NOUN: 1. Something hard to bear physically or emotionally.
I've worked for the last 17 years of my life. I'm not complaining. I've enjoyed knowing the money I had, I earned. And out of those 17 years, I've spent about 10 of them supporting other adults. (Not children)
So when my boyfriend of the past two years offered to pay the bills while I went back to school full time, I was... wary. Not that I wasn't ecstatic by his offer, and the chance to actually finish school before I died of old age, but hesitant on how it would affect our relationship. I didn't know if it was something the both of us could be comfortable with.
So after much debate, and discussion, I took him up on the offer. I quit my good, but going nowhere job, and took on the role of "Full-time student".
Yeah... well... it's not going so well. Especially the more hours he works. He's not even getting his 10 hr DOT breaks with this company, let alone the 34 hour restart. And they pay crap! He's fighting like crazy to deliver as many loads as possible, only to what little they pay him all go toward bills. And it's not like we have "luxury" items, like cable or internet service. No car payments or credit card debts... But he made a comment this morning about being a martyr, or along those lines. That he could see the higher goal of taking care of a 5 year old child, but....
I'm feeling like an incredible drain on him financially, physically, and emotionally. Honestly, if I were paying half the bills he wouldn't be stuck at this rat-trap of a company.
But what do I do? He's laid it out that he does not want me paying half the bills while I'm going to school. He believes I won't make it through school if I have to get a job, and he's probably right about that. But obviously it's creating animosity toward me? I just don't know what to do.... I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don't work a quarter the hours he does, but even if I got a full time job and went to school full time, I still wouldn't work as many hours as he does.
I don't know... I wanted a law degree. It'd take me another 5 years to get there. I don't want to put him through 5 years of this. I don't want to be a mooch, a burden, a drain on him. But I also don't want to be a minimum wage worker the rest of my life either.
The point was brought home the other night when I was telling him about a conversation I heard outside of the college last week. Three women were talking about their divorces, and since they had never worked while with the man, then they'd been awarded alimony in the divorce. Personally, I think alimony needs to be abolished! There's no reason an able bodied person can't support themselves. None. It might not be as comfortable a living as they once had, but at least there's honor is knowing you worked for what you have. Which led me to the conclusion that I'm no better than those women. I'm still with my man, and I do my utmost to make sure he's happy and has the things he needs, but I'm still living solely off the money that he provides for us.
If I lie and say I changed my mind about school, I'll regret I didn't do it. But then he won't have to go through hell to keep a roof over our heads. I need to just get a damn job.
11 "General" posts during 9/2005
Affliction
Category: General
Posted on Fri, Sep 30 2005 @ 9:11 PM [EST]
[Permalink] [Comments - 0] [Send Article] [Improper]Solemn Wanderings
Today's wanderings....
Hit the rack around 5am this morning for some shut eye. I hate when he leaves in the middle of the night. I was too wired to sleep, and then started imagining every creak and thump was someone trying to break into the apartment.
Woke at 9 and cranked up the ol' coffee pot.
Finite Math... What the hell do you use Matrices for?? What are they? Why do I need to know this crap? My major is for Business Admin. I seriously doubt I'm going to be using this rubbish. And now I get to paramtize (???) them. I don't even know what that is.
I never realized how many people felt the need to go shopping at 1:30 in the afternoon on a Friday. Does anyone work around here?
I found out that on the Yahoo maps page, you can send the driving directions to a cell phone. I just thought that was the coolest thing. Click the link above the map, enter the cell number in, and viola... They're sent to your phone. You have to have internet connection on the phone though.
Hit the rack around 5am this morning for some shut eye. I hate when he leaves in the middle of the night. I was too wired to sleep, and then started imagining every creak and thump was someone trying to break into the apartment.
Woke at 9 and cranked up the ol' coffee pot.
Finite Math... What the hell do you use Matrices for?? What are they? Why do I need to know this crap? My major is for Business Admin. I seriously doubt I'm going to be using this rubbish. And now I get to paramtize (???) them. I don't even know what that is.
I never realized how many people felt the need to go shopping at 1:30 in the afternoon on a Friday. Does anyone work around here?
I found out that on the Yahoo maps page, you can send the driving directions to a cell phone. I just thought that was the coolest thing. Click the link above the map, enter the cell number in, and viola... They're sent to your phone. You have to have internet connection on the phone though.
Category: My Life
Posted on Fri, Sep 30 2005 @ 8:12 PM [EST]
[Permalink] [Comments - 0] [Send Article] [Improper]Indecent Exposure
I think I'm embarrased...
So, I sent my man a, well... let's just say a rather revealing picture via cell phone this afternoon. I like to try to keep my guy interested in coming home, you know. And he'd called earlier and said that he was waiting at the shippers and had some time before they even started on his trailer.
