Cam I feel your pain and I miss you!

[henboy1]

I will let you readers go crazy about the mention of missing another man!

Cam, you and I talked on the phone a couple of times when we were both facing hardships at LS.I remember being stuck in MI when I was pulling a box and you wondered why I didn't take a particular load.You also mentioned many times about how you stayed on the road a month at a time to pay off some house debt.We go way back and MIKE3,LOADIT andf a few will remember.I read this morning about my transition from container to step in the BCOFORUM.I still wish you were "here".I hated it when you left.But always remember that when you jump ship fom a "no forced dispatch system" (your pick) to something else, it is hard to make that transition.What I am saying is that if I were you and I had left my outfit, after talking to any damn recruiter, early morning when the drivers pulled up to the company I was about to sign on, I would talk to at least 5 drivers that are leased and ask them questions about the outfit.
For ex... I called Bennett 3 weeks ago to see what they offer.I did that for the heck of it.As much machinery as we do, they pay 1.75-200/mile with your own trailer.Did you think I would go sign on with them after hearing that.If I did want to go further, I would hit their drivers lounge and make friends.


2 years ago I bought a truck for 7k when i barely knew how to drive.I came on here and told my story about the truck and how I lied about my experience.Many on here laughed about my adventure and the equipment.6 months ago I bought my step and many on here thought it would be impossible for that price.I am in a position where I am doing better than 2 yrs ago when I was doing courier work with a ford E350 cargo.


Cam stay focused!I know you will make it.If you wanna be a company driver, that is fine but talk to the company drivers before you jump ship and please let them show you their paystub and deductions because many like to lie.
my 2 cents.
Good luck!

[Rev.Vassago]

because many like to lie.

:shock:

A truck driver lie? Say it ain't so! You mean Steve might not really have operating costs of $1.01 per mile? You mean Bandit's Cousin might not really get $3000 FSC's?

All my hopes and dreams were shattered in that one little sentence.

[BanditsCousin]

I did get a 3000 dollar FSC. Actually, I didn't, I lied. I got more than 3Kw/ 2 LTL's I had on the tail of my van :wink:

[mike3fan]

I did get a 3000 dollar FSC. Actually, I didn't, I lied. I got more than 3Kw/ 2 LTL's I had on the tail of my van :wink:

I got one FSC for $2,500+ back in June.

[BanditsCousin]

No you didn't. We are both liars. It is official

[Rev.Vassago]

No you didn't. We are both liars. It is official

You're the only one who has called you a liar.

[lowrange]

I will let you readers go crazy about the mention of missing another man!

Cam, you and I talked on the phone a couple of times when we were both facing hardships at LS.I remember being stuck in MI when I was pulling a box and you wondered why I didn't take a particular load.You also mentioned many times about how you stayed on the road a month at a time to pay off some house debt.We go way back and MIKE3,LOADIT andf a few will remember.I read this morning about my transition from container to step in the BCOFORUM.I still wish you were "here".I hated it when you left.But always remember that when you jump ship fom a "no forced dispatch system" (your pick) to something else, it is hard to make that transition.What I am saying is that if I were you and I had left my outfit, after talking to any damn recruiter, early morning when the drivers pulled up to the company I was about to sign on, I would talk to at least 5 drivers that are leased and ask them questions about the outfit.
For ex... I called Bennett 3 weeks ago to see what they offer.I did that for the heck of it.As much machinery as we do, they pay 1.75-200/mile with your own trailer.Did you think I would go sign on with them after hearing that.If I did want to go further, I would hit their drivers lounge and make friends.


2 years ago I bought a truck for 7k when i barely knew how to drive.I came on here and told my story about the truck and how I lied about my experience.Many on here laughed about my adventure and the equipment.6 months ago I bought my step and many on here thought it would be impossible for that price.I am in a position where I am doing better than 2 yrs ago when I was doing courier work with a ford E350 cargo.


Cam stay focused!I know you will make it.If you wanna be a company driver, that is fine but talk to the company drivers before you jump ship and please let them show you their paystub and deductions because many like to lie.
my 2 cents.
Good luck!

