Wish me luck ~ I'm startin a new profession.

[In_The_Wind]

Driving escort for the big guys ~

[Sanity Claws]

1. Good luck!

I hope your new career is everything you wanted and more.

[In_The_Wind]

4. Thank you. I love to drive.

DU has followed me on several road trips over the years. Now I'll be getting paid while I'm seeing more of this land I love.

[Forkboy]

2. Ok...good luck!!!

Seriously, I hope it all goes well. I know the only jobs I've ever had that I really liked involved being behind the wheel of some kind of vehicle or other, so hopefully you'll find it as relaxing as I did.

[In_The_Wind]

6. It's truly a blessing and a way out of feeling broke.

I've been traveling on the roadways of the east coast all my life. I've wanted to drive escort for many years now I'm ready to start. I bought a used light bar yesterday. My next step is ordering signs for the jeep.

[old mark]

3. I had a few jobs involving driving, and usually liked it alot - no

boss!

Enjoy, be safe.

mark

[In_The_Wind]

7. The only down side is getting out of my bed well before dawn.

The up side is that no one drives big loads on weekends or holidays.
I think this is going to be my bestest job ever!
Thanks for your good wishes.

[merh]

5. this is the absolute bestest job in the world for you

do you get to use a CB radio?

What will be your handle, come back?

[In_The_Wind]

8. YES! Hurray!

As part of my job I must have a CB ~ which I already own.

I'm keeping my Freebird license plate. I'll probably use that as my company name too. I'm also known as Sweet_Stuff but I think that might give me a problem until the guys learn that I'm a no nonsense lady. I don't know what I'll be using for a CB handle.

I'm going to get down your way one way or another. I can use my NY DOT Certification from here to Virgina. I'll need to get additional certification from them. It's going to be great!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

9. Best wishes on your new career..

[In_The_Wind]

11. The best part will be seeing my old friends as I drive interstate.

I'll be on my own as I find my way back home again unless I pick up an escort headin north.

It's been a really tough year. After you hit bottom the only way is up. I've been trying so hard to find a way out of our financial mess ~ taking the bull by the horns sometimes is the only way to survive. I don't want to sell my home and we were damn close to having that as our only option. I know I'll be away a lot but I'll have clean sheets and the parrot who owns me to return to at the end of the road.

Thank you

[mwdem]

37. Joanie! Good luck, and if you're coming back through the Dallas/Ft. Worth area..

You'll have a place to crash. Just let me know.

[Inchworm]

10. That's awesome!

As much as you seem to get around, this job is made for you. I hope you enjoy the travelling even though you're getting paid for it

[In_The_Wind]

12. I've ruined some of the things I've loved by turning them into a paying job but

I don't think it will happen this time.

I have a connection to hook me up with jobs here in the north. As I get a reputation as a safe reliable escort the drive time will build. My connection said the over-sized drivers can request the escort they want. By this time next year I hope to be busy enough to be turning down business or hiring drivers.

Thank you!

[machI]

13. The Chicken Coop is open and so is D.O.T.

[In_The_Wind]

14. excuse me

but what the heck is "The Chicken Coop"

The only thing I've found on Google is about chicken housing or fast food. That will never pay my over-sized bills.

[machI]

16. Over the road trucks hauling chickens tend to get held up at inspection stations

It may have something to do with poor maintenance of the chicken trailers. Anyway, the inspection stations are sometimes called 'chicken coops' because of the chicken haulers waiting there to have their trucks repaired.


Dave Dudley
Miscellaneous
Me And Old CB (1976)
I was riding this eighteen-wheeler before those fading lights
Never paid much money cause I couldn’t make much time
There used to be a running battle between old Smokey and me
But now I got a six-foot Shakespeare me and old CB

Well tonight I got the front door can’t always have the rocking chair
Pig Pen’s got that back door closed just told me on the air
Just checked out the westbound and Road Hawk says she’s clean
Looks like a money making run for me and old CB

Ace the blue-eyed Indian still runs with Single Drive
Old Single Drive is a ratchet jaw but he keeps the night alive
And Jolly Jack at Beaver Dust checking covers on the seat
We looking for a red Pinto me and old CB

There goes Circle City Peddler boy he’s getting fat
He make is turn in Derby Town I couldn’t live like that
The Chicken Coop is open and so is D.O.T.
Appreciate the info Cisco me and old CB

The California Devil he’s down at marker 25
He just hollered breaker, breaker man them bushes are alive
So comb your hair their taking pictures down at 23
We’ll give them a great big bye-bye smile me and old CB

Now just look at that four wheel Fairlane just blew off my back door
Old Smokey gonna get him boy that a big 10-4
Now Hawkeye’s had the hammer down since Nashville, Tennessee
He just saved some green stamps thanks to me and old CB