Well, he calls about 30 minutes later, and tells me he'd been on the phone with the broker, and had handed his phone to the person in the office to talk to the broker... when my picture comes across, and now that person may, or may not, have seen it.
Oh. My. God.
Who ever you are....
I'm sorry.
No one deserves that kind of scare so early in the morning.
So, I sent my man a, well... let's just say a rather revealing picture via cell phone this afternoon. I like to try to keep my guy interested in coming home, you know. And he'd called earlier and said that he was waiting at the shippers and had some time before they even started on his trailer.
Well, he calls about 30 minutes later, and tells me he'd been on the phone with the broker, and had handed his phone to the person in the office to talk to the broker... when my picture comes across, and now that person may, or may not, have seen it.
Oh. My. God.
Who ever you are....
I'm sorry.
No one deserves that kind of scare so early in the morning.
Category: My Life
Posted on Thu, Sep 29 2005 @ 8:13 PM [EST]
[Permalink] [Comments - 2] [Send Article] [Improper]Department of Labor Job Description
I read that fatalities caused by sleep deprivation (for truckers) had decreased. It was hypothesized by a certain individual that perhaps these numbers are being skewed by CRASH, and other organizations, to bolster the new hours of service rules.
My first thought was how do they know it was caused by fatigue, or sleep deprivation, unless so blatantly obvious. Otherwise, I can't imagine a trucker voluntarily saying "Yeah, I was tired, and didn't react in time." Doubtful.
I'd like to see a study done on the percentage of stay awake pills before and after new hours of service rules. Maybe do a study on actual hours slept now versus, prior to the new HOS.
I looked up the job description of Truck Driver in the US Department of Labor website. Found at: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos246.htm
Maybe for some guys out there with seniority, but how many of you actually get all the amenadies they're talking about in here? Would you call your tractor a "mini-apartment on wheels"? Maybe if you weren't stuck in it for months at a time it would seem pretty neat inside of tractor, but people bitch about cubicles and they only have to stay there 8 hours a day!
Funny, but every "Local" driver I've met rarely works more then 50 hrs in a week. Maybe I've just been meeting the wrong people, I don't know, but the drivers that are really busting butts are the regional drivers.
If you broke your pay down by the hours you worked, would you be making $15.97 an hour? They're saying, since you only work at the max 60 hours a week, then you're making nearly $46,000 a year. When's the last time you had a 60 hour week? Oh, and that figure was the avg pay. You're probably making more, right?
What do you think? Does this accurately depict the life of a truck driver? Yet this is what is being portrayed to the average citizen. Maybe this is where one of the fundamental problems stems from. If the DOL can't accurately depict your life, how could they possible come up with a workable solution to driver fatigue, pay, or working conditions?
My first thought was how do they know it was caused by fatigue, or sleep deprivation, unless so blatantly obvious. Otherwise, I can't imagine a trucker voluntarily saying "Yeah, I was tired, and didn't react in time." Doubtful.
I'd like to see a study done on the percentage of stay awake pills before and after new hours of service rules. Maybe do a study on actual hours slept now versus, prior to the new HOS.
I looked up the job description of Truck Driver in the US Department of Labor website. Found at: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos246.htm
Truck driving has become less physically demanding because most trucks now have more comfortable seats, better ventilation, and improved, ergonomically-designed cabs. Although these changes make the work environment more attractive, driving for many hours at a stretch, unloading cargo, and making many deliveries can be tiring. Local truck drivers, unlike long-distance drivers, usually return home in the evening. Some self-employed long-distance truck drivers who own and operate their trucks spend most of the year away from home.
Design improvements in newer trucks reduce stress and increase the efficiency of long-distance drivers. Many of the newer trucks are virtual mini-apartments on wheels, equipped with refrigerators, televisions, and bunks.
Design improvements in newer trucks reduce stress and increase the efficiency of long-distance drivers. Many of the newer trucks are virtual mini-apartments on wheels, equipped with refrigerators, televisions, and bunks.
Maybe for some guys out there with seniority, but how many of you actually get all the amenadies they're talking about in here? Would you call your tractor a "mini-apartment on wheels"? Maybe if you weren't stuck in it for months at a time it would seem pretty neat inside of tractor, but people bitch about cubicles and they only have to stay there 8 hours a day!
The U.S. Department of Transportation governs work hours and other working conditions of truck drivers engaged in interstate commerce. A long-distance driver cannot work more than 60 hours in any 7-day period. Federal regulations also require that truckers rest 10 hours for every 11 hours of driving. Many drivers, particularly on long runs, work close to the maximum time permitted because they typically are compensated according to the number of miles or hours they drive. Drivers on long runs may face boredom, loneliness, and fatigue. Drivers frequently travel at night, and on holidays and weekends, to avoid traffic delays and deliver cargo on time.
