On Trucking Up The Wide Way

Published on May 2, 2008 By MasonM In Blogging

OK, so I've been seeing aall of these "On such and such" bullshit articles posted one after another. Whatever.

I hauled a firetruck down to Dover AFB. The route I had to take due to the oversized load was pure bullshit and it took me an extra day to get there thanks to being stuck behind farm tractors and school buses. Ah well, I did finally make it there.

From there I went up to Northern PA and picked up a wheel loader, which is basically a bulldozer except with wheels instead of tracks. It's also an oversized load as it's just a couple of inches shy of 10 feet wide. It's also a bit heavier than the normal legal limit.

I got my permits this morning and set out with my load. When I stopped for breakfast I called the customer and learned that they knock off at 11:00am on Saturday. No way I can make it there by then so I'll deliver it on Monday.

I made it out of PA no problem and the weigh station was closed in OH so I didn't need to stop there for the bullshit paperwork check. I cruised on across the OH turnpike where I had to pay an extra $30 just because I was a little oversized. What a crock of shit. Why should I have to pay an extra $30 to run a toll road just because I am a few inches wider than any other other truck? Robbery!

I pulled off just outside of Toledo as it was getting close to sunset and oversized loads can't run after dark. It's not like that makes a lot of difference as many people driving cars pay no attention most of the time anyway. It's amazing how many people blow past me in their cars totally ignoring my "Oversized Load" signs and the orange flags and pass so close to me that I am amazed they didn't scrape off any paint. Asshats.

I met a female driver while enjoying a couple of adult beverages in the truckstop. She's only been driving for 5 years and still had a few odd ideas. I did my best to set her straight and we taked for a couple of hours. I think I helped her out a bit, but who knows?

As I have to get up and get going early to beat the Saturday Noon curfew in IL, I cut out early. She did make a point of giving me a hug and thanking me so I guess maybe I did a little good.

I'm hoping I can slide past IL tomorrow, if I do I'll be in WI and home free to run on up to my delivery which is set up for first thing Monday moring. Otherwise I'll have to lay over until Monday and not deliver until Monday afternoon.

I'll make it.

Comments (Page 2)

Dr Guy

on May 09, 2008

it seems to me the bigger and tougher the bloke, the more fragile his ego can be.

Some parts of trucking definitely require some beef, such as strapping down loads like Mason does. But for the box trucks, not a lot does, and my 5'2" sister does not have to use a lot of muscle. But she can whip those semis into a parking spot that is only 2 inches wider than the truck very easily - something I can never do!

Oh, and she is a good driver despite her gender. (ducks and covers and waits for the flames.

)

MasonM

on May 09, 2008

it seems to me the bigger and tougher the bloke, the more fragile his ego can be.Some parts of trucking definitely require some beef, such as strapping down loads like Mason does. But for the box trucks, not a lot does, and my 5'2" sister does not have to use a lot of muscle. But she can whip those semis into a parking spot that is only 2 inches wider than the truck very easily - something I can never do!Oh, and she is a good driver despite her gender. (ducks and covers and waits for the flames. )

I know several females who do the same thing I do and do it well. Some are larger women, some aren't. They simply substitute leverage for brawn.

I think most of the female drivers try a little harder because they feel they have to prove themselves. Sad, but true. But trucking is one of the few industries where a woman can make the same money as a man for doing the same job.

There are a small number of women who draw some resentment from both male and female drivers. They won't even try to do some things for themselves and will instead ask a guy to help them. Many female drivers are especially resentful of the "Barbie drivers" and are openly aggressive towards them. Fortunately most of those type don't last long in this industry.

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