Trip Reports - Nasty Surprise; Flu Bug; Back to the Cold; Escape from the Cold

Tour of Duty 10th January 2008 to 8th February 2008
Part 2: 25th January to 8th February

I arrived at destination in Winnipeg, MB about seven minutes before the place was to close for the weekend. One of the people looked the truck and trailer over and informed me there was a problem and asked if I jackknifed the truck and trailer. I said no but got out and was shown considerable damage mainly to the front left part of the trailer but also some cosmetic damage to the left rear corner of the truck. This was very bad news. I rang the company I contracted with to do this run to report the damage.

I reviewed my logs and what I was doing and where and was able to pinpoint where I thought the damage occurred where I had to manoeuvre to get to where the truck could be plugged in and had to back out the next morning and apparently I cocked the truck and trailer at too much of an angle and when I finished backing and started forward I cranked the wheel too much to the left. I was not aware of the damage as I did not even see the trailer in the rear view mirror when truck and trailer were straight. I ended up taking pictures with a disposable camera.

Because the place I was delivering was closing one of the people rang a cab for me and the cab came before I was really ready to go. I tried to stuff the extension cord into one of my bags but was having problems doing so. The cab driver said he needed an extension cord so I made a deal and gave the extension cord to him in exchange for a lower fare. I saw The Forks on the way to the Airport Motor Inn got a few quick snapshots for my scrapbook. Because of the mishap that occurred it was necessary for me to have an interview with one of the higher-ups of the company I contracted with for the run just completed. The company booked me on a very early Sunday morning flight to Toronto and made transport and lodging arrangements.

I spent most of Saturday doing nothing but reconstructing what happened and what might have gone wrong to cause the mishap and came to some conclusions I briefly mentioned above. This was necessary as I was not aware of the mishap when it occurred. I made some notes regarding the mishap. Much of Saturday the temperature was around -19C (-2F) but it warmed to -10C (14F) so I went for a walk to a grocery store and took the bus back to the motel.

Sunday morning came way too early as I woke at a very unsocial hour of 3h30and got to the airport. I checked in and there was no queue though there was a big queue nearby for a charter flight. I cleared security quickly with no pat-downs or wanding but security wanted to take a quick look inside my briefcase due to the roll of quarters.

West Jet #718 YWG-YYZ B-737-700 Seat 20A Cruising altitude announced 41,000 feet but seatback TV said more like 39,680 feet. Estimated flying time 1:54, actual 1:54 Scheduled departure 06h00, actual 05h59 Scheduled arrival 09h20, actual 09h10

Plane was not totally full and I had a whole row to myself. Announcement was made it was -5C (23F) at YYZ. Pushback from gate F was 1 minute early followed by taxi/hold of 8 minutes and takeoff to the northwest. It was still dark when we took off but I saw some lights of Winnipeg on the right. Then I saw the Perimeter Highway.

Seatbelt sign went off at 0:06. Buy on Board was offered but declined. A snack box was available for $6 and other items for $2 but no sandwiches were available on this flight. We reached cruise at 0:20. There was a drink run at 0:24 and I got entire can of Pepsi, first time ever on West Jet. Pretzels or cookies were offered and I chose Pretzels but got Bits & Bites.

I saw first glimmer of light on the horizon over western Ontario and there were bumps at 0:27. Trash was collected at 0:36 and it was a little bumpy. The map showed we were over Lake Superior as it got light but there was cloud cover below. Descent began at 1:27 and seatbelt sign went on at
1:42. During descent the seatback TV was shut off. We went into the overcast at 1:49 and out at 1:50 and I saw snow on the ground. I saw downtown Toronto in the distance. Gear went down at 1:52 and I saw Highway 401 and traffic appeared to be moving well. We landed east to west on a wet runway. Taxi was 8 minutes and we arrived 10 minutes early at gate B20. I got bags 20-23 minutes after arrival and got Airways Transit to the Bell Motel in Burlington and made good time as there were no other passengers and arrived just after 10h30.