Local truck drivers frequently work 50 or more hours a week. Drivers who handle food for chain grocery stores, produce markets, or bakeries typically work long hours, starting late at night or early in the morning. Although most drivers have regular routes, some have different routes each day. Many local truck drivers, particularly driver/sales workers, load and unload their own trucks. This requires considerable lifting, carrying, and walking each day.
Local truck drivers frequently work 50 or more hours a week. Drivers who handle food for chain grocery stores, produce markets, or bakeries typically work long hours, starting late at night or early in the morning. Although most drivers have regular routes, some have different routes each day. Many local truck drivers, particularly driver/sales workers, load and unload their own trucks. This requires considerable lifting, carrying, and walking each day.
Funny, but every "Local" driver I've met rarely works more then 50 hrs in a week. Maybe I've just been meeting the wrong people, I don't know, but the drivers that are really busting butts are the regional drivers.
Earnings
Median hourly earnings of heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers were $15.97 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.51 and $20.01 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.01, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $23.75 an hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers in 2002 were as follows:
General freight trucking $17.56
Grocery and related product wholesalers 16.90
Specialized freight trucking 15.79
Other specialty trade contractors 14.25
Cement and concrete product manufacturing 14.14
Median hourly earnings of heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers were $15.97 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.51 and $20.01 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.01, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $23.75 an hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers in 2002 were as follows:
General freight trucking $17.56
Grocery and related product wholesalers 16.90
Specialized freight trucking 15.79
Other specialty trade contractors 14.25
Cement and concrete product manufacturing 14.14
If you broke your pay down by the hours you worked, would you be making $15.97 an hour? They're saying, since you only work at the max 60 hours a week, then you're making nearly $46,000 a year. When's the last time you had a 60 hour week? Oh, and that figure was the avg pay. You're probably making more, right?
Median hourly earnings of light or delivery services truck drivers were $11.48 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $8.75 and $15.57 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.03, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $20.68 an hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of light or delivery services truck drivers in 2002 were as follows:
Couriers $17.48
General freight trucking 14.92
Grocery and related product wholesalers 12.26
Building material and supplies dealers 10.83
Automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores 7.82
Median hourly earnings of driver/sales workers, including commission, were $9.92 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $6.98 and $14.70 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.07, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $19.60 an hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of driver/sales workers in 2002 were as follows:
Specialty food stores $14.98
Drycleaning and laundry services 14.74
Grocery and related product wholesalers 12.66
Limited-service eating places 6.78
Full-service restaurants 6.47
As a general rule, local truck drivers receive an hourly wage and extra pay for working overtime, usually after 40 hours. Employers pay long-distance drivers primarily by the mile. Their rate per mile can vary greatly from employer to employer and may even depend on the type of cargo. Typically, earnings increase with mileage driven, seniority, and the size and type of truck driven. Most driver/sales workers receive a commission based on their sales in addition to an hourly wage.
Most self-employed truck drivers are primarily engaged in long-distance hauling. Many truck drivers are members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Some truck drivers employed by companies outside the trucking industry are members of unions representing the plant workers of the companies for which they work.
Couriers $17.48
General freight trucking 14.92
Grocery and related product wholesalers 12.26
Building material and supplies dealers 10.83
Automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores 7.82
Median hourly earnings of driver/sales workers, including commission, were $9.92 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $6.98 and $14.70 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.07, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $19.60 an hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of driver/sales workers in 2002 were as follows:
Specialty food stores $14.98
Drycleaning and laundry services 14.74
Grocery and related product wholesalers 12.66
Limited-service eating places 6.78
Full-service restaurants 6.47
As a general rule, local truck drivers receive an hourly wage and extra pay for working overtime, usually after 40 hours. Employers pay long-distance drivers primarily by the mile. Their rate per mile can vary greatly from employer to employer and may even depend on the type of cargo. Typically, earnings increase with mileage driven, seniority, and the size and type of truck driven. Most driver/sales workers receive a commission based on their sales in addition to an hourly wage.
Most self-employed truck drivers are primarily engaged in long-distance hauling. Many truck drivers are members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Some truck drivers employed by companies outside the trucking industry are members of unions representing the plant workers of the companies for which they work.
What do you think? Does this accurately depict the life of a truck driver? Yet this is what is being portrayed to the average citizen. Maybe this is where one of the fundamental problems stems from. If the DOL can't accurately depict your life, how could they possible come up with a workable solution to driver fatigue, pay, or working conditions?
