My RBX journey Strafford MO

Shovel, thanks for the wish's and a late thanks to you and all those who have served, past, present and future.

Doug, I missed ya. I was in the yard but you were probably down town doing your DOT physical that morning.

Update: After I went to Kraft to do a drop I needed to find an MT trailer for my next load. I went over to Rickett but our trailers were still being unloaded. Went to the yard and called it a day. My next load was a Conway load going from Marshfield, MO to Kansas City KS. I picked up an MT at Rackett around midnight and dropped it at Conway Center, picked up my load and headed to K.C. Kansas. Arrive during A.M. rush hour. Dem dar folks are really in need of a class on defensive driving. They seemed to be very aggressive drivers. From there I went to Independence MO for a live load going to Effingham IL. The brakes on the trailer felt as if they were holding me back so I called our maintenance Dept. After speaking with them I attempted to adjust the brakes on the tandems and come to find out the slack adjuster on the left rear was broke. Our shop called a mechanic out of K.C. MO and he came out to the truck to replace it. I ended up taking the trailer to back to their shop and they replaced it in less then 30 minutes. After Effingham I went to Bellville IL for a drop and hook. At this place the MT trailers had to be placed around back behind the building. This place is in a neighborhood. Had pull forward up the road until the truck and trailer were straight. Houses and car's on both side so there was no room for error. Once you start backing up through the gate its a blind side from that point on. Great training. Always go slow and if your ever unsure then get out and look. It was actually pretty easy that day. Everything seemed to click. Took that load to the Yard in Springfield, MO. All my loads that week were in the general area of my home. I was going home Thursday night. Took 4 and 1/2 days off. This past Tuesday I left the yard around noon going to Chicago IL. Unloaded and picked up a load just east of Chicago and went across I-80. Stopped at a rest area to use the restroom and take my 30 minute break. 20 miles down the road was a sign, (Worlds largest truck stop). Yep. Iowa 80 Truck Stop. Well I wasn't about to pass this up. I've been arriving early to every appointment this week and had no problems getting loaded or unloaded so I was ahead of schedule. I decided to do a fast 30 minute break again. Remember in a previous post I wrote, ( if you take a 30 minute break before the first three hours of driving you will have to take another 30 minute break in order to have the last hour or two of drive time for that day) And fast it was. Took nearly 10 minutes to park and get to the front door. I checked my watch and put a little pep in my step. Walked through the store and by the time I made it to the back door another 10 minutes had past. Inside the store is two tractors and one with a trailer. Hugh place. Headed back out to the truck and idled up to the starting gate. Hit 30 minutes at the gate and off I went to Kansas. Of course I'm usually always in first place when I'm racing against the clock. Unloaded and went down to Ottawa KS, arrived a couple of hours early. Went inside and the guy told me he was glad I was early and loaded me up. Taking this load to Springfield, MO. Was preplanned going back up to Chicago but didn't have enough hours left in the day to make it so I'm relaxing here in the yard and will deliver in the morning. Been a really good week. Only trouble I've had was last night backing into spot at the receiver. I was camping there for the night and unload in the morning. No car's, no trucks, nothing around. I seem to be able to stay at the shippers and receivers most of the time. I had the entire place to myself. I started laughing at myself. I couldn't get the tractor trailer straight. Must have pulled up 4 or 5 times. One of those days I guess. I talked to my Fleet Manager this past Tuesday before I left out. Told him I would like to run until I run out of hours and then I'll sit for a 34 hour restart in what ever state I'm in and start over again. He said that's not a problem. What ever I wanted to do was fine with him. I'm going to do this for 2 or 3 weeks and see how many miles I can get running on restarts verses recapping. However if my days balance out really well then I may continue to run on recap. Well have to see come next week. Well time for some Netflix. Everyone be safe out there.

 

Sorry if something is misspelled. Typing from phone.

I've went home every weekend since I've been here except two. Those two weekend's I requested to stay out. First time was because I wanted to run on recap and the next two weekends because I want to max out my hours and possibly do restarts to compare the difference as to which is better for me. A lot of drivers go home every weekend. As far as insurance goes. I sit and listen to all the benefits offered. I can only compare it to some others I know. It sounded pretty good to me. But I didn't take it. I'm with VA.

 

My miles very. Remember I'm home every weekend except a couple of weeks ago I stayed out over the weekend one time so far. I-44 is a corridor going up to Il, IN and Ohio. I was staying out this weekend but I was passing through the house so I went home this past Friday evening.

