Loose Cannon
Mar 21, 08, 2:59 am
Tour of Duty 21st February 2008 to 18th March 2008
Part 1: 21st February 2008 to 4th March 2008
After a spell at home it was time to hit the road again and I got word of a truck in Chino, CA going to Eagle, ID up near Boise. Chino is one of the many suburbs of Los Angeles located almost 35 miles/56 km east of downtown and about 40 miles/64 km from where I live. I hired a cab and got to the shipper and after checking to ensure the overweight permits were in order I did safety inspection and got started.
Trip: Chino, CA to Eagle, ID 837 paid miles Routes: California 83 to California 60 to Interstate 15 to US395 to US6 to Nevada 360 to US95 to Interstate 80 back to US95 to Idaho 55 to Interstate 84 back to Idaho 55 Maximum elevation: 7,167 feet at Montgomery Pass on US6 8 miles east of the CA/NV state line. Permits needed: Overweight permits for each state, OR fuel permit, ID Trip Permit
I got started and was not surprised to get stuck in heavy traffic until I got over the Cajon Pass into the High Desert. I got a little rain in Victorville and Adelanto then the rain quit. I topped off the fuel tank at the Pilot at Kramer Junction (junction US395/CA58 east of Boron) and diesel was $3.639 per gallon which I thought was high. The first night I got a room at the Mayfair Motel in Inyokern for a low price of something like $28. The room was not terribly clean.
Next morning when I got up I showered but alas the hot water was not working so I ended up taking a cold shower. It was mostly clear when I started but it clouded up and I got light rain at times in the Owens Valley. I paid $3.839 per gallon for diesel in Big Pine, CA and thought that was really high at the time. It cleared up around Benton and was clear and dry over Montgomery Pass for which I was thankful for I was concerned that there might be adverse conditions and chain requirements over that pass which was the highest point on this trip. Much of Nevada was desolate and there was sagebrush. Later there was some rain off and on and also some snow around Fallon, NV and some places along Interstate 80.
Saturday I fueled at the Flying J in Winnemucca, NV for $3.449 per gallon, the lowest for this trip. It got up to at least 51F in Winnemucca but it clouded up as I continued north. I saw diesel was at $4.049 per gallon in McDermitt, NV but I did not fuel there. Northern Nevada and southeast Oregon is also quite desolate and I noticed there was no cellphone service in Jordan Valley, OR. I had dinner in Jordan Valley before entering Idaho. Light rain started just after I entered Idaho and continued off and on but it was dry when I made delivery very late that evening in Eagle and was glad to get there between weather systems. I was given transport to lodging in Boise where I had a layover.
Sunday I suffered my 46th birthday. I attended morning service at Calvary Chapel in Boise, ID and evening service at Treasure Valley Baptist Church in Meridian, ID.
Monday I rang the company and was told to go to the Boise Airport. I got word of a trip from Lincoln, NE to Victoria, BC and accepted. I had a wait for the confirmation code for the flight and then more time to kill before the flight. I checked in, checked bags and cleared security with no wait. There was a brief check of my briefcase but no secondary screening.
Southwest #889 BOI-LAS B-737-700 Boarding Pass B2 Seat 21F Cruising altitude 41,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:15, actual 1:12 Scheduled departure 18h05, actual 18h17 Scheduled arrival 18h45, actual 18h39
Plane was not full with 86 of 137 seats occupied. I had entire row to myself. Pushback was 12 minutes late followed by taxi of 6 minutes and takeoff to the west. I saw downtown Boise to the distance immediately after takeoff. I saw the Snake River during early climb then clouds. Peanuts were thrown at me at 0:12 and there was some choppy air during climb so F/A's were told to sit down. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:30. At 0:38 there were a few bumps. At 0:54 I saw what looked like Mesquite, NV. At 1:00 I saw lights of Las Vegas area. I saw the Strip on final approach. Landing was east to west and taxi was 4 minutes and we arrived at gate C24 6 minutes early.
Southwest #1654 LAS-OMA B-737-700 Boarding Pass A57 Seat 21F Cruising altitude 39,000 feet Estimated flying time 2:10, actual 2:15 Scheduled departure 19h35, actual 19h44 Scheduled arrival 00h10 +1, actual 00h13 +1 Ticket price: unknown
Plane was not full with 80 of 137 seats occupied. I had whole row to myself again. Announcement was made it was cold, windy and snowy in Omaha. Pushback was 9 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 11 minutes and takeoff to the west. I saw the Strip immediately after takeoff and as turns were made to the north and east I got another view of the Strip and metro area during early portion of climb.
