The Trucking Lifestyle
We stay out on the road for six weeks at a time. We usually give our company a time frame within which they can work when we are ready to go home. Because of the area our home terminal is located (El Paso, TX), we generally cannot get out of the house (truck lingo for leaving our home terminal with a load) before Fridays. So, we schedule our times off so that we get to Irving, TX on Sundays. Our company usually has an extra El Paso, TX load that leaves every Sunday. This load takes us to our home terminal by Monday morning. Then, we usually spend 12 days at home. That is not the norm for our industry. The norm is one day of for every six to seven days out.
When we get home we have to take just about everything out of our truck in preparation for our twelve days at home. We’ve usually emptied our home of all perishables, so if we want to eat we need to put the food back. We take out all the dirty laundry, coffee decanter, cell phones, log books, trip note book, any medicines, clothes, shoes, computer, electrical cords, dogs, doggie medicines, etc. Then we clean the truck, both front and back. This usually takes us up to three hours. This same routine is repeated (except for the cleaning) when we get ready to leave. The only difference is that by the time we get ready to leave I’ve picked up an extra thing or two at the local grocers.
I have created several lists which help me to coordinate all of the taking out and putting back in, as well as last minute things that must be done before we leave our home. I have a list of items that must be taken out of the truck and I have a list of items that must be put back in the truck. Also, I have a list of things to take care of in preparation for leaving our home for six weeks at a time. The worst feeling in the world is when you find yourself hundreds of miles from home and you realize that you didn’t pack your toothbrush!
Being away from home for as long as we are leaves lots of stuff to get done when we do get home. My husband and I don’t have any children and we live in the boonies. So, there is no one we can rely on to take care of things around the house or to go get our mail. We use a different mailing address for our mail. It’s like a post office box, except that Fed Ex will deliver to that address. We usually have three to four bags of mail to collect. During the warmer months we spend much of our time working on things outside the house. You’d be surprised how fertile our dessert is!
Our families haven’t seen us in a while so all they want is a little of our time. We are glad to oblige them because we miss them so much while we are gone. We miss anniversaries, weddings, birthdays and baptisms. Then there is the doctor appointment that must be made. If we are delayed in getting home it’s like a domino effect. Everything has to be rescheduled or just plain missed.
In the trucking industry (at least in our experience), one of the hardest things to adjust to is how difficult it can be to actually get home. If we try and work around the timeframe our carrier provides we end up with a load that goes from Irving, TX to Phoenix, AZ. So, if we have a reason to get home on a different schedule we brace ourselves. We know that after six weeks out on the road we will have to bypass our house in order to get to our house. That is, if we’re lucky. We’ve deadheaded (truck lingo for pulling an empty trailer) on our dime. I must take a moment to say here that we are with one of the better carriers. If they can’t find us a load to get home and we have to deadhead they will usually cover our fuel costs.
I do a lot of cooking out on the road. That’s one of the reasons we moved into the bigger truck. It has the sink, counters and a convection oven. Now I can control the quality of foods going into our bodies. Whenever we find ourselves in one place for at least a day I go into super cook mode! I’ll cook several meals in advance and freeze them so that we can have healthy meals while we’re out on the road.
One of the things I really like about our current carrier is the other husband and wife teams that are also leased to them. In our entire career we have never met up with so many good people! It is so great to get together with them. We will all usually go out somewhere to share a meal. If we aren’t under a load we might go out for karaoke night or something equally fun. Sometimes we each cook a part of a meal and then get together in the break room and share it with each other. It is true that we run hard, but we play hard too! We are there for each other because we know what we have to deal with out here on the road. We are proud of who we are and what we do!
More to come …
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Hauling Air Freight
Charles and I have been hauling (truck lingo for pulling a trailer that is filled with - in this case - air freight) for almost four years. In air freight, you pick up freight from one airport and then, running your butt off, to deliver it to another airport. We don’t actually go into the terminals (well, actually, once we did), we go to the terminals conveniently located near the airports. Apparently, with all the changes to our airline industry lately it is much quicker than moving freight in a plane all the way. It must also be cheaper too. Although I must mention here that while we don’t get paid the big bucks, the customer is certainly charged the big bucks!
Hurry up and wait is exactly what hauling air freight is all about. You pick up your load at one terminal and are given a running time to get it to the next terminal. At our company, that running time averages out to around 55 mph. On the shorter runs the running time is even tighter, averaging out to around 57 to 58 mph. That doesn't leave you a lot of time to take care of your more humanly needs. We are lucky in that we have a truck with a sleeper that has a shower, bathroom, sink and refrigerator. We can get regular showers and, even though most of the time we do it while we are driving, we can also eat healthier. We purchased the kind of truck known as a "big house" for that very reason.
When we arrive at our destination, we may have another load waiting for us. We have run as much as 8,600 miles in one week. We have also run as little as 1,500 in a week. That is very bad for a team who can average out at 5,500 per week. Remember, for us revenue is based on how many miles we run. Our loads usually deliver early in the morning and don’t leave until either very late that same night or very early the next morning. As professionals we make sure that we have had the proper rest in order to get the job done. Sometimes that means trying to fall asleep in the middle of the day so that you don’t fall asleep in the middle of the night. That can really wreck havoc on your circadian rhythm. Charles and I try to work it so that he mostly works nights and I mostly work days. But, still, some days I start at 10 or 11 a.m. and some days I start as early as 1 or 2 a.m. and for him vice versa.
Sometimes I get upset at all the negativity that is directed to the truck drivers of America. After all, we haul the kind of things that Americans cannot live without. We haul everything from what you find at your local grocer to what you find at your local mall. We haul medical supplies. The list goes on and on. There is one saying that I am especially proud of: If you bought, it a truck brought it. I am very proud to be a truck driver. I am also very proud to be a business owner. My business cards say it all: Working for America – Coast to Coast.
While we as truck drivers need to do our part to help improve our image, there are also some things some of our carriers can do (but many choose not to) to help us as well. You can read about that in an article I wrote for Inside Trucking at: http://www.insidetruckingonline.com/IT/index.cfm. Also, go to http://driverhealth.org/DH/Archives.cfm and click on the July issue to see what a few of my friends and I are doing to bring about a positive and healthy change to our industry. As a flegling writer, I am proud to say that article was my very first opportunity to flex my pen. Thanks Driver Health!
I’ll keep you all posted on our adventures, so make sure to visit from time to time. In the mean time, take care and drive safely.
Charles and I have been hauling (truck lingo for pulling a trailer that is filled with - in this case - air freight) for almost four years. In air freight, you pick up freight from one airport and then, running your butt off, to deliver it to another airport. We don’t actually go into the terminals (well, actually, once we did), we go to the terminals conveniently located near the airports. Apparently, with all the changes to our airline industry lately it is much quicker than moving freight in a plane all the way. It must also be cheaper too. Although I must mention here that while we don’t get paid the big bucks, the customer is certainly charged the big bucks!
Hurry up and wait is exactly what hauling air freight is all about. You pick up your load at one terminal and are given a running time to get it to the next terminal. At our company, that running time averages out to around 55 mph. On the shorter runs the running time is even tighter, averaging out to around 57 to 58 mph. That doesn't leave you a lot of time to take care of your more humanly needs. We are lucky in that we have a truck with a sleeper that has a shower, bathroom, sink and refrigerator. We can get regular showers and, even though most of the time we do it while we are driving, we can also eat healthier. We purchased the kind of truck known as a "big house" for that very reason.