Since I arrived earlier than expected I was still able to check in and once my things were in the room I rang Trinity Baptist Church in Burlington to inquire about schedule and found out the morning service was to start at 11h00. I rang a cab and $35 later I arrived at church and made it in time for the main message. The message was on Romans 5:1-11 focusing on Peace, Access, Joy and Assurance. One of the parishioners gave me a ride back to the motel. Trinity Baptist Church is on Appleby Line north of the 407ETR and is in an area that is (still) rural though development is encroaching.

I had lunch and a brief rest then another parishioner took me back to Trinity Baptist for the Sunday evening service. I found out that one of the members is on staff at the Toronto Baptist Seminary which is affiliated with the historic Jarvis Street Baptist Church in downtown Toronto.

Monday came and I had meeting with one of the higher-ups regarding the mishap on the previous run. I was concerned that my contract might be cancelled but I was relieved to find out it takes three preventable accidents in one year for that to happen and this was my first in over three years with the company. Then after a wait I was taken to Hamilton, ON and got a truck going to Roanoke, VA. This was the first time in a Western Star. The person I dealt with said look for Western Star in the back but the key did not work for any red Western Star and finally I found out that the truck was painted white but no one communicated that fact to the person I was dealing with.

Trip: Hamilton, ON to Roanoke, VA 567 paid miles Routes: QEW to Ontario 405to Lewiston, NY Port of Entry to Interstate 190 to Interstate 290 to Interstate 90 to Interstate 79 to Interstate 76 (PA Turnpike) to Interstate 70to US522 to Virginia 37 to Interstate 81 Maximum elevation: unknown but over 1,000 feet in western PA as well as the Shenandoah Valley between Harrisonburg and Staunton, VA

I finally got the truck after the misunderstanding over the colour of the truck was sorted out. I enjoyed the way the truck handled and the ride. Unfortunately there was no radio nor any tape or CD player. There was a delay at the border of less than an hour as I had to see the broker and Customs due to a foul-up with the electronic manifest but I was cleared. I stopped at a truckstop in Buffalo to use the banking machine and was surprised that the fee was a reasonable $1. I made arrangements and got directions to lodging and spent the night in Orchard Park, NY.

During the middle of the night I got bit by the flu bug. First I thought something I had for dinner disagreed with me but soon enough I realised that was not the case. Tuesday saw me rushing to the commode for splattering episodes frequently and that slowed me way down. It rained off and on but the temperature was 45F in Erie, PA and climbed into at least the high 40s after I shut down for the night. I made it only as far as Grove City, PA where I spent the night at Elephant & Castle. I took some Immodium that I purchased earlier and turned the lights out. About fifteen minutes later I vomited into a trash can I had next to the bed for just such an occasion.

Wednesday was much different. I was feeling a whole lot better though not yet totally normal. Overnight the temperature crashed from the high 40sF to about 16F and there was strong wind. A little snow may have fallen earlier but it was clear by the time I was ready to proceed and I ended up making it as far as Winchester, VA for the night. Thursday I ended up delivering the truck in Roanoke, VA and was told the next run was to be New Berlin, WI to Lakeville, MN a short run that would allow me to take my time and finish recovering from the flu. The company booked me on USAirways going from Roanoke to Milwaukee with a connection in Charlotte.

TO BE CONTINUED

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST

I woke up at about 05h00 the next morning in Roanoke. I looked out the window and it was wet and I saw ice on the tree branches. I caught the shuttle to the airport and the roads did not seem too bad and as I got to the airport it appeared the freezing rain was changing to just plain old rain.

I got in queue to check in and queue moved slowly. I heard the airport was closed due to the ice but as my turn to check in came word came the airport was being repoened to flights. I checked bags and the bags weighed 48 and 41 pounds. I cleared security and there was no secondary but there was a quick look in my briefcase.

USAirways Express #4567 ROA-CLT Dash 8-300 Turboprop Seat 3A Cruising altitude not given Estimated flying time 0:38, actual 0:58 Scheduled departure 07h50, actual 08h20 Scheduled arrival 08h55, actual 09h41

Boarding was delayed due to flow control at CLT as Charlotte was experiencing inclement weather. We went downstairs and outside and boarded the old fashioned way. Two bags of pretzels were handed out while we were still at the gate. Pushback was 30 minutes late followed by 18 minutes of taxi/hold and deicing. During the deicing the flight attendent offered water to the passengers. Takeoff was into the clouds and I'm not sure which direction we took off. There were some bumps during flight and flight attendant stayed seated practically the entire time. I felt descent begin at 0:29. At 0:38 announcement was made it was 37F with light rain at CLT. We broke through the overcast just before making a hard landing. Taxi was 4 minutes and we arrived 46 minutes late at gate E25. We deplaned the old fashioned way.

