glassed limousine. A couple of years back, I did have a delivery for Matt Kenseth himself. It was to be delivered to his store in Cambridge, Wisconsin. It was a 7 foot air compressor, compliments of Dewalt. Unfortunately, Matt was in Michigan preparing for a race, so his Dad and I had to unloaded this pig. This was no ordinary 15 gallon air compressor. His Dad said it was going up to LaCrosse, WI for Matt's new house. I'm thinking this thing is over-kill for bike tires or an occasional basketball. This compressor was huge! That was definitely a celebrity air compressor! His Dad signed my bill and gave me a signed picture and a signed trading card. Matt's Dad was the closest thing to celebrity interaction for me ,while truck driving. Oh well, It was pretty cool hanging out with him for 20 minutes.

The only star that comes to mind that was involved in trucking, is Karl Malone. He owned tractor/trailers, and actually drove them on his off time. His company was called Malone Enterprises Inc. and was based out of Utah.

I know some truck drivers have crossed paths with celebrities while driving, that were more interesting than my experience. Some may have hauled their cars, moved them to a different location, or even hauled their personal stuff for gigs. If you want to contribute or share your celebrity experience while trucking, please write your story as a comment at the bottom of this blog. We would love to read them. Thanks for your participation.

ONLY THE DEDICATED SURVIVE

MILE MARKER # 26

By now, every body's New Year's resolutions are probably non-existent. We try, we all try and set out new goals for an upcoming year to better ourselves. Most resolutions dissolve early, by expecting to make such drastic changes all at once. We didn't get this heavy over night, furthermore, most people do not exercise on a regular basis. So, trying to change habits and taking on unrealistic tasks usually result in failure.

Truck drivers have a difficult time and the odds are against them, due to their schedules, sleep time variations, sitting constantly, and the conveniences are not at their disposal. My worst habit is smoking. I've tried to quit, but I've always failed. It's disgusting how nicotine's addiction controls your life. I have never been able to tackle that feat because of truck driving. To me, smoking and driving go hand in hand, and I do not know any better. It's always been that way. That's just a better way or an excuse to say that I am a very weak person. I never had to come up with a new resolution every year, because it's always been to quit smoking. I have 7 months to prepare for my next attempt. I can't try to quit smoking during the year, because it's a law!

I've exercised on and off throughout my whole life. I pretty much just maintained, adding a little shape along the way, but never put the dedication into it to take it to that next level. I always had excuses not to make it a part of my everyday life. Exercise should be included in your daily life, but only the dedicated survive.

New Year's Eve comes along and your all psyched to start a training program including weights and cardio. So, you go all out and purchase some new gear and running shoes. Then you think, just if I had an elliptical machine or treadmill, I could do this up right. You purchase one or the other and then you think, man, if I just had an Ipod. Then you spend 5 hours downloading songs off of Itunes for your high energy work out mix, only to realize if you had a new T.V. flat screen all of your exercise needs would be fulfilled. January 1st arrives and you are ready to tackle your researched plan as scheduled. Your first high intensity work out includes cardio, lunges, squats, and everything else, and the next morning before the next work out, your arse and sides hurt so bad you can't even sit on the pot! Every time you cough, it hurts! Now, you take 5 days off the schedule because your body is too sore to do anything. Then, you stand back and look at all of the cool work out stuff you purchased, and realized that you didn't even lose any weight! The good news is that you will be all ready to go for the next year's resolution, when you remove the clothes that are hanging from the treadmill.

ALL UP IN YOUR GRILL - "LONE STAR"

MILE MARKER #25

Vintage or futuristic? What ever your take is, the new International Lone Star is surfacing and creating a lot of buzz. Taken from the design of the 1930's International C and D pick-up trucks, the grill alone has an aggressive and imposing look. I was never a big fan of Internationals, but this one in my opinion, is the sharpest class 8 road tractor I have ever seen, not to mention the body lines and the fuel saving aerodynamics. Not that I'm in the market for a truck at this time, but if I won the lottery, a black chromed out Lone Star would definitely be my first purchase. These machines are going to be a beautiful sight rolling along the landscaped interstate. The Lone Star is supposed to be hitting the streets in October of this year. Personally, I can't wait. I hope I have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of one of these before my career expires. To vision a rig in motion is a thing of beauty, but any trailer hooked up to the Lone Star will put beauty in a different class. I think the Lone Star is that next step International always needed. For an awesome introduction, specs, options, prices, and additional information on this efficient machine, visit: http://www.Internationaltrucks.com/lonestar/?_oskwdid=2437617

** This is not a paid advertisement. This is just an opinion and an interest from Road2Trucking. **

OSHA - IT!

