Truckers

BIG RIGS with SPEED

2008-04-06T21:53:00.004-06:00

St Petersburg Grand Prix was held today. A pro Indy race- created through the street of my home town.

ESPN wasnt the only one with good seats, my brothers employer sponsors this event, and we got a chance to drive the drivers to their cars. Very kool experience- even during the rain!

Plenty pictures coming on this event.

Destination on the Right!

2008-03-07T15:47:00.005-06:00

Planet Hollywood in Orlando, Florida- USA. just an interesting building, it intrigies me. Last time I was here, was over 15 years ago. On arrival, I got the same feeling as I did back then. Traffic was somewhat dissapointing, the 4 lane drive on the 4 was packed east to west. A Rollercoaster ride, from a stand still to 75. Taking pictures were a challenge as well.

Retro

2008-03-02T02:46:00.006-06:00

Not exactly 'retro' as SistaC's pics, but a very kool pic in Orlando that I had to take, heading home from my journey. For some reason, at this time- I didnt want to go home! Just a Beautiful ride today in Florida!

One for the books! It looked pretty 'retro' until you click to enlarge..only to find the Delta 737-800 flying west :)

I just love neon lights.

KopyKat

2008-01-03T21:36:00.000-06:00

I was in the mood to take some awesome pictures at a nearby truck stop, like my sistaC does in LA, but ran out of time today. DT's got some pictures skills to show, coming soon to a theater near you

No Respect.

2007-12-20T04:10:00.000-06:00

This writing doesnt have a picture. I hear so much, truckers dont get respect. Now I can see why. I watched this video on youtube, and this trucker was video taping his arrival into a Dallas Truck Stop. Every word out of this guys mouth was negative. He had a 3 word vocabulary. I guess not every trucker is like my OLD MAN.... POP, hats off to you! Its nice to have a conversation with you, without everyother word being something I cant type.

I guess I am spoiled, having a father that acts and shows what a true trucker is all about. Now I understanding why people dont give truckers respect after watching some of these youtube truckers video's. I think the bottomline is , they would get the RESPECT if they could SHOW it and ACT it. Words dont lie, the respect is not there, because the majority refuses to act sane!
Just watch some of these videos. Its almost embarassing to the Industry!

I agree, Truckers are the backbone to this country, but its the attitudes that puts the black label on the "trucker". Clean up the language, adjust the attitudes, think positive- 3 steps to getting respect. I know its a hard job, my father runs 140,000 miles a year, always positive.

Maybe Im just blessed to have a great father. Thanks POP, keep truckin man!!

The Heavenly Route

2007-10-26T00:34:00.000-06:00

In Dedication; The Most Peaceful Road ever made.

2007-10-16T16:34:00.000-06:00

more in the mirror

2007-10-15T18:04:00.000-06:00

In your mirror

2007-10-15T18:02:00.000-06:00

At the Borders*

2007-08-26T00:35:00.000-06:00

Wishful thinking on my part, (XRAY-VIS*) instead what we see here is just testing going on in California scanning the trucks for explosive. I just find these pics , kind of kool*

Office Space

2007-08-22T21:19:00.000-06:00

White Collar America, loves the Blue Collar world. Now this is more like it!!!!!!! My BRAND NEW office, 2- 40 foot containers being dropped off during our remodel! Now that made the day exciting! Most thought I had problems sitting there watching it for 40 mins- ...............some people, just dont get it!

You Like UNEMPLOYMENT!

2007-08-18T07:02:00.000-06:00

I found this and just had to post it, it leaves me with a bitter taste.