At 0:17 peanuts and Wheat Thins were offered. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:21. At 0:24 I got cup of soda. The flight was fairly uneventful except some people near me seemed to be a bit rowdy for the first part of the flight. I felt descent begin at 1:52 and seatbelt sign went on at 1:56. Announcement made it was 25F with winds gusting to 25mph with overcast skies. At 2:01 I saw lights of what looked to be the Lincoln area partially covered by clouds. There were bumps as we entered the clouds at 2:10 and when we broke through the clouds I saw snow on the ground. It was bumpy on approach and we landed south to north. Taxi was 2 minutes and we arrived 3 minutes late at gate 18. I got bags 16-19 minutes after arrival and got taxi to the Mormon Trail Motel.
Next day I got taxi back to OMA and from there I took Omalink Shuttle to where I needed to go in Lincoln.
Trip: Lincoln, NE to Victoria, BC 1,837 miles Routes: Interstate 80 to Interstate 84 to Interstate 82 to Interstate 90 to Interstate 405 to Interstate 5 to British Columbia 15 to British Columbia 99 to British Columbia 17 to BC Ferries Spirit of Vancouver Island from Tsawwassan to Swartz Bay back to British Columbia 17. Maximum elevation: 8,640 feet at Sherman Summit on Interstate 80 about 10 miles east of Laramie, WY. Permits needed: Trip Permits in ID and BC.
I got started and got diesel for $3.599 per gallon in Lincoln. It was cold but warmed up as I headed west and I spent the first night in North Platte, NE. Next day the company told me I needed the original title. I did a thorough search and found no title so I notified the company and continued on. I stopped in Sidney, NE and had a brief visit with the Bootwearer Preacher. Temperature got up into the mid or upper 50's F. I fueled up for $3.379 per gallon in Cheyenne, WY. No Wyoming Trip Permit was needed due to the weight of the truck. I spent the night in Laramie, WY and had a light dinner (plain cheese quesadilla and tortilla chips) at Qdoba Mexican Grill. Because it was my first time the meal was complimentary.
Next day it was windy in Rawlins, WY where I fueled for $3.439 per gallon. Diesel was $3.419 per gallon in Evanston, WY, the last sub-3.50 per gallon price I encountered. I got word that the original title would be waiting for me at a broker on the US side of the border in Blaine, WA. Temperature got up to 59F in Boise, ID. I encountered a brief snow shower near North Powder, OR then more snow near Meacham Summit plus sleet and ice pellets. Diesel was $3.859 in Ellensburg, WA.
I attended Sunday morning service at Independent Baptist Church in Ellensburg, WA. The sermon was on Acts 2:41-47 Marks of a Growing Church. Then I motored west and Snoqualmie Pass was bare and mainly dry with only a few wet spots. I reached Blaine, WA and was taken to Bay Community Baptist Church for Sunday evening service and there was some light rain.
Border Problems and Delays
On Monday it was raining on and off when I awoke. I rang the customer for directions and was told that I would need to take the ferry from Tsawwassan to Swartz Bay and the ferries leave every other hour on the odd hour and it was estimated if things went smoothly I should make the 15h00 ferry and deliver before dark. Alas, things did not go as planned. I proceeded to the broker and got the title. Then I went to US Customs to get the title cleared so I could proceed and was misinformed by an officer that I would have to fill out a paper and wait until Thursday to cross. After a few phone calls the problem was resolved but in the meantime the backlog of trucks waiting to cross the border continued to grow.
I finally crossed the border and told the agent at the booth the plan was to fly me to Sacramento to get the next truck going back up to BC. I was told where the broker was so I parked in the holding area and proceeded to the broker. After a bit of a wait the broker told me something to the effect that the customer may not have paid. That was resolved and I went back to Customs, submitted my paperwork and waited. Then I was called and asked for my driver's licence. After a time another agent called me over to Travellers Services or some such thing and asked for an airline ticket. I replied that I did not have one yet. He said I would not be allowed in the country until I produced one so I rang the company after-hours emergency line and was told that the plan was for me to take the Quick Shuttle Bus to SEA and fly out from there.
The officer brought up the questions I asked the previous time as mentioned in the above paragraph and said the authorities were concerned that I may be trying to find a way to break the law so he told me he was letting me in but I would be watched closely for the next 5 years. I was not totally surprised that what I said ended up in the computers but I was shocked that they would hold any questions I asked against me. Customs completed the paperwork and I was given clearance to proceed. After leaving Customs I immediately came upon the weigh scale which was open so I went in and got a Trip Permit.