Category: Trucking
Posted on Tue, Sep 27 2005 @ 9:03 AM [EST]
[Permalink] [Comments - 2] [Send Article] [Improper]Big Green Machine
I joined the Marine Corps in '03. Biggest Mistake of my life. There was a Cpl, an instructor, at Marine Combat Training who would repeatedly say "This is the hardest thing you will EVER do in your life."
I wish I had his ease of life.
Don't get me wrong, it was incredibly hard. Just not nearly the hardest I'd ever done. Then again, I'm not 18 and dumb. (read: inexperienced in the world)
So... I find myself in another one of those situations where you know you really don't have a choice and life is going to throw you what you get no matter what, so you better just accept it.
Well, I found out my unit is headed back to Iraq, again. I haven't had to go since I broke my back a year and a half ago. Lucky me. I've never been so happy to be incapacitated. Months of intense pain, chronic debilitating pain, and all I can think is, "Yay! I don't have to go to Iraq". There's a psychosis in there some where, I just don't know what it's called.
I got word the other day that the unit leaves in January. It'll be exactly 2 years to the day that I broke my back. Now, you may question why I'm still in the Marine Corps. I've asked this myself. I can't lift, carry, or move anything remotely heavy anymore. I suffer hours of intense pain if I bend too much, or stand too much, or hell, even sit too much. But the Marine Corps, in their ever loving wisdom, can't figure out that maybe... just maybe, I'm a liability to other Marines.
It took them a year to send a medical board package in for me. (This is a board that reviews the injuries/disabilities of Marines and decides if they should be discharged or kept.) They're supposed to send one in on a Marine after 6 months of being on "Light duty". 6 Months after I break my back they're telling me I need to run the PFT. (3 mile run, 70 second bar hang, and 100 sit-ups in 2 minutes.)
"'Scuse me, I have been immobilized by a plastic body suit for most of those months."
Like they care.
I was told they'd sent the med board package through in June '04. Then suddenly, no one knows if it was sent or not. They assure me it must have been. But no one knows. No one. No matter what CO I talk to. I finally find out that they didn't send it. So they start the package again. This time I'm assured it will be taken care of. "Don't worry, it'll be sent in." Yeah, right!
Again, no one could tell me if it'd been sent, or where it was, or if there even was a med board package. All this time, I'm fighting to stay in. I didn't want the med board package sent in. I talked to my 1st Sgt, tried to get him to write a letter that I'm showing up to drill every time, that I'm always trying to do something, that I want to be there. He wouldn't do it. Said it was up to the Corpsman what happened to me. And the Corpsman is telling me I'm being kicked out, that they're sending the med board package in on me whether I want it or not!
Long story short. I was told three times it was sent in. This last time, the Corpsman asks me if I want to be in the Marines any more. No. NO. NOOOO!!!! I want my life back. You people are CRAZY!
June 10th '05 the medical package was sent in. It's September 24th. 3 Months. I know it takes a while. They'd said it might take until after October, when the new budget was handed out so that the reserve base can collect your tax dollars for my busted ass.
Don't get me wrong, I'm getting better every day, stronger, it doesn't hurt as much on a consistent level. If I do anything physical for an hour I'm okay as long as I can lay on my stomach for about an hour afterward. The pain goes away if I can do that. They kind of frown on the Marines stopping after heavy lifting to lay on their stomach's for an hour though. Hell, they frown on us sitting for anything other than bathroom breaks, and chow.
So by the time the medical board reviews my package, they'll probably determine I'm physically fit to continue being a Marine. It'll have been two years from the date of injury, why wouldn't I be? Except, I'm not. I'm not like I was before the accident. Every part that broke, hurts daily, hourly, even when I lie down to sleep. I live with that. And all I can think is, if those incompetent F$%k's had done their job right the first time, then I wouldn't be in this situation now. I wouldn't potentially endanger the lives of my brothers and sisters. I wouldn't have to worry if I could do the basic work of a Marine. I wouldn't wonder if someone would die because I'm not able to do what I used to do. It could be your son or daughter, your mother, your brother, your Father. And I would be their killer.
God don't do that to me. I don't ever want to look back at my life and think "everything else was child's play compared to my life now." I wouldn't be able to live with it.
But this is why I've started running, again. When the med board say's I'm 'good to go', I know hell will break lose if I'm not in some modicum of shape. If I've gotta go, I'll go with pride in the fact that I did all I could to prepare my body. And maybe I won't be the reaons somebody's child died so far from home.
I wish I had his ease of life.
Don't get me wrong, it was incredibly hard. Just not nearly the hardest I'd ever done. Then again, I'm not 18 and dumb. (read: inexperienced in the world)
So... I find myself in another one of those situations where you know you really don't have a choice and life is going to throw you what you get no matter what, so you better just accept it.