When we arrive at our destination, we may have another load waiting for us. We have run as much as 8,600 miles in one week. We have also run as little as 1,500 in a week. That is very bad for a team who can average out at 5,500 per week. Remember, for us revenue is based on how many miles we run. Our loads usually deliver early in the morning and don’t leave until either very late that same night or very early the next morning. As professionals we make sure that we have had the proper rest in order to get the job done. Sometimes that means trying to fall asleep in the middle of the day so that you don’t fall asleep in the middle of the night. That can really wreck havoc on your circadian rhythm. Charles and I try to work it so that he mostly works nights and I mostly work days. But, still, some days I start at 10 or 11 a.m. and some days I start as early as 1 or 2 a.m. and for him vice versa.
Sometimes I get upset at all the negativity that is directed to the truck drivers of America. After all, we haul the kind of things that Americans cannot live without. We haul everything from what you find at your local grocer to what you find at your local mall. We haul medical supplies. The list goes on and on. There is one saying that I am especially proud of: If you bought, it a truck brought it. I am very proud to be a truck driver. I am also very proud to be a business owner. My business cards say it all: Working for America – Coast to Coast.
While we as truck drivers need to do our part to help improve our image, there are also some things some of our carriers can do (but many choose not to) to help us as well. You can read about that in an article I wrote for Inside Trucking at: http://www.insidetruckingonline.com/IT/index.cfm. Also, go to http://driverhealth.org/DH/Archives.cfm and click on the July issue to see what a few of my friends and I are doing to bring about a positive and healthy change to our industry. As a flegling writer, I am proud to say that article was my very first opportunity to flex my pen. Thanks Driver Health!
I’ll keep you all posted on our adventures, so make sure to visit from time to time. In the mean time, take care and drive safely.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Travel Centers of America, the new breed of "Big Corporations"
Hubby and I want to send a shout out to Travel Centers of America. You know, nowadays, it seems as if the “big corporations” are only out for themselves. Oh sure, they talk the good talk, but when it really comes down to it they are only interested in one thing: M O N E Y. We’ve all experienced it out here on the road. We buy something only to have it go bad way past the 30 day period. Then, just try to get the item replaced or, better yet, just try and get your money back. I think three little letters says it all: you are SOL.
We are happy to have found out that is not the case with Travel Centers of America. Recently we went to one of their shops to get some work done. Unfortunately, in spite of everyone’s best efforts, it didn’t turn out the way we had hoped. We ended up with a very big problem on our hands. Our transmission was blown. So there we were, shut down in Abilene, Texas. We got a room at the Whitten Inn (a very nice little hotel by the way), rented a car and prepared ourselves to do battle with our truck’s manufacturer.
Along the way, while we were trying to get the manufacturer to fix a problem we thought they should fix, we also contacted the Travel Centers of America. We explained the problem and to our surprise, they were willing to work with us on our transmission problem. Mind you, we still hadn’t heard back from the truck manufacturer yet. But here was Travel Centers of America willing to step up and help us out all because that’s who they are!
As it turned out, the truck manufacturer agreed to replace our transmission at no cost to ourselves. But to us, the fact that Travel Centers of America was so quick to step up to the plate went a long way. Not only that, but even when they were “off the hook” so to speak, they even agreed to cover any expenses we incurred (hotel, car rental, etc.) while we were down. We just don’t know what to even think about that. It kind of messes up our whole mind set about the so called “big corporations.” Well, let us tell you, the Travel Centers of America aren’t your regular “big corporations.” They are a new breed of corporations who believe in corporate responsibility. It kind of makes our eyes water a little bit. Here we were all set to hate all “big corporations” and along comes a “big corporation” that gives us pause.
Way to go Travel Centers of America. You guys went out of your way for us and we want everyone to know about it! Thank you so very much for renewing our faith in your “big corporation.”
Hubby and I want to send a shout out to Travel Centers of America. You know, nowadays, it seems as if the “big corporations” are only out for themselves. Oh sure, they talk the good talk, but when it really comes down to it they are only interested in one thing: M O N E Y. We’ve all experienced it out here on the road. We buy something only to have it go bad way past the 30 day period. Then, just try to get the item replaced or, better yet, just try and get your money back. I think three little letters says it all: you are SOL.
We are happy to have found out that is not the case with Travel Centers of America. Recently we went to one of their shops to get some work done. Unfortunately, in spite of everyone’s best efforts, it didn’t turn out the way we had hoped. We ended up with a very big problem on our hands. Our transmission was blown. So there we were, shut down in Abilene, Texas. We got a room at the Whitten Inn (a very nice little hotel by the way), rented a car and prepared ourselves to do battle with our truck’s manufacturer.
Along the way, while we were trying to get the manufacturer to fix a problem we thought they should fix, we also contacted the Travel Centers of America. We explained the problem and to our surprise, they were willing to work with us on our transmission problem. Mind you, we still hadn’t heard back from the truck manufacturer yet. But here was Travel Centers of America willing to step up and help us out all because that’s who they are!
As it turned out, the truck manufacturer agreed to replace our transmission at no cost to ourselves. But to us, the fact that Travel Centers of America was so quick to step up to the plate went a long way. Not only that, but even when they were “off the hook” so to speak, they even agreed to cover any expenses we incurred (hotel, car rental, etc.) while we were down. We just don’t know what to even think about that. It kind of messes up our whole mind set about the so called “big corporations.” Well, let us tell you, the Travel Centers of America aren’t your regular “big corporations.” They are a new breed of corporations who believe in corporate responsibility. It kind of makes our eyes water a little bit. Here we were all set to hate all “big corporations” and along comes a “big corporation” that gives us pause.
Way to go Travel Centers of America. You guys went out of your way for us and we want everyone to know about it! Thank you so very much for renewing our faith in your “big corporation.”
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Bad Day Gone Good
I was having such a terrible day. I don’t know what it was, but I just had a bad attitude. I tried to keep it from hubby and other people, but I was just annoyed. Of course, on days like this, something is bound to go wrong. It might have something to do with all that bad karma I was carrying around with me, but I’m not sure.
We sprang some kind of a leak and thought it had something to do with our last oil change. We were in Glendale, KY, just coming up to exit 86. We knew there was a Petro at this exit so we decided to pull in there. Let me tell you, that Petro was busy as all get out. I just knew that we would have to wait and wait and wait. I pulled myself together and pretended to be patient. Then, I walked inside to see how long it would be before they could get us into a bay.
The manager, Scott Rye, was working the front desk along with his staff. It was crazy busy. Scott also had a new employee, Mike, who being new, naturally had lots of questions about the phones, the computer system and various questions he himself was being asked by various customers. I thought to myself, this is going to be absolutely hell. But, I had to get through it. That was all there was to it.
To my great surprise, Scott took a minute away from his multitasking (I have no idea where he found it) to talk with me about my issues. Mike wrote up my work order on the computer and then told me to pull into bay three. There was already a truck there, so I thought “great; now I have to wait for that darn truck to pull out before they can see my truck.” To my further surprise, out came Justin Hogue and Justin Perry and they looked at my truck. Within 45 minutes, we found out what was going on. It turned out that two hoses were rubbing against each other and a hole had been worn into one of the hoses thereby allowing fluid to leak out.
We were under a hot load and didn’t have the time to run over to Freightliner for the part we needed. Not a problem. Justin fixed it so that the hoses were unable to rub against each other. He then used duct tape to minimize the leak in the hose. We were charged a small fee and on the way we went. We were able to deliver our load on time and on our free time we took care of the leak.
I know that this doesn’t seem like a great deal, but we really appreciated how professional Scott and his team was that day. We highly recommend the Petro in Glendale, KY. The staff is friendly and can obviously handle all the stress involved with meeting the mechanical needs of their customers. Thank you so much Scott, Mile, Justin and Justin. You made a surly trucker’s day on that day!
