I have been reading about this for quite some time -- more than a year. We need a lot more Over The Road (OTR) truck drivers. I have never really 'got it', to be honest. It seems like if someone TRULY wants to make money and is willing to make the effort (read 'attitude' here) then I have found OTR driving to be a fantastic way to see the USA while generating $$$.
Now, after more than two years with my own Motor Carrier Authority, I have experienced this 'driver shortage.' I have more freight than I can move myself. So I have added drivers, which quite often don't last. A big part of the problem is me. I know. I have very high standards, very low patience and not too open to people who want to do it 'their way.' But it's MY name on the side of the door and MY reputation (word) and MY signature on the bottom of the settlement checks. I don't HAVE to be right.
But it seems to me a smart driver would look at the success that not only I personally have had but look at the growth STS has experienced over the past 2+ years and then follow the same path. So often, I have leased on 'experienced' drivers -- thinking that was a good thing -- only to find out they are already so smart that they already know everything. And in fact they don't.
I am a numbers guy. I am always crunching numbers to make sure we are maxing out our dollar per mile income -- THE number that means the most, to me. I know my cost of operating, my fixed costs, my anticipated maintenance costs --- I try and watch it all and am constantly re-calculating. I have learned most owner-operators really don't have a clue. They look at how much money is left in the checking account at the end of the day and then whine because there's not enough. But they don't know EXACTLY where it went.
One of the most important things to me is attitude. I have mentioned here before; there are three things you need to have to be successful at ANYTHING you do: Skill, Knowledge and Attitude. Skill is earned with time. Knowledge is taught and also gained with time. But Attitude is what YOU bring to the table. If you don't have a positive, "can do" attitude, we are not going to get along.
I seem to have some difficulty identifying that trait. Many times have I brought a driver on with skills and knowledge only to find out (sometimes within a day or two) that they are not driving a truck because they really WANT to. OTR truck driving is a lifestyle, not a job. It takes a special attitude and it starts with LIKING to drive. Then I need someone who will trust me enough to follow the sequence of events we have in place; PROVEN success!
So, if you have a diesel pick-up truck and live within 100 miles of St. Louis and have (or will get) a CDL-A and are a 'Git 'R Done' type personality -- we should talk!!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Sunday Morning -- Rain Delay
I have been planning a trip back up to Belleville (St. Louis metro area) for just after Labor Day -- NOW! I had hoped to travel last Thursday or Friday since those are usually my slowest business days and I'm traveling by motorcycle, so playing "Office Boy" will be difficult; still can't answer the phone will riding like my friend Calvin.
But a huge weather system thru St. Louis, along with the remnants of Isaac back off the FL coast, has made this a wet week from GA to St. Louis. And I don't ride in the rain (by choice). To much work cleaning up the bike afterwards, not to mention the danger of 'going down' are increased a bunch. So here I sit on a beautifully lazy Sunday morning looking out my large picture window at my bike -- sitting in the rain (covered).
But the radar -- and forecasters -- are optimistic of a clearing later today. I don't want to travel on Opening Weekend for the NFL. As much as I love a 1,050 mile motorcycle trip, I would prefer watching football. But I have drivers counting on me to find them work Monday so they can keep moving. That makes it important to get some miles today; to better set me up tomorrow for work.
The bike is packed and loaded except for one last 'overnite' bag that gets strapped to the top. Waiting for the rain line to move thru which looks to be another couple hours. Then the roads have to dry some -- another 30-45 minutes.
Even if I get on the road by 1:00 or 2:00; my objective is to get past Atlanta before I stop for the night. That's about 8 hours, depending on cruising altitude. I would rather deal with THAT traffic on a Sunday evening than a Monday morning. And weather looks good just a couple hundred miles north of me. But right now I'm grounded. (What a beautiful place to be 'stuck.')
The rain has actually just stopped, here in my spot in paradise. It's getting brighter to the west although I'm still seeing lots of yellow and red on the radar along I-75. And I can hear the distant rumble of thunder. But what a beautiful smell and 'feel' in the air there is after a cleansing rain.
I love Sundays. I love life.
I am going to drop a bit of a teaser here. I have an announcement, of sorts. (No, I'm NOT getting married). I do not get into my personal life very often; or very deep. But I will have something to say to the 'internet' AFTER I tell some friends. Which is another reason for my trip north. Stay tuned.
But a huge weather system thru St. Louis, along with the remnants of Isaac back off the FL coast, has made this a wet week from GA to St. Louis. And I don't ride in the rain (by choice). To much work cleaning up the bike afterwards, not to mention the danger of 'going down' are increased a bunch. So here I sit on a beautifully lazy Sunday morning looking out my large picture window at my bike -- sitting in the rain (covered).
But the radar -- and forecasters -- are optimistic of a clearing later today. I don't want to travel on Opening Weekend for the NFL. As much as I love a 1,050 mile motorcycle trip, I would prefer watching football. But I have drivers counting on me to find them work Monday so they can keep moving. That makes it important to get some miles today; to better set me up tomorrow for work.
The bike is packed and loaded except for one last 'overnite' bag that gets strapped to the top. Waiting for the rain line to move thru which looks to be another couple hours. Then the roads have to dry some -- another 30-45 minutes.
Even if I get on the road by 1:00 or 2:00; my objective is to get past Atlanta before I stop for the night. That's about 8 hours, depending on cruising altitude. I would rather deal with THAT traffic on a Sunday evening than a Monday morning. And weather looks good just a couple hundred miles north of me. But right now I'm grounded. (What a beautiful place to be 'stuck.')
The rain has actually just stopped, here in my spot in paradise. It's getting brighter to the west although I'm still seeing lots of yellow and red on the radar along I-75. And I can hear the distant rumble of thunder. But what a beautiful smell and 'feel' in the air there is after a cleansing rain.
I love Sundays. I love life.
I am going to drop a bit of a teaser here. I have an announcement, of sorts. (No, I'm NOT getting married). I do not get into my personal life very often; or very deep. But I will have something to say to the 'internet' AFTER I tell some friends. Which is another reason for my trip north. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Weather Extremes
Crazy weather. Hurricane Isaac passed by us here in west-central FL a week ago, now. As you probably know, New Orleans got pounded -- on the anniversary of Katrina, ironically -- and then the storm moved into the Midwest bringing much need drought relief. As the storm weakened it drifted east into OH and then back south down to the FL panhandle, where it sits today. The worry now is that it will re-energize over the very-warm Gulf water .... then what?
We have had some really extreme weather over the past couple of years, all over the world, actually. Extreme cold in Europe last winter -- and snow. Extreme heat here in the Midwest this Summer. Extreme wet and then extreme dry in many states all over. Would you Republicans please explain to me again why Global Warming is NOT going on?
(Do NOT assume I am a Democrat. My political views are way more complex than a simple tag like conservative or liberal or independent. In fact, 95% of all politicians give the rest of them a bad name! But, there is not one other single place on this earth I would rather live ... and I have been to several, FYI. But politics is not my topic today.).
The weather is of great interest to me because I'm trying to get back to the St. Louis area; via motorcycle. I prefer NOT riding in the rain. Not so much because it's dangerous going 60+ MPH on two wheels but rather because it takes 4-6 hours to get my bike clean again after riding in the rain. Ya, I know. Dumb. But consider this is the same guy that RIDES a motorcycle to begin with and ALSO loves baking in the sun for 5-6 hours on the beach. No one is perfect.
So the remnants of Isaac are making north FL and southern GA wet for at least the next couple of days. And there is a 50% chance of thunderstorms in the STL area Saturday. Sunday is FOOTBALL! (Finally) Monday is the first dry travel day for me. Looks like I will get another "Beach Day" or two.
We have had some really extreme weather over the past couple of years, all over the world, actually. Extreme cold in Europe last winter -- and snow. Extreme heat here in the Midwest this Summer. Extreme wet and then extreme dry in many states all over. Would you Republicans please explain to me again why Global Warming is NOT going on?
(Do NOT assume I am a Democrat. My political views are way more complex than a simple tag like conservative or liberal or independent. In fact, 95% of all politicians give the rest of them a bad name! But, there is not one other single place on this earth I would rather live ... and I have been to several, FYI. But politics is not my topic today.).
The weather is of great interest to me because I'm trying to get back to the St. Louis area; via motorcycle. I prefer NOT riding in the rain. Not so much because it's dangerous going 60+ MPH on two wheels but rather because it takes 4-6 hours to get my bike clean again after riding in the rain. Ya, I know. Dumb. But consider this is the same guy that RIDES a motorcycle to begin with and ALSO loves baking in the sun for 5-6 hours on the beach. No one is perfect.
So the remnants of Isaac are making north FL and southern GA wet for at least the next couple of days. And there is a 50% chance of thunderstorms in the STL area Saturday. Sunday is FOOTBALL! (Finally) Monday is the first dry travel day for me. Looks like I will get another "Beach Day" or two.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Hello Isaac!!
I think Isaac is still technically a Tropical Storm -- winds about 40 mph or so. The good news -- for me -- is that the latest Weather Service tracking report shows it going more west into the Gulf as it moves north. So even though I am on the west coast of FL, about half way down, the main force of the storm will be at sea; building strength as it heads toward Mobile, AL or so. Those folks better be getting on their northbound horses, in my opinion.
The eye is near Key West right now. I have been watching the radar a lot for the past couple of days, but even more so now, as it's path is being established. Yesterday morning the talk was of a possible path THRU Tampa and the Republican National Convention starting Monday. I'll get back to that.
But Isaac is now pointed more west of us taking aim on something between New Orleans and Mobile for the moment. They also predict it will grow to a Category 2 -- winds up to 105 mph. We are just now starting to get some light sprinkles and growing winds. It's kind of neat actually watching the palm trees wave in the 15-20 mph winds.
As I drove down Gulf Blvd this morning, it was very evident of the two groups of people -- one missing and the other very much in evidence. I live on a sand bar along the west coast of Florida, just north of the opening into Tampa Bay. For about 15 miles north and south of me is coastline comprised mostly of tourists and people trying make money off of them (restaurants, bars, resorts, gift shops, etc). The tourist are all gone today. Most motel parking lots are empty. Cowards, all of them.
The locals on the other hand had filled every bar seat I could see at the two or three places I passed. Let the Hurricane Party begin. Normally, I would be hanging out with them but not so much this time. Sundays are one of my most favorites days of the week anyway. I mentioned that in an earlier post. Bikes, beaches, babes and beer -- what's not to like? Make it a special event like Daytona Bike Week, The Olympics or A Hurricane Party and you have the ingredients for a real fun time.
My interests in life have not changed, for those of you who may be wondering. But the path I am traveling these days is a more responsible one (at least I have heard that from 1 source). It is consistent with my believe that there is a time and a place for most everything. That and my Rule #1 (Have fun without stepping on anybody) keep me balanced.
Speaking of bikes, the Republican National Convention is 25 miles away in Tampa starting tomorrow. The newspapers have been full of reports about security and the expected protestors who will be here because of the National media coverage. So yesterday morning I did my own inspection of RNC Party Central - The St. Petersburg Times Forum, well at least the surrounding neighborhood.
I had read in the paper how they had blocked off certain areas and were using assorted fencing to control access to areas. I wanted to see. Supposedly they had learned alot about protestors at the Chicago Convention and were bound and determined to maintain better control. It will make for interesting TV viewing the next few days. I can tell you one thing. The City of Tampa police are ready. They have completely emptied the nearest jail of it's regular inmates and are prepared to bring in any new 'guests' needing housing.
A Friday, early morning ride thru the mostly deserted streets was exciting. The delivery trucks were lined up in ques. The gardeners touching up flower beds. And indeed, the fences were mostly in place. The Forum is located on a canal of sorts off Tampa Bay -- not unlike how a moat might protect the castle. You could see a whole lot of thought had gone into the fences -- many of them 10' tall and weighted at the bottom to prevent tipping over -- and how they are planning to control ingress and egress to the area. And now Isaac, the Wild Card is in play. Or at least some wind and heavy rain for a day or two.
So now I can watch the news unfold on TV in safety and say, I was there (sorta)!
The eye is near Key West right now. I have been watching the radar a lot for the past couple of days, but even more so now, as it's path is being established. Yesterday morning the talk was of a possible path THRU Tampa and the Republican National Convention starting Monday. I'll get back to that.
But Isaac is now pointed more west of us taking aim on something between New Orleans and Mobile for the moment. They also predict it will grow to a Category 2 -- winds up to 105 mph. We are just now starting to get some light sprinkles and growing winds. It's kind of neat actually watching the palm trees wave in the 15-20 mph winds.
As I drove down Gulf Blvd this morning, it was very evident of the two groups of people -- one missing and the other very much in evidence. I live on a sand bar along the west coast of Florida, just north of the opening into Tampa Bay. For about 15 miles north and south of me is coastline comprised mostly of tourists and people trying make money off of them (restaurants, bars, resorts, gift shops, etc). The tourist are all gone today. Most motel parking lots are empty. Cowards, all of them.
The locals on the other hand had filled every bar seat I could see at the two or three places I passed. Let the Hurricane Party begin. Normally, I would be hanging out with them but not so much this time. Sundays are one of my most favorites days of the week anyway. I mentioned that in an earlier post. Bikes, beaches, babes and beer -- what's not to like? Make it a special event like Daytona Bike Week, The Olympics or A Hurricane Party and you have the ingredients for a real fun time.
