My Main Plan Going into trucking

My initial plan, going into trucking was to do OTR (over the road) for a full year in order to gain experience and to see The US, then move on to a regional account where I would be home more often than OTR. I would then look into local jobs, where, as you may have guessed it, you get to sleep in your own bed nightly (or whoever's bed you wish, No judgement here!).

Off to meet the Ex

My main plan going into trucking was to be able to have solid proof of a job when applying for mortgage for my first American house. After a year as a truck driver, I contacted the bank.

The Prodigal son!

A fly on the wall

 About the explosion! I’m getting back into my new truck from doing post trip inspection. Turns out, the spare fire extinguisher was right under the passenger’s seat. I balanced on that seat as I lifted myself up to get into the truck. My weight caused the extinguisher to release its contents! at the time, I’d no idea what in the world was going on! I continued to rest on the passenger seat and prop myself up. The powder kept spraying out of the fire extinguisher. I was freaking out! What on earth is going on! It looked like it was coming from my sleeping area. I was so confused and frustrated. This is my new truck that looks as good as brand new. Now this!

Fire Extinguisher powder

Why me, Lord?

 It's day number, God-knows-what! I'm still in Salt Lake City. I've dined with two different men on two different occasions. The rat removal process clearly hadn't worked. Now, I've got a newer problem! Rats that won't die! I talked to other people in the terminal. It's a huge one! She said! Just kidding. It's a huge terminal. I got some tips. She said! Sorry, please don't go away, I'll stop...  he said! No, really! I'll tone it down! I ended up contacting my manager, asking for a new truck. I hadn't slept well for two nights in a row. Luckily, I wasn't working those days. You need your sleep, especially for a job such as driving all day. They had rows and rows of brand, spanking new trucks in that location. Surely, they could spare one for our African trucker friend, points at self!

I smell Rat in my truck!

It was three am, when I woke up to a rat in my truck. First, it was sounds of things moving around; naturally, I got up, turned on the light and boom! I made eye contact with this grey, four legged creature with big ears. What in the heck! I screamed as softly as I could and jumped up, heading for the door! The rat was in the shelf above the microwave, pictured on this blog. I tell ya, I felt wide awake in that moment! Adrenalin rush is real! I almost fell out of the truck from my knees getting so weak. I know it's just a rat but I'm just telling you what happened. I was so freaked, I needed someone to come get this thing out of my "apartment". The younger trucker's truck was still behind mine, so I went and banged on his doors, no answer! Windows, no answer! Come on! Your windows are open! Anyway. I even called him, nada! Mh kay! I then called the last person I wanted to talk to again. The guy who took me to lunch. He picked up immediately and sounded like it was 3pm. I'm like, you weren't sleeping? He told me he wasn't, he wakes up early. I told him about my predicament. I was in my nightgown, couldn't even go back into that truck to get clothes, lest there are more where that came from. 

A Date with Truck driver

Because I went to the shops a lot, mechanics from these shops and I ended up friendly. Some, more so than others. I was in Salt Lake City. The company has a terminal there. I’m friendly with one of the guys. No preferential treatment though. This is not South Africa. Just kidding - ish. My truck was due for service. There was a long line. I joined it. When you live in your vehicle, it makes no difference where you park it. So what if you’re in line overnight? There were 2 trucjs ahead lf me. The guys ahead of me and I cracked up a conversation. One guy seemed much younger and the other older. I was the middle child. Story of my life. Not really.