I was having such a terrible day. I don’t know what it was, but I just had a bad attitude. I tried to keep it from hubby and other people, but I was just annoyed. Of course, on days like this, something is bound to go wrong. It might have something to do with all that bad karma I was carrying around with me, but I’m not sure.
We sprang some kind of a leak and thought it had something to do with our last oil change. We were in Glendale, KY, just coming up to exit 86. We knew there was a Petro at this exit so we decided to pull in there. Let me tell you, that Petro was busy as all get out. I just knew that we would have to wait and wait and wait. I pulled myself together and pretended to be patient. Then, I walked inside to see how long it would be before they could get us into a bay.
The manager, Scott Rye, was working the front desk along with his staff. It was crazy busy. Scott also had a new employee, Mike, who being new, naturally had lots of questions about the phones, the computer system and various questions he himself was being asked by various customers. I thought to myself, this is going to be absolutely hell. But, I had to get through it. That was all there was to it.
To my great surprise, Scott took a minute away from his multitasking (I have no idea where he found it) to talk with me about my issues. Mike wrote up my work order on the computer and then told me to pull into bay three. There was already a truck there, so I thought “great; now I have to wait for that darn truck to pull out before they can see my truck.” To my further surprise, out came Justin Hogue and Justin Perry and they looked at my truck. Within 45 minutes, we found out what was going on. It turned out that two hoses were rubbing against each other and a hole had been worn into one of the hoses thereby allowing fluid to leak out.
We were under a hot load and didn’t have the time to run over to Freightliner for the part we needed. Not a problem. Justin fixed it so that the hoses were unable to rub against each other. He then used duct tape to minimize the leak in the hose. We were charged a small fee and on the way we went. We were able to deliver our load on time and on our free time we took care of the leak.
I know that this doesn’t seem like a great deal, but we really appreciated how professional Scott and his team was that day. We highly recommend the Petro in Glendale, KY. The staff is friendly and can obviously handle all the stress involved with meeting the mechanical needs of their customers. Thank you so much Scott, Mile, Justin and Justin. You made a surly trucker’s day on that day!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Exercising on the Job
My colleague and friend Linda Caffee got me started on this exercise thing. It all began when our Trucking Solutions Group got together for our first face-to-face meeting at a conference in Denver, Colorado last year April. I got there on a Sunday and got a call from Linda who met me in the lobby of our hotel. Linda and I hit it off right away. She is so down to earth and friendly that I felt very comfortable around her. In fact, I was so comfortable that I forgot my aversion to exercise! I can still hear myself telling her that I would meet her in the exercise room the next morning at 5:00 a.m.
That first week was a great week. I found that even though we all (the Trucking Solutions Group) had our days full with the conference and also went out somewhere to eat every night, I was still eagerly looking forward to exercising in the morning. Another lady named Rose started coming down also (boy was she in great shape!) While we were exercising Linda, Rose and I talked about this and that and before you know it our time was up. I had heard that exercising gave you energy; well I guess that was how we made it through that activity filled week! But, the real test was whether I would continue on this exercise “thing” even when I didn’t have my role models around.
Those first few days at home were the hardest. Lucky for me, I am an early riser. I am usually up and at em around 5:00 a.m., so that part was easy. But, what I really and truly love to do while I’m at home is (drum roll please) NOTHING!!! So, getting my behind out of the house was a real challenge. I think that I called Linda at least a couple of times during that first week! I remember how long that half an hour was. Yes, you heard right, one half hour!
I have a song that I really like that goes back to the good old days. It’s called Planet Rock by Africa Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force and it has a really great beat. Well, back in the day, I use to cut the heck out of a rug so I used that song to pace myself. The song lasts for seven minutes and 34 seconds. I would listen to that song and also listen to some Annie Lennox (I know, quite a mix LOL) and do my walk. By the second week I had worked my way up to 45 minutes. By the third week (and also the week we were scheduled to go back out on the road) I had worked up to one hour and had also added a few twists.
The twists I added were as follows:
1. Two 2.5 pounds weights that I could velcro around my ankles, and
2. Two three pound barbell weights that I carried in my hands
I concentrated on my stride and on also working with the weights in my hands. In this way I could strengthen my legs as well as my arms. Now, the real trick would be how I could work it into my work schedule.
The first thing I had to do was to make exercising a priority! I try and walk in the early mornings or early evenings. That is when the temperature is most conducive to the exertion of walking. I don’t always have one hour so I will walk a half an hour if that is all the time I have. Sometimes I don’t even have that and I only walk for 20 minutes. The trick is to just do it! No excuses. Hubby and I haul air freight and our loads aren’t usually ready till late at night. We usually deliver early in the morning so that gives me the opportunity to walk at least three times a week and sometimes even four or five times a week.
I avoid exercising in the middle of the day. I did that once in New Orleans; big mistake! The humidity was terrible. I managed to get in a half hour, but it was hard. I don’t want to do anything that would make exercising distasteful and that would definitely accomplish that. I concentrate on the beauty of nature and sometimes I even bring my camera. I don’t always go for power walks. The other day we were in Seattle, Washington and I decided to take a leisurely walk around the neighborhood. Before you know it three hours had passed and I had walked five miles! I also got to meet some really nice people to boot!
We make sure and park a good distance from all services at truck stops or at our terminals. On the days when we are under the gun, I will usually get out and walk my dogs Sheba and Doodles during my shift. After I get them back in the truck I will make the time to do a quick power walk for about 15 minutes. We have yet to be late on a delivery!
I’m still developing my exercise routine, but for now this seems to work. I have worked my way up to six pounds around each ankle and two five pound barbells that I use to develop the muscles in my arms, shoulder and back. I know that it isn’t easy trying to keep in shape while we’re out on the road, but if you put your mind to it, it can be done. If the girl whose favorite activity is NOTHING can do it, so can you!
My colleague and friend Linda Caffee got me started on this exercise thing. It all began when our Trucking Solutions Group got together for our first face-to-face meeting at a conference in Denver, Colorado last year April. I got there on a Sunday and got a call from Linda who met me in the lobby of our hotel. Linda and I hit it off right away. She is so down to earth and friendly that I felt very comfortable around her. In fact, I was so comfortable that I forgot my aversion to exercise! I can still hear myself telling her that I would meet her in the exercise room the next morning at 5:00 a.m.
That first week was a great week. I found that even though we all (the Trucking Solutions Group) had our days full with the conference and also went out somewhere to eat every night, I was still eagerly looking forward to exercising in the morning. Another lady named Rose started coming down also (boy was she in great shape!) While we were exercising Linda, Rose and I talked about this and that and before you know it our time was up. I had heard that exercising gave you energy; well I guess that was how we made it through that activity filled week! But, the real test was whether I would continue on this exercise “thing” even when I didn’t have my role models around.
Those first few days at home were the hardest. Lucky for me, I am an early riser. I am usually up and at em around 5:00 a.m., so that part was easy. But, what I really and truly love to do while I’m at home is (drum roll please) NOTHING!!! So, getting my behind out of the house was a real challenge. I think that I called Linda at least a couple of times during that first week! I remember how long that half an hour was. Yes, you heard right, one half hour!
I have a song that I really like that goes back to the good old days. It’s called Planet Rock by Africa Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force and it has a really great beat. Well, back in the day, I use to cut the heck out of a rug so I used that song to pace myself. The song lasts for seven minutes and 34 seconds. I would listen to that song and also listen to some Annie Lennox (I know, quite a mix LOL) and do my walk. By the second week I had worked my way up to 45 minutes. By the third week (and also the week we were scheduled to go back out on the road) I had worked up to one hour and had also added a few twists.