I proceeded to Tsawwassan to the BC Ferries terminal. I originally hoped to catch the ferry at 15h00 but it was 18h00 so I pulled up to the booth and since the vehicle was a commerical vehicle over 5500kg the vehicle was measured for length and the ferry ticket came to $118.06 CAD. I was told that I likely would not be able to get on the 19h00 ferry as those with reservations had priority but should make the 21h00 ferry and was told what lane to go to.
The ferry came for 19h00 and I missed getting on by 2 or 3 trucks. So I went into the Tsawwassan Quay Market to look around and got dinner at Crepe Expectations. I had a crepe with salmon, cream cheese and capers and found it to be quite tasty. The 21h00 ferry Spirit of Vancouver Island came and I drove onboard.
BC Ferries [B]Spirit of Vancouver Island Tsawwassan, BC to Swartz Bay, BC Scheduled departure 21h00, actual 21h00 Scheduled arrival 22h35, actual 22h38 Ticket cost: $118.06 CAD
After I parked I proceeded with other passengers upstairs to decks 5 and 6 where there were various lounges and eating establishments. I was impressed with the facilities offered yet I was disappointed that the crossing was made after dark so I was not able to see anything outside. I had a croissant to eat and ice water to drink. Announcement was made we were getting close so we returned to our vehicles and after docking everyone drove off.
British Columbia 17 picked up where it left off in Tsawwassan and I proceeded toward Victoria but stopped in Saanichton and spent the night at the Western 66 Motel for what I consider to be a very reasonable price for Vancouver Island.
Next day after a late rise I continue toward Victoria and it was a scenic ride. Vancouver Island looks like a lovely place to live. I delivered the truck right at noon. I rang the company plans were changed on the spur of the moment and I was to fly to Montreal for the next truck. I was booked on an evening flight from YYJ to YVR connecting to an overnight flight to YUL. The customer was so happy to get the truck he assigned one of his men to show me around the Victoria area and then take me to the airport. I chose not to see Butchart Gardens because of the time of year and the cost which I was given to understand would be substantial. The was nice and sunny so I took my jacket off. I saw parts of downtown Victoria, City Hall, the Inner Harbour, Parliament Building, the Empress Hotel, Beacon Hill and then saw Sidney. I took numerous snapshots for my scrapbook. The hassles I received at the border were worth it as I felt as if I was on holiday and getting paid for it.
TO BE CONTINUED ANOTHER THREAD
Part 1: 21st February 2008 to 4th March 2008
After a spell at home it was time to hit the road again and I got word of a truck in Chino, CA going to Eagle, ID up near Boise. Chino is one of the many suburbs of Los Angeles located almost 35 miles/56 km east of downtown and about 40 miles/64 km from where I live. I hired a cab and got to the shipper and after checking to ensure the overweight permits were in order I did safety inspection and got started.
Trip: Chino, CA to Eagle, ID 837 paid miles Routes: California 83 to California 60 to Interstate 15 to US395 to US6 to Nevada 360 to US95 to Interstate 80 back to US95 to Idaho 55 to Interstate 84 back to Idaho 55 Maximum elevation: 7,167 feet at Montgomery Pass on US6 8 miles east of the CA/NV state line. Permits needed: Overweight permits for each state, OR fuel permit, ID Trip Permit
I got started and was not surprised to get stuck in heavy traffic until I got over the Cajon Pass into the High Desert. I got a little rain in Victorville and Adelanto then the rain quit. I topped off the fuel tank at the Pilot at Kramer Junction (junction US395/CA58 east of Boron) and diesel was $3.639 per gallon which I thought was high. The first night I got a room at the Mayfair Motel in Inyokern for a low price of something like $28. The room was not terribly clean.
Next morning when I got up I showered but alas the hot water was not working so I ended up taking a cold shower. It was mostly clear when I started but it clouded up and I got light rain at times in the Owens Valley. I paid $3.839 per gallon for diesel in Big Pine, CA and thought that was really high at the time. It cleared up around Benton and was clear and dry over Montgomery Pass for which I was thankful for I was concerned that there might be adverse conditions and chain requirements over that pass which was the highest point on this trip. Much of Nevada was desolate and there was sagebrush. Later there was some rain off and on and also some snow around Fallon, NV and some places along Interstate 80.
Saturday I fueled at the Flying J in Winnemucca, NV for $3.449 per gallon, the lowest for this trip. It got up to at least 51F in Winnemucca but it clouded up as I continued north. I saw diesel was at $4.049 per gallon in McDermitt, NV but I did not fuel there. Northern Nevada and southeast Oregon is also quite desolate and I noticed there was no cellphone service in Jordan Valley, OR. I had dinner in Jordan Valley before entering Idaho. Light rain started just after I entered Idaho and continued off and on but it was dry when I made delivery very late that evening in Eagle and was glad to get there between weather systems. I was given transport to lodging in Boise where I had a layover.
