Amusing factual stories - real life experiences in trucking
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#261
magician_73 , 08-07-2004 09:41 AM
02-20-2005 10,000 coming our way. Only 249 to go Doc!
Well, way back when was heading south on I-5, just crossed over Shasta Lake. Right behind me was a flatbed and he stayed right on my back door. Just a few miles north of the old Redding '76 truckstop, we hit one doozy of a thunderstorm and rain it did. I pulled into the '76 and stopped under the fuel canopy and the flatbedder did the same. As I got out of the truck, I glanced over and seen what he was hauling......not tarped.....a whole load of bag cement and it was indeed soaked. After I fueled, I ran into the driver in the restaurant and he casually took it in stride. Seems he was told to tarp it by the shipper, but his boss pushed him to get to down to Corning where they needed it ASAP. His boss apparently told him to 'run with it' and not to waste the time tarping....I would imagine his boss ate those words when he had to tell the shipper, etc...about the soaked bags of cement.
Well, way back when was heading south on I-5, just crossed over Shasta Lake. Right behind me was a flatbed and he stayed right on my back door. Just a few miles north of the old Redding '76 truckstop, we hit one doozy of a thunderstorm and rain it did. I pulled into the '76 and stopped under the fuel canopy and the flatbedder did the same. As I got out of the truck, I glanced over and seen what he was hauling......not tarped.....a whole load of bag cement and it was indeed soaked. After I fueled, I ran into the driver in the restaurant and he casually took it in stride. Seems he was told to tarp it by the shipper, but his boss pushed him to get to down to Corning where they needed it ASAP. His boss apparently told him to 'run with it' and not to waste the time tarping....I would imagine his boss ate those words when he had to tell the shipper, etc...about the soaked bags of cement.
#262
magician_73 , 08-07-2004 10:44 AM
Well the clock is most certainly ticking....can't believe it's gotten this far. Anyway, have to keep 'life' in the thread, so here's another tale.
Years ago, in the household industry it was quite common for a shipper to request a particular driver to move him, if his previous move was 'extra special'. The carrier would make arrangements, preplan the move so the shipper's request would be honored. This was particularly so with national accounts.
The first move for this particular shipper, a VIP with Hewlett Packard, entailed moving him from Atlanta to Los Angeles. I arrived at the shippers, along with my help and proceeded to load his household goods in the van. Also going on the van was the shipper's brand spankin new Mercedes. It is common for household carriers (most of them) to move cars along with the shipper's goods. I loaded his Mercedes and made arrangements to meet him in Los Angeles on a particular date. We did everything over and above expectations and at destination the shipper was extremely pleased and accordingly gave us a generous tip. About two years later, I received word that this shipper had requested I move him from Los Angeles to Dallas and they scheduled me accordingly. I arrived at the shippers and proceeded to load his household goods and new Mercedes(he traded every year, or leased one). When I arrived at destination, I had the help prep the house while I proceeded to off load his Mercedes. Well, while backing down the walkboards (spread to accomodate the car)..one of the fiberglass boards broke and off I went. Damage to the Mercedes - $3300.....needless to say the shipper at first was a little upset, but in a few minutes realized 'accidents' do happen and since the walkboard had broken, there was no negligence on my part in off loading his car. Several years later, once again the carrier notified me that this shipper had again requested I move him. I once more arrived at his residence and after a few minutes of socializing, was told that his 'new' Mercedes was not going with me, but on a 'car carrier'....'no problem' I assured him and loaded his goods once more. When I arrived at destination, the shipper met me and I immediately asked if his car had arrived yet. 'It's due today' came the reply. We proceeded to off load his household goods and about an hour prior to finishing, in drove the car carrier. The driver came up to me and asked me how the shipper was and I asked 'why'...'His car got a little bit of hail damage' came the reply. The shipper came out in a few minutes and needless to say, when the driver of the car carrier offloaded his 'Mercedes', he was a little upset. But once more, it was not the driver's fault, but an act of nature. Well, to make this long story short, about three years later, once again I was requested to move this shipper. I arrived at residence and socialized for a few minutes and he casually informed me that he was driving his car this time. Another new Mercedes. I loaded his good, made arrangements to meet him at destination....San Francisco....A day out of San Francisco, I tried to call the shipper to confirm the delivery time but couldn't reach him. I notified dispatch and asked them to see if they could locate him. The day of delivery, I pulled up in front of his residence and no one was there. I called dispatch and they informed me that the shipper had had an accident and would be a few hours late. Several hours later, the shipper arrived, arm in a cast, limping and bruises obvious on his forehead. I asked him what had happened and he had a blowout and lost control of the car, rolled it and totalled it out. He looked at me and with a grin that had to hurt, said, 'I'm not meant to move my cars', 'from now on I'll sell the damn thing before leaving and buy a new one on the other end'.........And yes, several years later, I once more move him and he did indeed sell the car before moving and bought a new one at his new residence....