My interests in life have not changed, for those of you who may be wondering. But the path I am traveling these days is a more responsible one (at least I have heard that from 1 source). It is consistent with my believe that there is a time and a place for most everything. That and my Rule #1 (Have fun without stepping on anybody) keep me balanced.
Speaking of bikes, the Republican National Convention is 25 miles away in Tampa starting tomorrow. The newspapers have been full of reports about security and the expected protestors who will be here because of the National media coverage. So yesterday morning I did my own inspection of RNC Party Central - The St. Petersburg Times Forum, well at least the surrounding neighborhood.
I had read in the paper how they had blocked off certain areas and were using assorted fencing to control access to areas. I wanted to see. Supposedly they had learned alot about protestors at the Chicago Convention and were bound and determined to maintain better control. It will make for interesting TV viewing the next few days. I can tell you one thing. The City of Tampa police are ready. They have completely emptied the nearest jail of it's regular inmates and are prepared to bring in any new 'guests' needing housing.
A Friday, early morning ride thru the mostly deserted streets was exciting. The delivery trucks were lined up in ques. The gardeners touching up flower beds. And indeed, the fences were mostly in place. The Forum is located on a canal of sorts off Tampa Bay -- not unlike how a moat might protect the castle. You could see a whole lot of thought had gone into the fences -- many of them 10' tall and weighted at the bottom to prevent tipping over -- and how they are planning to control ingress and egress to the area. And now Isaac, the Wild Card is in play. Or at least some wind and heavy rain for a day or two.
So now I can watch the news unfold on TV in safety and say, I was there (sorta)!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
The MOMENT -- that changed my perspective on life
It was the day after my fortieth birthday; a significant reality check-point along your life path anyway, but that's not what changed my view. I was the victim of a drive-by shooting. A car load of young males (late teens?) pulled along side of me and put a .38 caliber bullet thru my passenger window towards me. I guess I was fortunate that it ONLY hit me in the right forearm, passing in front of my chest and into my left ring finger gripped around the steering wheel.
I didn't realize I had been shot for several seconds. My first thought was they threw something like a brick or rock at my car. I stood on the gas pedal and took off. 5:1? Momma didn't raise stupid babies. It was 15-20 seconds later (I think) before I felt my left ring finger 'tingling'; it was 10:30 at night, too dark to see. I felt the raw meat with my thumb as I let go of the steering wheel. About the same time I felt blood running down my right elbow and pooling heavily in my lap.
It was that moment my life changed. Because for the next several minutes -- maybe 20 or 30 -- I wasn't sure how bad I was. Would I bleed out before getting to help? Was I dieing. Was my life measured in minutes?
Obviously I lived. That has been a very long time ago -- close to 20 years. I still have ulnar nerve damage in my right arm. The only thing is lost feeling in my two little fingers. Just have to be careful putting my hands in my tight jeans. Sometimes 'pinkie' doesn't get into the pocket. They salvaged most of the finger tip on my left hand. But my soul is different. I see things different than most people; but honestly who doesn't? But how many have ever honestly thought that their life could end in the next few minutes?
I think being happy -- having fun -- is one of the most important things in life. But with that comes a balance of not having fun at someone elses expense. You can't step on others in the process. But you had better make today a great day because tomorrow is not guaranteed. And don't accept excuses. Whether it's the job you have or the life you lead, have fun and don't step on anybody in the process.
I didn't realize I had been shot for several seconds. My first thought was they threw something like a brick or rock at my car. I stood on the gas pedal and took off. 5:1? Momma didn't raise stupid babies. It was 15-20 seconds later (I think) before I felt my left ring finger 'tingling'; it was 10:30 at night, too dark to see. I felt the raw meat with my thumb as I let go of the steering wheel. About the same time I felt blood running down my right elbow and pooling heavily in my lap.
It was that moment my life changed. Because for the next several minutes -- maybe 20 or 30 -- I wasn't sure how bad I was. Would I bleed out before getting to help? Was I dieing. Was my life measured in minutes?
Obviously I lived. That has been a very long time ago -- close to 20 years. I still have ulnar nerve damage in my right arm. The only thing is lost feeling in my two little fingers. Just have to be careful putting my hands in my tight jeans. Sometimes 'pinkie' doesn't get into the pocket. They salvaged most of the finger tip on my left hand. But my soul is different. I see things different than most people; but honestly who doesn't? But how many have ever honestly thought that their life could end in the next few minutes?
I think being happy -- having fun -- is one of the most important things in life. But with that comes a balance of not having fun at someone elses expense. You can't step on others in the process. But you had better make today a great day because tomorrow is not guaranteed. And don't accept excuses. Whether it's the job you have or the life you lead, have fun and don't step on anybody in the process.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
My New Truck/Trailer is AWESOME!!
My oldest son has been driving my newest truck/trailer for about two weeks and the early returns are fantastic. Besides the fact that he is running like a horse -- just over 5,000 miles by the time he gets home tonight -- the expenses have also been reduced because of the light-weight trailer.
When I was a driver, much of my 'windshield time' was spent visualizing the Perfect Truck and the Perfect trailer. This setup above is almost it, for what we do. The perfect truck -- in my mind -- is a 2005- 2007 Dodge Ram with the 5.9 Cummins. (Yes, the early model 2007s still had the 5.9. They switched to the 6.7 mid-year to meet the new EPA requirements). Dodge finally figured out an automatic transmission that could handle the torque the 5.9 generated.
The perfect trailer -- to me -- would allow us to carry pipe up to 40' or two cars at a time. Because many of our out-bound loads are relatively light (10-12,000 lbs) we really didn't need a heavy, beefy trailer. My older trailers all have dual, tandem axles - 4 tires/axle -- and were rated to 24,000#. They also weighed about 7,500 lbs empty. The one above is rated to 14,000 lbs and weighs 4,200 lbs empty. Less weight = better fuel economy.
I am having a 'bridge' built that will mount across the very rear of the trailer -- on the end of the dove-tail -- that will give us a support point at deck height for really long pipe. The bridge will lift off and store on the gooseneck when we are hauling cars.
About the only thing I want different on my next trailer is a solid deck at least 96" wide. This deck is open in the middle (it's technically a car hauler) and only 84" wide. And I have my eyes on one now. But it's going to be 2-3 months before the cashflow will allow more expansion.
Those 5,000 miles Nathan has driven consumed more than $1200 in fuel. That's on top of all the other money I spend getting this equipment setup. It is typically 45-60 days before the out-go and the income get in balance because most of our customers are on 30-day billing. But we pay OUR expenses (fuel, oil, insurance, motels, tires, maintenance, etc) as we go.
It would be nice if I could find another experienced driver or two. They need their own diesel pick-up truck. Brand doesn't matter; age and mileage do. They need to be a motivated, self-starter anxious to make some money by working hard. There is more to this than holding the steering wheel and keeping it between the lines. Ask Nathan!
Detailed info is on my website here: www.stsHOTshots.com Click on the 'Owner/Operator' tab.
The perfect trailer -- to me -- would allow us to carry pipe up to 40' or two cars at a time. Because many of our out-bound loads are relatively light (10-12,000 lbs) we really didn't need a heavy, beefy trailer. My older trailers all have dual, tandem axles - 4 tires/axle -- and were rated to 24,000#. They also weighed about 7,500 lbs empty. The one above is rated to 14,000 lbs and weighs 4,200 lbs empty. Less weight = better fuel economy.
I am having a 'bridge' built that will mount across the very rear of the trailer -- on the end of the dove-tail -- that will give us a support point at deck height for really long pipe. The bridge will lift off and store on the gooseneck when we are hauling cars.
About the only thing I want different on my next trailer is a solid deck at least 96" wide. This deck is open in the middle (it's technically a car hauler) and only 84" wide. And I have my eyes on one now. But it's going to be 2-3 months before the cashflow will allow more expansion.
Those 5,000 miles Nathan has driven consumed more than $1200 in fuel. That's on top of all the other money I spend getting this equipment setup. It is typically 45-60 days before the out-go and the income get in balance because most of our customers are on 30-day billing. But we pay OUR expenses (fuel, oil, insurance, motels, tires, maintenance, etc) as we go.
It would be nice if I could find another experienced driver or two. They need their own diesel pick-up truck. Brand doesn't matter; age and mileage do. They need to be a motivated, self-starter anxious to make some money by working hard. There is more to this than holding the steering wheel and keeping it between the lines. Ask Nathan!
Detailed info is on my website here: www.stsHOTshots.com Click on the 'Owner/Operator' tab.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
FINALLY -- My PERFECT Job
It's taken quite some time. For several of the past summers I have been soliciting my friends HARD to built a pool so I could be their Pool Boy. But no. Until THIS year!!
For the past month I have been staying at my middle brothers house while in the southern IL area. And he has a walk-out basement with a very nice pool. I'm in heaven. There is a lot more work to keeping a nice pool than many people think.
You have the chemical balance to maintain, obviously, but there are several filters that need cleaning and the pool needs skimming daily to get the leaves out. Then there's the area around the pool. Weeding and watering and picking up. It's tough work being a Pool Boy. The pay isn't so hot but the benefits are outstanding!
My Pool Boy days are about over, for now. I'm flying back to FL this weekend. Trading in my skimmer net for a beach towel. Works for me.
One 'business' note; Nathan (my oldest son and newest driver) just completed his first solo trip - 1200 miles from St. Louis to Minot, ND. At least it's the middle of the summer up there, actually quite nice. So in the two trips he and I did together and now his first solo trip, he has yet to cross an open DOT scale. Oh well; he's gotta get home now. I'm betting they get him before he gets here.
For the past month I have been staying at my middle brothers house while in the southern IL area. And he has a walk-out basement with a very nice pool. I'm in heaven. There is a lot more work to keeping a nice pool than many people think.
You have the chemical balance to maintain, obviously, but there are several filters that need cleaning and the pool needs skimming daily to get the leaves out. Then there's the area around the pool. Weeding and watering and picking up. It's tough work being a Pool Boy. The pay isn't so hot but the benefits are outstanding!
My Pool Boy days are about over, for now. I'm flying back to FL this weekend. Trading in my skimmer net for a beach towel. Works for me.
One 'business' note; Nathan (my oldest son and newest driver) just completed his first solo trip - 1200 miles from St. Louis to Minot, ND. At least it's the middle of the summer up there, actually quite nice. So in the two trips he and I did together and now his first solo trip, he has yet to cross an open DOT scale. Oh well; he's gotta get home now. I'm betting they get him before he gets here.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
I Wanna Go Home!!
I am so tired of living out of a suitcase. I'm hoping to get things wrapped up here in IL by mid week and get back down to FL -- where it's cooler. Crazy world. Today is the 9th or 10th consecutive day with temps over 100. It's after 6 pm and still 103, now!! The last three days have been particularly brutal around here with temps closer to 110. Yet my little spot on the beach has only got to 91 during this stretch.
But I'm really ready to be in MY space. MY bed. MY paradise. I have been staying with my middle brother while up here. And I don't mean to sound unappreciative. He has a big house with a pool, hot tub, 3 refrigerators and practically anything else you could want. But it isn't the same. I'm still a guest. I want to go home!
Things are going quite well here. My new truck and trailer are loaded for the first time and will head for Cedar Rapids, IA early Monday morning. For more than a year I have visualized what I thought would be the perfect combination vehicle to do the type work we do with the most efficiency. That dream is now a reality and it looks like the maiden voyage will be a very good one, financially.
One of the main barometers I use is the dollar/mile income generated for the whole trip -- out AND back. This first trip for my new rig will beat my average by about 10 cents. Doesn't sound like much but I expect my cost to be down with this trip by as much as 20%. Add it all up and this should be a great trip. I'll know Monday night.
And, my oldest son will be doing the driving. He is getting into the biz and this will be his first paying job with STS. It's all exciting. He is the main reason I'm still hanging around here. I want to make sure he is totally comfortable since he is brand new to truck driving.
But, I really am ready to be home.
But I'm really ready to be in MY space. MY bed. MY paradise. I have been staying with my middle brother while up here. And I don't mean to sound unappreciative. He has a big house with a pool, hot tub, 3 refrigerators and practically anything else you could want. But it isn't the same. I'm still a guest. I want to go home!
Things are going quite well here. My new truck and trailer are loaded for the first time and will head for Cedar Rapids, IA early Monday morning. For more than a year I have visualized what I thought would be the perfect combination vehicle to do the type work we do with the most efficiency. That dream is now a reality and it looks like the maiden voyage will be a very good one, financially.
One of the main barometers I use is the dollar/mile income generated for the whole trip -- out AND back. This first trip for my new rig will beat my average by about 10 cents. Doesn't sound like much but I expect my cost to be down with this trip by as much as 20%. Add it all up and this should be a great trip. I'll know Monday night.
And, my oldest son will be doing the driving. He is getting into the biz and this will be his first paying job with STS. It's all exciting. He is the main reason I'm still hanging around here. I want to make sure he is totally comfortable since he is brand new to truck driving.
But, I really am ready to be home.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Sunday -- My Most Favorite Day (Now)
It has nothing to do with religious significance. If that were the case, I'd like Saturdays the best; it's the sabbath. No, it all began when Sundays were my WORST day. I was in restaurant management and the places I worked had a different menu on Sundays -- Sunday Brunch.