Well, I found out my unit is headed back to Iraq, again. I haven't had to go since I broke my back a year and a half ago. Lucky me. I've never been so happy to be incapacitated. Months of intense pain, chronic debilitating pain, and all I can think is, "Yay! I don't have to go to Iraq". There's a psychosis in there some where, I just don't know what it's called.
I got word the other day that the unit leaves in January. It'll be exactly 2 years to the day that I broke my back. Now, you may question why I'm still in the Marine Corps. I've asked this myself. I can't lift, carry, or move anything remotely heavy anymore. I suffer hours of intense pain if I bend too much, or stand too much, or hell, even sit too much. But the Marine Corps, in their ever loving wisdom, can't figure out that maybe... just maybe, I'm a liability to other Marines.
It took them a year to send a medical board package in for me. (This is a board that reviews the injuries/disabilities of Marines and decides if they should be discharged or kept.) They're supposed to send one in on a Marine after 6 months of being on "Light duty". 6 Months after I break my back they're telling me I need to run the PFT. (3 mile run, 70 second bar hang, and 100 sit-ups in 2 minutes.)
"'Scuse me, I have been immobilized by a plastic body suit for most of those months."
Like they care.
I was told they'd sent the med board package through in June '04. Then suddenly, no one knows if it was sent or not. They assure me it must have been. But no one knows. No one. No matter what CO I talk to. I finally find out that they didn't send it. So they start the package again. This time I'm assured it will be taken care of. "Don't worry, it'll be sent in." Yeah, right!
Again, no one could tell me if it'd been sent, or where it was, or if there even was a med board package. All this time, I'm fighting to stay in. I didn't want the med board package sent in. I talked to my 1st Sgt, tried to get him to write a letter that I'm showing up to drill every time, that I'm always trying to do something, that I want to be there. He wouldn't do it. Said it was up to the Corpsman what happened to me. And the Corpsman is telling me I'm being kicked out, that they're sending the med board package in on me whether I want it or not!
Long story short. I was told three times it was sent in. This last time, the Corpsman asks me if I want to be in the Marines any more. No. NO. NOOOO!!!! I want my life back. You people are CRAZY!
June 10th '05 the medical package was sent in. It's September 24th. 3 Months. I know it takes a while. They'd said it might take until after October, when the new budget was handed out so that the reserve base can collect your tax dollars for my busted ass.
Don't get me wrong, I'm getting better every day, stronger, it doesn't hurt as much on a consistent level. If I do anything physical for an hour I'm okay as long as I can lay on my stomach for about an hour afterward. The pain goes away if I can do that. They kind of frown on the Marines stopping after heavy lifting to lay on their stomach's for an hour though. Hell, they frown on us sitting for anything other than bathroom breaks, and chow.
So by the time the medical board reviews my package, they'll probably determine I'm physically fit to continue being a Marine. It'll have been two years from the date of injury, why wouldn't I be? Except, I'm not. I'm not like I was before the accident. Every part that broke, hurts daily, hourly, even when I lie down to sleep. I live with that. And all I can think is, if those incompetent F$%k's had done their job right the first time, then I wouldn't be in this situation now. I wouldn't potentially endanger the lives of my brothers and sisters. I wouldn't have to worry if I could do the basic work of a Marine. I wouldn't wonder if someone would die because I'm not able to do what I used to do. It could be your son or daughter, your mother, your brother, your Father. And I would be their killer.
God don't do that to me. I don't ever want to look back at my life and think "everything else was child's play compared to my life now." I wouldn't be able to live with it.
But this is why I've started running, again. When the med board say's I'm 'good to go', I know hell will break lose if I'm not in some modicum of shape. If I've gotta go, I'll go with pride in the fact that I did all I could to prepare my body. And maybe I won't be the reaons somebody's child died so far from home.
Category: My Life
Posted on Sat, Sep 24 2005 @ 7:11 AM [EST]
[Permalink] [Comments - 0] [Send Article] [Improper]Liable
I understand that loads are 24/7. I understand that appointment times are any time during the day and night.
But this is F'ING ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!
All you trucking companies out there.. Yeah, you!
If you say "Home 3 - 5 nights a week, and EVERY WEEKEND OFF!" Why.. why the BLEEP would you think a driver wouldn't get pissed off at you because you've assigned him loads for Saturday and Sunday. Especially when he hasn't been home for more then 5 hours one day that week?????
Not to mention the 34 hour restart rule. It's as if all those pesky laws just don't happen to really apply to you. Let the driver pay the fine. It's not your problem, right? If they don't wanna run it, you'll find a student who will.
And the companies response to that was "Not our problem."
I'm a law abiding citizen, God help you if I wasn't. I'd burn your brand new office building down, smash the windshields out the brand new mustangs the snot nosed bosses kids own, and ... and...