Cam is now Lowrange, in case you didn't know. Wow, that's pretty good! I'm at a time in my life when I'm estranged from the church, living a very solitary life- I'm like that stray dog who doesn't know which way to go. (insert laughing smilie). I need somebody to say something nice to me! I came to pickup a preloaded trailer today, 47,500 lbs. I refused to pull it. I guess I'll find out Monday if I have a job!

I've been on another board talking about the heist Henry Paulson has apparently pulled on the country. If you've got to be an 'f'er, how about sticking up the country for the same amount of money as the Iraq war cost over the course of a two week period? Whatever you do, do it big, right? Anybody here follow this stuff- heard of a credit default swap? You will.

I've still got your phone number, Henry, I'll have to give you a call. Yeah, I want to get the latest, your doings and Landstar in general. Man, I'm just trying to run and I keep coming across all these snafus.

[GMAN]

I am sorry to hear things are still difficult for you, lowrange. I would encourage you to try and keep a positive attitude. We all have trials and challenges in our lives that we must over come. That is how we learn and grow stronger. I am sure things will turn around for you soon. I remember someone mentioning once that when things are difficult that God is working good things out for us.

[Orangetxguy]

I came to pickup a preloaded trailer today, 47,500 lbs. I refused to pull it. I guess I'll find out Monday if I have a job!

Was that 47,500 pounds of cargo, or was the scale ticket showing a "gross" of 47,500 pounds?

That will be the difference of someone's reaction.

If there was 47,500 pounds of cargo, even in an uninsulated trailer, you would have been over weight. A day cab without pump and hydraulics would have a tough time scaling that much weight in a tank.

If it was 47,500 scale gross for the tank and product, add in 20, 500 pounds for your truck, you were right close to legal.

Either way...their not going to de-lease you over it.

[lowrange]

Was that 47,500 pounds of cargo, or was the scale ticket showing a "gross" of 47,500 pounds?

That will be the difference of someone's reaction.

If there was 47,500 pounds of cargo, even in an uninsulated trailer, you would have been over weight. A day cab without pump and hydraulics would have a tough time scaling that much weight in a tank.

If it was 47,500 scale gross for the tank and product, add in 20, 500 pounds for your truck, you were right close to legal.

Either way...their not going to de-lease you over it.

The tare weight for whoever made the pickup was 29k something something, gross was 76k something something, product weight was 47.5k something something.

I looked back over my previous loads, and my tare ranges from about 32.5k to 33.5k. I just don't like being dumped upon, they could have told me the weight ahead of time. What incentive do I have to drive on half tanks? I mean, if I'm hauling 45k, isn't that heavy enough? I've hauled 46k, I don't care to do it, but I don't have to wonder if I'm legal. I really can't haul 80k, because the weight distribution between my drives and the trailer is off by about 500lbs. I'm still learning, but I expect over 47k would make it difficult to axle out. It seems greedy to me, I figured I wasn't going to let them put me in a spot.

As it turns out, I'm home watching football on the big screen. It would have been better to average 500/mi per day for the next three days, and to get set up for a long trip back- oh well.

I was at a consignee recently, and they wanted me to back down these railroad tracks to unload. I don't mean crosswise, I mean down the railroad tracks. I looked at it, and it had some deep, sharp edges. That turned into a long, drawn out affair. Three times I positioned my tractor to do it, and three times I thought to myself, 'this just isn't right'. Right or wrong, I had to make a decision. I finally told them they could fire me if they wanted to, I wasn't going to do it.

I don't like to play hardball all the time. Under normal circumstances, I get along with everyone and I make my deliveries on time. I'm not going to be dumped on, however. I appreciate your opinions about things, OTG, like when you tell me you don't think refusing a heavy load will cost me my lease. Sometimes I don't know if I'm right or wrong when I tell them what I will and will not do, I'm just judging things best I can realizing I'm ultimately responsible fro keeping up the truck and I'm ultimately responsible for delivering the load.

[lowrange]

I am sorry to hear things are still difficult for you, lowrange. I would encourage you to try and keep a positive attitude. We all have trials and challenges in our lives that we must over come. That is how we learn and grow stronger. I am sure things will turn around for you soon. I remember someone mentioning once that when things are difficult that God is working good things out for us.

