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DMiller 
Orange Level Access
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
Points: 31070
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 Topic: Still Driving for a paycheck,
Posted: 21 Sep 2024 at 1:14pm |
For Now. Seems this last week was a BAD Marker in the check box lists, started off iffy on Monday, moved to the fourth Monday of Thursday where a Clay Barge was docked up this week but was NOT due until NEXT Month, still loaded it out and ran hard to get that load set for it. Then Friday came, supposed to be a little more slack as the barge fully loaded and was gone Down River Thursday evening. Take off from yard to get to clay pit around sunup, start off a early day to get off early. Cross MO River Bridge and a Ford Pickup decides on the Loutre River Causeway to Pass headed South, only 60 ft of passing zone then swaps to Double yellow where he was well into that as I was Slowing to keep from nose diving.
Next Up, second Full Load headed S to Sand Plant, just crossed Bear Creek on Hwy 19, see one of my Cohorts heading around a bend and a few cars in front of him, where the one directly in front of Him decided to pass TWO in front of him, and ME a half mile to all the above, That one was closer than wanted to get. Next round, turn and headed back N., this time car coming South at Big Spring gets passed at Hwy Y, Coming AT me at whatever speed he had and me slowing from 57mph, he also cleared but not by much. Cohort passed with Hand partially covering face, He KNEW that guy was DEAD he told me later!
So by now my Sphincter is TIRED of Grabbing the Seat Cushion and I manage to get to the fourth load turn and as dropped that head N again, this time as approach Hwy Y is a Bronze Jeep, see it come to the stop at Y and 19, DRIVER NOT ONCE Glanced to my direction and KNEW, just KNEW was going to pull out and Did PAINFULLY SLOWLY, already on Brakes and laid into air Horn as within eight to ten car lengths at 53mph, KNOW going to cream him as coming into a sweeper corner, He does NOT Speed up, pulls HALFWAY onto Shoulder and STOPS!! By now I am in Cardiac Know I've killed two people with horn STILL Blaring, No traffic from N so swing to that lane and Miss these idiots.
Death Wish Friday was over with fifth load, went to yard at 2:15, washed truck and parked it, SO DONE for the day. Really getting tough to turn the key these days. Enjoy the extra Income and the work MOST of The TIME, not Yesterday.
Edited by DMiller - 21 Sep 2024 at 1:17pm
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steve(ill)
Orange Level Access
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
Points: 81140
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Posted: 21 Sep 2024 at 3:39pm |
your a gluton for punishment... I retired 5 years ago and never looked back. I got plenty to do around the house to keep me busy... if i WANT to... No schedule to start or stop.
Best thing is the monthly gasoline bill has gone WAY DOWN without the TRAVEL !
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Hubert (Ga)engine7
Orange Level
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Jackson Cnty,GA
Points: 6291
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Posted: 21 Sep 2024 at 6:05pm |
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Hard to believe that there are so many idiots out there on the roads. Do they not realize that a large truck can not stop on a dime and in any collision they will lose. Then they or their family will call Dewey, Cheatham & Howe wanting a big settlement. Glad I am not driving fire engines and med units anymore.
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Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God.
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DMiller
Orange Level Access
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
Points: 31070
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Posted: 21 Sep 2024 at 6:16pm |
Been several Ambulance disasters of note nearby, cars not getting out of way, pull outs from side roads on a E Call, Cars are At fault. Then this, one of the Company Local trash packers, Heil 5000 Series, ALL the Magic Lights, Reflectors, STARK White, Middle of day and 18 year old plowed into rear at speed, not ever touched the brakes. This Kicker bar for 2-5 yard tipper Dumpsters is supposed to be Straight. Is NOT light, as well caved in rear hopper on End Gate, Unusable as a packer, New gate is Ordered as ONLY way Heil can repair and make functional. My size 14. Estimate of Speed over 50, Cell Phone made hell of a dent in dash as left his hand on impact. Call has been documented and his Insurer paying tab.