Years ago, in the household industry it was quite common for a shipper to request a particular driver to move him, if his previous move was 'extra special'. The carrier would make arrangements, preplan the move so the shipper's request would be honored. This was particularly so with national accounts.
The first move for this particular shipper, a VIP with Hewlett Packard, entailed moving him from Atlanta to Los Angeles. I arrived at the shippers, along with my help and proceeded to load his household goods in the van. Also going on the van was the shipper's brand spankin new Mercedes. It is common for household carriers (most of them) to move cars along with the shipper's goods. I loaded his Mercedes and made arrangements to meet him in Los Angeles on a particular date. We did everything over and above expectations and at destination the shipper was extremely pleased and accordingly gave us a generous tip. About two years later, I received word that this shipper had requested I move him from Los Angeles to Dallas and they scheduled me accordingly. I arrived at the shippers and proceeded to load his household goods and new Mercedes(he traded every year, or leased one). When I arrived at destination, I had the help prep the house while I proceeded to off load his Mercedes. Well, while backing down the walkboards (spread to accomodate the car)..one of the fiberglass boards broke and off I went. Damage to the Mercedes - $3300.....needless to say the shipper at first was a little upset, but in a few minutes realized 'accidents' do happen and since the walkboard had broken, there was no negligence on my part in off loading his car. Several years later, once again the carrier notified me that this shipper had again requested I move him. I once more arrived at his residence and after a few minutes of socializing, was told that his 'new' Mercedes was not going with me, but on a 'car carrier'....'no problem' I assured him and loaded his goods once more. When I arrived at destination, the shipper met me and I immediately asked if his car had arrived yet. 'It's due today' came the reply. We proceeded to off load his household goods and about an hour prior to finishing, in drove the car carrier. The driver came up to me and asked me how the shipper was and I asked 'why'...'His car got a little bit of hail damage' came the reply. The shipper came out in a few minutes and needless to say, when the driver of the car carrier offloaded his 'Mercedes', he was a little upset. But once more, it was not the driver's fault, but an act of nature. Well, to make this long story short, about three years later, once again I was requested to move this shipper. I arrived at residence and socialized for a few minutes and he casually informed me that he was driving his car this time. Another new Mercedes. I loaded his good, made arrangements to meet him at destination....San Francisco....A day out of San Francisco, I tried to call the shipper to confirm the delivery time but couldn't reach him. I notified dispatch and asked them to see if they could locate him. The day of delivery, I pulled up in front of his residence and no one was there. I called dispatch and they informed me that the shipper had had an accident and would be a few hours late. Several hours later, the shipper arrived, arm in a cast, limping and bruises obvious on his forehead. I asked him what had happened and he had a blowout and lost control of the car, rolled it and totalled it out. He looked at me and with a grin that had to hurt, said, 'I'm not meant to move my cars', 'from now on I'll sell the damn thing before leaving and buy a new one on the other end'.........And yes, several years later, I once more move him and he did indeed sell the car before moving and bought a new one at his new residence....
