Carcass

When I worked for Covenant Transport out of Chattanooga, TN., there was one thing that really bothered me.  They had a policy that stated that drivers had to bring back a tire carcass to a terminal if they had a tire replaced on the road.  If the driver didn't do that, they would then charge the driver $300 for a new tire.

Even I had this happen to me.  I actually had two tires die on me while driving out on the road.  I had to bring those tires to a terminal, and get a receipt for two dead tires.  Actually, they had me drive empty from Atlanta to Chattanooga to drop off those two tire carcasses. 

Why they have this policy in place I have no idea.  I burned up $100 in diesel just to drop off dead tires.  When tires are repaired at a T.A. or Petro, they take digital pictures of the tires and send them to the breakdown department at Covenant.  That way, breakdown can make sure the repairs are necessary, and okay them at that moment.  So why would I need to bring in the tire carcasses?

It got me to thinking... (Note: While driving I have a bunch of time to think.  A dangerous habit, I know.)  What if I hit a deer?  Would I need to bring in a deer carcass?

(In all fairness, I wasn't going to show a real deer carcass.  That would just be awful.)

This would lead to all sorts of odd questions.

1.  How much of the carcass would I need to bring in?
2.  Would a head be okay, or would I need to bring the whole thing in?
3.  Is it okay if I field dress (gut) it before I bring it in?
4.  Can I come in soon?  The buzzards keep following me down the interstate.
5.  It's summer.  This thing is really starting to smell.
6.  It's winter.  This thing is frozen to the back of the truck.
7.  Actually, where would I put it?  I have a tire rack on the back of the semi, but should I just strap the deer to the hood?
8.  If I hit the deer in one state, am I allowed to cross state lines with a dead deer?
9.  When I go through the agricultural stations, will they let me pass or will I need a permit to carry dead deer on my hood?
10.  Say, what are you all going to do with that carcass once you have it? 

Again, I spend way too much time thinking.  But then again, with Covenant Transport you never know.

What Does The Future Hold For Me?

As I am getting my stuff ready for the road, I wonder what the future holds for me?  Hopefully, it won't be a false start like it was with Con-Way.  If it is at least I am only 66 miles from home.

I always liked driving my truck out West.  The interstates are very straight when going East to West and back.  When going from North to South it seems like there are so many branches of interstates it can get kind of complicated in deciding which route to take. 

Since I will be driving solo I will also have to keep an eye on my fuel usage.  As a solo driver you will tend to idle the truck a bit more than team drivers will.  However, I tend to do the things that help to conserve fuel such as not running the truck when I don't have to, and not over-revving the engine when shifting.

During my travels I never really liked going through Kansas.  Actually, I've only been through there twice.  But that was enough.  It's like going back in time to a really angry 1950's.  The billboards are really backwards, as in, they take going back in time to a new level.  I felt the need to do a little modifying to them.

I also worry about the upcoming winter.  I know the South doesn't get too much snow, but even this past Winter in Chattanooga there was snow.  In fact, I was snowed in for about a week.

With a new company also comes new places to fuel up.  That also means new places that I would have to eat.  It can be nerve racking worrying if you have enough hours to make it to a truckstop.  Or, if I will be able to park at a truckstop with any decent food.

I may have to stick with Bologna sandwiches.



The thing about truck driving that a lot of people aren't aware of is that, they can do 90% of what I can do.  It's the other 10% that is completely fear inducing, and is kind of tricky.  But 100% of the time, you have to be paying attention.

The thing I've never figured out is all the people who keep asking for rides.  If any company that I worked for found out that I gave a stranger a ride in their semi truck, I would be fired on the spot.  I had these two very strange weirdos in Texas give me a completely bull crap story about their car breaking down.  And get this.  It supposedly broke down 130 miles away.  Yeah.  It may not be rule number one, but a top ten rule is no hitchers.

I hope I get lots of runs across Interstate 40.  I always like watching all the cows.  The neat thing is the number and types of cows.

You also tend to see other things on the road that aren't so pretty.

The one thing I always know to be on the watch for is BMW drivers.  They are the most arrogant, disrespectful assholes on the road.  They tend to drive their cars like you would play Super Mario Kart.

This will be the first time I will be a solo driver.  I have always been a team driver before, so I've always had someone to talk to.  It will be surprisingly quiet.  It may even be lonely.  I now know why a lot of truckers have pets.

But the one thing that I have learned is to not engage truck drivers in conversation.  They tend to be stupid, complain non-stop, and their attitude sucks.  Not to mention, they curse worse than sailors.

To avoid talking to other truckers I tend to keep myself busy.  I write postcards, play on the computer, play my Nintendo 3DS, write blogs, and other things.

I will keep posting, and keep taking pictures of the road.  Hopefully, this is the start of a very good adventure.

Getting Hired Is Kind Of Like The Movie "Highlander"

"In the end there can be only one!"  If you've seen any of the Highlander movies or the TV show you know that's the catchphrase.  It is also very true of trying to be hired at Con-Way/ CFI.  Here's what's happened so far:

Funny, I don't feel Scotish. 

There were supposed to be 16 people in my class.  8 were told not to show up because they did not qualify.  That brings the new total to 8.  Somehow, only 6 made it to the hotel.  So then, on the first day of class we are told we are not hired yet.  No one has a contract.  Maybe only half of us will be hired.  We were flat out told that out of every 200 applications, Con-Way would hire 5 drivers. 

Truthfully, I was not feeling good about this.  Today, another driver got the axe due to a recent accident.  Now the class total is down to 5.  Now, I'm really not feeling good about this.  The instructor said he liked me, and that I was more intelligent than the usual dumb asses that come through there.  However, that doesn't guarantee anything.

Tomorrow is the driving and backing test.  It will be the first time I will drive a 13 speed semi truck.  Our instructor said that only one person has failed the driving (road) test in three years.  So I figure as long as I take it easy, and don't hit anyone I am safe.  I'm not too worried about the backing as I am usually pretty good at backing on a backing course.  Usually all the dimensions are the same, and it's like backing into the same dock every time. 

In the end I just want to be able to work for a good company.  I also want a big, red shiny Kenworth.