Kid broke his Femur in TWO places and fractured his Pelvis, other cuts/bruises but survived. Shagger that was Step Hopping at rear right side jumped as saw it coming even as truck was Stopped. Moved truck forward 5 feet.
Edited by DMiller - 21 Sep 2024 at 6:18pm
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klinemar
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Points: 8002
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Posted: 21 Sep 2024 at 6:19pm |
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What you described is why I quit driving truck!
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DMiller
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
Points: 31070
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Posted: 21 Sep 2024 at 6:29pm |
Figuring to make it thru the last of the Barge Loads I agreed to with the Company boss, Re-retire, and give it up except my Own Machines HERE. Still camper shopping. Should we Find ONE, will be after November and fully retired once again, will NOT look back next round.
Found one, became a Bidding war and backed away. Large Volume RV sales yards are pushing Higher Pricing but the units sit, aging on yards and still NO Discounts, so they can eat them for all I care. The one we thought had was a 3 Horse, Minimal Use NICE Living Quarters 38' goose hitch, Ramp at rear 8' wide 7'6" internal height, nicer appointments and only 8 years old, 12' Shortwall Inside length, Stored IN a Stable Building in KY. Started at $42,500, by the time the Others spotted it, went to OVER $60, I walked away. Closest been to Happy new Owner so far. Pop's RV has sent me a number of prospects, NOT accepting offers and all were $10-15k OVER Market Bluebook, turned my back. |
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PaulB
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Rocky Ridge Md
Points: 4736
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Posted: 22 Sep 2024 at 10:05am |
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I enjoyed the 40+ years of driving, the 40+ years of dealing with idiots as you describe, not so much. One day while delivering to the same location with the company owner just outside of D.C. I was showing the boss views from the dashcam. I told him this it why I will RETIRE as soon as I meet the age requirement. One day while loading at LEHIGH Cement another driver wanted to make a bet that I'd be back working for Charlie in less than 6 months. I told him he would surely lose that bet. That was nearly 5 years ago now and I've never been more happy and relaxed.
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If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere.
Real pullers don't have speed limits.
If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY
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DMiller
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
Points: 31070
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Posted: 22 Sep 2024 at 12:06pm |
Got a line on Two possibly three more LQ Trailers, (2)Elko MN and (1)Manchester TN. Pricing close for both but both UNDER $40k Three Horse Bison units, clean, older but workable. Both been sitting awhile so will try to take a drive and see what gives to one or Both. 7 hrs Manchester, 8+hrs Elko.
Either will require a Add In generator, typical smaller RV style is close to a Grand, both are prewired to attach.
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Ray54
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Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Location: Paso Robles, Ca
Points: 4524
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Posted: 22 Sep 2024 at 5:25pm |
 DMiller wrote:
Been several Ambulance disasters of note nearby, cars not getting out of way, pull outs from side roads on a E Call, Cars are At fault.Then this, one of the Company Local trash packers, Heil 5000 Series, ALL the Magic Lights, Reflectors, STARK White, Middle of day and 18 year old plowed into rear at speed, not ever touched the brakes. This Kicker bar for 2-5 yard tipper Dumpsters is supposed to be Straight. Is NOT light, as well caved in rear hopper on End Gate, Unusable as a packer, New gate is Ordered as ONLY way Heil can repair and make functional. My size 14. Estimate of Speed over 50, Cell Phone made hell of a dent in dash as left his hand on impact. Call has been documented and his Insurer paying tab.
Kid broke his Femur in TWO places and fractured his Pelvis, other cuts/bruises but survived. Shagger that was Step Hopping at rear right side jumped as saw it coming even as truck was Stopped. Moved truck forward 5 feet.
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Nothing new there my wife lost 2 high school class mates to the back end of garbage trucks about 40 years ago. It was 2 sperate accidents.
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