Wk1 1025 2 days out. Training days
wk 2 2200 4 days out. Training days
wk 3 2222 4.5 days out Training days
On my own
wk 4 2311 4.5 days out
wk 6 1547 3 days out
wk 7 2417 4.5 days out
wk 8 1767 3 days out
wk 9 2497 5 days out
wk 10 2078 4 days out
wk 11 1307 3 days out
June 1st I'm staying out for two or three weeks. However If I have a load going through the house and I have the time then of course I'll go home.
A lot of the Drivers in the Springfield area go home every weekend. I don't know about others out of Missouri but the way this company is I don't see it as a problem with 1/2 or even 3/4 of the drivers home each weekend.

Update on my travels:
I slept in the yard Thursday night and went to unload at Oreill'y D.C. The D.C. is broken down into sections and were I needed to be there was no room in the warehouse so I went and unloaded next door. While I was sitting there I feel the forklift as it got closer to the front of the trailer. When he had about 6 pallets left I went inside and waited for my bills. There was a driver sitting in his truck on the left of my truck from T-REX Trucking. After sitting about 10 minutes he came in with an employee, picked up his bills and left. Another driver from T-REX came inside and ask which dock should I back into. The Supervisor who was seriously Pissed Off looked at him square in the eyes and told him door 1, Put down your chalk block and do not pull away from the dock until I or one of my employees comes out to your truck and tells you too. Do you understand? The driver looked dumbfounded, the supervisor told him that the driver that just walked out as you were coming in? Ya, He pulled away from the dock and to the other side of the lot. He had my forklift operator inside his trailer. So, don't even think about moving your truck until your told too, got it?

Know there was no reason for this to happen. Drivers like this cause additional rules at shippers and receivers. One place I went to I had to drop the trailer, Put down a chalk block, put an air line lock on the tractor and go inside and sit. I asked about all the precautions and an worker told me its because of drivers doing stupid ****.

Anyway after I was unloaded I parked out of the way and waited for my next load assignment. My Fleet Manager called me and ask me which load I wanted. He started reading of a list of loads and which state they were going to. He had read so many I couldn't write them down so I just listen for the destination state. I herd Georgia. I said I'll take that one. He said it picks up Saturday at noon. I said noon? He said wait I have another load that's here going to Sandusky OH. 740 miles. I took that one. He must read off 12 to 15 different loads for my to pick from. I thought that was awesome of him to do that for me. So I picked up my load and took the trailer through the shop and had at serviced. Were having a nation wide DOT inspection this week. While the mechanic was servicing the trailer I went inside and the company had put together a sort of luncheon for everyone. I grabbed a couple of hotdogs and some apple pie. It was good. I, and I'm sure the other drivers were enjoyed it. Had time on my hands after the trailer was serviced so I took my truck and had it washed then headed to the house. I gave the Ol'Lady a choice. I'll stay home for a couple of hours and sleep in the truck. (I like getting up early) Or I'll wake you up at 03:30 and you can take me back to the truck. Know I know what everyone's thinking, I slept in the truck. NOT. My Ol'Lady is off in the summer time. We chilled out for a while and then went to see our Grandson. I drove close to 9 hours yesterday and this morning I was around 120 miles out. Went and visited 4 different truck stops and took a shower on my way in. I'm sitting at the receiver and can see the Bay of Lake Erie from the truck. Its a beautiful day. Looking forward to see where my next load takes me.

Well have to see how staying out and running on reset works. That's if my hours are not messed up after my eighth day. However If I'm under load running down I-44 and have the time to re-set at the house then of course I will.

Everyone enjoy your upcoming week and be safe out there.

 

No APU, Idle if its to hot. Bunk warmer for winter, Inverters are 1500 continuous, 3000 peak. Company owned and company installed. I use TV, Microwave, Plug in cooler. Blue-ray player and laptop. There is a slot for a freg and I'm thinking about getting one.

 

Jcrack08, excuse any misspelling. Typing from my phone. I think you'll like RBX. Home time good and very layed back/easy going folks.

Rider policy is age 10 or older starting the first day you get your truck. See safety and just fill out a form. Individual's over 18 have to sign the paper and a copy is kept in the truck.

Trucks are set at 65 mph on curse control and 68 if you peddle down.

Benefits kick in the 1st day of the month following 60 days from your hire date.

Sitting in FT Pierce Florida. I'm going to do an update this evening.