Sunday I suffered my 46th birthday. I attended morning service at Calvary Chapel in Boise, ID and evening service at Treasure Valley Baptist Church in Meridian, ID.
Monday I rang the company and was told to go to the Boise Airport. I got word of a trip from Lincoln, NE to Victoria, BC and accepted. I had a wait for the confirmation code for the flight and then more time to kill before the flight. I checked in, checked bags and cleared security with no wait. There was a brief check of my briefcase but no secondary screening.
Southwest #889 BOI-LAS B-737-700 Boarding Pass B2 Seat 21F Cruising altitude 41,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:15, actual 1:12 Scheduled departure 18h05, actual 18h17 Scheduled arrival 18h45, actual 18h39
Plane was not full with 86 of 137 seats occupied. I had entire row to myself. Pushback was 12 minutes late followed by taxi of 6 minutes and takeoff to the west. I saw downtown Boise to the distance immediately after takeoff. I saw the Snake River during early climb then clouds. Peanuts were thrown at me at 0:12 and there was some choppy air during climb so F/A's were told to sit down. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:30. At 0:38 there were a few bumps. At 0:54 I saw what looked like Mesquite, NV. At 1:00 I saw lights of Las Vegas area. I saw the Strip on final approach. Landing was east to west and taxi was 4 minutes and we arrived at gate C24 6 minutes early.
Southwest #1654 LAS-OMA B-737-700 Boarding Pass A57 Seat 21F Cruising altitude 39,000 feet Estimated flying time 2:10, actual 2:15 Scheduled departure 19h35, actual 19h44 Scheduled arrival 00h10 +1, actual 00h13 +1 Ticket price: unknown
Plane was not full with 80 of 137 seats occupied. I had whole row to myself again. Announcement was made it was cold, windy and snowy in Omaha. Pushback was 9 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 11 minutes and takeoff to the west. I saw the Strip immediately after takeoff and as turns were made to the north and east I got another view of the Strip and metro area during early portion of climb.
At 0:17 peanuts and Wheat Thins were offered. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:21. At 0:24 I got cup of soda. The flight was fairly uneventful except some people near me seemed to be a bit rowdy for the first part of the flight. I felt descent begin at 1:52 and seatbelt sign went on at 1:56. Announcement made it was 25F with winds gusting to 25mph with overcast skies. At 2:01 I saw lights of what looked to be the Lincoln area partially covered by clouds. There were bumps as we entered the clouds at 2:10 and when we broke through the clouds I saw snow on the ground. It was bumpy on approach and we landed south to north. Taxi was 2 minutes and we arrived 3 minutes late at gate 18. I got bags 16-19 minutes after arrival and got taxi to the Mormon Trail Motel.
Next day I got taxi back to OMA and from there I took Omalink Shuttle to where I needed to go in Lincoln.
Trip: Lincoln, NE to Victoria, BC 1,837 miles Routes: Interstate 80 to Interstate 84 to Interstate 82 to Interstate 90 to Interstate 405 to Interstate 5 to British Columbia 15 to British Columbia 99 to British Columbia 17 to BC Ferries Spirit of Vancouver Island from Tsawwassan to Swartz Bay back to British Columbia 17. Maximum elevation: 8,640 feet at Sherman Summit on Interstate 80 about 10 miles east of Laramie, WY. Permits needed: Trip Permits in ID and BC.
I got started and got diesel for $3.599 per gallon in Lincoln. It was cold but warmed up as I headed west and I spent the first night in North Platte, NE. Next day the company told me I needed the original title. I did a thorough search and found no title so I notified the company and continued on. I stopped in Sidney, NE and had a brief visit with the Bootwearer Preacher. Temperature got up into the mid or upper 50's F. I fueled up for $3.379 per gallon in Cheyenne, WY. No Wyoming Trip Permit was needed due to the weight of the truck. I spent the night in Laramie, WY and had a light dinner (plain cheese quesadilla and tortilla chips) at Qdoba Mexican Grill. Because it was my first time the meal was complimentary.
Next day it was windy in Rawlins, WY where I fueled for $3.439 per gallon. Diesel was $3.419 per gallon in Evanston, WY, the last sub-3.50 per gallon price I encountered. I got word that the original title would be waiting for me at a broker on the US side of the border in Blaine, WA. Temperature got up to 59F in Boise, ID. I encountered a brief snow shower near North Powder, OR then more snow near Meacham Summit plus sleet and ice pellets. Diesel was $3.859 in Ellensburg, WA.