If feels good to be home, GMAN. I don't have any kids, but it's cute to see my mom's little dogs when they remember me. I'm trying to prepare for a full blown depression, I'm trying to position myself in case things get really, really tough- which I think is a possibility. I'm not trying to scare anyone, but if you look at things, we've got to be open to things we've never experienced in our lifetimes. If it doesn't get that bad, that will be the easiest thing to adjust to.

Perhaps you were thinking of Romans 8:28

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose."

I'll admit, it does feel good to be home instead of a motel.

[Orangetxguy]

The tare weight for whoever made the pickup was 29k something something, gross was 76k something something, product weight was 47.5k something something.

I looked back over my previous loads, and my tare ranges from about 32.5k to 33.5k. I just don't like being dumped upon, they could have told me the weight ahead of time. What incentive do I have to drive on half tanks? I mean, if I'm hauling 45k, isn't that heavy enough? I've hauled 46k, I don't care to do it, but I don't have to wonder if I'm legal. I really can't haul 80k, because the weight distribution between my drives and the trailer is off by about 500lbs. I'm still learning, but I expect over 47k would make it difficult to axle out. It seems greedy to me, I figured I wasn't going to let them put me in a spot.

As it turns out, I'm home watching football on the big screen. It would have been better to average 500/mi per day for the next three days, and to get set up for a long trip back- oh well.

I was at a consignee recently, and they wanted me to back down these railroad tracks to unload. I don't mean crosswise, I mean down the railroad tracks. I looked at it, and it had some deep, sharp edges. That turned into a long, drawn out affair. Three times I positioned my tractor to do it, and three times I thought to myself, 'this just isn't right'. Right or wrong, I had to make a decision. I finally told them they could fire me if they wanted to, I wasn't going to do it.

I don't like to play hardball all the time. Under normal circumstances, I get along with everyone and I make my deliveries on time. I'm not going to be dumped on, however. I appreciate your opinions about things, OTG, like when you tell me you don't think refusing a heavy load will cost me my lease. Sometimes I don't know if I'm right or wrong when I tell them what I will and will not do, I'm just judging things best I can realizing I'm ultimately responsible fro keeping up the truck and I'm ultimately responsible for delivering the load.

Well....If your truck weighs 20,200 full of fuel, the trailer weighs 14,500(insulated trailer) empty, add in 47,500 in product weight, you would be 2,200 pounds over weight before ever leaving the gate. You did right refusing the load. Because the trailer left the plant legal, they wouldn't rake you in and remove the excess weight. A day cab driver preloaded the trailer. One that didn't give a "rat's" about the load being pulled by a "Road" truck.

[GMAN]

I was at a consignee recently, and they wanted me to back down these railroad tracks to unload. I don't mean crosswise, I mean down the railroad tracks. I looked at it, and it had some deep, sharp edges. That turned into a long, drawn out affair. Three times I positioned my tractor to do it, and three times I thought to myself, 'this just isn't right'. Right or wrong, I had to make a decision. I finally told them they could fire me if they wanted to, I wasn't going to do it.

I don't like to play hardball all the time. Under normal circumstances, I get along with everyone and I make my deliveries on time. I'm not going to be dumped on, however. I appreciate your opinions about things, OTG, like when you tell me you don't think refusing a heavy load will cost me my lease. Sometimes I don't know if I'm right or wrong when I tell them what I will and will not do, I'm just judging things best I can realizing I'm ultimately responsible fro keeping up the truck and I'm ultimately responsible for delivering the load.

You need to do what you are comfortable with, lowrange. If you are not comfortable backing down railroad tracks then you should not do it. I won't tear up my equipment for anyone. You also don't need to run over weight. You are the one responsible and will pay the fine if you run too heavy.

[lowrange]

Well....If your truck weighs 20,200 full of fuel, the trailer weighs 14,500(insulated trailer) empty, add in 47,500 in product weight, you would be 2,200 pounds over weight before ever leaving the gate. You did right refusing the load. Because the trailer left the plant legal, they wouldn't rake you in and remove the excess weight. A day cab driver preloaded the trailer. One that didn't give a "rat's" about the load being pulled by a "Road" truck.