So first off you have new menu items for cooks and servers to know about and perform at the same level of expertise even though we only do this for four or five hours out of the 100+ hours a week we were open. Not alot of practice time.
Next the staff itself is usually your newer people. It was typical to reward our 'core' people with the schedules they wanted, within reason. Not many wanted that shift and, if they got it, were quick to trade it away. The result was the same. Your lesser experienced people working this crazy shift.
Then church gets out. And all of a sudden the place goes from empty to SLAMMED in 30 minutes. Are you getting my picture? I HATED Sundays because as I was always the guy ultimately in charge. Even if I wasn't working that day, I'm a phone call away from, "Nik, the prep cook that always makes the hollandaise called in sick. What do I do?"
So when I got to the point in my life I wasn't working Sundays anymore -- because I'm out of the restaurant biz -- it became a sign of success. Laying around in bed all morning, occasionally with good reason, watching movies or other fun things people might do when being lazy in bed. But doing nothing but chillax.
Today I have the pleasure of sitting on the balcony at my brother's house looking out over a pool, lake and wooded area watching the sun come up. I'm sitting with my coffee listening to the wildlife, mostly birds. There are more visible birds in FL. These guys up here make a lot of noise but stay fairly hidden.
A lot more trees here. And BIG ones, at that. I'm looking OVER the top of the house next door to the end of the cul de sac where there is a MONSTER Oak tree at least 80 or 100' WIDE and more than 200' tall. It's REALLY big. And majestic. There are actually a lot of mature trees around but this one has been nurtured to the point that it dominates the corner.
It's the sunrises and sunsets everyday in my life that give me pause to thank GOD for what I have and hopefully be just one HALF the man that Dizzy (my brothers dog) thinks I am. With the Fourth falling on Wednesday this year it really screws things up for people as they try to plan their time off. But we should always remember these seven special days out of 365 to commemorate something very significant that should not be forgotten or taken lightly. This Fourth of July remember to thank GOD that you live in the greatest country on Earth.
(Not that Canada, Mexico, Spain or any of the others are bad. I have been to these places and more. But, there is NO WHERE else I want to call home.)
So first off you have new menu items for cooks and servers to know about and perform at the same level of expertise even though we only do this for four or five hours out of the 100+ hours a week we were open. Not alot of practice time.
Next the staff itself is usually your newer people. It was typical to reward our 'core' people with the schedules they wanted, within reason. Not many wanted that shift and, if they got it, were quick to trade it away. The result was the same. Your lesser experienced people working this crazy shift.
Then church gets out. And all of a sudden the place goes from empty to SLAMMED in 30 minutes. Are you getting my picture? I HATED Sundays because as I was always the guy ultimately in charge. Even if I wasn't working that day, I'm a phone call away from, "Nik, the prep cook that always makes the hollandaise called in sick. What do I do?"
So when I got to the point in my life I wasn't working Sundays anymore -- because I'm out of the restaurant biz -- it became a sign of success. Laying around in bed all morning, occasionally with good reason, watching movies or other fun things people might do when being lazy in bed. But doing nothing but chillax.
Today I have the pleasure of sitting on the balcony at my brother's house looking out over a pool, lake and wooded area watching the sun come up. I'm sitting with my coffee listening to the wildlife, mostly birds. There are more visible birds in FL. These guys up here make a lot of noise but stay fairly hidden.
A lot more trees here. And BIG ones, at that. I'm looking OVER the top of the house next door to the end of the cul de sac where there is a MONSTER Oak tree at least 80 or 100' WIDE and more than 200' tall. It's REALLY big. And majestic. There are actually a lot of mature trees around but this one has been nurtured to the point that it dominates the corner.
It's the sunrises and sunsets everyday in my life that give me pause to thank GOD for what I have and hopefully be just one HALF the man that Dizzy (my brothers dog) thinks I am. With the Fourth falling on Wednesday this year it really screws things up for people as they try to plan their time off. But we should always remember these seven special days out of 365 to commemorate something very significant that should not be forgotten or taken lightly. This Fourth of July remember to thank GOD that you live in the greatest country on Earth.
(Not that Canada, Mexico, Spain or any of the others are bad. I have been to these places and more. But, there is NO WHERE else I want to call home.)
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Veterans Small Businees Conference
It was very expensive ($200+ for a hotel room, REALLY?) and it was HUGE (three different levels of the Detroit Convention Center with some meeting rooms more than a football field away) but in the end, I got what I wanted; information on how to do business with the governent.
And it didn't take long. The very first seminar I went to Tuesday afternoon was the best. And to be honest, the rest of my experience there was less than fulfilling. I spent an hour and a half standing in a line for pre-registered attendees only to learn they couldn't find my bag and name tag. At least 'I was in the system' meaning they took my money. I knew that since I had a confirmation number. I got a temporary and was told to come back in 30 minutes. I checked back three times over the next 2 hours -- between meeting -- before I got a real badge.
Perhaps the worse part of this conference -- other than the cost for this tight-wad -- was the way many of the seminars were conducted. There were perhaps 30 different, 1-hour break-out sessions going on at any given moment. But the vast majority of them never repeated. Several times there were two seminars I wanted to attend going on at the same time. So I would bounce around.
A couple of times I went to a room and the speaker was a no-show or the topic being covered was not the same as was listed in my printed agenda. Other than the one seminar Tuesday afternoon, the next bast thing was the networking opportunities. There were ALOT of people there. Our federal government alone spends more than 6 BILLION dollars a year. All of us there were looking for our piece of the action.
I also learned a new language; or at least started too. It was impossible to carry on a conversation with-out at least one acronym per sentence and usually two or three. Like VSOB = Veteran Owned Small Business; or SDVSOB = Service-connected Disabled Veteran Owned Business; or RFI = Request for Information; or RFQ = Request for Quote, and on and on. I'm serious when I tell you I felt like I was in a room full of people speaking Klingon.
I attended a seminar on the Verification Process for a VSOB, which I just completed last week. The poor guy making the presentation was pounded by distraught veterans who had been denied certification. Judging from the feedback from the audience, the VA has some real issues. Hopefully, I will not be amongst that group.
I planned to stay thru Thursday -- today -- but left yesterday after the morning session. I had seen all I needed and that motel room was KILLING me! Besides, my goal of learning how to get more business from the government was accomplished at my first meeting. Luckily for me, I caught it.
One final observation about our government is how it is a self-perpetuating monster. It is so big and so complex that it takes more and more people to keep it running. Don't misunderstand me, there is not one other place in the world that I'd rather live than in the USA. But I think living in a democratic society means accepting that the government is an insanely complex megatron that is nearly impossible to oversee. It's just too big. Too many closets. Too many self-interests. Too many rules with loop-holes. Too many people with too many hidden agendas. Is this another example of 'Too big to fail?'
And it didn't take long. The very first seminar I went to Tuesday afternoon was the best. And to be honest, the rest of my experience there was less than fulfilling. I spent an hour and a half standing in a line for pre-registered attendees only to learn they couldn't find my bag and name tag. At least 'I was in the system' meaning they took my money. I knew that since I had a confirmation number. I got a temporary and was told to come back in 30 minutes. I checked back three times over the next 2 hours -- between meeting -- before I got a real badge.
Perhaps the worse part of this conference -- other than the cost for this tight-wad -- was the way many of the seminars were conducted. There were perhaps 30 different, 1-hour break-out sessions going on at any given moment. But the vast majority of them never repeated. Several times there were two seminars I wanted to attend going on at the same time. So I would bounce around.
A couple of times I went to a room and the speaker was a no-show or the topic being covered was not the same as was listed in my printed agenda. Other than the one seminar Tuesday afternoon, the next bast thing was the networking opportunities. There were ALOT of people there. Our federal government alone spends more than 6 BILLION dollars a year. All of us there were looking for our piece of the action.
I also learned a new language; or at least started too. It was impossible to carry on a conversation with-out at least one acronym per sentence and usually two or three. Like VSOB = Veteran Owned Small Business; or SDVSOB = Service-connected Disabled Veteran Owned Business; or RFI = Request for Information; or RFQ = Request for Quote, and on and on. I'm serious when I tell you I felt like I was in a room full of people speaking Klingon.
I attended a seminar on the Verification Process for a VSOB, which I just completed last week. The poor guy making the presentation was pounded by distraught veterans who had been denied certification. Judging from the feedback from the audience, the VA has some real issues. Hopefully, I will not be amongst that group.
I planned to stay thru Thursday -- today -- but left yesterday after the morning session. I had seen all I needed and that motel room was KILLING me! Besides, my goal of learning how to get more business from the government was accomplished at my first meeting. Luckily for me, I caught it.
One final observation about our government is how it is a self-perpetuating monster. It is so big and so complex that it takes more and more people to keep it running. Don't misunderstand me, there is not one other place in the world that I'd rather live than in the USA. But I think living in a democratic society means accepting that the government is an insanely complex megatron that is nearly impossible to oversee. It's just too big. Too many closets. Too many self-interests. Too many rules with loop-holes. Too many people with too many hidden agendas. Is this another example of 'Too big to fail?'
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Getting Ready for Another Week of Running
Tomorrow morning I will hit the ground running. Bank business first then put something together for my driver in Cleveland, OH who should be empty by 9 am. Then some errands, including about $1,000 to the Secretary of State for license plate renewals on three trailers. It's expensive being in business. But prospects are good.
I just saw another article abut the near-term forecast for the trucking industry. Everything I have read points to a strong demand for business and a shortage of drivers. The result will be higher freight rates and longer delivery times. I'll take the freight rates but we will not sacrifice service times. That's what we do, get it there NOW.
Like most of the stories I am reading, the reason for the increase in rates despite the (so called) week economy is the reduction of QUALITY drivers available. You can't get kids right out of high school because you must be 21 to have a CDL. Non-collage bound kids go more toward the trades like carpenters, plumbers and electricians. Also, the major changes the feds have imposed on the trucking industry -- specifically making public safety records of drivers and carriers -- has eliminated many of the less-safe operators. Then there is the quality of life thing. People don't want to be away from friends and family for a week or two at a time. Over-the-road truck driving is a lifestyle; not just a job.
That's why the niche were are in is so awesome. We are cheaper to operate than a big truck. Fuel mileage in particular but even repairs and maintenance. But we still get about 80% of what a big truck makes for income. Because we have a pretty good market of out-bound loads from St. Louis area manufactures, I bring guys straight back home after each load out. My guys are out from one to three nights at a time and home almost every weekend. Everybody is happy.
So the future is bright, beginning with my busy day tomorrow. Then sometime late afternoon I will head to Detroit for the Veteran Small Business Conference starting Tuesday afternoon for three days.
Go, go, go.
I just saw another article abut the near-term forecast for the trucking industry. Everything I have read points to a strong demand for business and a shortage of drivers. The result will be higher freight rates and longer delivery times. I'll take the freight rates but we will not sacrifice service times. That's what we do, get it there NOW.
Like most of the stories I am reading, the reason for the increase in rates despite the (so called) week economy is the reduction of QUALITY drivers available. You can't get kids right out of high school because you must be 21 to have a CDL. Non-collage bound kids go more toward the trades like carpenters, plumbers and electricians. Also, the major changes the feds have imposed on the trucking industry -- specifically making public safety records of drivers and carriers -- has eliminated many of the less-safe operators. Then there is the quality of life thing. People don't want to be away from friends and family for a week or two at a time. Over-the-road truck driving is a lifestyle; not just a job.
That's why the niche were are in is so awesome. We are cheaper to operate than a big truck. Fuel mileage in particular but even repairs and maintenance. But we still get about 80% of what a big truck makes for income. Because we have a pretty good market of out-bound loads from St. Louis area manufactures, I bring guys straight back home after each load out. My guys are out from one to three nights at a time and home almost every weekend. Everybody is happy.
So the future is bright, beginning with my busy day tomorrow. Then sometime late afternoon I will head to Detroit for the Veteran Small Business Conference starting Tuesday afternoon for three days.
Go, go, go.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Was I Complaining about, No Miles?
One thing in life for sure -- things are always changing. For the past couple of months the total number of miles I have driven in my truck would be measured with two-digits. Not anymore.
I left FL on Thursday, a week ago, and drove the 1100 miles up to southern IL -- in one day. Friday was the 20th celebration of my 40th B-day. The weekend was with my son practicing driving a truck with a big trailer hanging off the back.
Monday was getting equipment inspected and up to snuff. Tuesday was a day I have been planning for since October 2011; my Veteran Owned business certification. I would have thought this to be a pretty simple process; check my DD-214 (discharge papers) and some of my official business documents like my Motor Carrier letter of Authority, bank statements, DBA listing with the State. Easy peasy. Not so.
Apparently the Veterans Administration takes their endorsement quite seriously. I went into great detail about my history going back 40 years during the interview process. I spent about three hours with my interviewer and think it went pretty well. I should get the determination in a couple of weeks.
Wednesday, Nathan and I drove 450 miles to Lincoln, NE and picked up a new (to me) flatbed trailer -- AND 450 miles back. It was midnight when we got back. But Nathan was along to help with the drive. I meant to get some pix of my new rig but it has been non-stop. But I will, because I think this set-up is the 'cat's meow' for what we do. I will address that in more detail when I get the pix.
No rest Thursday. After dropping the trailer at Lombardo Trailer for service and a check-up, Nathan and I headed for the coast of North Carolina -- 950 miles away. We had booked a job to tow back a 36' houseboat to Lake Carlyle near here. That went NOTHING like planned.