Hey Paul from Shaky City he’s talking to a bear
He’s coming on his own little quewpie doll he said you sound like a little pretty face
I wish he would give me a breaker I tell her to go on down to 3
He might be running single like me and old CB

Windy City Charley he’s down at marker 9
I just checked my 20 I ain’t running far behind
Me and this eighteen-wheeler we just about home free
Made damn good time didn’t pay one fine me and old CB

Aw that’s a big 10-4 there old buddy yes sir got the Road Runner out there.
This is the Continental Cowboy we’re gonna take her on in there and get between them sheets and sleep, sleep, sleep. Keep the shiny up put the old greasy down see you on the flip side

[In_The_Wind]

17. While I was cookin up a bite I sorta figured out that it was a spot for a layover.

Thanks a whole bunch for the information.

I plan to sleep in my jeep except for the cold weather overnight stops. I'm also planning to invest in battery operated thermal undies ~ cause I've got to hop out and hold a stop sign on a long popsicle stick from time to time as the big rig backs its load into a driveway. brrr This chick hates being cold!


on the road again

[A HERETIC I AM]

42. Ummm...not exactly.

Over the road trucks hauling chickens tend to get held up at inspection stations It may have something to do with poor maintenance of the chicken trailers. Anyway, the inspection stations are sometimes called 'chicken coops' because of the chicken haulers waiting there to have their trucks repaired.

I drove OTR for a little over 20 years and NEVER heard this as a reason Weigh Stations are called "Chicken Coops".

It more than likely has to do with the fact that in the old days, highway truck scales had offices for the weighmaster that were tiny, wooden shacks. They resembled a chicken coop because of their size. The name stuck.

Livestock haulers, chicken haulers included are no more likely to be held up at a scale than any other particular freight haulers. In fact even less so because the SPCA tends to come down on a state if delays in transport of livestock presents a danger to them.

[machI]

45. Okay, I can buy that.

[supernova]

15. Wonderful, Joanie!

That sounds like a great job.


How did you find it? What training do you need?

[In_The_Wind]

19. I'll get practical training on the road.

Escort drivers need to pass a written test given by D.O.T.
Their car needs signage on both front doors, a amber light bar on the top, and signs that say Over Sized Load on the front & rear bumpers or on the top ~ depending on the states they will be traveling through.

I met a truck driver at a motorcycle rally in Pennsylvania who was hauling modular homes. We became good friends. After hearing me say that I really wanted this sort of job he told me how to get the certification. He has offered to call the companies he used to work for and vouch for me.

I'm truly excited about it and very thankful for his help.
There is a light at the end of this very dark tunnel I've felt trapped in for so long.


Nice to see you again.

[GOPisEvil]

18. Sounds like a cool job.

Congratulations!

[In_The_Wind]

20. I think it will be a very cool job.

The open road has always been in my blood. I'll be home (to ride my trike) on weekends. If I want time off I'll have it because I'll be working for myself.

Thanks How is life treating you these days?

[lizziegrace]

21. That's great news Joani!

Finally a light in the sky. I'm so happy for you!

[In_The_Wind]

22. I knew there had to be a way.

I just needed a bit of guidance to get off my duff and get rollin.

How are you doing?

[lizziegrace]

23. There's always a way

I'm okay. Will you make it out to Wisconsin? If so, let me know...

[In_The_Wind]

24. I'll drive whichever way the job takes me.

Wisconsin? The last I knew you were in Ohio. Boy things sure do change a whole lot when I take time off from DU. I would love to see you again no matter where you are.

[lizziegrace]

25. I'm in Milwaukee

Long, long story...

[In_The_Wind]

28. Oh my!

Well, I hope it was worth the move. Do you have all of your animals with you?

[lizziegrace]

36. I've got both cats here

If Lelapin was here, it would be complete.

[In_The_Wind]

39. sounds good

How far are from her?

[lizziegrace]

40. 450 miles

she's in school - senior year in college

[harmonicon]

26. Awesome!

I think that I'd really like a job driving, but am scared to death of driving big rigs (part of this comes from having had an uncle who did that and made it sound scary as hell to me as a kid). Will this be a full time job? It never even occurred to me that it could be.... duh!

[In_The_Wind]

27. It'll be full time, 5 days a week without working holidays

I have a CDL (witch is not a requirement for the job) but I don't want to drive one of those big rigs. I'll either be in front, behind or sandwiched between em. That's close enough for me.

I think it'll be easy to start out part time and build into a full time job. They don't move the big stuff on weekends or holidays.

Call D.O.T. in your state to request a booklet, study it and take a written test. Setting up your own personal vehicle can cost as much as $2300.00 if you buy everything new. I just saved $750 buying a used light-bar for the roof of my jeep.

