Amusing factual stories - real life experiences in trucking

[Doctor Who]

Was it you, Dr, who was putting all their stories in a book?

I would love to have a book with all your stories.

The book has been put on hold. Still attempting to find a publisher who will work with me and believe there is an audience for a book of "Trucker" adventures!!

I will now add "The Rest Of The Story"

When I did get back to the shop I had to go get the MANDATORY DRUG TEST! Not a big surprise but still an insult to any driver except for the ass who caused the incident!

Two weeks later the "SAFETY" team came to interview me and wanted a reenactment. The day they arrived it was storming and I agreed to the demand. The truck used was similar to the vehicle in the original incident!
Mr. Murphey was smiling upon me that day as the rain fell harder at about the same location of the incident. I demonstrated all the actions I had taken and sure enough the trailer started to slide. This time there was no loud bang or sudden jolt!!
The investigator was extremely pale and said, rather quietly, he was convinced that I did all I could to avoid a major catastrophe..
I asked him if he would like to stop and get an ice cold Coke or Pepsi to calm his nerves. We did stop to get the cold refreshing beverages and arrived back at the shop 2 1/2 hours later!

Two days later I received a letter stating that I was cleared to drive Ryder vehicles once again. The letter is now hung in a frame upside down on my wall!!!

[Jackrabbit379]

Anything different on the future?

[Doctor Who]

Anything different on the future?

Depends on which future you are referring to?

I'm trying to avoid the "crystal ball" approach. It always seems to get derailed by stupid ****!!

[Jackrabbit379]

Depends on which future you are referring to?

Are you still working for Ryder?

[Doctor Who]

Are you still working for Ryder?

Yes I am...

[Jackrabbit379]

Oh ok. It was a dumb question, but I was curious.
Keep the stories coming.

[Doctor Who]

An incident that occured a few days ago reminded me of a similar incident that happened way back in the last century!!

A driver jumped out of his truck and the air dryer went off while the driver was standing next to a large puddle of water!!

For the Folks who don't drive a large vehicle, the air dryer is an interesting invention created to remove moisture from the trucks air supply. Hence the "Sneeze" one hears as a truck rolls down the highway. I'll add one more thing these little critters have a very bad habit of "sneezing" at the most inopportune times. Case in point..

Way back in the day I did get the privilege of driving a GMC tractor equipped with the little beast. At first I wasn't too sure what was going on when the first "sneeze" happened. The mechanic told me not to worry the "sneeze" was normal.
OK, I listened to the sneeze as I headed towards my destination a box factory in southern New Jersey who's yard was mostly gravel and dirt.. Should have been a warning as to what was going to happen...

Upon arrival at the factory the shipping clerk told me to drop the trailer and hook to another. Worked for me, didn't have to wait for their slow assed fork-lift drivers to load me...

I dropped the empty then found the loaded trailer which, was sitting in a puddle of water mixed with mud.

Hooking complete, I stepped out to attach the air lines. One thing I forgot to mention.. The air dryer was attached to the left side of the tractor frame.
Well, I proceeded to hook up the emergency air line when the EVIL dryer went off covering me with mud and water.

Needless to mention I hauled ass back to the yard, walked into the dispatch office where June, the dispatcher, asked me what had happened. I just told her that I got tangled up with a herd of migrating pigs and got knocked into the mud hole they were searching for then I went home for a shower and clean clothes!!!

[Jackrabbit379]

You don't want to be under a truck that is idling, with an air dryer.

I don't know how many times I've stood by the truck in the grain elevators, and that air dryer sneezed. Blew that dust all over the place. If up-winded, nothing, but if you were down-winded, you were rubbing your eyes all day.

[Doctor Who]

A rainy Friday night and another adventure in "BOB TAILING" in the rain!

I was sent out to pick up a customers single axle Navistar. All fine and good but before I left I did mention how much I enjoyed "bob tailing" in the rain. Tongue in cheek of course..

Upon arrival at the customers site I unlocked the gates and proceeded to get all ready to leave but with one minor detail that was forgotten. The driver set the theft alarm and took the remote device with him!!