The twists I added were as follows:
1. Two 2.5 pounds weights that I could velcro around my ankles, and
2. Two three pound barbell weights that I carried in my hands
I concentrated on my stride and on also working with the weights in my hands. In this way I could strengthen my legs as well as my arms. Now, the real trick would be how I could work it into my work schedule.
The first thing I had to do was to make exercising a priority! I try and walk in the early mornings or early evenings. That is when the temperature is most conducive to the exertion of walking. I don’t always have one hour so I will walk a half an hour if that is all the time I have. Sometimes I don’t even have that and I only walk for 20 minutes. The trick is to just do it! No excuses. Hubby and I haul air freight and our loads aren’t usually ready till late at night. We usually deliver early in the morning so that gives me the opportunity to walk at least three times a week and sometimes even four or five times a week.
I avoid exercising in the middle of the day. I did that once in New Orleans; big mistake! The humidity was terrible. I managed to get in a half hour, but it was hard. I don’t want to do anything that would make exercising distasteful and that would definitely accomplish that. I concentrate on the beauty of nature and sometimes I even bring my camera. I don’t always go for power walks. The other day we were in Seattle, Washington and I decided to take a leisurely walk around the neighborhood. Before you know it three hours had passed and I had walked five miles! I also got to meet some really nice people to boot!
We make sure and park a good distance from all services at truck stops or at our terminals. On the days when we are under the gun, I will usually get out and walk my dogs Sheba and Doodles during my shift. After I get them back in the truck I will make the time to do a quick power walk for about 15 minutes. We have yet to be late on a delivery!
I’m still developing my exercise routine, but for now this seems to work. I have worked my way up to six pounds around each ankle and two five pound barbells that I use to develop the muscles in my arms, shoulder and back. I know that it isn’t easy trying to keep in shape while we’re out on the road, but if you put your mind to it, it can be done. If the girl whose favorite activity is NOTHING can do it, so can you!
Communication 101 FOR The Leased Owner Operator
Your first opportunity to begin the communication process with your carrier begins before you even get to orientation. As a business owner, you are the one responsible for any and all information that is available to others about you and your business. It is critical that you get a copy of both your MVR and DAC reports before looking to lease on with any major carrier. The cost of the MVR varies from state to state. You can get one free copy of your DAC report annually. You can also get a free copy if you have been denied employment or terminated based on information contained in your DAC. If you want to request a copy of your DAC on line go to this site: http://www.hireright.com/Disputes/Report.aspx. Review your DAC very closely and make sure to correct any discrepancies prior to beginning your search for a carrier. For more information visit this website: http://www.usis.com/Consumers/default.aspx. Note that according the FMCSR 383.35(c) motor carriers are required to request a minimum of ten years worth of accurate employment history. For this reason, it is critical that the information, neatly supplied by you matches with the information supplied by DAC. You do not want the first impression you make on your carrier to be one of unpreparedness.
You should take the following information with you for your orientation:
1. Employment History (with accurate dates)
2. Copy of your MVR
3. Copy of your DAC
4. Driver’s License
5. List of any prescription drugs you are taking
6. Long Form Medical Card
7. References
Communication is more than what you say, although what you say is extremely important. Communication is also about the way you look and how you carry yourself. Your family knows how wonderful you are and so you don’t always have to look and be your best for them. Society has no idea about any of this. You have to show them. The first impression people get about us, even before we open our mouths, is when they see how we are dressed. That impression can often be cemented when we open our mouths. How you are dressed and what you say will determine not only how your carrier will view and treat you but also how you will be viewed and treated by society.
First of all, arrive on time. If you can’t make it to orientation on time how can you be counted on to make your deliveries on time? Pack a jacket instead of the usual hoodie. Bring a good pair of work boots instead of sneakers. Don’t wear a baseball cap to your orientation. Make sure that you arrive at orientation with clothes that are clean and pressed. Carry a briefcase with you where you can keep all of your own information as well as all the paperwork you will be receiving over the course of the orientation. Carry a notebook, pens, pencils, a ruler, a small stapler, paperclips and whiteout in your briefcase. Turn off your cell phone, or at least leave it on vibrate. Nothing shows lack of interest more than a person who accepts personal phone calls during orientation. Watch your language and do not use any profanity. Always keep in your mind that you are attending a professional function. Pay attention and don’t ask unnecessary questions. We’ve all been stuck in the orientation process with that one “special” person who just can’t get over the sound of their voice! Don’t be that person.
Remember that your truck will have to be inspected. Make sure to arrive with a clean truck both on the inside and on the outside. Take care of any mechanical issues before you arrive at orientation. Here is a list of some of the things you will need to bring with you relating to your truck:
1. Name, address and phone number of your lender (if you are still making payments on your truck).
2. Copy of the title to your truck (original title if you own your truck outright).
3. Copy of the Bill of Sale
4. Form 2290 Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (marked paid).
5. Proof of Insurance
6. Current DOT inspection
I cannot stress enough the importance of looking the part after orientation. Once you are actually leased on with your carrier, it is imperative that you continue to dress professionally. Don’t get too comfortable just because you made it through the orientation process. Never have any face-to-face communication with your carrier unless you have cleaned up and put on a clean set of clothing. It will level the playing field psychologically. I know that this can present some difficulties, but those difficulties are worth it if it allows your carrier to see you as a professional.
Here are some quick clean up ideas:
1. Baby wipes. These are good for a quick clean up but not for a deep down clean.
2. Comfort Personal Cleansing. These are pre-moistened washcloths that you warm up in the microwave. They can be found at Wal-Mart.
3. Premium Fresh’n Up Personal Washcloths. These are extra large and extra strong wipes. These can be used when baby wipes just will not do the job, but you do not enough time for a thorough cleansing.
4. ConvaTec Cleansing Foam. Also known as Aloe Vesta. It is “a high foaming, non-aerosol, ph-balanced cleanser for all over cleaning.” You can find this product at http://www.convatec.com. This is great for a deep down clean.
Finally, get to know the people within your carrier's organization before they get to know you. Find out a little about them. What are their names? What about their birthdays? Are they married? Do they have children? Who does what? If possible, try and get their e-mail addresses. They will truly serve you well down the road.
Always remember that you are a business owner and no longer an employee. The carrier you are leased to should be treated as your number one customer. Prepare customer satisfaction surveys and ask key members of your carrier’s organization to fill them out. A survey is good in three ways particularly: it’s a good tool to discover if you are providing the best service possible to your carrier; it’s a good tool to find out how you can improve the services you are already providing; and it also shows your carrier that you are willing to go the extra mile to maintain that professional relationship.
Some questions you could ask are as follows:
1. Does (name of your company) pick up your loads in a timely and expedient fashion fashion? Yes No Explanation_______________________________________________________
2. Does (name of your company) deliver your loads in a timely and expedient fashion?
Yes No Explanation_______________________________________________________
3. On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the highest) how satisfied are you with the services provided by (name of your company)._______________________________________________________
4. If you could make any improvements in the services offered by (name of your company) what would they be? _________________________________________________________________
Try and make it a point to drop by the office from time to time and share positive information with your carrier. The reason for a visit from you shouldn’t always be because you have a problem. In that way, should you actually have a problem they will be open to listening. Don’t forget to offer potential solutions to any problem areas you may have. Anyone can point out problems. It takes a professional to offer solutions. If you are with the right carrier, this will be appreciated and rewarded.
We just recently came through some very trying economic times. We saw many of our business associates fall by the way side. We will miss them greatly. We saw many well known companies close their doors. Many carriers were forced to make tough decisions and had to downsize their fleets accordingly. Freight was down and there were more trucks out there than there was available freight. Freight has still not come back to the levels they were once at and times are still very uncertain. We are not out of the woods just yet and only the strongest among us have survived. Some see these times as difficult times. I see these times as times of opportunity. Here is our opportunity to change how we are viewed by the public. Change starts with one small step. Let’s take that step together!
