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...My Life as 'Drive away' driver
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1 - New Bus 20180206 - CA-LA Written one day later, some things may have already been forgotten. Left out at first light. There is a restaurant on-site so no free breakfast. But we did have a couple of apples that we needed to get rid of before entering CA so that was breakfast. Starting out we had about 100 miles to spare of fuel. By the time we got to the top of the pass we were short miles. Coasting down the pass we had 150 to spare but by the time we got to the drop we were at less than 60 miles to spare and our goal had been 50. Pretty close. No questions at the produce inspection, first stop at the rest area near Gold Run. Traffic is not bad, only once dropping below the posted because of traffic and then only for a couple of miles. Roads have changed again but we made it to the 49er Truck Wash in Sacramento. After 45 minutes waiting, no one had left the wash bay. Someone waiting for the other bay could have moved over ahead of us, but they thought the guy ahead of him was about done ... so he moved into our bay behind us. Just under two hours at the wash. Ten miles down the road to our exit, final fuel at Valero in Davis. Another two blocks and we were at the drop. Same crew that used to be at Rancho Cordova. They said it would be a half hour so BB wanted a block back to Enterprise to pick up our car. BUT because we were two hours late, they 'had given it away.' And we got a van instead. Bigger issue is we dropped it at a different location after hours and still haven't been billed for it. Be calling on that tomorrow. Half hour later they were done with both, clean inspection. First we call the computer to get released from our trips, then I call CA dispatch about getting a bus. He wants me to call back in 15 minutes. We drive down to In-and-Out, fight off the homeless and make our way inside. Crowded when we walk in, emptied out by the time we left. Half hour after the first call I call CA dispatch again. He doesn't know what, but he will have a bus. They release them at 4:30 so we have a couple of hours to kill. We find where we are supposed to meet him and then went a couple miles away to an outlet mall. Walked the mall for a while, then walked it again looking for Haagen Dazs. Found it right in the middle of the food court ... and it was the last place we looked. By now it was time to meet the dispatcher so we headed back, he was going to be 45 minutes late because of traffic. Then we missed him as he went past, couldn't get the security guard to answer at the gate. This all took time and it will soon be dark. Finally we got in and met the dispatcher, short conversation, he had lots of work he had to do. Instead of looking where we saw the first bus when we drove past, we go in the other direction to where he said they should be, they were not. Mine was almost bumper to bumper in a line, but I got it out without hitting anything. Oh ... GREAT NEWS. Dispatcher said as long as BB was a driver for the company in general, she could ride with. So now we have a direct answer. By now it is getting dark so BB puts the stuff in the bus and heads to Enterprise to drop the car. The only issue I have with the bus is an alarm going off that I ask another driver about ... before he gets to my bus I realize it was the alarm for NOT wearing my seat belt. Other than that all looked good. I did go back and ask the dispatcher about permits. Nope, only trip permits, these buses are not overweight. We are going to Monroe, LA. And he wants me back as often as I can make it. Interesting notes about moving buses. Do not tape over the camera's. If you are running with someone, leave ONE MILE between you and the other driver. Security comes and finds me before I get to the gate. They need a copy of my inspection and a copy of my drivers license. Within a couple of miles it is dark. I had written notes for the street names, but not a map. The first two were easy, the streets dead ended at a T. The next one was supposed to be Livermore St, so I turned when I got to L St. Wrong one. One block off, then I turn at the next block to get on the other street I wanted. Right in 'Old Town,' narrow streets in the dark. I remembered a couple of buildings and then it seemed like forever, I thought I'd missed a turn but I was still on the correct street. Found it, but no where to pull over for most of a block and when I did I was blocking two driveways. BB got there quickly and we were moving. Until we got to the freeway which was still mostly stopped. She looked for first motel and found where we had stayed before in Wesley at a Days Inn with a Subway next door. We got there within a half an hour and still had an hour drive time left but no motels within that range. I pulled into what looked like their truck lot and saw a 'tow' sign. I tried to pull around the front of a truck until I was within a few inches of him as I turned into him ... only to find trash in my exit so I had to back up. Finally had BB get out to watch as I backed around the signs, the truck and the garbage building in the dark, finally pulled forward across an old curb to get out of there. NOT something I should have been doing that late in the day. Sometimes I can back around all kinds of items and feel in complete control. Tonight was not one of those nights, seemed I was too close to having not seen stuff. But not issues, no damage. When we checked in the person kept asking what time we were leaving. 