One evening together... that's all I wanted. He took this job so we could have more time together. It was a huge pay cut. Terrible equipment. They made him buy his own CB antenna, and log books. I'd bet a shiny nickel they don't make the office staff buy their own pens and paper. He goes through their bullshit test rides, only to get LESS time at home, less sleep, less money, and a truck a midget couldn't sleep in.
The office staff's response: "Not our problem."
What is your problem?
You just wait til I get my law degree. I'm going Pro-Bono on your asses!!!
Trucking world, I've found my calling. I'll be Desperately Broke Lawyer Girl who comes to the call of all unjustly treated, under represented, truck drivers out there (for free). Or maybe a meal that doesn't consist of Ramon noodles.
What I'd like to see. The office people go through what the truck drivers go through on a weekly basis. Not one, at this company, not one person has EVER been in a truck. Not one. How can you tell someone what they can and can't do when you have no idea what that actually entails? You can't even grasp the scope of the problem at that point, how could you ever hope to come up to a workable solution.
But this is F'ING ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!
All you trucking companies out there.. Yeah, you!
If you say "Home 3 - 5 nights a week, and EVERY WEEKEND OFF!" Why.. why the BLEEP would you think a driver wouldn't get pissed off at you because you've assigned him loads for Saturday and Sunday. Especially when he hasn't been home for more then 5 hours one day that week?????
Not to mention the 34 hour restart rule. It's as if all those pesky laws just don't happen to really apply to you. Let the driver pay the fine. It's not your problem, right? If they don't wanna run it, you'll find a student who will.
And the companies response to that was "Not our problem."
I'm a law abiding citizen, God help you if I wasn't. I'd burn your brand new office building down, smash the windshields out the brand new mustangs the snot nosed bosses kids own, and ... and...
One evening together... that's all I wanted. He took this job so we could have more time together. It was a huge pay cut. Terrible equipment. They made him buy his own CB antenna, and log books. I'd bet a shiny nickel they don't make the office staff buy their own pens and paper. He goes through their bullshit test rides, only to get LESS time at home, less sleep, less money, and a truck a midget couldn't sleep in.
The office staff's response: "Not our problem."
What is your problem?
You just wait til I get my law degree. I'm going Pro-Bono on your asses!!!
Trucking world, I've found my calling. I'll be Desperately Broke Lawyer Girl who comes to the call of all unjustly treated, under represented, truck drivers out there (for free). Or maybe a meal that doesn't consist of Ramon noodles.
What I'd like to see. The office people go through what the truck drivers go through on a weekly basis. Not one, at this company, not one person has EVER been in a truck. Not one. How can you tell someone what they can and can't do when you have no idea what that actually entails? You can't even grasp the scope of the problem at that point, how could you ever hope to come up to a workable solution.
Category: Trucking
Posted on Fri, Sep 23 2005 @ 6:13 PM [EST]
[Permalink] [Comments - 1] [Send Article] [Improper]Coffee and Beer
Life with a truck driving man: (It's all roses and cream. HAHAHA)
He gets home at 1:00PM, PISSED OFF at his company.
They're telling him it's his fault he had to drive over hours all week, even though the loads they assigned him didn't take into account loading and unloading, or traffic, or really anything except movers miles. Not to mention he got screwed out of most of the money for one load because they asked him to relay it. (He's paid percentage.) Another load he was supposed to pick up, but the consignee wouldn't load the truck because there were pallets on it. He calls the company, and they tell him "We want you to bring the pallets back here". Only about 150 miles without pay. No problem. (You can't get percentage pay on a load you didn't run.)
The other drivers at the company told him that if he can last 6 months there then it'll get better. Better? Like magically they'll stop demanding he run way over hours every week? Or that they'll stop jacking him around with deadheads he won't get paid for? Highly unlikely.
He said, next company he goes to, if he walks in and see's only students and geriatrics, he's turning on his heel and walking out. The only other driver the company has been able to keep that had any experience prior to working for this company, had been fired from another company for "incidents".
These people promised "home 3-5 nights a week, every weekend off". He's lucky if he gets 8 hours at home during the week and into Saturday, and they've got him delivering Sundays. WTF?!? They say, "This is a 24/7 operation". Yeah. For the drivers. The office staff is tucked in bed every night. Leaving early during the day. Weekends off. And driving brand new SUV's and mustanges. The drivers? All own beat to shit cars. Hmm...
And it pisses me off that they don't allow riders unless it's your spouse. I'm not his spouse, but dammit! I'm an adult who cares deeply for this man. I'm not going to cause an accident, or do something stupid. What suddenly changes when you marry? Do you become smarter somehow? Less of a liability on the road? The word retarded comes to mind here. So do a lot of cuss words, but I'm trying to remain level headed.