Happy trucking!
Your first opportunity to begin the communication process with your carrier begins before you even get to orientation. As a business owner, you are the one responsible for any and all information that is available to others about you and your business. It is critical that you get a copy of both your MVR and DAC reports before looking to lease on with any major carrier. The cost of the MVR varies from state to state. You can get one free copy of your DAC report annually. You can also get a free copy if you have been denied employment or terminated based on information contained in your DAC. If you want to request a copy of your DAC on line go to this site: http://www.hireright.com/Disputes/Report.aspx. Review your DAC very closely and make sure to correct any discrepancies prior to beginning your search for a carrier. For more information visit this website: http://www.usis.com/Consumers/default.aspx. Note that according the FMCSR 383.35(c) motor carriers are required to request a minimum of ten years worth of accurate employment history. For this reason, it is critical that the information, neatly supplied by you matches with the information supplied by DAC. You do not want the first impression you make on your carrier to be one of unpreparedness.
You should take the following information with you for your orientation:
1. Employment History (with accurate dates)
2. Copy of your MVR
3. Copy of your DAC
4. Driver’s License
5. List of any prescription drugs you are taking
6. Long Form Medical Card
7. References
Communication is more than what you say, although what you say is extremely important. Communication is also about the way you look and how you carry yourself. Your family knows how wonderful you are and so you don’t always have to look and be your best for them. Society has no idea about any of this. You have to show them. The first impression people get about us, even before we open our mouths, is when they see how we are dressed. That impression can often be cemented when we open our mouths. How you are dressed and what you say will determine not only how your carrier will view and treat you but also how you will be viewed and treated by society.
First of all, arrive on time. If you can’t make it to orientation on time how can you be counted on to make your deliveries on time? Pack a jacket instead of the usual hoodie. Bring a good pair of work boots instead of sneakers. Don’t wear a baseball cap to your orientation. Make sure that you arrive at orientation with clothes that are clean and pressed. Carry a briefcase with you where you can keep all of your own information as well as all the paperwork you will be receiving over the course of the orientation. Carry a notebook, pens, pencils, a ruler, a small stapler, paperclips and whiteout in your briefcase. Turn off your cell phone, or at least leave it on vibrate. Nothing shows lack of interest more than a person who accepts personal phone calls during orientation. Watch your language and do not use any profanity. Always keep in your mind that you are attending a professional function. Pay attention and don’t ask unnecessary questions. We’ve all been stuck in the orientation process with that one “special” person who just can’t get over the sound of their voice! Don’t be that person.
Remember that your truck will have to be inspected. Make sure to arrive with a clean truck both on the inside and on the outside. Take care of any mechanical issues before you arrive at orientation. Here is a list of some of the things you will need to bring with you relating to your truck:
1. Name, address and phone number of your lender (if you are still making payments on your truck).
2. Copy of the title to your truck (original title if you own your truck outright).
3. Copy of the Bill of Sale
4. Form 2290 Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (marked paid).
5. Proof of Insurance
6. Current DOT inspection
I cannot stress enough the importance of looking the part after orientation. Once you are actually leased on with your carrier, it is imperative that you continue to dress professionally. Don’t get too comfortable just because you made it through the orientation process. Never have any face-to-face communication with your carrier unless you have cleaned up and put on a clean set of clothing. It will level the playing field psychologically. I know that this can present some difficulties, but those difficulties are worth it if it allows your carrier to see you as a professional.
Here are some quick clean up ideas:
1. Baby wipes. These are good for a quick clean up but not for a deep down clean.
2. Comfort Personal Cleansing. These are pre-moistened washcloths that you warm up in the microwave. They can be found at Wal-Mart.
3. Premium Fresh’n Up Personal Washcloths. These are extra large and extra strong wipes. These can be used when baby wipes just will not do the job, but you do not enough time for a thorough cleansing.
4. ConvaTec Cleansing Foam. Also known as Aloe Vesta. It is “a high foaming, non-aerosol, ph-balanced cleanser for all over cleaning.” You can find this product at http://www.convatec.com. This is great for a deep down clean.
Finally, get to know the people within your carrier's organization before they get to know you. Find out a little about them. What are their names? What about their birthdays? Are they married? Do they have children? Who does what? If possible, try and get their e-mail addresses. They will truly serve you well down the road.
Always remember that you are a business owner and no longer an employee. The carrier you are leased to should be treated as your number one customer. Prepare customer satisfaction surveys and ask key members of your carrier’s organization to fill them out. A survey is good in three ways particularly: it’s a good tool to discover if you are providing the best service possible to your carrier; it’s a good tool to find out how you can improve the services you are already providing; and it also shows your carrier that you are willing to go the extra mile to maintain that professional relationship.
Some questions you could ask are as follows:
1. Does (name of your company) pick up your loads in a timely and expedient fashion fashion? Yes No Explanation_______________________________________________________
2. Does (name of your company) deliver your loads in a timely and expedient fashion?
Yes No Explanation_______________________________________________________
3. On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the highest) how satisfied are you with the services provided by (name of your company)._______________________________________________________
4. If you could make any improvements in the services offered by (name of your company) what would they be? _________________________________________________________________
Try and make it a point to drop by the office from time to time and share positive information with your carrier. The reason for a visit from you shouldn’t always be because you have a problem. In that way, should you actually have a problem they will be open to listening. Don’t forget to offer potential solutions to any problem areas you may have. Anyone can point out problems. It takes a professional to offer solutions. If you are with the right carrier, this will be appreciated and rewarded.
We just recently came through some very trying economic times. We saw many of our business associates fall by the way side. We will miss them greatly. We saw many well known companies close their doors. Many carriers were forced to make tough decisions and had to downsize their fleets accordingly. Freight was down and there were more trucks out there than there was available freight. Freight has still not come back to the levels they were once at and times are still very uncertain. We are not out of the woods just yet and only the strongest among us have survived. Some see these times as difficult times. I see these times as times of opportunity. Here is our opportunity to change how we are viewed by the public. Change starts with one small step. Let’s take that step together!
Happy trucking!
What Was I Thinking?
Charles and I have been married for 21 years come this November. He spent the first eight of those years trying to get me to learn how to drive a big rig. To understand how formidable his quest was you have to understand where I was when he began.
I had been a legal secretary for most of my adult life. I grew up in New York City and as an adult I lived in Stated Island. In short, I was a city girl. My dad was in the Air Force and as a child I split my time between wherever my dad was stationed and the lower east side of Manhattan. Whenever my dad went out on his isolated tours of duty my mom and I lived in Manhattan and I went to Catholic school.
I left home at an early age and survived by my wits. I knew that I needed to find work in order to survive so I went door to door looking for work. One day I found myself at a 24 hour diner. I really liked the feel of the place so I started going to this diner almost every evening. I wiled away my time after a fruitless day of looking for work by ordering the least expensive menu on their menu; Sanka coffee and toast.
One day, after I had been up for several days, I found myself at that diner again. It turned out that the people who owned that diner were first generation Greeks. We started talking to each other in Greek, me speaking broken Greek to their perfect Greek, and they ended up offering me a job. They taught me everything that I needed to work as a waitress at their diner. That was my first lucky break. I worked for them off and on for a few years and keep in touch with them to this day.
For a few years I bounced around doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Among my occupations were: carnie girl (I worked for the James E. Strait Traveling Carnival Show [I really did run away and join the circus LOL), bartender and dancer. During a lucid period of my young life I somehow managed to study for my GED, which I obtained when I was 20 years old. Also during this same lucid period, I taught myself how to type. When I got my typing speed up to 45 words per minute I talked my way into a position at a temp agency as a temporary clerical worker.