'Daylight' I said but he wanted a clock time. Not sure why. Zapped. This is the longest day we've worked in a long time and lots of new things that we were trying to figure out. 13 plus hours, is the longest day for a long time. 20180207 - CA-LA Because we can't lock the bus, we have to haul all of our stuff in every night. Two trips, we do not travel light. I thought the desk clerk had said breakfast at 6 am, but the doors were still locked at 6:30 when we got down there. BB rang the buzzer and woke the guy up. He puts stuff together as we eat cereal. Not a huge breakfast and only one table. But we are the only ones there the whole time we eat. Sun is not up yet when we are ready to go. Last night we drove a whole 30 miles. That leaves 1,945 to go. Two hours down the road we stop at a rest area in Coalinga on I-5. Later we pass Buttonwillow, way back in the '70 when I worked out west driving truck, another driver was from there. Shortly after the rest area, we get on CA-58 through the countryside on two lane roads, then though stoplights, then back on rural roads. Somewhere in the ag area of the state we see rows of trees pushed over, then another place, piles of wood chips, then another place people loading wood. Is there a market for citrus wood as there is for apple wood for smoking meats? The hills and trees are starting to turn green and blossom, maybe two, three weeks and everything will be green ... and then a couple of months before it is all brown. End up eating at Tehachapi, looks like a brand new Pilot and very empty. We had planned on eating at Wendy's but walked past the PJ Fresh to get there. I had thought that PJ Fresh was just another floor plan of the stuff that was in all the Pilot/Flying J's. Nope, this was good stuff. BB had chicken and two sides, and I had meatloaf and soup. Good food. Here a checked in with dispatch. He asked how I was doing, 'Good.' "That's all I needed to know ..." Guess he's not much for conversation. I did have to ask him a few questions. Pay, mileage, wrong information he gave me. He said to leave the bus with 3/8 of tank but the customer paperwork said leave it on full. Full is how I will leave it. Also called for my NM permit. For a long time I wasn't sure the fuel gauge was working, but I think I may be getting twice the mileage they are paying me for, and plus I started out with a full tank of fuel, plus they are paying for the last tank because I have to leave it full. Sounds like a good deal for me. One more rest stop at Newberry, then the night in Needles. It is less than 500 miles but we are up against the weekend again so we have an extra half day to spread the trip over. The only place on the top of the hill next to the Quality Inn is a McD's. So that is where we ate. Didn't see the Big Mac Jr until after I ordered. Need my NM permit tomorrow but the front desk says they have no way to print it. If that is the same answer I get tomorrow AM we will have to find someplace down the road. Problem is it is in an email, and most places will only print from fax. Another issue is I am running out of hours. Taking a day off will re-set my hours and line us up for Monday delivery. Likely we will be in Albuquerque, then Witchita Falls and then Shreveport. 100's of miles of non-freeway from Amorillo to Dallas over the course of two days. One of those places we will spend two nights, depending on motel price and food. Weather should be good in all locations. From yesterday. Looks like I made about $20 on fuel and BB lost money. Difference is I got 1/4 tank of fuel free at pickup, but because hers was over 1/4 tank, they billed her for the whole amount. Nothing free. We will be watching the diesels closely now. Two days of headwinds didn't help any. I-80 was closed again today to light vehicles, campers, etc. (this trip I may make 10-20x that amount. We'll see.) 20180208 - CA-LA Headed out at daylight, one of the other trucks were already gone. I looked at a lot of options for getting my permit printed, then when I went down in the morning the person at the desk said 'no problem.' So a little time wasted for nothing. First stop is about an hour down the road at the AZ port of entry. Slow day for them, the guy in the guard shack just seemed to be letting everyone go through. Most were stopping at the wrong window, then leaving when no one was there. Planned on stopping in Kingman for some cheap fuel at a truckstop before town. I thought they had cheap fuel but neither of us had ever looked at the price. It wasn't cheap, it was the truckstop rate. But this place didn't get it's own exit when the freeway went through so it was a ways off. I opted not to turn around and kept going the local road into town. Past the road construction, very narrow lane, they aren't expecting big rigs. We still needed to stop for a rest room so it was going to be the TA. Then at the last minute I saw that the 76 across the street was $.30+ cents less than the TA. So I swung in and filled up, thinking it might be the cheapest fuel I see. Easy in and out but it was kind of on a hill so I was careful on the in/out. A couple of hours to WIlliams. Loves there has CNG, not something I needed or that they have a sign for anywhere. They also had a Carl Jrs and a Subway. Subway it was again. Not much for traffic. A couple of interesting sights, it didn't look like anyone was hurt either case (only cop cars.) The first was a pickup and RV upside down, top completely gone off the RV with stuff spilled. Second was a car somehow got stuck under the back of the semi. Looked like the ICC bar and got stuck under the trailer. Didn't look like it was a major crash, someone just was going a few miles faster than the truck and slid under until they couldn't get out. Stopped again in Holbrook for even cheaper fuel, Maverick (old Flying J convenience store) Main pumps were full so I came in backwards. No problem fueling but I didn't get a receipt so it took a few minutes waiting in line inside. Guess someone was bugging BB for me to get get moving. Not sure what the rush was. None of the trucks could pull ahead after fueling, small station. I did pull out of the way, stopped and did my logs and they still hadn't started fueling. Guess I was just in their spot when they wanted to be there. Oh yeah, I did get the one finger salute at least once today so I guess my day was complete. An hour or so after Holbrook is the NM port of entry near Gallup. I had both my Bill of Lading and permit, two sides of one bag. Handed them to the officer, he looked at them and I was on my way. First time on the interstate when I haven't had to go in. Makes things go a little faster ... If I can get them printed ahead of time. One more stop at Jamestown at the Flying J that used to be a Pilot that used to be a ... something else. It's going to be dark by the time I get to Albuquerque. 