Since the passage of NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Act) there has been talk of a “superhighway”, or a series of “superhighways” that allow the efficient movement of cargo and laborers within North America.
Although there have been denials of such a highway, the North American Super Corridor Coalition (NASCO) exists to promote just such a system of highways. One piece of it is in progress in Kansas City, Missouri. The Kansas City SmartPort is an “inland port” that is proposed to handle Mexican customs and inspections. It is to be the link between seaports in Mexico and major truck, air and rail lines in the United States, all the way to Manitoba, Canada. (Another piece of the NASCO super corridor, is the Trans-Texas Corridor-the TTC)

Here’s the troubling part. After cargo arrives at Mexican seaports (mostly from Asia), it is to be shipped to Kansas City, and from there to the rest of the US and Canada. The cargo will be approved and screened for security in a Mexican port. Trucks and rail are to be inspected for safety in Mexico. According to press reports, there will be a US “border inspection" when the cargo reaches the Mexican border. However as we now know, a very small percentage of cargo is inspected by Homeland Security. They will rely primarily on the port personnel in Mexico. The vast majority of cargo will pass through the border unimpeded and will not be inspected. We will be relying on other countries to keep us safe from terrorism, nuclear waste and semi-trucks full of illegal immigrants, guns, drugs or other illegal cargo.

Other problems with the “SuperHighway “ and SmartPort that concern many Americans are:
U.S. Sovereignty. A Mexican customs office is planned for Kansas City (with the innocuous name of Kansas City Customs). If the U.S. State Department approves it, this will be the first foreign customs operation on US soil, and there is a concern that Mexico will have sovereignty in their facilities (ie, Mexican customs office will not be subject to US laws). This is currently on hold by the US State Department. U.S. jobs will permanently be lost. Good paying union jobs in the US for American truckers, railway workers, airline staff, warehouse personnel and dockworkers will permanently shift to non-Americans. For example, the Mexican Ports that are being developed are funded and run in part by a Hong-Kong shipper. Additionally, the Texas-Trans Corridor (a piece of the superhighway) is to be contracted out to a Spanish company to build and operate. We don't know how many TTC related jobs will go to US Citizens, and how many will go to foreigners. The profits from privatizing highways will flow out of our country, and we will lose tax revenues as well! Environmental Issues. Mexico does not require the level of emission controls that the US does. As more Mexican trucks enter and traverse the United States, more pollution will accompany them. · Concentrated level of pollutants in Kansas City. Additional pollutants and ozone concerns are raised by the planned increase in rail and truck traffic in the Kansas City Area. Locomotives-which are too expensive to shut down-usually run 24 hours a day, and are one of the worst polluters in the transportation system. Mexico does not currently require the same level of emission controls as the US does.

Kansas City taxpayers are providing a loan (and the property) for the construction of the Mexican customs facility! <<<<<<< what the!!!! Am I reading this correctly - please tell me this is a misprint

Emminent Domain. New highways like the TTC, will take up to a million acres of land through the use of emminent domain.PPP-Private Public Partnerships. This is how much of the superhighway system will be built. Private companies will lease the highway infrastructure, and they will recoup their investment plus profit with tolls and receipts from concessions (gas stations, restaurants, etc.) American highways will be effectively owned, controlled and maintained by foreign companies that will make a profit. For existing (not new) highways, taxpayers will literally pay for the same highway twice. See privatization section of this website.Join us in taking action so that the Citizens of the United States are involved in these and other decisions affecting our sovereignty, jobs, the environment, immigration and homeland security.

THE STUDIES WARNED !!!!!!!!!!! The American People- I HOPE!

2007-08-13T22:01:00.000-06:00

Evidence of increasing international trade truck traffic on Interstate 35 through Minnesota raises concerns that NAFTA Superhighway traffic contributed to last week's collapse of the freeway bridge in Minneapolis.

President George W. Bush, aboard Marine One, takes an aerial survey of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007
WND has unearthed a Federal Highway Administration report dating back to 1998 that warned increasing NAFTA truck traffic was expected create a safety concern with bridges in states along the I-35 NAFTA Superhighway, including Minnesota.

The study concluded that, "The I-35 Corridor's multimodal transportation hubs – where air, rail, river, and truck cargo converge – make I-35 ideally positioned to be a major route for what is expected to be increasing levels of international trade activity."

The study warned that, "Over the next few decades, about 65 percent of I-35 will require major upgrades, however the entire route will have a continued need for rehabilitating pavements, resurfacing sections of the highway, and providing replacements of some bridge decks. Bridge substructures and superstructures will also need to be maintained, requiring repairs to maintain the integrity of the bridges."

The FHWA study was conducted in conjunction with the Departments of Transportation in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota assessed I-35 from Laredo, Texas, to Duluth, Minn.