We arrived in Swansboro, NC about 10 am today (Friday). This is a very old boat and the trailer had been sitting a long time. I was told the boat was 10' wide. It was 10'4". The 4" difference resulted in me having the wrong oversize permits for our trip thru four states. Plus it was 14' high, only 6" more than legal but still a problem. Wrong permits.
But I tried anyway. We got the loose items secured. Hung red flags and our over-size signs. Adjusted the hitch, hooked up and pulled her out of the weeds. Our first stop, 10 miles later, revealed the three tires on the passenger side to be so dry rotted I was surprised we made it that far. I'm still not discouraged; I have two spares - on wheels -- and I'll buy a third. That is until the mechanic at the tire shop said the lug nuts were so rusted he would probably break them off in removing the tires. The final straw was when he said it would be Monday or Tuesday before he could get it done because of the amount of labor involved. I quit. I towed it back to the shipper and said I was sorry. Those tires were unsafe and we weren't hanging out til Tuesday -- maybe.
When bad things happen to you, it is rarely just one thing going wrong. It is an accumulation of single items that add up to a disaster. This was a bad from the start and kept getting worse. I envisioned one of two things happening. Either a cop was going to notice our oversize boat and pull us over to check paperwork (now we are in trouble for wrong permits) or a tire was gonna blow and I'm on the side of the road -- or worse -- in a REAL pickle. Too many bad things happened here already to continue. We're done. Take the bullet now and move on. So we are heading back to IL now, empty.
Next week the VA is sponsoring a 3-day conference in Detroit designed to help vets do business with the federal government. I will leave here Monday afternoon so I can get there by noon Tuesday for the first seminar. I am really looking forward to that.
But right now I'm rolling the seat back for a nap. My turn to drive in an hour or so. I love my internet connection thru my phone with my laptop -- when I have 3G, anyway.
(BTW Trinity -- no calls accepted from "Unknown" numbers. Sorry. :-)
I left FL on Thursday, a week ago, and drove the 1100 miles up to southern IL -- in one day. Friday was the 20th celebration of my 40th B-day. The weekend was with my son practicing driving a truck with a big trailer hanging off the back.
Monday was getting equipment inspected and up to snuff. Tuesday was a day I have been planning for since October 2011; my Veteran Owned business certification. I would have thought this to be a pretty simple process; check my DD-214 (discharge papers) and some of my official business documents like my Motor Carrier letter of Authority, bank statements, DBA listing with the State. Easy peasy. Not so.
Apparently the Veterans Administration takes their endorsement quite seriously. I went into great detail about my history going back 40 years during the interview process. I spent about three hours with my interviewer and think it went pretty well. I should get the determination in a couple of weeks.
Wednesday, Nathan and I drove 450 miles to Lincoln, NE and picked up a new (to me) flatbed trailer -- AND 450 miles back. It was midnight when we got back. But Nathan was along to help with the drive. I meant to get some pix of my new rig but it has been non-stop. But I will, because I think this set-up is the 'cat's meow' for what we do. I will address that in more detail when I get the pix.
No rest Thursday. After dropping the trailer at Lombardo Trailer for service and a check-up, Nathan and I headed for the coast of North Carolina -- 950 miles away. We had booked a job to tow back a 36' houseboat to Lake Carlyle near here. That went NOTHING like planned.
We arrived in Swansboro, NC about 10 am today (Friday). This is a very old boat and the trailer had been sitting a long time. I was told the boat was 10' wide. It was 10'4". The 4" difference resulted in me having the wrong oversize permits for our trip thru four states. Plus it was 14' high, only 6" more than legal but still a problem. Wrong permits.
But I tried anyway. We got the loose items secured. Hung red flags and our over-size signs. Adjusted the hitch, hooked up and pulled her out of the weeds. Our first stop, 10 miles later, revealed the three tires on the passenger side to be so dry rotted I was surprised we made it that far. I'm still not discouraged; I have two spares - on wheels -- and I'll buy a third. That is until the mechanic at the tire shop said the lug nuts were so rusted he would probably break them off in removing the tires. The final straw was when he said it would be Monday or Tuesday before he could get it done because of the amount of labor involved. I quit. I towed it back to the shipper and said I was sorry. Those tires were unsafe and we weren't hanging out til Tuesday -- maybe.
When bad things happen to you, it is rarely just one thing going wrong. It is an accumulation of single items that add up to a disaster. This was a bad from the start and kept getting worse. I envisioned one of two things happening. Either a cop was going to notice our oversize boat and pull us over to check paperwork (now we are in trouble for wrong permits) or a tire was gonna blow and I'm on the side of the road -- or worse -- in a REAL pickle. Too many bad things happened here already to continue. We're done. Take the bullet now and move on. So we are heading back to IL now, empty.
Next week the VA is sponsoring a 3-day conference in Detroit designed to help vets do business with the federal government. I will leave here Monday afternoon so I can get there by noon Tuesday for the first seminar. I am really looking forward to that.
But right now I'm rolling the seat back for a nap. My turn to drive in an hour or so. I love my internet connection thru my phone with my laptop -- when I have 3G, anyway.
(BTW Trinity -- no calls accepted from "Unknown" numbers. Sorry. :-)
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Bill Bryan CDJ -- STILL Trying To Get Into My Wallet
I thought I was done with Bill Bryan Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Fruitland Park, FL -- but no, not yet. I bought a new (to me) Dodge Ram truck from them about a month ago. Details and specifics can be found in an earlier blog, but in a nutshell, I got an excellent truck but really felt 'beat-up' by the dealership -- mostly from the business manager.
The salesman and I had an agreement; an 'out-the-door price' sealed with a handshake and my initials on a piece of paper. By the time I actually got out-the door, the price had inflated a little more than $250. When I picked up the truck, the brand-new bedliner that had been in the truck when I test drove it was gone. (The salesman later on offered to make it right but I declined).
The out-the-door price was to include taxes, title, registration, etc -- EVERYTHING. So a couple of days ago I get a phone call from one of the clerical (I'm assuming) support ladies at Bill Bryan CDJ telling me they had wrongly calculated the sales tax due the state of IL and that I owed "the state" another $120 or so. I told her no, "I don't owe the state anything. They aren't calling me for more money -- YOU are." I suggested she talk to my salesman. I haven't heard anything else. Maybe NOW I'm done with them.
I have posted before my opinion of car dealers. I think they specialize in 'smoke and mirrors' and, despite their smiling faces, are mostly interested in sucking everything out of you they can and make you feel good about it in the end. I think 95% of all car dealers give the rest of them a bad name. My experience with this dealership reinforced that opinion.
The salesman and I had an agreement; an 'out-the-door price' sealed with a handshake and my initials on a piece of paper. By the time I actually got out-the door, the price had inflated a little more than $250. When I picked up the truck, the brand-new bedliner that had been in the truck when I test drove it was gone. (The salesman later on offered to make it right but I declined).
The out-the-door price was to include taxes, title, registration, etc -- EVERYTHING. So a couple of days ago I get a phone call from one of the clerical (I'm assuming) support ladies at Bill Bryan CDJ telling me they had wrongly calculated the sales tax due the state of IL and that I owed "the state" another $120 or so. I told her no, "I don't owe the state anything. They aren't calling me for more money -- YOU are." I suggested she talk to my salesman. I haven't heard anything else. Maybe NOW I'm done with them.
I have posted before my opinion of car dealers. I think they specialize in 'smoke and mirrors' and, despite their smiling faces, are mostly interested in sucking everything out of you they can and make you feel good about it in the end. I think 95% of all car dealers give the rest of them a bad name. My experience with this dealership reinforced that opinion.
Monday, June 11, 2012
The Calm Before The Storm
An extremely busy couple of weeks is set to start for me later this
week. I always have trouble sleeping the night before I start a new
trip. This time it's a few nights early as my mind already begins
contemplating the various events and outcomes. At least the weather
around here is back to normal.
I will leave Florida Wednesday or Thursday and drive my new truck to Illinois. Originally, I thought I was going to take my motorcycle with me to eventually drive back to FL with. Not anymore. Instead I will fly back on Southwest Airlines using a credit I had from a previous cancelled reservation.
Friday morning I have a doctors appointment; nothing special, just the normal poking and prodding one is suppose to get as they get older. Also, my new truck has an appointment to get a new 5th wheel hitch installed. Then Sat or Sun it's a 1,000 mile road-trip to pick-up my new trailer.
Next week, among other things, is orientation for my newest driver -- my oldest son. I will ride with him for a week or so teaching him how to not run-over things. If you have ever towed anything you will understand. He has not. And his first effort is going to be with a 36' wagon. That's a lot of stuff hanging behind you to think about. But he is a smart kid and a fairly good driver -- for a 28 y/o anyway. It won't take long for him to get the feel for it.
The week after next -- the last one in June -- will be the 2012 National Veterans Small Business Conference in Detroit. I have been undergoing verification by the VA as a Veteran Owned Small Business. This certification is to enhance our ability to do business with the federal government. The conference is an opportunity to mingle with the decision makers and to learn how to maneuver thru the red tape. That will be a three day affair after which I drive back to Illinois (because I'm taking my new truck to MI) and finish up any loose ends. My flight back to Paradise is Monday night July 2.
Busy, busy times ahead as we get close to the official start of Summer. And I just remembered, today is the day Jupiter enters the constellation of Gemini. Depending on who you want to listen too, this is suppose to be a very powerful period of my life. It will take Jupiter a little over a year to pass thru so, time will tell.
I will leave Florida Wednesday or Thursday and drive my new truck to Illinois. Originally, I thought I was going to take my motorcycle with me to eventually drive back to FL with. Not anymore. Instead I will fly back on Southwest Airlines using a credit I had from a previous cancelled reservation.
Friday morning I have a doctors appointment; nothing special, just the normal poking and prodding one is suppose to get as they get older. Also, my new truck has an appointment to get a new 5th wheel hitch installed. Then Sat or Sun it's a 1,000 mile road-trip to pick-up my new trailer.
Next week, among other things, is orientation for my newest driver -- my oldest son. I will ride with him for a week or so teaching him how to not run-over things. If you have ever towed anything you will understand. He has not. And his first effort is going to be with a 36' wagon. That's a lot of stuff hanging behind you to think about. But he is a smart kid and a fairly good driver -- for a 28 y/o anyway. It won't take long for him to get the feel for it.
The week after next -- the last one in June -- will be the 2012 National Veterans Small Business Conference in Detroit. I have been undergoing verification by the VA as a Veteran Owned Small Business. This certification is to enhance our ability to do business with the federal government. The conference is an opportunity to mingle with the decision makers and to learn how to maneuver thru the red tape. That will be a three day affair after which I drive back to Illinois (because I'm taking my new truck to MI) and finish up any loose ends. My flight back to Paradise is Monday night July 2.
Busy, busy times ahead as we get close to the official start of Summer. And I just remembered, today is the day Jupiter enters the constellation of Gemini. Depending on who you want to listen too, this is suppose to be a very powerful period of my life. It will take Jupiter a little over a year to pass thru so, time will tell.
Friday, June 8, 2012
The 'PERFECT' Trailer?
I bought a new trailer today. I found it on eBay. This will get matched up to the new truck I bought last month and be operated by my oldest son, who is about to become a (very, very, very, very, very,very) small part-owner of the company. So let's go back to the beginning.
I am always thinking how to fine-tune the niche of the trucking industry that we operate in and make it more profitable. Since fuel is our number one expense, we must find a way to do what we do the most efficiently. I believe the Cummins 5.9 diesel produced in 2005, 2006 and early 2007 is THE BEST motor on the market for what we do. I bought a 2006 Dodge 2500 ready to go.
My almost 28 y/o son has perhaps reached a point in his life where what he has achieved so far is not good enough and he is prepared to do what it takes to move forward. I'm quite proud of him reaching that point 25 years ahead of his old man. Smart kid. He actually came to me with the idea of driving, not that I haven't drop a hint for a long time. He will be available to drive July 1 but he has no CDL, a requirement for all my equipment; until today.
I found a 36' gooseneck car hauler. Several things make THIS trailer special. Most importantly are the axles. They are 7,000 lb Dexters (2 tires each axle) rather than the 12,000 lb Dexters (4 tires each axle). Obviously I can't haul as heavy a load with this trailer, but that is okay. I get alot of lighter loads too. And because of this lower rating -- 14,000 lbs for the trailer and 10,000 for the truck -- this combination is below the 26,000 mark set by the feds and is therefore non-CDL; perfect for my son.
And for the return trip home we can easily get TWO cars up when the opportunity is there. More income per trip means higher cents-per-mile -- the ultimate number that tells you if this was a good trip or not.
Now, truth be told, I don't own the trailer yet, officially. I have a gentleman's agreement over the phone. He faxed me a copy of the clear title and I mailed him a check today for 20% with the balance to paid in cash within two weeks, when I go pick it up. So, here we GROW AGAIN. Very exciting.
I'm also excited because I saw the sun for a few minutes earlier today. That was the first time in three or four days -- MOST unusual for these parts. We have been stuck in this same weather pattern since Tuesday and it is just pumping one wave of rain after another. It is tearing up the beach, too. I'll bet we lost another foot or two of waterline as the waves reclaim the beachhead. The city spent a whole lot of money pumping sand ONTO this beach two years ago. Mother Nature has something else in mind.
