Today started out fairly good, after driving my eleven hours to get here for my first scheduled appointment time I got unloaded fairly quickly at the GM plant in Arlington. I ended up going to two different docks at the plant but was still done within an hour and a half of getting there. The problems started at my next stop. This place is operated by Penske Logistics, and I can finally say that there is something worse than Ryder to go to. The lot is small and cramped, and there are trucks everywhere in here. So much so that it is actually difficult to maneuver. Half of them are parked in fire lanes.
When I got here I had been awake for almost eighteen hours, so was a little cranky when they said to give them my cell number so they can call me when they are ready. In hindsite my reaction wasn't diplomatic, I left and went to get some sleep. After getting caught up somewhat on sleep I can back and checked in again and have been around here ever since. I really needed that sleep though, sleep deprivation and driving are a really bad combination. I will likely get some more before I take off out of the area.
I did actually get in a dock as I was typing this, not to bad, about eleven hours after my appointment time, which was actually within my ten hour break time. When ever they get their stuff off of me, it will be off to the third stop then back towards the north. I haven't slept enough so far today to drive far tonight, but I will get out of the Dallas area before morning if I can.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Cell Phone Ban for Commercial Truck Drivers
Feds weigh cell phone ban for bus, truck drivers
I am not too excited about the possibility of banning truck drivers from using cell phones. Requiring a hands free device is one thing, but a complete ban is a bit extreme. Being able to stay in contact with family, friends, and relatives is one of the ways a lot of drivers keep up with their lives. It isn't like we have a whole lot of time when not driving to talk to people. Especially if you are trying to do something during normal business hours. While I was buying my house I can't count the number of calls to contractors, mortgage broker, real estate agent, and setting up the utilities, that I made.
A universal ban on hand held devices should be made though. I can't count how many times I have watched someone merging with a cell phone glued to their head, apparently making it impossible to look over their shoulder to check traffic. For some reason most of those people are surprised when they end up next to me and are running out of road to merge on. Sometimes I am able to get over to avoid the possibility of an accident, but a lot of times there are no options for me, so surprise.
One thing is for certain, if they write the law too vaguely they may end up banning CBs as well. A phrase that says communications device instead of cell phone will certainly turn a truck staple to an illicit item.
I am not too excited about the possibility of banning truck drivers from using cell phones. Requiring a hands free device is one thing, but a complete ban is a bit extreme. Being able to stay in contact with family, friends, and relatives is one of the ways a lot of drivers keep up with their lives. It isn't like we have a whole lot of time when not driving to talk to people. Especially if you are trying to do something during normal business hours. While I was buying my house I can't count the number of calls to contractors, mortgage broker, real estate agent, and setting up the utilities, that I made.
A universal ban on hand held devices should be made though. I can't count how many times I have watched someone merging with a cell phone glued to their head, apparently making it impossible to look over their shoulder to check traffic. For some reason most of those people are surprised when they end up next to me and are running out of road to merge on. Sometimes I am able to get over to avoid the possibility of an accident, but a lot of times there are no options for me, so surprise.
One thing is for certain, if they write the law too vaguely they may end up banning CBs as well. A phrase that says communications device instead of cell phone will certainly turn a truck staple to an illicit item.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
On the road again
After staying pretty close to home while I purchased a house, I am back driving over the road. It is a dedicated route right now going from Romulus, Michigan, to Arlington, Texas. Due to the schedule most of the driving is at night, and last night being the first night was a bit brutal. The load was late leaving the shipper in Ontario, and it got delayed again crossing the border. So I ended up being up a lot later than I had planned for yesterday. I finally stopped in Mount Vernon, Illinois, at 6:30 AM because I just could not physically keep driving. I still could have driven further with my hours, but it would not have been safe at all. Tonight's bit of driving should be better, but I will have to use every driving hour I have just to get to the GM plant in Arlington. Then I think I have three stops to go to, but the paperwork is so confused from customs sorting through it, that I have no idea what paperwork goes with what stop. Just to make it more fun the directions that I have for the plant have nothing to do with the direction that I am coming from. I have been there once before, so have some idea, but will have to look more closely at the route for the final bit of driving before I leave here.
Right now just relaxing in the truck waiting for my sleep timer to put me back to sleep. I know I need more but my body woke me up for some reason a little over an hour ago. At least I have time, I won't be leaving out of here until around 6 or 7 tonight.
Right now just relaxing in the truck waiting for my sleep timer to put me back to sleep. I know I need more but my body woke me up for some reason a little over an hour ago. At least I have time, I won't be leaving out of here until around 6 or 7 tonight.
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