The American Bald Eagle

2007-08-12T00:14:00.001-06:00

Home of the FREE!

It MAY look PRETTY- but DONT BE FOOLED!

2007-08-07T23:18:00.000-06:00

GLAM- Glitter, The Trans-Texas Corridor is an innovative concept for moving freight and people, as it incorporates unique public-private partnerships in financing and offers an excellent opportunity to use a collaborative environmental review process.

The TRUTH- Just a cheaper way for the "BIG INVESTORS" to bring in Cheaper goods, and elimating hard working American jobs and loading their pockets up. Eventually wiping out the borders and killing the UNITED STATES all together- all over the greed of the dollar. Dont let the GOVERMENT FOOL you, they are in this all the way!

Its time we, as Americans, CLEAN HOUSE and SPEAK OUT!

2370 MILES

2007-08-07T22:24:00.000-06:00

After 7 years driving OTR, I havent had my father break the Florida line yet, until last weekend. 2370 Miles just to say hello, not to mention a look at his brand new "07 Liner- It wasnt exactly that easy, I had to fuel up the BIRD. I found him rollin 18 in a remote area, south of Ocala, Florida.

Priceless!

June4

2007-06-04T00:18:00.000-06:00

Cake and the Icing.... its possible! GodBless all Truckers, on everyday!

FiftyThreeFeet

2007-06-02T02:32:00.000-06:00

As pretty has she looks, it took everything to off load this beauty, sitting quietly in Tampa, Florida! Petro might be able to use a pallet jack, but can he hang with me- piece by piece?

*recording breaking time, 1453 pieces-92 minutes. Tampa got it going on!

GREEN LIGHT means GO!

2007-06-02T02:22:00.000-06:00

All is well, with this refer- rolling 18 through Chicago! Westbound and down to SLC!

Bears, Cubs, Whitesox, Bulls, and Truckers

2007-05-31T22:12:00.000-06:00

Chicago, Illinois- The Windy City and my favorite place. Thanks to my POP, I get a chance to see it again. The Sears Tower, America's Tallest building. Beautiful Pic, rolling18 through one of Americas busiest cities. Keep Trucking POP! He was carring a load of candy, but the real treat is right here. Getting to see Chicago all over again, inside a 2006 FreightLiner!

A Beautiful Sunday Afternoon

2007-05-27T11:32:00.001-06:00

.....driving hard, eastbound and down breaking the Texas line with 28,000 pounds of WATERMELON, with one in the cab! Headed for Ohio, My hometown! Spending a moment with POP on board, rolling 18 America! Happy Holiday POP! Keep Truckin!

DT

It Aint Our Fault if Your Out of Salt

2007-04-30T21:46:00.000-06:00

Just might be the jingle to some Salt Company, but its not the case running westbound I-80 on the outskirts of Saltlake City, Utah. Thats not snow, thats the Salt Bed in SAltLakeCity. Is so bright its hard to see driving down this part of freeway! My father sent the pic running 18 hard, to get back home and to see the family for a few days.

STAND PROUD!

2007-04-25T23:03:00.000-06:00

SWEET RIDE OUT OF LOS LUNAS, NEW MEXICO

2007-04-25T20:38:00.000-06:00

Interesting place to catch up with my dad, running a refer full of cakes from a Krogers distribution center in Dallas via Nevada. With a NEW truck, and new drops, what other place would fit the spot to run WIDE OPEN with POP then Los Lunas, New Mexico. He told me it was a new"07 Liner, WOW- although, he said last week it was an "06 Liner. Maybe a mix up in the number, but not the MILES. Wheres the pics POP, lets showcase the new PAINT. Running wild on the Zipper again, I'm with you- so let them miles roll. You can drop the HAMMER on this one, cause I know your 68 and no more, unless you catch a draft out of Kansas.

New surprises as well, as Im trying to get on board via GPS Navagation. This is what Im working on. Forget about BIG BROTHER, now the SON as an eye in the sky!

Thats right, HES BACK! POP couldnt let go of what he loves so much, or maybe what I love so much. Rolling 18 America!