So I got to see my man for about 2 hours of his 8 hours at home. I hope I was able to help him some though. I made sure he had lunches to take with him, and fresh coffee, and got all his things together before he woke up. I tried to talk him into food before he left, but he was too angry to eat. I try. Maybe it helped some. Not that it makes it any easier on him, but to know he's not in it alone... maybe it helps some.
He gets home at 1:00PM, PISSED OFF at his company.
They're telling him it's his fault he had to drive over hours all week, even though the loads they assigned him didn't take into account loading and unloading, or traffic, or really anything except movers miles. Not to mention he got screwed out of most of the money for one load because they asked him to relay it. (He's paid percentage.) Another load he was supposed to pick up, but the consignee wouldn't load the truck because there were pallets on it. He calls the company, and they tell him "We want you to bring the pallets back here". Only about 150 miles without pay. No problem. (You can't get percentage pay on a load you didn't run.)
The other drivers at the company told him that if he can last 6 months there then it'll get better. Better? Like magically they'll stop demanding he run way over hours every week? Or that they'll stop jacking him around with deadheads he won't get paid for? Highly unlikely.
He said, next company he goes to, if he walks in and see's only students and geriatrics, he's turning on his heel and walking out. The only other driver the company has been able to keep that had any experience prior to working for this company, had been fired from another company for "incidents".
These people promised "home 3-5 nights a week, every weekend off". He's lucky if he gets 8 hours at home during the week and into Saturday, and they've got him delivering Sundays. WTF?!? They say, "This is a 24/7 operation". Yeah. For the drivers. The office staff is tucked in bed every night. Leaving early during the day. Weekends off. And driving brand new SUV's and mustanges. The drivers? All own beat to shit cars. Hmm...
And it pisses me off that they don't allow riders unless it's your spouse. I'm not his spouse, but dammit! I'm an adult who cares deeply for this man. I'm not going to cause an accident, or do something stupid. What suddenly changes when you marry? Do you become smarter somehow? Less of a liability on the road? The word retarded comes to mind here. So do a lot of cuss words, but I'm trying to remain level headed.
So I got to see my man for about 2 hours of his 8 hours at home. I hope I was able to help him some though. I made sure he had lunches to take with him, and fresh coffee, and got all his things together before he woke up. I tried to talk him into food before he left, but he was too angry to eat. I try. Maybe it helped some. Not that it makes it any easier on him, but to know he's not in it alone... maybe it helps some.
Category: Trucking
Posted on Thu, Sep 22 2005 @ 10:27 AM [EST]
[Permalink] [Comments - 0] [Send Article] [Improper]Question?
From a truck drivers point of view, is there any company out there that is good to work for???
From what I've heard, and seen in the want ads, it seems the companies will either give you lots of miles and you never get home. Miles=money. Or weekends off, and you make minimum wage for living in a truck 5 day's a week. Does this sound about right to everyone? Or am I just not seeing the bigger picture?
Why would a company think someone would work for $500 a week, and live in a '92 freighliner for 5 day's a week?
And if it's such a great job, why do companies have to start recruiting people from Mexico to work in the US? They aren't paying them any less then the other drivers. But why don't these companies realize that maybe, and this is a big maybe, Maybe if they paid more to the drivers already working for them, then turnover wouldn't be so high?
Feel free to correct my interpretations of the trucking industry. I'm just a girl on the side line, making an arm chair quarterback call. I hate seeing someone who's got a good work ethic, and the testicular fortitude to handle the job truckers do, and then get shafted all the time!!! Seemingly because the "higher up's" wanna buy their Cadillac Escalades and be outta work by 3:30 every day.
From what I've heard, and seen in the want ads, it seems the companies will either give you lots of miles and you never get home. Miles=money. Or weekends off, and you make minimum wage for living in a truck 5 day's a week. Does this sound about right to everyone? Or am I just not seeing the bigger picture?
Why would a company think someone would work for $500 a week, and live in a '92 freighliner for 5 day's a week?
And if it's such a great job, why do companies have to start recruiting people from Mexico to work in the US? They aren't paying them any less then the other drivers. But why don't these companies realize that maybe, and this is a big maybe, Maybe if they paid more to the drivers already working for them, then turnover wouldn't be so high?
Feel free to correct my interpretations of the trucking industry. I'm just a girl on the side line, making an arm chair quarterback call. I hate seeing someone who's got a good work ethic, and the testicular fortitude to handle the job truckers do, and then get shafted all the time!!! Seemingly because the "higher up's" wanna buy their Cadillac Escalades and be outta work by 3:30 every day.