#263
magician_73 , 08-08-2004 01:58 AM
OMG Doc, 9800 :!: Only 200to go! :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: 
:roll: :P
:roll: :P
#264
Doctor Who , 08-08-2004 03:39 AM
Moderator
No, you're wrong......
It's....................193
I put a new battery in the clock and adjusted it to the Atomic Clock in the desert and it's glowing rather nicely... Who knew Atomic radiation glowed bright GREEN
It's....................193
I put a new battery in the clock and adjusted it to the Atomic Clock in the desert and it's glowing rather nicely... Who knew Atomic radiation glowed bright GREEN
#265
magician_73 , 08-08-2004 06:41 AM
186 to go Doc. and at the current rate it's growing, it'll probably hit 10000 by mid-week and I'll miss the celebration, street dancing, partying, lap-dancing and all around fanfare! :lol: :!: :evil:
#266
Doctor Who , 08-08-2004 07:42 AM
Moderator
Quote:
it'll probably hit 10000 by mid-week and I'll miss the celebration, street dancing, partying, lap-dancing and all around fanfare!
Well with the exception of the Lap Dancing I'll be around for the festivities since I'm not going anywhere for quite sometime, hmm just think I won't have to deal with the trash at truckstops or piss bottles littering a rest area. Oh wrong topic, anyway I hope there will be a bit more excitement than what transpired at the 2 year anniversary, maybe I can arrange for Nickleback to play... :rock: May be not!!! It'll probably be more like two old geezers with kazoos and a two string banjo!!! :shock: it'll probably hit 10000 by mid-week and I'll miss the celebration, street dancing, partying, lap-dancing and all around fanfare!
I'm going to start baking a cake for this occasion, yes I do bake as well as cook and am pretty damn good at it!!!
I'm still rummaging through the vault of Zebulon (NC) to find the "Fly Inspector" tale but with the heated debate up the page I'm rather wary of posting it when I do find the bloody thing!!
I found fragments of "Fun watching RVers" I've got the Elmers glue and Scotch tape at the ready, notice the blatent referal to "Name Brands", hopefully I can piece enough of it together to make a complete story, ala Rod Serling.... Another blatent attempt at name dropping!! :shock:
Oh by the way did you know tomorrow is International Indigenous Peoples Day???? Aug 9
I wonder if Hallmark has a card for this lesser known holiday???
#267
Doctor Who , 08-09-2004 01:09 AM
Moderator
And now for this:
This topic has gone over 10,000
And the Boston Creme Pie is ready, let the balloons fly
arty: Still no Lap Dancing... but the band is playing :rock:
A record has been broken for Class A Drivers.. The first topic to reach the 5 figure mark!!!
Magician; the topic made 10,000 before Labour Day! What's the next stop?
While I'm typing this I'm still gluing and taping the RV tale nothing like having a beginning, an end and nothing in the middle, hmm sounds like some recruiters I've dealt with lately...
Oh by the way Magician, the song Clocks is done by Cold Play!!!
This topic has gone over 10,000
And the Boston Creme Pie is ready, let the balloons fly
arty: Still no Lap Dancing... but the band is playing :rock: A record has been broken for Class A Drivers.. The first topic to reach the 5 figure mark!!!
Magician; the topic made 10,000 before Labour Day! What's the next stop?
While I'm typing this I'm still gluing and taping the RV tale nothing like having a beginning, an end and nothing in the middle, hmm sounds like some recruiters I've dealt with lately...
Oh by the way Magician, the song Clocks is done by Cold Play!!!
#268
Doctor Who , 08-12-2004 11:03 AM
Moderator
Another tale from the Magician 73 archives!!!!
