Amusing factual stories - real life experiences in trucking

[Doctor Who]

Finally some GOOD NEWS...

After more tests and MRI's than any human should be legally allowed to have, the THIRD opinion doctor has determined that Epilepsy is not what I have!!!

However, I have developed a severe reaction to gas/ethenol so, the petroleum hauling is over but something else may take its place but what it may be is still to be determined!!!

[mommee]

Doctor Who-

Glad the doctors found out what was wrong. Maybe you can be a dispatcher or recruiter in your next adventure. You can tell everyone where to go. :wink:

[Twilight Flyer]

That is good news, Doc. Now, you'll be back out there in no time, keeping a watchful eye on white vans everywhere.

[Jackrabbit379]

Good news, Doc. Glad to hear it. Hopefully, you will find something good.

[Doctor Who]

Not to panic a few more Tales From The Asphalt Jungle will be coming forthwith if not sooner or later depending on the weather!!!

[Drumaniac3000]

I can't wait...

[ZMDWEBE]

Ok well...... I have been driving for a year now so I still consider myself a newbee, and I sometimes make "little mistakes". Here is one.
Two days age I received a load from us gypsum in gypsum Oh.
My directions say to turn left at first light which is state road. I get there and it doesnt say state, but cr-8. My gps said to turn there but it thinks im in a car not a truck so I have to be careful. Anyway I go to the next light and thats not state, but us 163. Sooooo I go a little further hoping that I will find state only to realize that I made a "little mistake. I go a litttle further and find a driveway for a restaurant and winery and let the cars pass me that are backed up. I slowly pull in and almost tear down the sign with my trailer and realize this was a bigger mistake. I do however get lucky and a little way down I find a large parking lot with plenty of room to turn around. I slowly leave all the while tearing down tree limbs and get back to us 163 and turn right. I go a ways and find a huge krugar parking lot and slowly pull in the car entrance and almost tear the fender off the car with my trailer. (It is really dark in the country by the way).
I pull out my puter and go to google maps and find that I should have turned left on cr-8. Easy enough, I go there turn right and completely pass the street that I need because it's DARK AND i CAN'T SEE A THING THROUGH MY BUG COVERED WINSHIELD. I go a little further and see a little company on a side road that I can turn around in, pull in and start backing up only to have a car pull up behind me. I get out and meet a fellow and he asks me are you looking for gypsum? Of course, but how did he know? He works there and people get lost all the time. Anyway he helps me back out and I almost get stuck in wet grass and mud, tells me where I need to go and say go 25, the sherrif is waiting at the entrance.

This is one for the books for me.

[Doctor Who]

Yarded________

During the days with Winn-Dixie I had occasion to work the yard moving trailers here and there and just about everywhere in between in the name of keeping the payroll people happy as to not accumulate "overtime!"

On one such occasion I witnessed a driver attempting, in vain, to back into a wide open dock. I will admit here that I also had some difficulty in attempting such a feat. Give me a narrow alleyway or trailers stacked row upon row and I could slide a 53 in on the first try however, a wide open space would give me a fit!!!

Anyway, after watching this driver for 30 minutes I drove over, walked up to the cab and asked the driver if I could be of assistance.
The driver looked at me and with a voice like Marge Simpson mixed with Rod Stewart told me "where to go and what to do with myself when I got there!"
I stood there in disbelief but took it in stride walking away and climbing back in to the yard truck, besides I didn't want to get into a fight with a woman whose mustache was thicker than mine!!!

After about a hour of the mayhem the receiving manager wandered out and told the very unhappy driver to drop the trailer and let a yard driver back the trailer in. A bit of a confrontation ensued however, the driver lost but instead of dropping the trailer the driver left the yard never to return.

The receiving manager asked me what had transpired and I had told her everything that had happened. She then asked me to file a complaint against the driver. I just told her no and that I would just add the incident to my "Journal of Never Ending Insanity!"

[Doctor Who]

One final attempt to accumulate more windshield time I tried working for a LPG delivery company. The six wheel delivery truck, known as a "bobtail", was a challenge and it did have some unique handling characteristics when loaded and half full. Loading the vehicle was interesting it was not quite like loading a gasoline trailer. A small relief valve had to be opened while the loading took place and when the LPG was at 80% a small cloud of vapour was allowed to escape. I wondered if the EPA was cool with the idea.