MILE MARKER # 24


Truck drivers are known to have one of the most dangerous jobs. Danger lurks behind every corner and is ready to attack when it doesn't have a driver's undivided attention. Having had the experience of being a road driver and a city driver, I believe that city drivers come in contact with more dangerous situations, more often. A city driver is in and out of the cab at least 25 times a day and and has to deal with numerous pick ups and deliveries on a daily basis. It's all dangerous, but injuries and accidents are more prevalent with the city driver. Both types of drivers are always in dangerous situations, not to mention dealing with traffic without running over or into something.
Last Thursday was the second time I injured myself, and both injuries occurred while I was a city driver. My first injury details are mentioned in Mile marker#13 (You want me to do what?). A big issue that needs to be addressed is the maintaining of dock apparatus at businesses. I estimate that probably 1 in 8 dock plates that I frequent, need some type of maintenance performed. The ones that do not operate properly have their own little tricks to make them function. Some businesses are simply to cheap to have their dock plates scheduled for routine maintenance because it costs money. Then you wonder why drivers end up with bad backs and injuries that are arguable with the company they work for. Somehow it was your fault.
Last Thursday, I had to make a pick up at a one of these piece of crap, so called businesses. ( You now where this is going ) I backed in to load 2 skids and attempted to pull the the chain on the the dock plate. Not surprisingly, the dock plate didn't cooperate. The dock hand brought the first skid, and I told him that the dock plate wasn't down and didn't work. He says " Oh, You have to do this and that." (Another secret trick thing) This particular dock operation ended up to be a two man job. He pulled the chain, while I was in the trailer pulling up on the other end as instructed. It cleared the trailer without springing the end out, so I thought it was one of them that rises all the way up and you stand on it, and it springs out on the way down. NOPE! This possessed dock plate decided to spring half way up, leaving me with a 4 inch open gash to the shin bone! Dock hand says, "Are you alright?" I looked at him, and told him to give me a couple minutes. I can't really describe the pain I was in, but I think I would rather of sat for a 3 hour tattoo session under the arm. I had the S-bomb and OSHA in mind at the same time, and came up with OSHA - IT! I knew it wasn't going to be good, but after a couple of minutes I raised my pant leg to check out the damage. My sock collected all of the lost blood, and I could see bone fragments. Not surprisingly, the so called business didn't have a first aid kit. I wrapped some paper towel around my leg and taped it up. I had to drive across the street to a legitimate business that had a first aid kit available. Unreal! Long story short, I got it doctored up and I am back to work. It gets a little sore by the end of the day because it's on my clutch leg, but it's healing nice. I'm getting tired of being Mr. Nice Guy. Two pulls on the chain and if it doesn't work, that's it, they can do it. And if they have a problem with that, I got rid of a good friend in my Fav-Five and replaced him with a direct line to OSHA.

A NEW DIRECTION

MILEMARKER #23

I apologize for my previous information regarding seeking certain driving jobs over others. When I started this blog last year, the Nation was in half way decent shape. I gave valuable information on obtaining the highest wage potential jobs coming out of a truck driving school. That was then, and this is now. The Nation is spiraling downward, forcing trucking companies to regroup and head in a new direction. The cost of diesel fuel is ridiculous, and we are almost at the point where there is more drivers than freight. Also, the carriers and the shippers are debating who should fork over the cost for the fuel surcharges. As far as employment is concerned, the LTL companies still have some drivers layed off and we are now in the month of May. Usually, things pick up by March and everybody is moving some serious freight. Some analysts say, it might not pick up until the end of the year. There are still good jobs available with reputable trailer load companies. I would recommend holding off on trying to pursue the high paying Union jobs until the economy gets back on it's feet. I will keep you posted.

The public is just not spending money or making extra unnecessary purchases. At this time, people's goals are to somehow keep their households intact with the rising grocery prices, utilities, and soaring fuel costs all on the same paycheck. It's pretty disturbing! The Nation hasn't been this bad since Nixon was in office. It used to be a number one priority to pay the mortgage. Now, the norm seems to be keeping current with the credit card companies, because that is people's source of extra money when they are in a crunch. They wouldn't have any money left if they payed the mortgage. Not only are foreclosures are big issue, personal debt is going to a major major problem down the road.

Personally, I hate to turn the news on in the morning. That's all they talk about is the rising prices of everything. If not that, they are talking about some body's misfortune. People have been getting hammered by tornadoes, the bear attack, the shark attack in San Diego, and not to mention all of the wild fires. I'm just going to stay in the house! Two weeks ago when I was in Dallas on a golf trip, I saw a 45 year old cougar clawing and pouncing on a 22 year old bartender. It's getting crazy!

I'm getting a little older now and some people keep asking me if I have a will. I don't yet, but when I got looking at it and filling the information out, I realized I just don't have anything to give away. The only thing I could come up with was a George Forman Grill and a Shrek DVD (In 3-D). Half way through the will, I was trying to figure out how to change it into a suicide note. No, I wouldn't do that. Who would keep this blog up and running? Things will eventually get better. They can't get too much worse.