Since the flight was late I was concerned there would be a misconnection so when I got inside I was relieved to find the next flight was delayed to 11h50.

USAirways Express #3665 CLT-MKE CRJ-200 Seat 4A Cruising altitude 28,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:33, actual 1:42 Scheduled departure
09h30, actual 12h29 Scheduled arrival 10h46, actual 13h37

There was a gate change from E1 to E5. The plane was coming from MKE and was delayed there due to snow. There was a misunderstanding and we thought the plane would be delayed much more as the gate agent thought the plane did not leave MKE when it in fact did. It quit raining though it was still overcast when we boarded and we went outside and boarded the old fashioned way (via stairs, no jetway). Plane was full. Pushback was 2h59min late. Taxi/hold was 19 minutes and I'm not sure the direction of takeoff but we were in the clouds in 28 seconds and out of the clouds in 53 seconds. Announcement was made the snow moved out and there were cloudy skies at MKE. There was a drink run and I got whole can of soda plus two bags of pretzels.

There were clouds the whole way with few breaks but through one break I saw we were over Lake Michigan. I felt descent begin at 1:13 and there were bumps. We landed south to north on a snowy runway. Taxi was 6 minutes and we arrived 2h51min late and deplaned via jetway. I got bags 23-24 minutes after arrival and hired a taxi to New Berlin to get the truck.

Trip: New Berlin, WI to Lakeville, MN (changed to Jordan, MN) 344 paid miles Routes: Interstate 94 to Interstate 90 to US52 to US14 to Interstate 35 Maximum elevation: around 1,150 feet near Dodge Center, MN

I picked up this truck on a Friday afternoon and was unable to deliver until Monday morning. Since I was still recovering from the flu this was just what the doctor ordered. I got as far as New Lisbon, WI and checked into a motel at truck stop for two nights. I was able to catch up on my rest Saturday and did not drive at all that day and there was snow for at least part of that day.

On Sunday I attended morning service at First Baptist Church in New Lisbon, WI and the sermon was on John the Baptist. Then I proceeded and spent the night in Lakeville, MN. Monday morning it was snowing and I rang the customer for directions and found the address I was given was just and office address and I was given directions to where they really needed the truck in Jordan, MN and also I got the new address and used the GPS device my sister got me for Christmas.

I made delivery and was told plans were changed and I was to get rental car as flights from MSP to MKE were going for over $500. The company booked me a rental car and away I went and I got snow around Menomonie, WI. Next day after taking some pictures of Madison I turned in the rental car at MKE and got taxi to New Berlin for next truck.

Trip: New Berlin, WI to Newark, AR 636 paid miles Routes: Interstate 43 to Interstate 39 to Interstate 55 to Interstate 255 back to Interstate 55 to
US67 to Arkansas 18 to Arkansas 17 to Arkansas 69 Maximum elevation: unknown

It was dry in the Milwaukee area when I got the truck and got started. A few flakes of snow started as I approached Beloit, WI. Once I got into Illinois the snow really started to come down. There was heavy snow around Rockford and the snow changed to rain around Rochelle and it was rain the rest of the way to Bloomington where I spent the night. Next morning it was snowing when I got started and the snow changed back to rain around Lincoln, IL. The rain tried to change to snow again just east of St. Louis but the precipitation quit by the time I got on Interstate 55 south of St. Louis. I took US67 which started off as four lane divided road but changed to two lane (except in Poplar Bluff, MO) and since it was dark I did not see the scenery. I spent the night in Pocohontas, AR and made delivery the next day eight minutes before noon. I got transport to Little Rock.

I ran into a problem trying to use the Rapid Rewards award to fly back to California as Southwest requires credit card for payment of the security fee which amounted to $5 in this case. I spoke to Customer Service and found out they would not budge but in this case I was able to get someone from the company to use their credit card to pay the fee and I was in business.