I am always thinking how to fine-tune the niche of the trucking industry that we operate in and make it more profitable. Since fuel is our number one expense, we must find a way to do what we do the most efficiently. I believe the Cummins 5.9 diesel produced in 2005, 2006 and early 2007 is THE BEST motor on the market for what we do. I bought a 2006 Dodge 2500 ready to go.
My almost 28 y/o son has perhaps reached a point in his life where what he has achieved so far is not good enough and he is prepared to do what it takes to move forward. I'm quite proud of him reaching that point 25 years ahead of his old man. Smart kid. He actually came to me with the idea of driving, not that I haven't drop a hint for a long time. He will be available to drive July 1 but he has no CDL, a requirement for all my equipment; until today.
I found a 36' gooseneck car hauler. Several things make THIS trailer special. Most importantly are the axles. They are 7,000 lb Dexters (2 tires each axle) rather than the 12,000 lb Dexters (4 tires each axle). Obviously I can't haul as heavy a load with this trailer, but that is okay. I get alot of lighter loads too. And because of this lower rating -- 14,000 lbs for the trailer and 10,000 for the truck -- this combination is below the 26,000 mark set by the feds and is therefore non-CDL; perfect for my son.
And for the return trip home we can easily get TWO cars up when the opportunity is there. More income per trip means higher cents-per-mile -- the ultimate number that tells you if this was a good trip or not.
Now, truth be told, I don't own the trailer yet, officially. I have a gentleman's agreement over the phone. He faxed me a copy of the clear title and I mailed him a check today for 20% with the balance to paid in cash within two weeks, when I go pick it up. So, here we GROW AGAIN. Very exciting.
I'm also excited because I saw the sun for a few minutes earlier today. That was the first time in three or four days -- MOST unusual for these parts. We have been stuck in this same weather pattern since Tuesday and it is just pumping one wave of rain after another. It is tearing up the beach, too. I'll bet we lost another foot or two of waterline as the waves reclaim the beachhead. The city spent a whole lot of money pumping sand ONTO this beach two years ago. Mother Nature has something else in mind.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Astrology -- Are You a Believer?
I think there is definitely an influence that planetary alignments exert on us humans. We have proof right before our eyes twice a day as the tides in the Gulf shift according to the position of the moon, primarily. Since the earth and the average human body are both about 70% water, doesn't it make sense that we are also affected by the positions of the planets?
Now, that being said, let me add the disclaimer. I seriously question the abilities of humans to interpret these alignments and give a sound enough meaning that we can make important life decisions. We have a pretty good example of that failure also -- The Bible.
I'm a Gemini. And on June 11th, Jupiter will 'enter' my 'house' - astronomically speaking. I was shown one astrologers interpretation who predicted I was "...about to begin one of the biggest and best years of your life." Considering how good my life has been so far, I thought that to be a very powerful statement. Things have already been going pretty good for me on a business level and I anticipate adding two more drivers -- doubling AGAIN -- next month.
Being the inquisitive one that I am, I did some more research. Not everyone out there agrees. Go figure. Another expert says, "Jupiter in Gemini is deemed to be very scattered with too many things going on to ever deal efficiently with any of them." Hmmmm. Reality check.
I guess I will just continue to do what I have been doing and look up at the stars at night and try to decipher for myself what they are twinkling to me. Although tonite -- very unfortunately -- will not be a good one. It's been cloudy and overcast all day with a 15-20 mph wind from the west. Our beach is white from the froth and slowly eroding away back into the Gulf.
The worst part about potentially no sunset tonite is that Venus will be transiting (crossing) the face of the sun from our perspective starting just before sunset. Wonder what that means? AND it is a Full Moon. OMG!
Now, that being said, let me add the disclaimer. I seriously question the abilities of humans to interpret these alignments and give a sound enough meaning that we can make important life decisions. We have a pretty good example of that failure also -- The Bible.
I'm a Gemini. And on June 11th, Jupiter will 'enter' my 'house' - astronomically speaking. I was shown one astrologers interpretation who predicted I was "...about to begin one of the biggest and best years of your life." Considering how good my life has been so far, I thought that to be a very powerful statement. Things have already been going pretty good for me on a business level and I anticipate adding two more drivers -- doubling AGAIN -- next month.
Being the inquisitive one that I am, I did some more research. Not everyone out there agrees. Go figure. Another expert says, "Jupiter in Gemini is deemed to be very scattered with too many things going on to ever deal efficiently with any of them." Hmmmm. Reality check.
I guess I will just continue to do what I have been doing and look up at the stars at night and try to decipher for myself what they are twinkling to me. Although tonite -- very unfortunately -- will not be a good one. It's been cloudy and overcast all day with a 15-20 mph wind from the west. Our beach is white from the froth and slowly eroding away back into the Gulf.
Friday, June 1, 2012
The Ten Commandments From my Spritual Soap Box
Two things I generally try to steer clear of in most any conversation -- or blog post -- are politics and religion. But on occasion something tweaks my interest, and in my effort to post a little more regularly, I will violate that restriction.
I describe myself as a pragmatic Jew. Let me define that a bit for you. The easy part first -- I'm Jewish. At risk of oversimplification, the biggest difference between a Jew and a Christian (75% of the US population in 2008) is their belief pertaining to the Son of GOD. The Christians think he has been here once already and the Jews are still waiting for him.
Like Christianity, Judaism is also greatly fragmented into smaller groups from zealots to...... well, I guess pragmatics like me. The dictionary describes pragmatic as "... a practical point of view or practical considerations....treating historical phenomena with special reference to their causes, antecedent conditions and results." In other words a VERY logical person that is less on 'faith' and more on 'show me'.
Jews and Christians both agree on the first part of the Bible - The Old Testament. One of the stories in the Old Testament is about Moses leading the Jews out of slavery in Egypt. Remember Charlton Heston crossing the Red Sea when GOD opened a path for them? Later on in their travels they end up camping at the foot of Mt. Sinai (aka Mt. Horeb) in the Sinai Desert. Moses goes to the mountain top to see what GOD wants him to do. He was gone for 40 days and 40 nights but returned with, among other things, The Ten Commandments - two stone tablets inscribed with the WRITTEN word of GOD; the ONLY written words of GOD in the Bible.
Okay, here's the part where I put it together for you. I identify SIGNIFICANTLY with most of the Jewish ideologies. It makes me comfortable. And I have been to at least 30 or 50 different religious services in my life -- comparing. I believe in the Old Testament. I think you would be the perfect person if you lived by those guidelines. I'm not that.
So I blend the ideology of Judaism with the practicality of Common Sense and logic. I have a couple foundations in my belief. One of the Top 3 is: "Have Fun without stepping on anybody else intentionally." Life is short. Tomorrow is NOT guaranteed. Live like you're dying, cuz you are.
That's a Pragmatic Jew. To me.
Oh, and the Ten Commandments? In my mind, if those 10 things were important enough for GOD to put them in writing, then I'm really going to try my HARDEST with them first. Isn't that like the teacher giving you the answers to the test BEFORE you have to take it?
I describe myself as a pragmatic Jew. Let me define that a bit for you. The easy part first -- I'm Jewish. At risk of oversimplification, the biggest difference between a Jew and a Christian (75% of the US population in 2008) is their belief pertaining to the Son of GOD. The Christians think he has been here once already and the Jews are still waiting for him.
Like Christianity, Judaism is also greatly fragmented into smaller groups from zealots to...... well, I guess pragmatics like me. The dictionary describes pragmatic as "... a practical point of view or practical considerations....treating historical phenomena with special reference to their causes, antecedent conditions and results." In other words a VERY logical person that is less on 'faith' and more on 'show me'.
Jews and Christians both agree on the first part of the Bible - The Old Testament. One of the stories in the Old Testament is about Moses leading the Jews out of slavery in Egypt. Remember Charlton Heston crossing the Red Sea when GOD opened a path for them? Later on in their travels they end up camping at the foot of Mt. Sinai (aka Mt. Horeb) in the Sinai Desert. Moses goes to the mountain top to see what GOD wants him to do. He was gone for 40 days and 40 nights but returned with, among other things, The Ten Commandments - two stone tablets inscribed with the WRITTEN word of GOD; the ONLY written words of GOD in the Bible.
Okay, here's the part where I put it together for you. I identify SIGNIFICANTLY with most of the Jewish ideologies. It makes me comfortable. And I have been to at least 30 or 50 different religious services in my life -- comparing. I believe in the Old Testament. I think you would be the perfect person if you lived by those guidelines. I'm not that.
So I blend the ideology of Judaism with the practicality of Common Sense and logic. I have a couple foundations in my belief. One of the Top 3 is: "Have Fun without stepping on anybody else intentionally." Life is short. Tomorrow is NOT guaranteed. Live like you're dying, cuz you are.
That's a Pragmatic Jew. To me.
Oh, and the Ten Commandments? In my mind, if those 10 things were important enough for GOD to put them in writing, then I'm really going to try my HARDEST with them first. Isn't that like the teacher giving you the answers to the test BEFORE you have to take it?
Monday, May 28, 2012
So That We NEVER FORGET!
It is easy to think of Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer or maybe an extra day off from work this week. Thankfully, I see one news story after another about how Americans are remembering the true reason for this holiday -- to honor those past and present that serve our country and especially the ones that made the ultimate sacrifice, their life. We must never forget, Freedom isn't Free.
I served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, although I never made it 'in country.' My time was spent stateside with a few trips to Europe. I was one of the lucky ones that was never really exposed to great risk. But I was very aware of those that were -- both then and, even more so, now. Because I never was really in 'Harm's Way', my strongest memory of that era is the hatred displayed by many in the public to the war and all those people in it; those 20 y/o kids doing what they are told in the name of The United States of America and being treated as pariahs as a result.
I don't know that that has ever happened before and I'm positive it has not since. It was SO wrong to ostracize someone who put their life on the line so you could live the way you do. Anybody who puts on the uniform and swears an oath to "... support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies," deserves our ultimate respect regardless of our political stand. Fortunately a lot of other people began feeling the same way years later.
Many of these same people who were spit on as returning Vietnam Veterans are now doing their part to make sure that never happens again. Rolling Thunder is one such organization. Taking their name from the carpet bombing campaign of 1965 called Operation Rolling Thunder, this present day 501(c) Non Profit charity is dedicated to bringing awareness of all Missing in Action (MIA) and Prisoners of War (POW) -- "We Will Not Forget."
Their first demonstration was Memorial Day 1988 when about 2500 bikers -- mostly veterans and their families -- roared into Washington DC to demand an accounting from Congress on MIAs and POWs who many thought were being ignored. The foundation was laid for the annual "Ride For Freedom" or "Run to the Wall" and has grown to more than 900,000 bikes from across the country.
John Rogers of Pocatello, ID is another. He remembers the 'hippie protester' greeting him as he was walking off his ship in San Francisco - complete with 2 Purple Hearts during his three tours in Vietnam -- as a "baby burner.' In 2004 the Iraq War was into it's first year and Afghanistan was also ramping up. John decided THESE veterans would be treated differently. So he set up his first "Field of Hero's."
He enlisted the help of some other local vets to gather wood for crosses and material for simple signs. He then talked the city into donating a piece of land for use. His idea of a memorial like The Vietnam Memorial in Washington resulted in just less than 1,400 white crosses laid out in a perfectly symmetrical pattern the first year. Each cross bore the name, rank, unit and type casualty. It was a place for loved ones to remember and strangers to give thanks. This year there are more than 6,000 crosses; and they are running out of room.
People join the military for a thousand different reasons but it doesn't take very long to realize you are in a very special, and close-knit, group. Whether you are in for two or twenty, you are now part of a family, a brotherhood (the generic one, ladies). Many of these ties are more binding than blood-relationships. Whatever the reason that prompted you to take the oath soon becomes secondary as you realize the pride and honor that comes from serving your country.
So enjoy your Memorial Day and remember to thank a vet that made it possible for you to live the way you do. ALL gave some. Some gave ALL.
I served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, although I never made it 'in country.' My time was spent stateside with a few trips to Europe. I was one of the lucky ones that was never really exposed to great risk. But I was very aware of those that were -- both then and, even more so, now. Because I never was really in 'Harm's Way', my strongest memory of that era is the hatred displayed by many in the public to the war and all those people in it; those 20 y/o kids doing what they are told in the name of The United States of America and being treated as pariahs as a result.
I don't know that that has ever happened before and I'm positive it has not since. It was SO wrong to ostracize someone who put their life on the line so you could live the way you do. Anybody who puts on the uniform and swears an oath to "... support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies," deserves our ultimate respect regardless of our political stand. Fortunately a lot of other people began feeling the same way years later.
Many of these same people who were spit on as returning Vietnam Veterans are now doing their part to make sure that never happens again. Rolling Thunder is one such organization. Taking their name from the carpet bombing campaign of 1965 called Operation Rolling Thunder, this present day 501(c) Non Profit charity is dedicated to bringing awareness of all Missing in Action (MIA) and Prisoners of War (POW) -- "We Will Not Forget."
Their first demonstration was Memorial Day 1988 when about 2500 bikers -- mostly veterans and their families -- roared into Washington DC to demand an accounting from Congress on MIAs and POWs who many thought were being ignored. The foundation was laid for the annual "Ride For Freedom" or "Run to the Wall" and has grown to more than 900,000 bikes from across the country.