Category: Trucking
Posted on Wed, Sep 21 2005 @ 7:30 PM [EST]
[Permalink] [Comments - 0] [Send Article] [Improper]Running Past Common Sense
I was thinking today, how much of our lives are created simply by thought. And this idea could go in multiple directions, but I was only pondering one... If I believed I could do something, then I should be able to do it. Simple, really. How much do we circumvent ourselves simply by saying "That's impossible", or "That'll never happen." For instance.. I went on a run today. It's the first time in a long while that I've actually been able to run 3 miles straight. I do admit to cheating a little. I walked for a bit in the middle. That's not the point though. The point is, if I believe that I could win a 5K race that at the end of October, what's to stop me from accomplishing that except self-doubt?
I always get started on some kind of hairbrained thinking like this, and then with a sudden shock reality slams in. WHAM! Sometimes it doesn't matter how much you believe, or how much you want it, sometimes... it just ain't gonna happen.
I run a mile in about 10 minutes on a good day. The previous winner of the 5K ran it in 29:20ish.
I think I'm just suffering from oxygen starvation to the brain from the run. I'm going to kick back, smoke a cigarette and a drink a beer. Maybe I'll come to my senses after that.
I always get started on some kind of hairbrained thinking like this, and then with a sudden shock reality slams in. WHAM! Sometimes it doesn't matter how much you believe, or how much you want it, sometimes... it just ain't gonna happen.
I run a mile in about 10 minutes on a good day. The previous winner of the 5K ran it in 29:20ish.
I think I'm just suffering from oxygen starvation to the brain from the run. I'm going to kick back, smoke a cigarette and a drink a beer. Maybe I'll come to my senses after that.
Category: My Life
Posted on Wed, Sep 21 2005 @ 6:56 PM [EST]
[Permalink] [Comments - 0] [Send Article] [Improper]Bright green bow tie's.
Although he gets home more often now (which I am ecstatic about!) it's a little unsettling at times. I guess mostly because I'm being selfish. There are some nights I want him home so badly that I want to cry, beg, plead with him to make the drive. That I can't stand ONE MORE SECOND without him there. I feel pathetic about it, wanting him home when I know it's in his best interest to stop where he can and sleep.
Then there are the nights I just want to be left alone. It's not that I don't want him in my life. I just don't feel like I have the energy to make sure that he's happy, satisfied, content with being at home. I want to use what little energy I have left to do stuff just for me. Even if that's just going to bed an hour earlier that night.
It's the unpredictability that gets to me after a while. Will he be home tonight? Will he call and say he's stuck far away? Will he show up in an hour from now? If I plan anything, meet with friends, or family, then undoubtedly he'll be home. If I don't plan anything, then it'll be the night he can't get home.
I'm concerned about the fact that he's stopped calling and texting me like he used to. He's probably stressed out, starting with a new company puts a lot of strain on a person. But he'll say he's going to call me later that day, and then I don't hear anything from him until 10 o'clock at night. Usually because I texted him asking if he's still alive. (I know it's needy of me.) Maybe it's just the difference in how men and women think. I think "I'll call you later." means sometime during the day. Maybe he just means that when he knows what's going on he'll give me a call.
I try to remember his day's are a lot different from mine. He's working on a 24 hour clock, while mine is about 8 hours. Daylight hours. Time in a truck gets confusing sometimes, I know this... I guess I forget sometimes. I start feeling forgotten.
Then there are the nights I just want to be left alone. It's not that I don't want him in my life. I just don't feel like I have the energy to make sure that he's happy, satisfied, content with being at home. I want to use what little energy I have left to do stuff just for me. Even if that's just going to bed an hour earlier that night.
It's the unpredictability that gets to me after a while. Will he be home tonight? Will he call and say he's stuck far away? Will he show up in an hour from now? If I plan anything, meet with friends, or family, then undoubtedly he'll be home. If I don't plan anything, then it'll be the night he can't get home.
I'm concerned about the fact that he's stopped calling and texting me like he used to. He's probably stressed out, starting with a new company puts a lot of strain on a person. But he'll say he's going to call me later that day, and then I don't hear anything from him until 10 o'clock at night. Usually because I texted him asking if he's still alive. (I know it's needy of me.) Maybe it's just the difference in how men and women think. I think "I'll call you later." means sometime during the day. Maybe he just means that when he knows what's going on he'll give me a call.
I try to remember his day's are a lot different from mine. He's working on a 24 hour clock, while mine is about 8 hours. Daylight hours. Time in a truck gets confusing sometimes, I know this... I guess I forget sometimes. I start feeling forgotten.
Category: General
Posted on Tue, Sep 20 2005 @ 9:37 AM [EST]
[Permalink] [Comments - 0] [Send Article] [Improper]| Page: | {1} | 2 |