Next day I got shuttle to LIT and checked in and checked bags. I cleared security and there was no secondary but briefcase was inspected.

Southwest #1595 LIT-LAS B-737-700 Boarding pass A-50 Seat 21F Cruising altitude 38,000 feet Estimated flying time 3:07, actual 3:09 Scheduled departure 13h45, actual 13h48 Scheduled arrival 15h15, actual 15h09

Plane was not full and I learned there were 103 passengers out of a capacity of 137. There was an empty middle seat next to me. Pushback was 3 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 6 minutes and takeoff to the southwest. I saw downtown Little Rock immediately after takeoff and the Arkansas River. At 0:20 I saw Ft. Smith, AR. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:21 and I saw Interstate 40 in Oklahoma and Sallisaw and Webbers Falls. Later I saw the Indian Nation Turnpike and Henryetta, OK.

At 0:35 peanuts and a snack pack were offered. The snack pack consisted of low calorie Chips Ahoy Thin Crisps, Tombstone Salami Stick and Kraft Handi-Snacks breadsticks and cheese dip. I saw the Turner Turnpike (part of Interstate 44 running from OKC to TUL) and part of the OKC metro area but there were some clouds in that area. Seatbelt sign went on at 1:15 over the Texas panhandle and stayed on the rest of the flight. At 1:52 I saw what looked like Santa Fe, NM and at 2:36 I saw the Grand Canyon.

Announcement was made it was 63F in LAS. There was a water run at 2:41 and I felt descent begin at 2:44 while over the Grand Canyon. I saw Lake Mead and Hoover Dam in the distance. I saw the Strip on final and we landed east to west. Taxi was 6 minutes and we arrived at gate C11 6 minutes early.

Southwest #878 LAS-LAX B-737-300 Boarding Pass A-28 Seat 21F Cruising altitude 28,000 Estimated flying time 0:40, actual 0:38 Scheduled departure 16h35, actual 16h54 Scheduled arrival 17h45, actual 18h02

There was a gate change from C24 to C22. Plane was almost full with 129 passengers on board. Announcement was made it was 63F at LAX. Pushback was 19 minutes late likely due to boarding. Taxi/hold was 23 minutes and we took off to the southwest. I saw Interstate 15 and the 215 Beltway then we went slightly west then back south. I saw Jean, NV (Gold Strike) and later Interstate 15 and Baker, CA.

Seatbelt sign went off at 0:13. I saw Interstate 40 and the Mojave river. I got cup of soda at 0:20 right when descent started and seatbelt sign went back on. I saw Victorville/Apple Valley then we went over the San Bernardino Mountains and I saw Lake Arrowhead and the setting sun to the west. I saw San Bernardino, Colton, Rialto, Fontana and the Cajon Pass to the distance and the High Desert farther out. I saw the California Speedway, Interstate 10 and ONT followed by the LA County Fairgrounds and Puddingstone Lake, junction of Interstate 10 and California 57, Cal Poly Pomona and the San Gabriel Valley.

I saw traffic was jammed on eastbound California 60 near Interstate 605. The Southbound 605 appeared to be moving well but there was slowing on the northbound side. Southbound Interstate 5 was slow but northbound was moving well. I saw downtown Los Angeles and then the Crenshaw Christian Center Faith Dome. Gear went down at 0:36. I saw southbound Interstate 405 was slow but northbound was moving well. We landed east to west. Taxi was 6 minutes and we arrived at gate 7 17 minutes late. I got bags 18-19 minutes after arrival and took a shuttle home. I got home in time to attend a wedding where a couple of my friends got married in Pasadena.

Nice trip report. It's always a bummer to get sick while traveling.

Great report as always. I'm impressed that you were able to soldier on with the stomach bug - I've had it, and I can't even imagine getting out of bed, let alone driving!

Do you find it difficult or enjoyable to have to adjust to so many different driving conditions on one drive (rain, snow, freezing rain, well-below freezing temperatures, sunny and warm)?

I find it more enjoyable when conditions change for the better and less enjoyable when conditions change for the worse. It is not fun to have the flu anytime, especially on the road and one day I spent more time in the WC than behind the wheel.