Freedom Ride 2010, Motorcycle Industry Council
John Rogers of Pocatello, ID is another. He remembers the 'hippie protester' greeting him as he was walking off his ship in San Francisco - complete with 2 Purple Hearts during his three tours in Vietnam -- as a "baby burner.' In 2004 the Iraq War was into it's first year and Afghanistan was also ramping up. John decided THESE veterans would be treated differently. So he set up his first "Field of Hero's."
He enlisted the help of some other local vets to gather wood for crosses and material for simple signs. He then talked the city into donating a piece of land for use. His idea of a memorial like The Vietnam Memorial in Washington resulted in just less than 1,400 white crosses laid out in a perfectly symmetrical pattern the first year. Each cross bore the name, rank, unit and type casualty. It was a place for loved ones to remember and strangers to give thanks. This year there are more than 6,000 crosses; and they are running out of room.
Mike Taibbi, NBC News
People join the military for a thousand different reasons but it doesn't take very long to realize you are in a very special, and close-knit, group. Whether you are in for two or twenty, you are now part of a family, a brotherhood (the generic one, ladies). Many of these ties are more binding than blood-relationships. Whatever the reason that prompted you to take the oath soon becomes secondary as you realize the pride and honor that comes from serving your country.
So enjoy your Memorial Day and remember to thank a vet that made it possible for you to live the way you do. ALL gave some. Some gave ALL.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Three Surprises at Bill Bryan Chrysler Jeep Dodge
I thought I was done blogging about my truck buying experience but my salesman -- who shall remain unidentified here because I believe he was honestly doing the best he could -- insisted that I go online and post a review. I don't think he knew I already have been. So I have one more post about my experience at Bill Bryan
Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Fruitland Park, FL.
First of all,
I am EXTREMELY happy with my new truck – 2006 Ram 2500 with the 5.9
Cummins. I have been shopping for this
specific truck for several months and was happy to put together a deal. I had three surprises along the way; one was
good and the other two not so much.
The first surprise came when I climbed into the driver’s
seat. The truck had the optional engine
brake which was not advertised. I tow a
lot, so this was a nice surprise.
The second surprise came the day AFTER I signed paperwork. The “Out the Door”
price my salesman and I agreed on was NOT the same as when I actually walked out the
door. When I went into the Business
Manager’s office to arrange financing, I was not expecting him to try selling more add-on stuff. Successfully, I might add, because I didn’t
see the additional $529 until the next day.
I signed my name – or initialed my understanding – more
than 47 times that afternoon. I have 12
pages of ‘paper’ to go along with my new truck.
Who do you think is getting ‘protected’ with this mountain of
paper? But it’s only $500 and I REALLY
like my truck.
Surprise #3 came yesterday when I went to pick up my new
ride, but a few details first. This
truck has a spray-in bed liner. The
previous owner had a fifth-wheel hitch and tool box but removed them leaving
the mounting holes exposed. I knew all
this from the pictures I had seen online before I even went to test drive. When I saw the truck in person the dealer had
installed a new drop-in bed liner. I
figured it was to cover the holes and make it less obvious this truck had been used to tow.
Some folks don’t like that.
I commented to my salesman about the new liner being unimportant
to me since I would be putting a hitch back in the truck and using the existing
holes. Yesterday, when I went to get my truck, surprise -- the
new liner had been removed. When I asked about it, he said he was “…. helping me out so I wouldn’t have to throw it
in the trash.” How thoughtful!
(p.s. – as a courtesy to my salesman, I sent him a copy of this
before posting. I felt it was the right
thing to do. He called an offered to
bring me the bed liner. I thanked him
but declined. The bed liner is
unimportant. It was the surprise – and his
comment -- that bugged me. He also
wanted to make sure I understood the price change happened in the business
manager’s office, not with him.)
Monday, May 21, 2012
And Away We Grow
So I was able to get together with the salesman at the Dodge dealer and I am now the new owner of a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500. I have nothing negative to say about my salesman - Joe -- in particular. He was pleasant, professional, helpful .... all the stuff you expect. But there was nothing at the end of the day to change my feelings about car dealers. They still rank in my Top 5 -- along with dentists and lawyers -- under Most Painful Experiences.
I thought I had a pretty good game plan going in. I have been researching the kind of truck I wanted and this Dodge was near perfect. Then I determined the average retail price for this vehicle nationwide and set my own 'Top Dollar' number before even showing up at the dealership. If the truck looked as good in person as it sounded and looked online, this was all I would pay. Period.
Once there, the truck indeed was near perfect. The right year, miles, motor, transmission, cab size, accessories, etc. It was a one owner and the Carfax verified my inspection. The truck was well maintained plus there was one unknown option that I recognized instantly when climbing in the drivers seat. This truck had the optional engine brake.
If you are a truck driver, you know what this is and how significant it can be when towing something downhill. Engine brakes -- AKA compression brakes -- use back pressure from the motor to slow the truck down saving the truck brakes. Have you ever seen an 18 wheeler slowing down and heard the very load rumbling of the motor going "blap-blap-blap-blap-blap-blap-blap"? That's the engine brake at work -- probably un-muffled.
The well-maintained condition of the truck (<90K miles) and the engine brake sealed my decision. I made my top dollar offer -- about $3k less than the price on the windshield. Now this is the part I hate most about car dealers. They have a number - the price of the truck - and then there's this for that, this for the other thing, tax, title, registration, dealer fee, this fee, that tax, sumor fee, yada-yada-yada. Doesn't take long before you are back at some number you did not want to be at.
I held my ground. My number was an 'out-the-door' number. I won't bore you with the details of our 3 hour haggling. But when I walked out the door -- with the keys to my new truck -- I held to my number -- almost. After the salesman and I did our dance -- and we have a deal -- I go see the business manager to sign papers. Surprise!! They aren't done trying to sell you stuff!! But they are tricky about it. They show you things as financing options and how it changes your monthly payment -- not as the cost of the item. Big difference.
Would you be more likely to say "YES" if you saw the cost as only $5 more per month in your payment or as another $700 cost of the vehicle? Sneaky. I hate (most) car dealers. Smoke and mirrors! Buyer beware.
But I really liked this truck. It was perfect for what I want to do next. And the price was close enuf to what I planned. There ended up being a $529 "Aftermarket Equipment" charge on my final paperwork that I do not understand. This happened during the financing portion of the negotiations. I can't count the number of times I either signed my name or initialed something during that phase. When there is that much paper and signing, you know who's getting protected don't you? Why does the dealership need that much protection? Is it possible their sneaky ways leave people feeling taken advantage of the next day? I hate (most) car dealers.
But I got my truck. And for a price that I think is fair. Actually, all I have are the keys and a stack of paperwork. I was on my motorcycle and had no way to get both home. So I will run back over there Wednesday morning and pick it up.
And here she is. STS Hot Shots truck #207. Welcome to the fleet.
I thought I had a pretty good game plan going in. I have been researching the kind of truck I wanted and this Dodge was near perfect. Then I determined the average retail price for this vehicle nationwide and set my own 'Top Dollar' number before even showing up at the dealership. If the truck looked as good in person as it sounded and looked online, this was all I would pay. Period.
Once there, the truck indeed was near perfect. The right year, miles, motor, transmission, cab size, accessories, etc. It was a one owner and the Carfax verified my inspection. The truck was well maintained plus there was one unknown option that I recognized instantly when climbing in the drivers seat. This truck had the optional engine brake.
If you are a truck driver, you know what this is and how significant it can be when towing something downhill. Engine brakes -- AKA compression brakes -- use back pressure from the motor to slow the truck down saving the truck brakes. Have you ever seen an 18 wheeler slowing down and heard the very load rumbling of the motor going "blap-blap-blap-blap-blap-blap-blap"? That's the engine brake at work -- probably un-muffled.
The well-maintained condition of the truck (<90K miles) and the engine brake sealed my decision. I made my top dollar offer -- about $3k less than the price on the windshield. Now this is the part I hate most about car dealers. They have a number - the price of the truck - and then there's this for that, this for the other thing, tax, title, registration, dealer fee, this fee, that tax, sumor fee, yada-yada-yada. Doesn't take long before you are back at some number you did not want to be at.
I held my ground. My number was an 'out-the-door' number. I won't bore you with the details of our 3 hour haggling. But when I walked out the door -- with the keys to my new truck -- I held to my number -- almost. After the salesman and I did our dance -- and we have a deal -- I go see the business manager to sign papers. Surprise!! They aren't done trying to sell you stuff!! But they are tricky about it. They show you things as financing options and how it changes your monthly payment -- not as the cost of the item. Big difference.
Would you be more likely to say "YES" if you saw the cost as only $5 more per month in your payment or as another $700 cost of the vehicle? Sneaky. I hate (most) car dealers. Smoke and mirrors! Buyer beware.
But I really liked this truck. It was perfect for what I want to do next. And the price was close enuf to what I planned. There ended up being a $529 "Aftermarket Equipment" charge on my final paperwork that I do not understand. This happened during the financing portion of the negotiations. I can't count the number of times I either signed my name or initialed something during that phase. When there is that much paper and signing, you know who's getting protected don't you? Why does the dealership need that much protection? Is it possible their sneaky ways leave people feeling taken advantage of the next day? I hate (most) car dealers.
But I got my truck. And for a price that I think is fair. Actually, all I have are the keys and a stack of paperwork. I was on my motorcycle and had no way to get both home. So I will run back over there Wednesday morning and pick it up.
And here she is. STS Hot Shots truck #207. Welcome to the fleet.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Another Milestone Today? Maybe!
I'm a little stoked and probably premature with this post, but what the heck. Who knows when I'll put something up again, right? I am killing time this morning because I'm an early riser and don't have to be where I am going for another 4 hours, if even at all. I can back out. But I won't.
I have an appointment to see -- and drive -- a new (to me) truck. STS is on the verge of DOUBLING it's fleet! Yes, I know. Perhaps I exaggerate a bit. Everybody has two cars anymore. But this is a very big deal to me. Perhaps the biggest thing -- a NEGATIVE -- is that I will have a truck payment. But the flip side to that is I will also have more income because this is definitely a work truck.
The faithful readers here will instantly ask, "But who's going to drive your new work truck since you can't be both 'driver' and 'office boy'?" Herein lies the real motivator for me. My oldest son has expressed an interest in doing what I do. I think he's getting tired of living in an apartment the size of a closet and living off PBJs. My present truck has a lot of miles on it -- almost 500K -- and though still very reliable (A/C blows ice cubes too) is at a point where semi-retirement is a better idea than an everyday workhorse.
So I'm off to see a new Dodge Ram.
I have an appointment to see -- and drive -- a new (to me) truck. STS is on the verge of DOUBLING it's fleet! Yes, I know. Perhaps I exaggerate a bit. Everybody has two cars anymore. But this is a very big deal to me. Perhaps the biggest thing -- a NEGATIVE -- is that I will have a truck payment. But the flip side to that is I will also have more income because this is definitely a work truck.
The faithful readers here will instantly ask, "But who's going to drive your new work truck since you can't be both 'driver' and 'office boy'?" Herein lies the real motivator for me. My oldest son has expressed an interest in doing what I do. I think he's getting tired of living in an apartment the size of a closet and living off PBJs. My present truck has a lot of miles on it -- almost 500K -- and though still very reliable (A/C blows ice cubes too) is at a point where semi-retirement is a better idea than an everyday workhorse.
So I'm off to see a new Dodge Ram.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
What's to Love about Paradise?
A rhetorical question or perhaps even facetious. Isn't the definition of Paradise, "a place where everything is wonderful?" Who won't love that? But Paradise -- like Bar-B-Que sauce -- is different to each person. Some people think living on a mountain top is Paradise. Not me, although it IS a nice place to visit.
For me the sun is a major factor. I need lots of it. I can stand the heat (>90) way better than the cold (<30). We get a bunch of sun here on the Sun Coast of FL (I did NOT make that up). Many years ago, the St. Pete Times use to give their newspaper away free the next day if we got a day without sunshine. We average more than 350 days of sun per year.
Yes it can get hot. Consecutive days of upper 90s are not unusual thru July and August, with humidity to match. But I live on the beach so there is almost always a cool breeze coming off the water.
(Weather Facts 101: The sun heats the land much faster than the water during the day. This causes the air to rise over the land, creating a vacuum that draws the cooler air over the water inland. This same routine in Summer leads to the afternoon showers when the moist, cool air begins to rise inland and rain is squeezed out. Violent thunderstorms are not unusual.)
Interestingly, the average highs in St. Louis -- where I spent a large part of my adult life -- are within one degree of the averages here. Even crazier, STL has higher 'Record Highs' than St. Petersburg in the Summer. I can't say that it NEVER freezes around here because I live about 75 miles north of THAT line. But it is a very rare event. The only snow I have ever seen here was on TV. I'm very okay with that.
And with the sun you should have some sand -- in my mind; preferably with a body of salt water rolling onto it. Is there ANYTHING that is more relaxing and soothing than the sound of waves crashing onto the shore as the winds blow thru the palm trees? I think not. This time of year, my windows are all open. Paradise Maximus! (Other than the salt and sand that accumulates on window sills and slats of the shades.)
And the birds! Cannot forget the birds. All kinds of birds. From the cacophony the squawking Quaker Parrots make as they announce their arrival to the cooing of the Doves in the Sea Grape tree just outside my living room. Sandpipers, Seagulls, Pelicans, Terns, Egrets, Herrins and more patrol the coast line fighting over food. Blackbirds, finches and a hundred others I don't have a clue what they are, all call this home; with me. I've even seen a Humming Bird here.
