Well, as crazy as it feels, I only have one or two more weeks at Francis Trucking. After over eight years and 750,000 miles, I think it's time to move on (sure hope I made a good choice). This year was pretty political at work, there were a lot of really good loads and there were a lot of new drivers getting those loads while a few of us that had been there for years were stuck on some pretty nasty, cheap duty. Not sure if the reason might have been that the new hires were paid a lower percentage than us, but it didn't seem right. Also, it was getting harder and harder to find time to wash and polish the Peterbilt. I was being pushed a lot harder than I wanted to, working more weekends than any year before, being sent out of town more than had been agreed to when I got the sleeper truck, and working some very long hours hauling dirt all day and then taking a load of salt north after work. However, the boss still wouldn't help pay for a truck wash even once every other month. To top it all off, someone pulled my bellies last winter and broke two spring hangers...it took six months to finally get wear plates welded in them and I had just been pulling them, hoping not to get inspected. Anyway, I can't say I was unhappy there, just getting worn out from the pressure and stress and feeling like I wasn't really appreciated for my dependability and effort. After voicing my frustration to a friend, he insisted I consider working for his boss. This was clear back in September and I've been in contact with the new boss since then. He has patiently waited for me to finish out belly dump season and has really gone above and beyond to make me feel welcome. This is a small flatbed outfit that runs eight trucks and my buddy has worked for him about seventeen years, so he must be doing something right. I'll be getting into a 2003 International 9900i Eagle with a Hi-rise sleeper. It has a six hundred horse Cummins ISX and an eighteen speed. He pays to have his trucks washed once a week and will have the interior detailed for me to get into it and will pay to have all the aluminum polished in the spring. He's already had the frame repainted, new bumper on it, new stack tips, and said he'll buy me some chrome and lights because he knows how much I love the truck I've been in at Francis, haha. He has paid vacation and holidays (Francis does not) and he pays more of my health insurance than Francis will. He is also starting me at a higher pay rate than the TOP at Francis. The most important part is that he likes his drivers to have weekends off, haha. So I planned on pulling a flatbed over-the-road for him, but he actually decided to look into pulling a reefer for the same outfit that has been loading us at Francis just because he knew that's what I enjoy. He's also very serious about maintaining his equipment and being compliant. As much as I hate the thought of running on e-logs, it is just something I'll have to accept no matter where I work, and he already has them. I was pretty sure e-logs were going to turn Francis upside down and now I'll work for someone that knows how they work already. It should be a good opportunity to gain more valuable knowledge and experience, should I want to own and operate a truck down the road. As much as I appreciated what Francis has done for me, I look forward to working for someone who will take a little better care of me and the equipment they have me drive. I gave my notice to my dispatcher and the big boss Monday night and they were pretty upset, but everything is on good terms and the big boss has told me I can come back anytime (I just hope I don't have to) and the whole Francis family has made me feel like I matter now that I'm on my way out, haha. I was still invited to the company Christmas party as well and was treated pretty good. I have taken pride in my equipment the whole time I've been there and that will continue. I think this trip to Seattle tomorrow will be my last load probably and I will bring the truck home and wash it and detail the interior as I unload my stuff. I'm turning the truck in with a quarter million miles on it and only a small dent in the battery box from some road debris (I saw, but could not avoid) and ready to go to work for the next driver. Also, there is still more to the story with Fife Trucking (the new employer), but it's gonna have to wait a little longer. He's invited me to their Christmas party as well, and I don't even work there yet, haha.