House deliveries were interesting at best, backing down "mile" long driveways trying to avoid septic tanks and assorted animals like, llamas, goats, chickens and the such. One house delivery the back of my foot was attacked by a maniacal rooster. I punted his ass across the yard, I thought about using a shot of LPG but didn't want to waste the high priced commodity. My trainer did get knocked down by a very pissed goat. I did try to warn him but the goat got there before I could get the words out. It was rather funny!!!

I will state that I have a whole new respect for rural EMT's, Firefighters and LEO's who have to find homes at night since some folks can't find it necessary to put the address on their mailboxes. Does make for a challenge delivering at night.

I thought I had found a home but the Malady I am afflicted with reared its ugly head and made the thought short term. I thanked the manager and realized it was over!!!

Thus ends a few million miles and 35 years of "Chasing The Horizon!!!"

[Trukrswyfe]

Thus ends a few million miles and 35 years of "Chasing The Horizon!!!"

Sorry to here the end of this chapter, but there is still more chapters to write.

So what is next for you Dr. Who?

It may surprise you how much more there is to life then just "Chasing The Horizon."

[Doctor Who]

So what is next for you Dr. Who?

I hooked up with Ryder Truck Leasing working the Service Island on the 3rd shift. I do get to drive some of the trucks around the yard just to keep in "practice" shifting and other assorted "FUN" driver things....

[Twilight Flyer]

Now it's time to start chasing storms, full time. My oldest son, Brandyn, has decided that's what he wants to do when he finished school. So, I'll be sure to send him out there when he gradumutates in 2 years and you can take him under your wing.

[Jackrabbit379]

Best wishes, Doc! Please keep us informed with new stories!

[Doctor Who]

Now it's time to start chasing storms, full time. My oldest son, Brandyn, has decided that's what he wants to do when he finished school. So, I'll be sure to send him out there when he gradumutates in 2 years and you can take him under your wing.

He may want to stay where he is to practice chasing. Isn't it true that Iowa is a Native American word for "TORNADO MAGNET?????"

[Twilight Flyer]

That's for sure. I've certainly seen my fair share of them. Maybe you should come out here, Pete.

[Doctor Who]

That's for sure. I've certainly seen my fair share of them. Maybe you should come out here, Pete.

That's quite alright. There's enough "Twisty Cloud" activity here to keep me busy as the next story will disclose.

Stay tuned for Lightning and the MBM driver: A new tale from an ex-driver now fuel island person....

[Jackrabbit379]

Doc! Good to see ya!
We will be 10-10 on the side, waiting to hear...

[Doctor Who]

About two weeks ago an extremely severe thunderstorm arrived*

Ryder policy states that during a lightning outbreak the diesel pumps do not run which is all fine and well with me since I don't want to be standing under a METAL shed during the light show.

Anyway a driver for MBM showed up as the storm started and demanded that I fuel his truck so he could get home after a "short" trip on the road. I did inform this "gentleman" that I was going to wait until the storm passed as the light show grew in intensity. Of course, this did not sit well this driver and he vented his displeasure claiming he was going to whip my ass and all the other crap that comes with a temper tantrum.

He began to piss me off until a HUGE bolt of lightning shot across the sky and hit a cell phone tower in the yard next to Ryders. The flash was a brilliant blue and the sparks flew like a July 4th fireworks display. All I could say was "DAMN!" and then I turned back to the irate driver and noticed him cutting a fast trail towards the shop.

It took about 45 minutes to get the driver back to his truck after the storm had passed.... Another fun night at the service island...


*Side Note: This chain of thunderstorms produced several deadly tornadoes. It made for a miserable Friday night!!!

[Jackrabbit379]

That little lightening bolt showed how tough he was.
(I live in tornado alley, and I would probably do the same thing )

Well Doc, I'm glad you made it through the rough stuff.

I've always enjoyed your writings. Keep em coming!

[duff]

after a few days of reading i am to the end so far good stuff every one and put me on that book list aswell doc