Trucking USA

Sometimes, out of the blue, I will remember something special that happened while I was out there driving all 48 states.
How many times, we find ourselves sitting in a 3 mile backup, while a wreck is cleaned up, up ahead.
On this particular trip, I happened to have my grandson and daughter with me. Ahead of [...]

I’m retired now but I haven’t forgotten. Just yesterday, as I drove home, I noticed yet another wreck on the interstate.
About 100′ in front of a smashed car, there sat a big truck on the side. Then I saw the car. Where was the most damage? Driver’s side nose. Now how do you suppose that [...]

Have I already done this one?

I know. They not only can be a nuisance, they can kill us and act like they never saw us. I know, I know.
It’s easy for me to say, sitting here looking at my laptop, but I’ll say it anyway. Don’t lose your cool.
For Mr. 4 Wheeler to swoop in front on you, [...]

I’ve been there and I know what you go through. Dispatchers tend to pretend they don’t know the law or worse-could care less for your life.
Let’s put you in a situation. Let’s say you’re coming out of Sacramento and you see the signs ahead ‘chains required’. You don’t know yet, what the real conditions are [...]

I’ll have to admit, I’ve spent nights in some pretty unsavory places. Sometimes, my family with me and my daughter staring nervously into the mirrors to make sure nobody was messing with the trailer.
Of course, I’ve also spent the night in a huge truck stop where my fuel level miraculously went down, while I [...]

On cdlofit.ning.com I had to stop the emails from notifying me of new replies. Someone started a blog about catching a guy taking a piss near the entrance to the truckstop and it started a fire storm.
What a subject and for sure, everyone has an opinion – mostly good.
It truly is hard to take care [...]

I don’t care if you’re company, lease driver or O.O., you will either find yourself living by a set of rules or you will fail as a long haul driver.
Just like at home, if you live over your budget, you will go without for a few days to make up for it. The same on [...]

When I first started out in trucking, I had hair down to my butt. Don’t you know, when I stopped to shower, it took me over an hour because of tending to that hair.
It wasn’t long before I decided, that for the convenience on the road, I cut my hair short. Having naturally curly hair, [...]

Especially if you are new to the industry. This writing is in the hopes of keeping women safe on the road.
First, let me say that if there’s any way for you to go it solo, you’re better off. Even if it’s scary, at first.
I do realize that even if you plan to drive solo, you [...]

Over 1200 drivers were stranded all over the U.S. They woke up one morning to a phone call from the home office telling them to take their trucks to the nearest dealership. In exchange, they were to receive $200 to get them home.
Now I want you folks to think about that one. First, when a [...]

This is for all the stranded Arrow drivers. There is a massive move to help you folks get home. There is also the beginnings of a collection to be presented to the most needy of the bunch. More news on that, later.
Right now you can sign on to these sites and find help from other [...]

Back in the day, we ran convoy as often as possible. That is to say, the ‘garbage haulers’ as they used to call us. Hauling fresh produce from CA to NY. I guess they called it ‘garbage hauler’ because in the old days, it wasn’t a refrigerated unit, it was ice and re-ice across the [...]

Guys have their secrets. So do the ladies.
Eating on the road is expensive and, in the winter, exposes you to all the more germs floating around in the air. I was deathly sick, once, while out on a run and from that day on, I did everything in my power to keep from being exposed. [...]

Before you go spending your own money, apply for a pell grant. More people qualify for that, than you might think.
That is, of course, if you plan to go to one of the independent schools. Personally, I think it best to attend the school where you plan to work. Many of the large company’s offer [...]