Let's not forget the natural phenomenon that happens almost daily when you have a large body of water to the west -- SUNSET! This big orange ball settling on the horizon is made unique everyday by the variety of clouds present (or sometimes not) and the winds churning up the sea surface (or not). Mother Nature's Fireworks. It still boggles my mind to see the sun disappear and yet you actually see nothing moving. Or the explosion of colors as the sun drops below the horizon line yet still illuminates the clouds and sky. I have been coming to this beach for more than 30 years and watching the sunset is still one of my most cherished events.
In case I'm starting to sound like a Chamber of Commerce commercial, let me give you the bad news. Sometimes I think there are too many people here. Traffic can be absolutely horrible. Actually, it's not the people. It's the cars. It seems like everybody is driving two at a time. And since many folks are in a hurry to get wherever they are going, they can be VERY aggressive. Because I live on a very narrow sand bar (literally) there is just one main road - Gulf Blvd - that runs the 25 miles or so up and down the coast here. It gets crazy sometimes.
But I have adapted. Too many positives for the few, minor negatives. Besides, can you truly appreciate the good if you don't have something bad to compare it too? If this was the ONLY sunset you ever saw wouldn't you think that they are ALL like this? Hmmmmm. On second thought; what's wrong with that?
For me the sun is a major factor. I need lots of it. I can stand the heat (>90) way better than the cold (<30). We get a bunch of sun here on the Sun Coast of FL (I did NOT make that up). Many years ago, the St. Pete Times use to give their newspaper away free the next day if we got a day without sunshine. We average more than 350 days of sun per year.
Yes it can get hot. Consecutive days of upper 90s are not unusual thru July and August, with humidity to match. But I live on the beach so there is almost always a cool breeze coming off the water.
(Weather Facts 101: The sun heats the land much faster than the water during the day. This causes the air to rise over the land, creating a vacuum that draws the cooler air over the water inland. This same routine in Summer leads to the afternoon showers when the moist, cool air begins to rise inland and rain is squeezed out. Violent thunderstorms are not unusual.)
Interestingly, the average highs in St. Louis -- where I spent a large part of my adult life -- are within one degree of the averages here. Even crazier, STL has higher 'Record Highs' than St. Petersburg in the Summer. I can't say that it NEVER freezes around here because I live about 75 miles north of THAT line. But it is a very rare event. The only snow I have ever seen here was on TV. I'm very okay with that.
And with the sun you should have some sand -- in my mind; preferably with a body of salt water rolling onto it. Is there ANYTHING that is more relaxing and soothing than the sound of waves crashing onto the shore as the winds blow thru the palm trees? I think not. This time of year, my windows are all open. Paradise Maximus! (Other than the salt and sand that accumulates on window sills and slats of the shades.)
And the birds! Cannot forget the birds. All kinds of birds. From the cacophony the squawking Quaker Parrots make as they announce their arrival to the cooing of the Doves in the Sea Grape tree just outside my living room. Sandpipers, Seagulls, Pelicans, Terns, Egrets, Herrins and more patrol the coast line fighting over food. Blackbirds, finches and a hundred others I don't have a clue what they are, all call this home; with me. I've even seen a Humming Bird here.
Let's not forget the natural phenomenon that happens almost daily when you have a large body of water to the west -- SUNSET! This big orange ball settling on the horizon is made unique everyday by the variety of clouds present (or sometimes not) and the winds churning up the sea surface (or not). Mother Nature's Fireworks. It still boggles my mind to see the sun disappear and yet you actually see nothing moving. Or the explosion of colors as the sun drops below the horizon line yet still illuminates the clouds and sky. I have been coming to this beach for more than 30 years and watching the sunset is still one of my most cherished events.
But I have adapted. Too many positives for the few, minor negatives. Besides, can you truly appreciate the good if you don't have something bad to compare it too? If this was the ONLY sunset you ever saw wouldn't you think that they are ALL like this? Hmmmmm. On second thought; what's wrong with that?
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
FINALLY -- a 2-Wheeled Roadtrip
I can't remember the last time I took a motorcycle road-trip. For the last couple of years -- at least -- it seems like I have been relegated to the beach here; not that that is a bad thing. In fact I brag how almost everything I need is with-in a couple miles of the house.
But I'm a driver. And it doesn't really make alot of difference WHAT I'm driving. I just like to go. But I can not drive AND do the office work required to keep my other drivers moving. There is a lot of freight out there moving everyday. But a lot of truck drivers too. To get the best paying loads you have to be quick to respond when a new load is posted. That requires active, aggressive monitoring; something very hard to do while holding the steering wheel going down the road.
I needed to be back in the St. Louis area last week. I had both my truck and one of my trailers down here in FL as well as my motorcycle. The last time I left STL, there was a load going to Valdosta, GA that I decided to take. It's on the way to where I stay in FL. I put the trailer in a nearby RV storage facility for the month I was in FL.
When it was time to leave FL, my mother rode along with me; her first trip in my truck while working. We went 30 miles south first and picked up a car going to IL and then headed up I-75 thru GA. We got a motel room the first night outside of Atlanta and then detoured slightly east to Augusta, GA to add a small tractor attachment going to KY. That piece got delivered late the same day and then on to north-central IL where we delivered the car after spending a second nite in a motel.
Mother was visiting family and planned to stay a month or so. My business required less than a week and then I was ready to get back to paradise. I have very little need for my truck -- and NO need for my trailer -- in FL. It makes more sense to leave it in Belleville where I can usually find a driver to put in the seat for the day, if a special need comes up. So back to FL on my motorcycle.
Almost 1100 miles in less than two days. One point I'm particularly proud of (although one may question my sanity) -- NO windshield. I have one but hate the way my bike looks with it on. I like that olde tyme nostalgia look. The windshield detracts from the totally chromed out front end.
The wind-in-your-face at 80+ MPH presents a number of considerations. Breathing is at the top. I wear either a face mask (specially made for this application with breathing slots and soft fabric on the inside) or sometimes just a large bandanna worn like the bank-robbing cowboys of yesterday. I also wear long sleeves regardless of the heat. Keeping the wind and sun off your skin is paramount to making this ride tolerable. That leaves dodging bugs and tiny rocks thrown up in construction zones as the next important thing.
Also at 80 MPH, the wind is doing all it can to rip you off the bike. I have a special bag (called a T-bag) that sits on the passenger seat forming a large cushion (assuming I have nothing 'pointy' like belt buckles in the wrong place) for me to lean back against. This bag mounts on the sissy bar and keeps me in position with minimal effort.
Many will question the logic of putting ones self in such a grueling position when more comfortable options are available. All I can say is, if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand. I CAN tell you one thing though; seeing the world from a motorcycle seat is so different than ANYTHING else that until you have done it, you can't really imagine.
I rode more than 600 miles the first day making it to Macon, GA. After getting a motel room and a shower, I ventured downtown Macon to Cherry St. and found a neat little restaurant -- The Bird --and sat on the patio watching the world go by. Great time. I'll be back.
The next morning was out early and finished the last 400+ miles. I got in here about 3, plenty of time to clean-up and enjoy one of my top-5 things -- FL Sunsets. And bonus!!! There was also a full moon that nite. And not just any full moon but the biggest of the year since the moons orbit was at it's perigee -- closest point to the Earth. Moonrise was almost the same time as sunset.
So now, I'm back in FL. Still just two drivers. I had a third, I thought. But things changed at the last minute -- literally. We shall see how that goes. Business is good. Life is great.
Oh, and a shout-out and Mozel Tov to my cuz in Cali -- she had a baby girl a couple weeks ago. This is the cuz who went to Israel for a couple years, got married last year and moved (with hubby) back to LA earlier this year. I'm very excited for both of them and my #1 cuz (her mom)!
But I'm a driver. And it doesn't really make alot of difference WHAT I'm driving. I just like to go. But I can not drive AND do the office work required to keep my other drivers moving. There is a lot of freight out there moving everyday. But a lot of truck drivers too. To get the best paying loads you have to be quick to respond when a new load is posted. That requires active, aggressive monitoring; something very hard to do while holding the steering wheel going down the road.
I needed to be back in the St. Louis area last week. I had both my truck and one of my trailers down here in FL as well as my motorcycle. The last time I left STL, there was a load going to Valdosta, GA that I decided to take. It's on the way to where I stay in FL. I put the trailer in a nearby RV storage facility for the month I was in FL.
When it was time to leave FL, my mother rode along with me; her first trip in my truck while working. We went 30 miles south first and picked up a car going to IL and then headed up I-75 thru GA. We got a motel room the first night outside of Atlanta and then detoured slightly east to Augusta, GA to add a small tractor attachment going to KY. That piece got delivered late the same day and then on to north-central IL where we delivered the car after spending a second nite in a motel.
Mother was visiting family and planned to stay a month or so. My business required less than a week and then I was ready to get back to paradise. I have very little need for my truck -- and NO need for my trailer -- in FL. It makes more sense to leave it in Belleville where I can usually find a driver to put in the seat for the day, if a special need comes up. So back to FL on my motorcycle.
Almost 1100 miles in less than two days. One point I'm particularly proud of (although one may question my sanity) -- NO windshield. I have one but hate the way my bike looks with it on. I like that olde tyme nostalgia look. The windshield detracts from the totally chromed out front end.
The wind-in-your-face at 80+ MPH presents a number of considerations. Breathing is at the top. I wear either a face mask (specially made for this application with breathing slots and soft fabric on the inside) or sometimes just a large bandanna worn like the bank-robbing cowboys of yesterday. I also wear long sleeves regardless of the heat. Keeping the wind and sun off your skin is paramount to making this ride tolerable. That leaves dodging bugs and tiny rocks thrown up in construction zones as the next important thing.
Also at 80 MPH, the wind is doing all it can to rip you off the bike. I have a special bag (called a T-bag) that sits on the passenger seat forming a large cushion (assuming I have nothing 'pointy' like belt buckles in the wrong place) for me to lean back against. This bag mounts on the sissy bar and keeps me in position with minimal effort.
Many will question the logic of putting ones self in such a grueling position when more comfortable options are available. All I can say is, if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand. I CAN tell you one thing though; seeing the world from a motorcycle seat is so different than ANYTHING else that until you have done it, you can't really imagine.
I rode more than 600 miles the first day making it to Macon, GA. After getting a motel room and a shower, I ventured downtown Macon to Cherry St. and found a neat little restaurant -- The Bird --and sat on the patio watching the world go by. Great time. I'll be back.
The next morning was out early and finished the last 400+ miles. I got in here about 3, plenty of time to clean-up and enjoy one of my top-5 things -- FL Sunsets. And bonus!!! There was also a full moon that nite. And not just any full moon but the biggest of the year since the moons orbit was at it's perigee -- closest point to the Earth. Moonrise was almost the same time as sunset.
So now, I'm back in FL. Still just two drivers. I had a third, I thought. But things changed at the last minute -- literally. We shall see how that goes. Business is good. Life is great.
Oh, and a shout-out and Mozel Tov to my cuz in Cali -- she had a baby girl a couple weeks ago. This is the cuz who went to Israel for a couple years, got married last year and moved (with hubby) back to LA earlier this year. I'm very excited for both of them and my #1 cuz (her mom)!
Monday, April 16, 2012
R.A.K. -- Try It; You'll Like It!
Random Act of Kindness -- RAK. Such a simple concept. Do something nice for someone with no expectations. Open the door for someone. Pick something up they may have dropped and return it to them. We have opportunities many times every day at RAKs. But I can tell you from personal experience that it is easier said than done for most people.
I have an incredible life. The opportunities I have been given, the people I am surrounded by, the life I lead -- all fantastic!! A random act of kindness is a chance to pay back. I even think it's a chance to pay forward.
When I was in the corporate world I was sent to many management classes. One of the lessons that stuck for me was the "10 to 1" rule. This concept proposed that people will remember a negative comment or reprimand much longer than most positive ones. Therefore you had to do 10 'positive' things to balance each negative. The context this was in pertained more to people management and positive reinforcement but I apply the same theory to RAKs.
I try to do as many RAKs as I can to balance the many negative things that I tend to do -- which will go un-mentioned in this post, but those who know me best -- KNOW. And I believe this works. There certainly is a lot of good stuff going on in my life in spite of my screw-ups so it must work.
Many times a RAK is such a simple, effortless thing for you to do and yet can be a big thing to another. For guys, I think many times testosterone gets in the way. Things become a competition in our unending efforts to be the best. But if we slow down and look at the big picture -- put things in perspective of what is REALLY important in the long run, not 'just this moment' -- I believe better decisions will be made.
Perhaps the one RAK we can all do -- me included -- would be to drive friendly. Pretend we actually KNOW that person in the other car and are going to see them again face-to-face. Be nice. Drive Friendly.
I have an incredible life. The opportunities I have been given, the people I am surrounded by, the life I lead -- all fantastic!! A random act of kindness is a chance to pay back. I even think it's a chance to pay forward.
When I was in the corporate world I was sent to many management classes. One of the lessons that stuck for me was the "10 to 1" rule. This concept proposed that people will remember a negative comment or reprimand much longer than most positive ones. Therefore you had to do 10 'positive' things to balance each negative. The context this was in pertained more to people management and positive reinforcement but I apply the same theory to RAKs.