Calif DOT Inspection sheds...actually two of them:
I loaded in Grants Pass and after my morning coffee, decided to head south into California. Well, as any person in their right mind knows, when you hit the California line, your paperwork, logs, etc. are always 'legal?. Well, thinking (one of my faults) I had as I approached Shasta (Dunsmuir Inspection Shed) I suddenly remembered I was going to bring my log up to date, but got sidetracked and never did. Well, guess I'll be brave and take the proverbial chance. Sure enough, the scale master pulled me around for an 'inspection'. The cute little chubby blonde 'Inspector' walked over to the door, and asked for the usual, 'logbook, license, medical card, registration and insurance'....I handed her everything except the logbook. She looked up and said, 'driver, I would like your log book'...I smiled, and jokingly said, 'nah, I don't think you want to see it just now, do you?' She promptly responded, 'driver, I need your log book'...I quipped back, 'Are you certain you need it right this minute?' 'I just don't think you ought to see it right now'...She looked at me and smiled, 'driver, I am going to the restroom, and when I return, YOU WILL give me your logbook'....with that she headed inside. Needless to say, I immediately brought it current. When she returned, 'driver, where's your log?' I handed it out the window to her. She smiled and asked, 'just how far out was it'? I said, oh it was current, I was just joking with you...She smiled and said, 'oh sure you were'. After the inspection (which I passed) she again asked, as she handed back all my paperwork, 'just curious, how far behind were you anyway?' I looked at her and smiled, 'well, if you must know - I just forgot to start it this morning at Grants Pass.'
She smiled back, 'have a nice day and be safe out there'.
Here you go Magician, bet you thought I forgot about this topic didn't you!!
Somewhere down the road "DUMp Trucking for fun and....."
Stay tuned....
Calif DOT Inspection sheds...actually two of them:
I loaded in Grants Pass and after my morning coffee, decided to head south into California. Well, as any person in their right mind knows, when you hit the California line, your paperwork, logs, etc. are always 'legal?. Well, thinking (one of my faults) I had as I approached Shasta (Dunsmuir Inspection Shed) I suddenly remembered I was going to bring my log up to date, but got sidetracked and never did. Well, guess I'll be brave and take the proverbial chance. Sure enough, the scale master pulled me around for an 'inspection'. The cute little chubby blonde 'Inspector' walked over to the door, and asked for the usual, 'logbook, license, medical card, registration and insurance'....I handed her everything except the logbook. She looked up and said, 'driver, I would like your log book'...I smiled, and jokingly said, 'nah, I don't think you want to see it just now, do you?' She promptly responded, 'driver, I need your log book'...I quipped back, 'Are you certain you need it right this minute?' 'I just don't think you ought to see it right now'...She looked at me and smiled, 'driver, I am going to the restroom, and when I return, YOU WILL give me your logbook'....with that she headed inside. Needless to say, I immediately brought it current. When she returned, 'driver, where's your log?' I handed it out the window to her. She smiled and asked, 'just how far out was it'? I said, oh it was current, I was just joking with you...She smiled and said, 'oh sure you were'. After the inspection (which I passed) she again asked, as she handed back all my paperwork, 'just curious, how far behind were you anyway?' I looked at her and smiled, 'well, if you must know - I just forgot to start it this morning at Grants Pass.'
She smiled back, 'have a nice day and be safe out there'.
Here you go Magician, bet you thought I forgot about this topic didn't you!!
Somewhere down the road "DUMp Trucking for fun and....."
Stay tuned....
#269
magician_73 , 08-13-2004 01:16 AM
11,000 Doc!!!!Well, how far is this thread going? Can't believe we've achieved this record!! :!:
Not certain, but this one may also be in the archives?