That's great to hear, OTG. It's one thing to tell someone where to go when you have experience and you know what you are doing, it's another thing to say that when your brain is whirring and calculating based on what you think is right, though you aren't entirely sure.

I need to pull out my full-of-fuel bobtail weight, I did it before my very first load. It wouldn't have been two thousand over, but it probably would have been over. As I said, I really can't pull 80k, since that will leave me like 34250 on the drives and 33750 on the trailer, something like that. I've haven't pulled heavy much so I don't know the whole game of dodging scales and how much over on your drives you can get away with it. I don't know it, and I really don't want to know it.

Having already applied to LTC, Miller, and Slay, I think I'll go to Westville to apply at Cyanide's old terminal tomorrow. There, Dana and Langer are my next stops. Either way, it sounds as though I should be good to go to keep doing what I've been doing. If not, that's ok too, I guess.

[lowrange]

You need to do what you are comfortable with, lowrange. If you are not comfortable backing down railroad tracks then you should not do it. I won't tear up my equipment for anyone. You also don't need to run over weight. You are the one responsible and will pay the fine if you run too heavy.

I know you won't just take it, GMAN. But, I suppose you come across little anymore that you haven't already seen. I'm trying to remember when, but it seems like I've messed up tires on tracks before. I wonder if that can affect the alignment, too. When is it reasonable to say 'no' and when am I being a bitcher? Sometimes it's not clear. The consignee did confide that I'm not the first guy to refuse to do it and that they have had tires bust before.

[mike3fan]

I'm 37-38k on my drives often,never been pulled behind the scales yet,I think they understand that tankers have a hard time with the axle weights,but as long as you are not over gross then most of the time you get a pass.

[GMAN]

I know you won't just take it, GMAN. But, I suppose you come across little anymore that you haven't already seen. I'm trying to remember when, but it seems like I've messed up tires on tracks before. I wonder if that can affect the alignment, too. When is it reasonable to say 'no' and when am I being a bitcher? Sometimes it's not clear. The consignee did confide that I'm not the first guy to refuse to do it and that they have had tires bust before.

Driving along railroad tracks can affect your tires and alignment. If these people want freight delivered it is up to them to provide a safe and easily accessible way to get it off the truck. I am curious as to how you got the load off? If you blow a tire on those tracks it will kill any profit you may have made.

[GMAN]

I'm 37-38k on my drives often,never been pulled behind the scales yet,I think they understand that tankers have a hard time with the axle weights,but as long as you are not over gross then most of the time you get a pass.

Some states are more strict than others. I think most will give you a few hundred pounds on an axle as long as you aren't over gross.

[Orangetxguy]

I'm 37-38k on my drives often,never been pulled behind the scales yet,I think they understand that tankers have a hard time with the axle weights,but as long as you are not over gross then most of the time you get a pass.

:eek: Your being lucky Mike. I get popped at the scales on I-68 eastbound in Maryland everytime, when I am 700 pounds over on my drives. TN has been hitting me at 850 over on the drives, even though my gross is usually less than 79,000 each time.


Carl...I don't remember what make truck you have..just that it is an 01 like mine, with similar mileage. I'm betting that full of fuel and all the other stuff you have to carry...like hoses and fittings, your right there at 20,200 pounds...or a bit more. Without hoses or a rack, I am 20,400 pounds for tractor weight, full of fuel. I have all aluminum rims.

[lowrange]

:eek: Your being lucky Mike. I get popped at the scales on I-68 eastbound in Maryland everytime, when I am 700 pounds over on my drives. TN has been hitting me at 850 over on the drives, even though my gross is usually less than 79,000 each time.


Carl...I don't remember what make truck you have..just that it is an 01 like mine, with similar mileage. I'm betting that full of fuel and all the other stuff you have to carry...like hoses and fittings, your right there at 20,200 pounds...or a bit more. Without hoses or a rack, I am 20,400 pounds for tractor weight, full of fuel. I have all aluminum rims.

I'll go dig out that scale ticket in a bit. What exactly happens when you get popped?