I try to do as many RAKs as I can to balance the many negative things that I tend to do -- which will go un-mentioned in this post, but those who know me best -- KNOW. And I believe this works. There certainly is a lot of good stuff going on in my life in spite of my screw-ups so it must work.
Many times a RAK is such a simple, effortless thing for you to do and yet can be a big thing to another. For guys, I think many times testosterone gets in the way. Things become a competition in our unending efforts to be the best. But if we slow down and look at the big picture -- put things in perspective of what is REALLY important in the long run, not 'just this moment' -- I believe better decisions will be made.
Perhaps the one RAK we can all do -- me included -- would be to drive friendly. Pretend we actually KNOW that person in the other car and are going to see them again face-to-face. Be nice. Drive Friendly.
Friday, April 6, 2012
A Passover 101 Lesson
Tonight, at sunset, Jews celebrate Passover (think: Charlton Heston and the Ten Commandments). The tenth plague that GOD beset on the Egyptians was the slaughter of the first-born. The Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb and therefore 'passed over' by the plague. Passover is a seven-day festival celebrating our liberation from slavery. Exodus 13:8 instructs us to share this story with our children. What better way than at a dinner table?
The Passover Seder is a feast on the first night with seven symbolic foods, a little wine, readings from the Haggadah (an ancient writing that tells the story of the exodus) and some song. The seven foods include: two bitter herbs (horseradish and romaine lettuce) to symbolize the bitterness and harsh life of a slave; charoset (sweet, brown mixture of honey, ground nuts and cinnamon) to represent the mortar used by the slaves to build; vegetable (usually celery or parsley) dipped in salt water to symbolize the pain the slaves felt (salt water = tears); a lamb shankbone that represents the sacrificial lamb; a hard boiled egg is a symbol of mourning (eggs are the first thing served after a Jewish funeral); and 3 pieces of Matzah or unleavened bread (the Jews didn't have time to bake before Moses led them out).
Of course there is a ritual associated with all this. And prayer. But the main point is to never forget. Many of the customs surrounding the dinner were designed to get the children to ask questions, why is tonite different than all other nites? Why do we only eat unleavened bread? Why are we reclined while eating?
There is also the major house cleaning that goes on -- usually for days -- before Passover. The goal is to remove every last morsel of chametz. Chametz is something made from the five grains and then mixed with water and allowed to ferment, like bread. There is some controversy about exactly what these five grains are but varieties of wheat and barley are accepted by many. But as with religion in general, everyone has an interpretation. Interestingly, the Torah provides a very high level of punishment for even OWNING chametz during Passover -- spiritual excision. Hence the aggressive house cleaning to remove EVERY morsel.
(Since this is my blog, I get to share opinions about things without justification, like this) I feel that many of the Jewish Laws -- like not eating pork, or removing ALL chametz in the Spring -- were a method for the Rabbis of old to motivate healthy lifestyles amongst people. What better way to protect people from poorly cooked pig? Or get them to 'Spring Clean'?
And now I have done my mitvah (a religious duty outlined in the Torah) as well as posted here three days in a row!! Hopefully you learned something today.
The Passover Seder is a feast on the first night with seven symbolic foods, a little wine, readings from the Haggadah (an ancient writing that tells the story of the exodus) and some song. The seven foods include: two bitter herbs (horseradish and romaine lettuce) to symbolize the bitterness and harsh life of a slave; charoset (sweet, brown mixture of honey, ground nuts and cinnamon) to represent the mortar used by the slaves to build; vegetable (usually celery or parsley) dipped in salt water to symbolize the pain the slaves felt (salt water = tears); a lamb shankbone that represents the sacrificial lamb; a hard boiled egg is a symbol of mourning (eggs are the first thing served after a Jewish funeral); and 3 pieces of Matzah or unleavened bread (the Jews didn't have time to bake before Moses led them out).
Of course there is a ritual associated with all this. And prayer. But the main point is to never forget. Many of the customs surrounding the dinner were designed to get the children to ask questions, why is tonite different than all other nites? Why do we only eat unleavened bread? Why are we reclined while eating?
There is also the major house cleaning that goes on -- usually for days -- before Passover. The goal is to remove every last morsel of chametz. Chametz is something made from the five grains and then mixed with water and allowed to ferment, like bread. There is some controversy about exactly what these five grains are but varieties of wheat and barley are accepted by many. But as with religion in general, everyone has an interpretation. Interestingly, the Torah provides a very high level of punishment for even OWNING chametz during Passover -- spiritual excision. Hence the aggressive house cleaning to remove EVERY morsel.
(Since this is my blog, I get to share opinions about things without justification, like this) I feel that many of the Jewish Laws -- like not eating pork, or removing ALL chametz in the Spring -- were a method for the Rabbis of old to motivate healthy lifestyles amongst people. What better way to protect people from poorly cooked pig? Or get them to 'Spring Clean'?
And now I have done my mitvah (a religious duty outlined in the Torah) as well as posted here three days in a row!! Hopefully you learned something today.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
STS Update
How about this! Second post in as many days. WOW! Can he keep it up? Time will tell.
I thought it might be a good idea to update folks about my trucking company, seeing how I've not posted anything in a very long time (yesterday excluded). I'm back down to one driver besides myself. But he has been with me almost from the beginning. George is a horse. He runs hard and is as reliable as the rain on a summer afternoon here in FL, where I have been spending most of my time. Before you give me too much grief about living in FL while my company is based in southern IL (near St. Louis); remember that I can not do a good job with the back-office stuff (dispatch, billing, marketing, etc) when I'm driving down the road. And thanks to the internet, a laptop and a cell phone, my location is not really important.
I do have a couple other guys that are close to coming on with us. The first one maybe my oldest son. That is a business owners dream, I think: to see his son (daughter) take over the company and watch both of them grow. I'm planning on buying a new (to me) truck in the next 30-days or so. Nathan has expressed an interest in driving it.
In case you aren't aware, STS fills a very specialized niche in the trucking industry. We are hot shots. I'm not talking about the personality disorder but the type of freight we haul. We use one-ton, diesel pick-up trucks to pull flatbed, gooseneck trailers. We can handle loads up to 15,000 lbs and 36' long. We offer time-sensitive delivery for those Less Than a Truckload items.
Here's a link to our website with pictures and more details: STS HOT SHOTS.COM
I have another guy, former truck driver, who just bought himself a brand new 2012 Dodge Ram dually and is planning to start with us later this month. He had some personal business to resolve first and expects to be available after the 15th.
Then there is the retired guy from Boeing that worked for us last summer. Boeing called him up and made him an offer he couldn't refuse doing a temporary, contract-labor thing in Macon, GA. He was suppose to be done Jan 1 but they gave him a 90-day extension. Then gave him another 90-days just last month. Apparently he's doing a little too good for them. But I got an email a week ago and he assured me he will be back, eventually. I can't blame the guy. They are paying him very handsomely in addition to an apartment and a car to use.
So the future is bright from that angle. But now I need to get busy growing our customer base. These drivers are going to want to work. And things have slowed down a bit for us over the last couple weeks. Not sure why. But I think there is opportunity. And I need to get drivers available before I start promoting our business. It won't do any good if I start getting phone calls for trucks and my ONE guy is already out.
Can't forget my lady in Indiana. She is a freight broker. She has a few clients that buy and sell cars, usually off the internet. She finds carriers to move the cars for them using my federal Motor Carrier Authority (permission to haul freight interstate for-hire). This is a side of the industry I intend to get much more into, eventually -- Freight Forwarding. I frequently get calls to move freight that is beyond our ability (too big or heavy) or in a place I don't have a truck. I can still help these folks by using my network of connections to find a truck that can do the job for them. That's down the road.
And at some point I'm going to need some office help. The feds are extremely demanding about paperwork and compliance. The trucking industry is second only to the financial industry in federal oversight. You've seen those weigh stations along the interstate? There is a lot of stuff going on in there besides just checking weight.
So now you're up to speed on my biz. I've kept my promise from yesterday, at least for now. And it's beach time. It's 87 degrees and not a cloud in the sky here.
I thought it might be a good idea to update folks about my trucking company, seeing how I've not posted anything in a very long time (yesterday excluded). I'm back down to one driver besides myself. But he has been with me almost from the beginning. George is a horse. He runs hard and is as reliable as the rain on a summer afternoon here in FL, where I have been spending most of my time. Before you give me too much grief about living in FL while my company is based in southern IL (near St. Louis); remember that I can not do a good job with the back-office stuff (dispatch, billing, marketing, etc) when I'm driving down the road. And thanks to the internet, a laptop and a cell phone, my location is not really important.
I do have a couple other guys that are close to coming on with us. The first one maybe my oldest son. That is a business owners dream, I think: to see his son (daughter) take over the company and watch both of them grow. I'm planning on buying a new (to me) truck in the next 30-days or so. Nathan has expressed an interest in driving it.
In case you aren't aware, STS fills a very specialized niche in the trucking industry. We are hot shots. I'm not talking about the personality disorder but the type of freight we haul. We use one-ton, diesel pick-up trucks to pull flatbed, gooseneck trailers. We can handle loads up to 15,000 lbs and 36' long. We offer time-sensitive delivery for those Less Than a Truckload items.
Here's a link to our website with pictures and more details: STS HOT SHOTS.COM
I have another guy, former truck driver, who just bought himself a brand new 2012 Dodge Ram dually and is planning to start with us later this month. He had some personal business to resolve first and expects to be available after the 15th.
Then there is the retired guy from Boeing that worked for us last summer. Boeing called him up and made him an offer he couldn't refuse doing a temporary, contract-labor thing in Macon, GA. He was suppose to be done Jan 1 but they gave him a 90-day extension. Then gave him another 90-days just last month. Apparently he's doing a little too good for them. But I got an email a week ago and he assured me he will be back, eventually. I can't blame the guy. They are paying him very handsomely in addition to an apartment and a car to use.
So the future is bright from that angle. But now I need to get busy growing our customer base. These drivers are going to want to work. And things have slowed down a bit for us over the last couple weeks. Not sure why. But I think there is opportunity. And I need to get drivers available before I start promoting our business. It won't do any good if I start getting phone calls for trucks and my ONE guy is already out.
Can't forget my lady in Indiana. She is a freight broker. She has a few clients that buy and sell cars, usually off the internet. She finds carriers to move the cars for them using my federal Motor Carrier Authority (permission to haul freight interstate for-hire). This is a side of the industry I intend to get much more into, eventually -- Freight Forwarding. I frequently get calls to move freight that is beyond our ability (too big or heavy) or in a place I don't have a truck. I can still help these folks by using my network of connections to find a truck that can do the job for them. That's down the road.
And at some point I'm going to need some office help. The feds are extremely demanding about paperwork and compliance. The trucking industry is second only to the financial industry in federal oversight. You've seen those weigh stations along the interstate? There is a lot of stuff going on in there besides just checking weight.
So now you're up to speed on my biz. I've kept my promise from yesterday, at least for now. And it's beach time. It's 87 degrees and not a cloud in the sky here.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
I'm Saying it AGAIN!
I really do want to be more consistent with my posts here. As much as I may WANT to though, it just seems so difficult to actually make it happen. Perhaps that is just a microcosm of life; so often the reality falls short of our vision. So maybe I should change my vision?
This blog began as a way for me to share my adventures as I traveled the USA as a truck driver. When I got my own federal Motor Carrier Authority (permission from the feds to do this as my own boss), I soon realized that I could make money finding loads for other drivers operating with my name on their door. But I could not do BOTH drive and dispatch. Over time, I opted for the less demanding work of dispatch. If you haven't driven PROFESSIONALLY - you don't get it. OTR truck driving is a lifestyle; not just a job. It takes a special personality. There is a lot more to it than just holding the steering wheel for 10 hours a day.
Now, as 'Office Boy', I do not have the input of new adventures to write about. Or do I? I do not want this blog to be about me. Facebook is about the world knowing every nuance of your personal life. I have too many skeletons for that. I would rather tell stories, preferably true, or at least mostly. I want to entertain with words. So I need a new vision of what this blog is about.
Rather than my travels, which are limited, I am expanding my topics to include current events. Don't worry. This is not a news source. I will be too opinionated for that.
So, I apologize for not providing new content here for almost six months. And I make a promise (again) to be more consistent. This is a start.
This blog began as a way for me to share my adventures as I traveled the USA as a truck driver. When I got my own federal Motor Carrier Authority (permission from the feds to do this as my own boss), I soon realized that I could make money finding loads for other drivers operating with my name on their door. But I could not do BOTH drive and dispatch. Over time, I opted for the less demanding work of dispatch. If you haven't driven PROFESSIONALLY - you don't get it. OTR truck driving is a lifestyle; not just a job. It takes a special personality. There is a lot more to it than just holding the steering wheel for 10 hours a day.
Now, as 'Office Boy', I do not have the input of new adventures to write about. Or do I? I do not want this blog to be about me. Facebook is about the world knowing every nuance of your personal life. I have too many skeletons for that. I would rather tell stories, preferably true, or at least mostly. I want to entertain with words. So I need a new vision of what this blog is about.
Rather than my travels, which are limited, I am expanding my topics to include current events. Don't worry. This is not a news source. I will be too opinionated for that.
So, I apologize for not providing new content here for almost six months. And I make a promise (again) to be more consistent. This is a start.
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