If you like to drive and don't mind seeing a huge truck every time you look in the rear view mirror this might be a job option for you. Remember ~ the days (and sometimes the nights) will be long. Truckers are limited in the numbers of hours they can drive each day but your day will be longer adding in the drive-time to meet them on the road. Good luck.

[Ikonoklast]

29. Get yourself one of these cards

http://www.corplodging.com/indexa.cfm?C=4825&B=CID&A=77...

Sign up is free, and whenever you decide to get a room, they can save you a bundle. Lots of different motel chains and independents to choose from.

[In_The_Wind]

32. wow ! thanks

I'll be hanging out in the back of my jeep when the weather is good but that's months away. I picked a helluva time to start this gig.

and it'll be nice to have a place to hang it on cold wintry nights.

[Wapsie B]

30. Good Luck!

I hope you have a great time of your new career.

[In_The_Wind]

34. Thanks bushwentawol

I'm sure there'll be a few times when I'll be asking myself What The Hell Was I Thinking but I expect to have a good time earing the big bucks until I truly need my GPS to find my way home again.

[Wapsie B]

41. You're welcome Joanie!

[livetohike]

31. I thought this would be a great idea! We think alike, I guess

Good luck and have fun .

[In_The_Wind]

35. So? Are you going to give it a try too?

Thanks

[Dangerously Amused]

33. Have fun!

Can you talk them into getting you one of the new Harley trikes to drive?

[In_The_Wind]

38. I intend to do just that.

I saw one of those Harley Trikes at a rally last month. It's cute but I think I'd rather have one built to my specs instead of buying it straight from the factory. BTW I rode my trike 230 miles one way to that rally. I looked like I had everything but the kitchen sink strapped down with bungees on the backseat.

I'll be driving my jeep because an escort car needs a 100 inch wheelbase, flashing amber lights and lots of signage.

[A HERETIC I AM]

43. Congratulations! You should enjoy it. Heavy/Oversized freight pays about the best per mile of any

freight moved, some of it up to and above $7.00 per mile. That adds up REAL quick.

Most of this freight can only run in daytime hours, so while you may have early mornings, you won't ever have to do any overnight driving, at least not while the truck is loaded, anyway. If their network is a good one, they'll keep the truck loaded both ways (of course) but this is not always possible. Lots of deadhead miles in that particular freight class.

I would think you'll probably get a hotel card. Sleeping in a hotel beats the hell out of having to sleep in your car.

I've got a little over 1.5 million miles OTR but now wear a suit and tie to work. I've seen some pretty amazing, very large pieces moving down the road on rigs like the one in your OP but I never drove one. Most of my miles were involved in Motor Racing driving trucks like this one;

"Jinkers, tags, tag axles, Goosenecks, Steerable rears" These and other terms are ones you'll become familiar with.

When you get to the point where you are escorting something like this;

You're talkin SERIOUS weight. A rig like that can carry loads up to 320,000 pounds, or 160 tons.

Best of luck to you! Have fun and be careful.

[In_The_Wind]

48. Your photos make this thread greater than it was without em'

Thanks!

I had no idea that moving oversized loads paid that much. I have no idea what an escort will bring home in a paycheck but I'm sure I'll be happy with it.

[bridgit]

44. I have every faith & confidence in: Joan_Alpern!!

[In_The_Wind]

50. With endorsements like yours ~ I'll be lookin' for vacation time.

Wishing you & your husband will join me. Remember ~ if we are dancin' under the same moon ... no matter how many miles separate us ... we are still enjoying the same light in our hearts.

[Callalily]

46. How wonderful!

I can hear the your excitement and enthusiasm. Sounds like this job is a great fit.

Wishing you the best on your new adventure.

[In_The_Wind]

51. I think I just hired my second driver yesterday.

The open road is the place for me ~
He'll be driving the night moves. In large cities there are restrictions on daytime transports. ie: a modular home built in Pa. may need to travel through New York city to reach Long Island.

[LynneSin]

47. That seems like a great job for you - I know you love to drive & travel

good luck!

[In_The_Wind]

53. I'll take you out for supper if I'm traveling down your way.

It sounds like I'll be in the northeast to start but who really knows what tomorrow will bring.

[lost-in-nj]

49. WOW Joanie

good luck!!!!

and have fun!!!!





lost

[In_The_Wind]

54. Your photo of My Ride will look great on one of my future business cards!

BTW ~ every time I see a dragonfly I send you a happy thought!

[av8rdave]

52. All the best in your new venture!

[In_The_Wind]

55. Thanks av8rdave.

I hope to be getting paid for rollin' down the road well before Thanksgiving this year.
I'll truly have a reason to celebrate!

[dembotoz]

56. cool. looks great, have fun and good luck

and be safe.

[In_The_Wind]

57. Thanks

I've always tried to drive safely, now it'll pay off.

[Wapsie B]

58. Good luck Joanie!!