500+ plus miles but a few more stops than yesterday. But on a clear day, daylight lasts long past sunset so it wasn't 100% dark. Not too many cars at the Quality Inn when we got in so I had my choice of where to park, almost. Someone was parked ahead of me when I got there but they were gone a short time later so I moved ahead so I was up against the curb for Saturday morning when I wanted to leave. We walk about two blocks to a Mexican restaurant. We had looked at taking my day off in either Witchta Falls or Shrevport but price wise this worked out best. I did cut it close tonight, I was completely out of hours for the day. But still would have had enough hours to get to the drop by limiting my hours each day. Now I'm good IF we get more work instead of going home. 20180209 - CA-LA My day off. I've spent some time the last couple of days looking at how much less we make on diesel units vs gas. Finally today I call a number that is listed about fuel. I've seen the charts but never checked them out. I wish I had called earlier, we could have been saving about 10% on fuel if we use the company card instead of our own. Guy I talked to said someone else had just called that wished he had called eight years earlier. Not sure if it will make the units more profitable than the gas but at least we should always make money. ... and now that I have looked at the numbers, I know which ones we make the best money on. But not often we get to choose, we usually choose based on location. Also called my drop, they will take the bus anytime between 5 am and 8 pm. My paperwork says 9-3. And got an appointment for my DOT physical in March. Bad news, the WiFi in our room doesn't work. One of the highest $$ rooms in the place and it is out of range for the WiFi. Mostly gave up and did other things. Did spend a few hours, like now, down near the lobby where the Wifi works. Lunch was at Denny's, evening was back at the Mexican place we were at last night. Good food, same food for me. Did get a walk in, BB also did the laundry so we are good for another two weeks if we don't head home. Nothing going west on the board the last few days. Not sure if it's because of the weather, roads are still being closed in WY parts of the days. Or if there just isn't anything. Nothing coming out of the LA area near where I drop, for the next 2-3 states. We decided that a run would have to be three times the miles as the deadhead to the work to be worth it. So a run out of NC would have to be going to the west coast to be worth it. We still have time to make one more run before I'm in town for March, for DOT and month end for my other company. There should be lots of work if we head straight back from LA. We would get home on Wednesday. Just looked, we should be home tomorrow. Last year they put 100 units A DAY out for the 10, 11 and 12th of Feb and then again on the 22 and 23rd. IF all the bus runs pay like this one, I will make as much driving these buses as BB and I together make a day driving RVs. 500 miles tomorrow, a good share of that non-interstate. 20180210 - CA-LA When I checked out this AM, the desk clerk asked the usual 'how were things?' So I told them I wasn't happy paying for one of their better rooms and not having any WiFi for two days. Someone in the parking lot started talking to BB as she was walking around. Another couple that does driveaway. He has logged over 5 million miles and his wife has logged over 4 million. They each have their own tow-car and don't always run together. Here they had both cars, but would be running together so they would be stashing one somewhere before leaving town. Doesn't sound like fun to me. First stop was a rest are near Santa Rosa. Almost no heat in the back of the bus, but I'm getting cooked out. BB is wrapped up with gloves, mittens and scarves and I'm down to a T-shirt with the window open at times. Can't figure it out, no switches anywhere. A little early for lunch but we stopped anyway after another two hours. Weren't sure what to expect, this place was number one ... of one. But it was really good, place is well kept up and they have a free car museum onsite. Also toy trucks near the top of just about every wall in the place. I had the meat loaf and BB had a BLT. Heading through Amorillo another bus driver passed me, he was heading to NY. Once past Amorillo, we are off the freeway. Lots of small towns with lots of vacant buildings. One place where they must process cotton, lots of bales. Other than that, not too much of interest today. Lots of brown grass. Stopped at a rest area just before Memphis, TX. Had planned on stopping at Loves in town, but only because we didn't know this was here. I chugged a bunch of juice because I'm sweating so much, BB stood under the heater in the building because she is froze. This fuel gauge is all over the place. If I stop, it will drop over a quarter of a tank and then take most of an hour to get back up to where it was. Before we stopped at the first rest area, the gauge was still over 3/4, when we came back out it was under a 1/2. Just need to remember where the gauge was when you left it last. Pulled into the Comfort Inn in Wichita Falls before making a reservation. Couldn't tell from the map if we'd get a bus in and out but lots of room so here we are. Right across the street is a Whataburger, that's where we ate. BB didn't want to have to walk any further in the cold than we had to. Forcast is for ice until noon tomorrow. We'll wait and see. We'll also wait and see as to where I fill again next. I still have 3/8 tonight, tomorrow the low fuel light may be on. Dispatch didn't fill the board today, didn't add any. No one did. Most likely we will be heading home Monday morning, arrive home Wednesday morning and head out again either Weds or Thurs depending on work. ... the trip continues HERE |
