Time for a New Post

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Since it's been 6 months since my last post, I guess it's time for an update. Judging from the many (none) queries I've gotten about having not posted, I figured I'd offer an update.

Since the last post, I've taken a bunch of trips, none overly spectacular, spent the summer in Choteau, MT (very spectacular), and started back with a couple of trips in late August and early September. So, that about brings it up to date.

I will make comments on my last two trips. On my next to last trip from Varnons, AL to Villa Rica, GA, where I delivered to an auction lot (never my favorite), the lot attendant was as they usually are - slobberingly busy with multiple phones hanging off his ears. Upon delivery, he asked me to take the truck to the back part of the lot since he would have trucks coming in that evening. It was about 5:00 PM. During the 10 minutes or so it took me to post trip and unhook my tow car, the lot attendant left and locked me in.

Now this was a bit of a testy situation, since the lot was surrounded by a 6 foot chain link fence with 3 strands of barbed wire mounted diagonally around the top. And, I didn't have a phone number for the lot that got a human answer. Needless to say, I was excited. So I called dispatch, foolishly expecting to be rescued, but was told by her that she was heading home and I could call the emergency number, which incidentally, wouldn't have anyone answering.

To make a long story longer, I found another gate at the other side of the lot, for which I had the combination to the lock. But they had parked trucks in front of the gate making it next to impossible to get out. But with some grease, and the help of a handy Mexican landscaper on the outside, I was able to slip out and be on my way. Close call.

Being relatively ticked at my dispatcher, I found it particularly appalling when they called me on Saturday asking if I'd do an emergency move for them as a big, big, favor. They needed several trucks moved from Daleville, VA to Birmingham, AL in anticipation of hurricane Ike. I was not in the mood for favors to them, but did want to help with hurricane relief, plus wanted to visit the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. So I headed out on Sunday, delivered on Monday, and got to view the biggest rocket, a Saturn V, ever built.