I attended Sunday morning service at Independent Baptist Church in Ellensburg, WA. The sermon was on Acts 2:41-47 Marks of a Growing Church. Then I motored west and Snoqualmie Pass was bare and mainly dry with only a few wet spots. I reached Blaine, WA and was taken to Bay Community Baptist Church for Sunday evening service and there was some light rain.
Border Problems and Delays
On Monday it was raining on and off when I awoke. I rang the customer for directions and was told that I would need to take the ferry from Tsawwassan to Swartz Bay and the ferries leave every other hour on the odd hour and it was estimated if things went smoothly I should make the 15h00 ferry and deliver before dark. Alas, things did not go as planned. I proceeded to the broker and got the title. Then I went to US Customs to get the title cleared so I could proceed and was misinformed by an officer that I would have to fill out a paper and wait until Thursday to cross. After a few phone calls the problem was resolved but in the meantime the backlog of trucks waiting to cross the border continued to grow.
I finally crossed the border and told the agent at the booth the plan was to fly me to Sacramento to get the next truck going back up to BC. I was told where the broker was so I parked in the holding area and proceeded to the broker. After a bit of a wait the broker told me something to the effect that the customer may not have paid. That was resolved and I went back to Customs, submitted my paperwork and waited. Then I was called and asked for my driver's licence. After a time another agent called me over to Travellers Services or some such thing and asked for an airline ticket. I replied that I did not have one yet. He said I would not be allowed in the country until I produced one so I rang the company after-hours emergency line and was told that the plan was for me to take the Quick Shuttle Bus to SEA and fly out from there.
The officer brought up the questions I asked the previous time as mentioned in the above paragraph and said the authorities were concerned that I may be trying to find a way to break the law so he told me he was letting me in but I would be watched closely for the next 5 years. I was not totally surprised that what I said ended up in the computers but I was shocked that they would hold any questions I asked against me. Customs completed the paperwork and I was given clearance to proceed. After leaving Customs I immediately came upon the weigh scale which was open so I went in and got a Trip Permit.
I proceeded to Tsawwassan to the BC Ferries terminal. I originally hoped to catch the ferry at 15h00 but it was 18h00 so I pulled up to the booth and since the vehicle was a commerical vehicle over 5500kg the vehicle was measured for length and the ferry ticket came to $118.06 CAD. I was told that I likely would not be able to get on the 19h00 ferry as those with reservations had priority but should make the 21h00 ferry and was told what lane to go to.
The ferry came for 19h00 and I missed getting on by 2 or 3 trucks. So I went into the Tsawwassan Quay Market to look around and got dinner at Crepe Expectations. I had a crepe with salmon, cream cheese and capers and found it to be quite tasty. The 21h00 ferry Spirit of Vancouver Island came and I drove onboard.
BC Ferries [B]Spirit of Vancouver Island Tsawwassan, BC to Swartz Bay, BC Scheduled departure 21h00, actual 21h00 Scheduled arrival 22h35, actual 22h38 Ticket cost: $118.06 CAD
After I parked I proceeded with other passengers upstairs to decks 5 and 6 where there were various lounges and eating establishments. I was impressed with the facilities offered yet I was disappointed that the crossing was made after dark so I was not able to see anything outside. I had a croissant to eat and ice water to drink. Announcement was made we were getting close so we returned to our vehicles and after docking everyone drove off.
British Columbia 17 picked up where it left off in Tsawwassan and I proceeded toward Victoria but stopped in Saanichton and spent the night at the Western 66 Motel for what I consider to be a very reasonable price for Vancouver Island.
Next day after a late rise I continue toward Victoria and it was a scenic ride. Vancouver Island looks like a lovely place to live. I delivered the truck right at noon. I rang the company plans were changed on the spur of the moment and I was to fly to Montreal for the next truck. I was booked on an evening flight from YYJ to YVR connecting to an overnight flight to YUL. The customer was so happy to get the truck he assigned one of his men to show me around the Victoria area and then take me to the airport. I chose not to see Butchart Gardens because of the time of year and the cost which I was given to understand would be substantial. The was nice and sunny so I took my jacket off. I saw parts of downtown Victoria, City Hall, the Inner Harbour, Parliament Building, the Empress Hotel, Beacon Hill and then saw Sidney. I took numerous snapshots for my scrapbook. The hassles I received at the border were worth it as I felt as if I was on holiday and getting paid for it.
TO BE CONTINUED ANOTHER THREAD