In time I was sent to a law firm to fill in for one of the secretaries who was going on vacation. The lady that I had filled in for was preparing to retire and liked me. They offered me her position and she taught me as much of what she knew as possible. I ended up staying at that law firm for two years. While working as a legal secretary I took a correspondence course and obtained my paralegal certificate. I guess you could say that I had all the makings of an old school truck driver from way back then: I am a self-taught person!
So, fast forward ten years: I was living in El Paso, Texas and married to a truck driver who began pestering me to learn how to drive a big rig almost from the very beginning of our marriage in 1989. When he first started his pestering I thought he had lost his mind. I’ll be honest with you: I was petrified to even sit on the seat in front of the steering wheel. And when he started that big old truck I just about jumped out of my skin.
Actually, what made me go to school to learn how to drive a truck wasn’t so much my husband’s gift of persuasion; it was the low wages I was earning in a border town. That is the reality of why I decided to become a truck driver. It was either starve or make some changes! I got sick and tired of earning a top hourly rate of $9.50 an hour! I knew that I would experience a drop in income by moving to El Paso, I just didn’t realize that it would be a 50% drop!
I was a two week wonder. I remember it like it was yesterday: there I was with my CDL in hand and someone was actually expecting me to drive! In my two weeks of experience I had only gone out on the highway three times: twice as part of a group of students and once during my test! The only thing that I really and truly remembered from the previous two weeks was: 13’6”, period. I think that I had only hooked up to a trailer maybe twice. That anyone could expect me to actually drive this thing was unbelievable to me! How my husband would actually consider trying to sleep behind me was another matter altogether!
Charles started me out real easy: I only drove four hour shifts. I can still remember being so scared that I barely turned my head from left to right. I held on to that steering wheel with a death grip! The first ticket I got was in (I think) Virginia. I had missed all the over head signs telling me about a scale up ahead. You see those signs were not on the side of the road where I could move my eyes to see them. Oh no, they were overhead hanging off the over pass. Well, how could anyone expect me to see those signs? After all, if I was too scared to move my head from left to right how in the heck would I be able to move it up or down? I remember asking Charles what I should do as the scale master was racing out of the scale house. His response: pull the hell over. He’s always been real gentle with me (as you can tell).
The next four years were a very interesting time for Charles and me. For the first time (and I am sure that some of you who have read some of my posts can feel my pain), I was not the boss. I had to rely on Charles for everything. My very life depended on making sure that I checked in with him. What a time. It was a real challenge. After putting up with his you know what for seven months I decided that I had had enough. Boy, he was surprised when I quit the company we worked at and signed on with Werner.
Apparently, Werner had a lot more confidence in my skills than my husband. It’s a wonder I didn’t kill myself in my short time with them. But I did accomplish one thing though: I actually learned how to drive that truck. You see, Charles was too protective (insert here that he had a strong belief that I would kill us both) of me and wouldn’t let me do anything more than basically hold the steering wheel. Under his tutelage I didn’t know how to back my truck and I didn’t know how to deal with anything else truck related except for holding the steering wheel. He’s an old school truck driver and, while he loved me as his wife, he had absolutely no respect for me as a truck driver. And why should he have? I wasn’t a truck driver; I was a steering wheel holder!
Werner set me loose in a Freightliner Classic on the east coast. They had a lot of confidence in me (insert here that they could care less if I lived or died) and just let me run wild! Boy oh boy did I learn how to drive a truck! I also learned how to deal with all my paperwork, how to read a map, how to plan my trips, the difference between north and south and east and west, how to load and unload, how to back that baby just about anywhere and last but not least, how to ask for help. It was a humbling experience.
I stayed with them for a few months until my husband asked me to come back and drive team with him again. After some thought (you know I didn’t even tell him how much I had missed him, right?) I said that I would even though it meant giving up my freedom (NOT). I hope he doesn’t read this. But in reality, I didn’t mind; I had proven my point. I didn’t want to be a steering wheel holder. I wanted to be a truck driver. And the love affair began anew. No, not with my husband, that never ended, with driving a truck! Having said that, I still consider myself a trainee because I still have so much to learn.
Charles and I have been married for 21 years come this November. He spent the first eight of those years trying to get me to learn how to drive a big rig. To understand how formidable his quest was you have to understand where I was when he began.
I had been a legal secretary for most of my adult life. I grew up in New York City and as an adult I lived in Stated Island. In short, I was a city girl. My dad was in the Air Force and as a child I split my time between wherever my dad was stationed and the lower east side of Manhattan. Whenever my dad went out on his isolated tours of duty my mom and I lived in Manhattan and I went to Catholic school.
I left home at an early age and survived by my wits. I knew that I needed to find work in order to survive so I went door to door looking for work. One day I found myself at a 24 hour diner. I really liked the feel of the place so I started going to this diner almost every evening. I wiled away my time after a fruitless day of looking for work by ordering the least expensive menu on their menu; Sanka coffee and toast.
One day, after I had been up for several days, I found myself at that diner again. It turned out that the people who owned that diner were first generation Greeks. We started talking to each other in Greek, me speaking broken Greek to their perfect Greek, and they ended up offering me a job. They taught me everything that I needed to work as a waitress at their diner. That was my first lucky break. I worked for them off and on for a few years and keep in touch with them to this day.
For a few years I bounced around doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Among my occupations were: carnie girl (I worked for the James E. Strait Traveling Carnival Show [I really did run away and join the circus LOL), bartender and dancer. During a lucid period of my young life I somehow managed to study for my GED, which I obtained when I was 20 years old. Also during this same lucid period, I taught myself how to type. When I got my typing speed up to 45 words per minute I talked my way into a position at a temp agency as a temporary clerical worker.
In time I was sent to a law firm to fill in for one of the secretaries who was going on vacation. The lady that I had filled in for was preparing to retire and liked me. They offered me her position and she taught me as much of what she knew as possible. I ended up staying at that law firm for two years. While working as a legal secretary I took a correspondence course and obtained my paralegal certificate. I guess you could say that I had all the makings of an old school truck driver from way back then: I am a self-taught person!
So, fast forward ten years: I was living in El Paso, Texas and married to a truck driver who began pestering me to learn how to drive a big rig almost from the very beginning of our marriage in 1989. When he first started his pestering I thought he had lost his mind. I’ll be honest with you: I was petrified to even sit on the seat in front of the steering wheel. And when he started that big old truck I just about jumped out of my skin.
Actually, what made me go to school to learn how to drive a truck wasn’t so much my husband’s gift of persuasion; it was the low wages I was earning in a border town. That is the reality of why I decided to become a truck driver. It was either starve or make some changes! I got sick and tired of earning a top hourly rate of $9.50 an hour! I knew that I would experience a drop in income by moving to El Paso, I just didn’t realize that it would be a 50% drop!
I was a two week wonder. I remember it like it was yesterday: there I was with my CDL in hand and someone was actually expecting me to drive! In my two weeks of experience I had only gone out on the highway three times: twice as part of a group of students and once during my test! The only thing that I really and truly remembered from the previous two weeks was: 13’6”, period. I think that I had only hooked up to a trailer maybe twice. That anyone could expect me to actually drive this thing was unbelievable to me! How my husband would actually consider trying to sleep behind me was another matter altogether!
Charles started me out real easy: I only drove four hour shifts. I can still remember being so scared that I barely turned my head from left to right. I held on to that steering wheel with a death grip! The first ticket I got was in (I think) Virginia. I had missed all the over head signs telling me about a scale up ahead. You see those signs were not on the side of the road where I could move my eyes to see them. Oh no, they were overhead hanging off the over pass. Well, how could anyone expect me to see those signs? After all, if I was too scared to move my head from left to right how in the heck would I be able to move it up or down? I remember asking Charles what I should do as the scale master was racing out of the scale house. His response: pull the hell over. He’s always been real gentle with me (as you can tell).