Well, just as I cranked the truck up the alarm started screaming. I called the shop for any help, none was offered!! I was told just to drive the tractor back with the alarm screaming!
"Terrific!!!" I thought to myself.
I just pictured every LEO in Rocky Mount chasing me down and getting tossed in the "slammer" for Grand Theft Truck!!!

I left the customers yard with the alarm blaring and drove back to the shop. Not one person paid attention to the ruckus. I pulled into the yard and stopped by the shop door, walked in and told the Lead Tech about the problem. He just went out and clipped a wire.

Gee I wished he had told me that little feature on the phone before I drove the DAMN thing back!!!

Oh well just another fun night!!!

[Roadhog]

Was it the red wire or the blue wire?

[Doctor Who]

Was it the red wire or the blue wire?

Couldn't tell you, I'm colour blind...

[Roadhog]

Couldn't tell you, I'm colour blind...

Thanks!
I had to check your view posts, to see if there were any hidden messages. (I know you)

It took me awhile to figure the encrypted message, but I did, 5 seconds before the alarm detonation. Man... I was about to cut the wrong wire....
cof

[golfhobo]

Couldn't tell you, I'm colour blind...

Hey! You don't have to shout it in RED!

[Jackrabbit379]

That truck has an alarm?? Who in the world would want to steal an International??

I would have come un-glued, Doc. Man! That would have drove me nuts!

[Roadhog]

He must be a married man.

[Doctor Who]

He must be a married man.

My Valentine just loved the photo... Thanx Hog!!!

[Doctor Who]

Recently I was asked if I missed driving. At first I was going to give a smart assed answer however, after a little thought I told the driver what I didn't miss...

I don't miss the arrogant, inconsiderate commuters, soccer moms and others driving like morons during their daily commute and the such.

I don't miss the long hours behind the wheel or busting ass trying to make an irresponsible appointment time (I still can't figure out why freight needs an appointment!) only to find the receiving establishment full of trucks and being told I had to wait another day before being unloaded!

I don't miss delivering to grocery warehouses and having to deal with arrogant receivers who don't want to break a finger nail unloading their own freight!

I don't miss morons trying to run over the gas hoses while unloading gas at any given station!

I don't miss hauling chemicals only to find the load was rejected or having to wait a day or two for the weather to clear!

I don't miss begging to go home to make sure I had a home to go to!!

I don't miss the battles of TESTOSTERONE on the CB while sitting in some GOD Forsaken truckstop!!!

I don't miss dealing with scale cops and their minions!!

The driver who asked the question was starting to regret asking but I did tell him the things I do miss.

I do miss running team with my brother.

I do miss the cast of characters I have met over the years and won't forget all the antics that goes on in the vehicles passing my slow vehicle. It did make for great entertainment, it also would make a great Reality Show!!!

That's about all!

[Doctor Who]

A few nights ago a person returned a 16' Isuzu rental unit. As I was performing the required fueling ritual the renter told me the A/C compressor had stopped working. I asked if he had called the toll free number to report the malady, the renter "copped" an attitude and pretty much told me it wasn't his truck and felt he didn't have to make any such call. I stood back and decided not to continue the conversation and went on with the fueling ritual..

As I was about to finish all tasks required I heard a lot of noise emanating from the back of the truck and the next thing was the renter driving a motor scooter out of the truck. I guessed he forgot to stop at the liftgate or was just stupid, either way it was quite entertaining when he hit the asphalt. I walked over and checked with him to make sure he didn't need medical attention. He did refuse.. His parents were also there and they quickly apologized for any problems their son may have caused...

The Lead Tech came out of the shop when the commotion died down. He told me that he had witnessed the ordeal. I just said that he looked like Evel Kneival for a few fleeting seconds!!! The renter was not pleased with the quick shot of humour!! The Tech and I agreed that it made a SLOW night all the more interesting!!

A few calls to upper management and all was right in the "Rental Universe!!"

[Jackrabbit379]

How funny.
Amazing how dumb some people are.

[Doctor Who]

Andy Taylor stopped by for a short visit.... More to follow including a famous name in history. Not quite sure who's history but history just the same!!!