Years ago, I was coming south from Salt Lake - down 6, 191 and then over to Shiprock and 666. I had heard the DOT was checking paperwork at Shiprock, so between Monticello and Shiprock (a narrow two lane at the time) there was a picnic area pulloff. I pulled in there and proceeded to rework the 'funnybook'. I noticed there was a 4 wheeler sitting at the back as I pulled in, occupied by what appeared to be a little ole lady. Anyway, I discovered I had to either rework the logbook (at that time we were still required to have 30 days in our possession) or just start another one showing previous seven days off. That was simplier, so just outside the jumpseat window was a garbage can, so down came the window and out went the 'old' logbook. I then proceeded to make a new one look right and after a few minutes, pulled out and headed for Shiprock. The scalemaster had me pull around and so I grabbed my paperwork, log included and headed inside. Just as I neared the entrance, I spotted what appeared to be, the 4 wheeler that had been sitting in the picnic area. I walked in, scalemaster started scanning my paperwork and about the time he got to the log, in walked this little old lady and she came up to me, 'were you the one parked in the picnic area just a few minutes back'? I acknowledged that I was, and she said, 'well, this fell out of your truck and I thought it might be important'.....and handed me the 'log' I had thrown out the passenger window towards the garbage can. The scale master asked to see it, and upon examination, he looked at me and said, 'well, well, which one of these should I believe"? 'I just looked at him, smiled, 'no comment'....he laughed and said, 'driver, with your luck I would suggest you get out the next time and make certain it goes into the garbage can'....I laughed, 'you're right, and believe me I will'! The little old lady was standing there, I thanked her with a grimace...and she departed. The scalemaster reminded me that he could nail me to the cross, read me the riot act for a few minutes, then gave me back the 'new log' book, saying he was going to discard the old one. I smiled, said, 'that's fine'. However, since it was one of those 'rare' unbelievable moments...he just gave me a warning ticket and told me to have a good day.....Moral of story, anytime you throw out old logbooks, make certain they are 'gone' in every sense of the word.......
Not certain, but this one may also be in the archives?
Years ago, I was coming south from Salt Lake - down 6, 191 and then over to Shiprock and 666. I had heard the DOT was checking paperwork at Shiprock, so between Monticello and Shiprock (a narrow two lane at the time) there was a picnic area pulloff. I pulled in there and proceeded to rework the 'funnybook'. I noticed there was a 4 wheeler sitting at the back as I pulled in, occupied by what appeared to be a little ole lady. Anyway, I discovered I had to either rework the logbook (at that time we were still required to have 30 days in our possession) or just start another one showing previous seven days off. That was simplier, so just outside the jumpseat window was a garbage can, so down came the window and out went the 'old' logbook. I then proceeded to make a new one look right and after a few minutes, pulled out and headed for Shiprock. The scalemaster had me pull around and so I grabbed my paperwork, log included and headed inside. Just as I neared the entrance, I spotted what appeared to be, the 4 wheeler that had been sitting in the picnic area. I walked in, scalemaster started scanning my paperwork and about the time he got to the log, in walked this little old lady and she came up to me, 'were you the one parked in the picnic area just a few minutes back'? I acknowledged that I was, and she said, 'well, this fell out of your truck and I thought it might be important'.....and handed me the 'log' I had thrown out the passenger window towards the garbage can. The scale master asked to see it, and upon examination, he looked at me and said, 'well, well, which one of these should I believe"? 'I just looked at him, smiled, 'no comment'....he laughed and said, 'driver, with your luck I would suggest you get out the next time and make certain it goes into the garbage can'....I laughed, 'you're right, and believe me I will'! The little old lady was standing there, I thanked her with a grimace...and she departed. The scalemaster reminded me that he could nail me to the cross, read me the riot act for a few minutes, then gave me back the 'new log' book, saying he was going to discard the old one. I smiled, said, 'that's fine'. However, since it was one of those 'rare' unbelievable moments...he just gave me a warning ticket and told me to have a good day.....Moral of story, anytime you throw out old logbooks, make certain they are 'gone' in every sense of the word.......
#270
magician_73 , 08-15-2004 12:32 AM
11,123 Doc and still climbing!!!!!
Do you think it will reach 20,000?
Do you think it will reach 20,000?