The next four years were a very interesting time for Charles and me. For the first time (and I am sure that some of you who have read some of my posts can feel my pain), I was not the boss. I had to rely on Charles for everything. My very life depended on making sure that I checked in with him. What a time. It was a real challenge. After putting up with his you know what for seven months I decided that I had had enough. Boy, he was surprised when I quit the company we worked at and signed on with Werner.
Apparently, Werner had a lot more confidence in my skills than my husband. It’s a wonder I didn’t kill myself in my short time with them. But I did accomplish one thing though: I actually learned how to drive that truck. You see, Charles was too protective (insert here that he had a strong belief that I would kill us both) of me and wouldn’t let me do anything more than basically hold the steering wheel. Under his tutelage I didn’t know how to back my truck and I didn’t know how to deal with anything else truck related except for holding the steering wheel. He’s an old school truck driver and, while he loved me as his wife, he had absolutely no respect for me as a truck driver. And why should he have? I wasn’t a truck driver; I was a steering wheel holder!
Werner set me loose in a Freightliner Classic on the east coast. They had a lot of confidence in me (insert here that they could care less if I lived or died) and just let me run wild! Boy oh boy did I learn how to drive a truck! I also learned how to deal with all my paperwork, how to read a map, how to plan my trips, the difference between north and south and east and west, how to load and unload, how to back that baby just about anywhere and last but not least, how to ask for help. It was a humbling experience.
I stayed with them for a few months until my husband asked me to come back and drive team with him again. After some thought (you know I didn’t even tell him how much I had missed him, right?) I said that I would even though it meant giving up my freedom (NOT). I hope he doesn’t read this. But in reality, I didn’t mind; I had proven my point. I didn’t want to be a steering wheel holder. I wanted to be a truck driver. And the love affair began anew. No, not with my husband, that never ended, with driving a truck! Having said that, I still consider myself a trainee because I still have so much to learn.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Well, we're home for a day and a half. There is so much to do. Yesterday I stopped by the post office, went to wally world, dropped by my in-law's house to see my grandniece and nephew, came home and went through the mail. Today I've finalized an article I'm working on, plan on going to see my CPA and then visiting my mom. After that, I plan on finalizing a report I'm working on, and then I have to clean up the truck and put stuff back in. I'm kind of looking forward to getting back in the truck and just driving.
It's been four months, three weeks and one day since my last cigarette. So far I've saved $798 and have not smoked 3,550 cigarettes. I have added one week, five days and seven hours to my life. Let me tell you, it has not been easy. You truly have to make a DECISION! I still get urgings. As a matter of fact yesterday was a particularly bad one. When I talk to my friends who have quit smoking years ago they tell me that they still get urgings maybe once or twice a year. So, I guess this is normal.
I try and exercise three to four times a week, but sometimes I can only do it once a week. Hubby and I haul air freight and it's go, go, go. I carry weights in the truck so when I can't go out for a walk I use the five pound weights to work out my upper body and the ten pound leg wraps to work out my legs. I've been watching what I eat and have gone on the South Beach diet. I am in week three and have started adding back five grams of carbs a day. I don't really keep track of my weight, but I have noticed that I am fitting into my size 10 jeans a little more comfortably.
On another note, hubby did not stick with it. He never smoked cigarettes, smoking cigars instead. He claims that he doesn't inhale, but who know. At any rate, he doesn't smoke in the house or the truck. I think that he is secretly amazed that I've come so far. In the past I never made it past a month. Hopefully, I can serve as an example for him.
I try and exercise three to four times a week, but sometimes I can only do it once a week. Hubby and I haul air freight and it's go, go, go. I carry weights in the truck so when I can't go out for a walk I use the five pound weights to work out my upper body and the ten pound leg wraps to work out my legs. I've been watching what I eat and have gone on the South Beach diet. I am in week three and have started adding back five grams of carbs a day. I don't really keep track of my weight, but I have noticed that I am fitting into my size 10 jeans a little more comfortably.
On another note, hubby did not stick with it. He never smoked cigarettes, smoking cigars instead. He claims that he doesn't inhale, but who know. At any rate, he doesn't smoke in the house or the truck. I think that he is secretly amazed that I've come so far. In the past I never made it past a month. Hopefully, I can serve as an example for him.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Day 6 of not smoking.
I don't know what it is about quitting, but all I want to do is eat! I've been in the freezer just thinking about what I can cook to eat. I'm not even hungry. Go figure. But, I am determined not to smoke. I think that I'll switch to the Southbeach diet. We've done it before and as a matter of fact, hubby lost 50 pounds on this diet. I'm sure that without being on this diet I'll gain about 10 to 15 pounds, but why go through that?
I was listening to CNN this morning and I heard that there is one bad side effect of quitting smoking: you can eat so much that you become obese and then you develop diabetes. Well, I'd rather get diabetes than lung cancer. I can work with diabetes, I don't think I can work with not breathing! But damn, all I want to do is eat! By the way, I haven't cooked anything either, but I have been looking at my Joy of Cooking cookbook.
I don't know what it is about quitting, but all I want to do is eat! I've been in the freezer just thinking about what I can cook to eat. I'm not even hungry. Go figure. But, I am determined not to smoke. I think that I'll switch to the Southbeach diet. We've done it before and as a matter of fact, hubby lost 50 pounds on this diet. I'm sure that without being on this diet I'll gain about 10 to 15 pounds, but why go through that?
I was listening to CNN this morning and I heard that there is one bad side effect of quitting smoking: you can eat so much that you become obese and then you develop diabetes. Well, I'd rather get diabetes than lung cancer. I can work with diabetes, I don't think I can work with not breathing! But damn, all I want to do is eat! By the way, I haven't cooked anything either, but I have been looking at my Joy of Cooking cookbook.
Friday, January 08, 2010
I wonder how many of us became owner operators because we were tired of all the crap we had to put up with when we were company drivers? I used to think that being an owner operator would be a piece of cake. With my background and after spending almost nine years as a company driver I was sick and tired of always having to do what the company told me, to go where they told me, to take only the amount of time off that they allowed me, etc. I thought that I would become an owner operator and I could go wherever I wanted to go, do whatever I wanted to do and take as much time off as I pleased. What I dreamer I was.
So, I did my homework that last year that I was a company driver. I tracked everything from where we went to how much fuel we used. I talked to hundreds of other owner operators and picked their brains. I created various spreadsheets that would help us track everything from what our actual revenue was to how many gallons per mile we used. I found all kinds of informative websites on running your own trucking business. I could tell you what our costs were on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis. Finally, in March of 2006 we felt we were ready and we took the plunge; we purchased our first truck.
We finally moved to our current company and it was one of the best moves we ever made. This company is 100% owner operator and is non-forced dispatch. For the first year I carried my old point of view over into my business practices as an owner operator. We would refuse loads going to places we didn’t want to go to and we would take as much time off as we wanted. It didn’t matter to us that our time off fell on high volume freight days. We felt that it was our truck that we were paying for so we had that freedom. In truth, we did. It was our truck and we were paying all the bills. In short, we were developing a bad attitude.
We finally got it right in time for 2009 which, by all accounts, was not a good year for the trucking industry. There was not enough freight and too many trucks. Trucking companies were failing left and right! The small solo operations were hit even harder. Thanks to our view of our business and our relationship with our carrier, for us it was a good year.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
1/8/10 Day four of not smoking.