DT

Alligator on the Zipper- DVD

2007-04-05T22:22:00.000-06:00

Finally : ) ........... waiting , waiting, and more waiting- its here. The DVD has arrived! Reviews, post and after movie thoughts... just hours away! First comments, straightout of the box- AWESOME!

DT

TAKE ACTION- AMERICA!

2007-04-04T23:15:00.000-06:00

Help STOP the NAFTA Superfreeway. (the connection- creating the North American Union)

All this building, connecting 3 countries into 1 union- without most America knowing- WHAT IS GOING ON!!!!.. Our first job is to contact our representative and howl, bark- make some serious NOISE. Because if we dont wake up the town, it might be paved over!

Need help getting there, take the "express way" below.

http://www.capwiz.com/jbs/home/

NAFTA SUPER SCARY

2007-03-30T22:30:00.000-06:00

THE GOOD NEWS-

I dont know if there is any with this topic.

THE NOT SO GOOD NEWS-

The TEXAS DEPT of TRANS>(TxDOT) is overseeing the (TTC) as the first leg of the NAFTA Super Highway. A 4,000-page statement has already been completed. The billions involved will be provided by a foreign company, Cintra Concessions de Infraestructuras de Transporte, S.A. of Spain. As a consequence, the TTC will be privately operated, leased to the Cintra consortium to be operated as a toll-road.

AND IT ONLY GETS WORSE-

The Mexican trucks, without the involvement of the Teamsters Union, will drive on what will be the nation’s most modern highway straight into the heart of America. The Mexican trucks will cross border in FAST lanes, checked only electronically by the new “SENTRI” system. The first customs stop will be a Mexican customs office in Kansas City, their new Smart Port complex, a facility being built for Mexico at a cost of $3 million to the U.S. taxpayers in Kansas City.

KC !!!! DO YOU KNOW WHOS IN YOUR WALLET- FASTLANES INTO OUR COUNTRY? WE CANT EVEN CONTROL THE BORDERS WITH STOP LANES!

As incredible as this plan may seem to some readers, the first Trans-Texas Corridor segment of the NAFTA Super Highway is already in construction. Various U.S. government agencies, dozens of state agencies, and scores of private NGOs (non-governmental organizations) have been working behind the scenes to create the NAFTA Super Highway, despite the lack of comment on the plan by President Bush. The American public is largely asleep to this key piece of the coming “North America Union” that government planners in the new trilateral region of United States, Canada and Mexico are about to drive into reality.

VERY NICELY PUT- WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES! THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE UNAWARE! I ASKED A FEW PROFESSIONAL TRUCKER DRIVERS IF THEY EVEN EVER HEARD OF THE NAFTA SUPERHIGHWAY- ALL OF THEM SAID , WHAT IS IT!

A good reason Bush does not want to secure the border with Mexico may be that the administration is trying to create express lanes for Mexican trucks to bring containers with cheap Far East goods into the heart of the U.S., all without the involvement of any U.S. union workers on the docks or in the trucks. ~ jr corsi

AT A GLACE I THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY COOL, A "SUPERHIGHWAY", until I read the story deep behind the GLITZ and GLAM of the new super scary.

Connecting on 27

2007-03-27T04:42:00.000-06:00

A Truckers Blog is not always about connecting trailers and getting the load on time. Its about the great people we come across and connect with in the process. The friendships and bonds we form with one another. On a personal note, I have met some of the most incredible people, that work hard and just have a passion for the trucking industry and people in general. These people come from all corners of the country. This blog is a tribute to their great drive, and positive uplifting.

March 27- The official "Connecting on 27 Day"

Alligator on the Zipper

2007-03-07T00:55:00.000-06:00

I would like to meet these drivers, especially Loreanna Pamino. I want to hear about her life before she came a truck driver. I want to see what inspired her to leave her drug store job. Maybe it might give me some insight to what questions I should ask when I hire people for my store.

Instead of giving them the papers for a drug test, maybe I should just send them to get their CDL's!

Interesting Concept for a DVD ( Alligator on the Zipper )- why do they keep us waiting!

A Salute to the New Generation

2007-03-03T01:04:00.000-06:00

After nearly 500,000 miles of cross country memories, my father is on his final run. He's going out in style, from SaltLakeCity to the last New Jersey Mile. One more run for America! One more look at Liberty, our statue of FREEDOM.