Have changed from drinking coffee to drinking tea. It helps that I caught a bad cold while hanging out with my nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grand nephews over the holidays. This is the first cold of my adult life that I have not forced myself to smoke through! Still get urges that go something like this: I'm doing something and the thought runs across my mind that as soon as I finish this I can sit down and have a smoke. Then I remember that I stopped and it doesn't feel bad at all. If the urge is really strong I chew a nicorett gum. I'm using 2mg as opposed to the 4mg. I want to get through this successfully, but I don't want to drag it out.
I have increased my walk time from one hour to an hour and a half. I'm trying to compensate for my insatiable appetite. As God is my witness (in the words of my favorite big screen heroine Scarlet O'Hara) I will not be fat! I have been eating healthy. Lots of whole wheat, fruits, fresh raw vegetables, chicken breasts, fish and on rare occasions, lean red meat. We're going out on the road tonight and I've prepared lots of healthy snacks for us along those lines. I purchased one of those vacuume sealers that I will use to keep things fresh.
We're finally leaving the house after a long holiday break tonight. My next big challenge will be not smoking during my shift. I will overcome that challenge and share my experiences here on this blog.
Okay, that's all for now.
The first day of not smoking.
We've finally stopped smoking. I know that it's awfully optimistic of me considering that I have tried to stop quite a few times over the last two years, but I think that optimism is necessary in this case. I can't believe how hard it is to quit. Can you believe that this stuff is legal? I had an easier time quitting contraband (no, I won't spill my guts as this stuff stays on the web FOREVER LOL).
In the past, when I have quit, I have quit on my own and hubby kept at it (he smokes cigars and while he claims he doesn't inhale, I live with the guy and know better). This time we are doing it together. I have a good feeling about this time!
I smoked my last cigarette last night at I don't remember what time. Here lately though smoking wasn't as enjoyable as it once was oh so long ago. Even that last cigarette was smoked simply to feed the beast. It makes me feel like a hostage. As I inhaled the last of that cigarette all I felt was relief that I was finally on my way to being free.
There are so many hindrances to smoking these days. For one thing, while I don't believe all the dangers attributed to secondhand smoke, it doesn't really matter because everyone else does. When someone comes to my house who is not a smoker I always wonder how my house smells to them. To me I don't notice any smell, but I know from past experience with quitting that there definately is a smell. And let me tell you, it is no picnic having to go outside in subzero temperture to feed the beast! While I'm out there feeling like an adict I wonder why I'm putting myself through that.
I hate that deep need of wanting a smoke after every meal. I mean what's up with that? On a positive note, I really look forward to being able to actually taste my food. I guess I'm going to have to really ramp up that exercise schedule.
The cost of cigarettes has become prohibitive. Here where we live in the southwest it costs $54 a carton, that's just for ten packs. In other areas it costs upwards of $70 to $80 dollars and in other areas it costs a little less. If a carton lasts me for ten days and we have 365 days in the year that means that I am spending $1,971 for cigaretts (on average) each year. That price doesn't include those times when I run out of cigarettes and have to pay a per pack price. Times that by the money my hubby spends: one double pack of Blackstone Cherry (five cigars in each pack) costs an average of $7 each and he smokes at least one pack a day. Times that by 365 and he spends about $2,555 per year. Our grand total for smokes a year is $4,526!!! Believe me, these numbers are understated. Sometimes hubby smokes two or even three packs of cigars a day when we are out on the road. Sometimes I smoke a pack and a half! So, we are potentially looking at saving over $5,000 a year by quitting. I'm motivated!
I always feel bad when people bring little children and babies to our home especially if those people don't smoke. I've always been a polite smoker, but it is really a hassle having to go outside of my own home to smoke at those times.
On waking up this morning, my first thought: damn I'm not smoking! What an addiction! My hope is that by publicizing our progress it will serve as a motivational tool not only for us, but for others thinking about quitting.
Well, we're on our way and we can do it!
Have changed from drinking coffee to drinking tea. It helps that I caught a bad cold while hanging out with my nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grand nephews over the holidays. This is the first cold of my adult life that I have not forced myself to smoke through! Still get urges that go something like this: I'm doing something and the thought runs across my mind that as soon as I finish this I can sit down and have a smoke. Then I remember that I stopped and it doesn't feel bad at all. If the urge is really strong I chew a nicorett gum. I'm using 2mg as opposed to the 4mg. I want to get through this successfully, but I don't want to drag it out.
I have increased my walk time from one hour to an hour and a half. I'm trying to compensate for my insatiable appetite. As God is my witness (in the words of my favorite big screen heroine Scarlet O'Hara) I will not be fat! I have been eating healthy. Lots of whole wheat, fruits, fresh raw vegetables, chicken breasts, fish and on rare occasions, lean red meat. We're going out on the road tonight and I've prepared lots of healthy snacks for us along those lines. I purchased one of those vacuume sealers that I will use to keep things fresh.
We're finally leaving the house after a long holiday break tonight. My next big challenge will be not smoking during my shift. I will overcome that challenge and share my experiences here on this blog.
Okay, that's all for now.
The first day of not smoking.
We've finally stopped smoking. I know that it's awfully optimistic of me considering that I have tried to stop quite a few times over the last two years, but I think that optimism is necessary in this case. I can't believe how hard it is to quit. Can you believe that this stuff is legal? I had an easier time quitting contraband (no, I won't spill my guts as this stuff stays on the web FOREVER LOL).
In the past, when I have quit, I have quit on my own and hubby kept at it (he smokes cigars and while he claims he doesn't inhale, I live with the guy and know better). This time we are doing it together. I have a good feeling about this time!
I smoked my last cigarette last night at I don't remember what time. Here lately though smoking wasn't as enjoyable as it once was oh so long ago. Even that last cigarette was smoked simply to feed the beast. It makes me feel like a hostage. As I inhaled the last of that cigarette all I felt was relief that I was finally on my way to being free.
There are so many hindrances to smoking these days. For one thing, while I don't believe all the dangers attributed to secondhand smoke, it doesn't really matter because everyone else does. When someone comes to my house who is not a smoker I always wonder how my house smells to them. To me I don't notice any smell, but I know from past experience with quitting that there definately is a smell. And let me tell you, it is no picnic having to go outside in subzero temperture to feed the beast! While I'm out there feeling like an adict I wonder why I'm putting myself through that.
I hate that deep need of wanting a smoke after every meal. I mean what's up with that? On a positive note, I really look forward to being able to actually taste my food. I guess I'm going to have to really ramp up that exercise schedule.
The cost of cigarettes has become prohibitive. Here where we live in the southwest it costs $54 a carton, that's just for ten packs. In other areas it costs upwards of $70 to $80 dollars and in other areas it costs a little less. If a carton lasts me for ten days and we have 365 days in the year that means that I am spending $1,971 for cigaretts (on average) each year. That price doesn't include those times when I run out of cigarettes and have to pay a per pack price. Times that by the money my hubby spends: one double pack of Blackstone Cherry (five cigars in each pack) costs an average of $7 each and he smokes at least one pack a day. Times that by 365 and he spends about $2,555 per year. Our grand total for smokes a year is $4,526!!! Believe me, these numbers are understated. Sometimes hubby smokes two or even three packs of cigars a day when we are out on the road. Sometimes I smoke a pack and a half! So, we are potentially looking at saving over $5,000 a year by quitting. I'm motivated!
I always feel bad when people bring little children and babies to our home especially if those people don't smoke. I've always been a polite smoker, but it is really a hassle having to go outside of my own home to smoke at those times.
On waking up this morning, my first thought: damn I'm not smoking! What an addiction! My hope is that by publicizing our progress it will serve as a motivational tool not only for us, but for others thinking about quitting.
Well, we're on our way and we can do it!
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