As an ex-Marine and a Professional OTR TruckDriver, he loves his America. This one will always stand out. With the freeways closed in Nebraska, due to heavy snow and ice, he has been stranded for 3 days and nights. His load due in Jersey tomorrow is the least of his worries. His spirits are high and his attitude is good.

He knows he will get there eventually, but the real ride starts when he turns around and heads back home. Westbound and down! Emotions will be running wild as he hits that Utah line, knowing his final 27 are just moments in time. Once in the yard, he will back that 18 like clock work and put it to rest, then make that walk to the building and take a deep breath. He will hand his keys to some young gun, eagerly waiting to make his first run.

Welcome the New Generation!

"AWESOME RUN " , 5+ years and a nearly a half million miles, "THANK YOU "- We love you , man! Tomorrow, we will see how far you can DRIVE- that golf ball!

Your Son

Hmmmmm, Truckers...

2007-02-23T12:39:00.000-06:00

Everything in life has it's pros and cons and trucking is no exception. Truckers get little or no respect from a vast majority of non-truckers, they are away from their families and friends for long periods of time, they sleep in their trucks and take showers in truckstops, they find it very difficult to get a healthy meal...I could go on and on BUT...the blessings of being a trucker far out way the negatives.

A trucker gets to experience the freedom of the open road, meeting new people from all over the country, seeing things that many of us will never get to see.

A trucker will experience driving over the George Washington Bridge or the New Jersey Turnpike or the Golden Gate! A trucker will see the majesty of the Statue of Liberty or the beauty of a California Redwood tree or the intensity of color in the coolness of a New England Autumn, or even the sweetness of a Navajo moon...

The Blessings that God offers to the trucker are far greater than any negative word or action that can come to them from another person.

Thank you God for your blessings to the truckers!

THE HARD DRIVEN MILE,

2007-02-20T02:16:00.000-06:00

My commute to work is under 1 mile each way. But every morning when I start out I "catch the light". The redlight with no purpose. The redlight that keeps me waiting 5 minutes. Its 4AM , not a soul in sight. I'm now late for work.

I back up and then go forward, flash my brights- try to trigger that 'redlight'- nothing seems to work. By this time, Im frustrated and impatient. I get tempted to run it.

I called my father yesterday, and asked him how many miles does he drive. He told me he drove 135,000K miles last year covering most of the 48 and probably going to do a little more this year.

Today, when I drove that mile to work, I caught that redlight again, but this time it gave me a purpose to stand still. To sit there and think about my father, who logged in over 135Thousand MILES last year. I didnt want that light to turn green. ~

Baseball, Apple Pie and "TRUCKERS"...

2007-02-17T01:36:00.000-06:00

The 3 key ingredents to the Red, White and Blue. The structure that keeps AMERICA rolling. I dedicate this to my father, who drives 18 out of SaltLake, 365 a year.

You have got to appreciate the workforce behind the big rig. The strength it takes to keep it rolling all year round! Now with modern technology, I can virtually jump on board and share his journeys throughout America everyday- and JOURNEYS they are!

Salt Lake City one day, a fly by through Johnson County the next, 3 days later some small town in Virginia.... that takes me 15 minutes to find on my google map. Its the Ultimate road trip, ......... the one that never ends.

After keeping track of his miles for 3 week on the virtual maps, I told him I needed a little break from the computer. I was drained. He laughed at me and said, "Son, call me when you get back."

This is my Father, the one that makes every mile count, and looks forward to the next. It doesnt matter what time it is, all I want to say, " I'm proud of you, man !" Keep them 18 rollin <>

To all the women truckers...

2007-02-15T15:52:00.000-06:00

I just want to say to all the ladies out there driving 18...y'all rock! I gotta tell ya, I have so much respect for you and what you do. I don't know that I could do it. Thank you for your determination and your drive! Every time I see a female trucker on the road I think..."now that's cool!" Be safe out there and be blessed!

Caroline

Let's get Started

2007-02-14T14:55:00.000-06:00

OK, let's get your top 3 things that would make your life as a trucker better....