Tour of Duty 5th April to 1st May 2010

I got word that there was a truck in Wilmington, CA going to Wendover, UT. I got the word on a Saturday and it was Monday when I hired a taxi to Wilmington and made the pickup.

Trip: Wilmington, CA to Argonite, UT (original destination thought to be Wendover, UT) ~700 miles Route: Interstate 710 to Interstate 105 to Interstate 605 to Interstate 210 to Interstate 15 to US93 to Nevada 318 to US6 to US93 to US93 Alt to Interstate 80 Maximum elevation: 7,317 feet at Murry Summit on US6 a few miles out of Ely, NV
Highest gas price: $2.999/gallon at Flying J Barstow, CA
Lowest gas price: $2.799/gallon at Pilot North Las Vegas, NV
Permits required: none

When I got to the shipper I said I was there to get a truck going to Wendover, UT. The person I talked to said he thought the truck was going to Grantsville, UT. I was not totally sure of the destination but I plotted my route as if I was going to Wendover. I found that the truck I was to take was a pickup truck with an automatic shift that ran on unleaded gas rather than diesel fuel. I was able to use filling stations and since the truck had only two axles and was not towing anything it was not subject to the 55mph truck speed limit in California.

There was no rain but it was windy at times in the High Desert. A gust of wind almost blew me off the road between Yermo and Baker. I spent the first night in Alamo, NV.

Second day I was unable to reach the receiver but I talked to the company and found out where the place actually was. The receiver was literally in the middle on nowhere midway between Wendover and SLC off an exit that said "No Services". I got some snow showers in Nevada in Ely and a little on US93 Alt. I spend the night in Wendover, UT.

Next day I made the delivery in Argonite, UT and someone from the receiver was good enough to give me a ride to SLC. I rang the company and they were going to book me on Southwest but ended up getting me an air ticket on United to Denver. I checked in, checked bags and paid the $60 to check two bags and cleared security. There was no secondary screening but my briefcase was hand searched.

United Express #7699 SLC-DEN E-170 Seat 15D Cruising altitude 31,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:00, actual 1:00 Scheduled departure 15h03, actual 15h06 out of B7 Scheduled arrival 16h27, actual 16h24 into B60

Plane was full and I was unable to get window seat. Announcement was made it was partly cloudy and 45F at DEN. Announcement was also made that the seatbelt sign would stay illuminated due to a switch problem. Pushback was 3 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 8 minutes and takeoff was to the north. It was a bit bumpy on initial climb. I saw the snow capped Wasatch Mountains to the right and the Great Salt Lake to the left. We made turn east. At 0:26 there was a drink run and I got cup of soda. Clouds increased as we progressed east. I felt descent begin at 0:40 and descent was announced at 0:41 and it was announced it was 46F at DEN. We picked up some real good bumps soon after descent began. We made turns and landed landed south to north. Taxi was 9 minutes and we arrived at gate 3 minutes early. I saw my bags when I arrived at bag claim 22 minutes after arrival. I spent the night on the east side of Denver and learned it snowed there earlier that morning. I had dinner at Bennetts BBQ and had all you can eat Beef Brisket.

Trip: Denver, CO to Chandler, AZ 913 paid miles Route: Interstate 70 to Interstate 25 to US60 Maximum elevation: 7,834 feet at Raton Pass on Interstate 25 at the CO/NM state line
Highest diesel price: $3.159/gallon at Pilot Denver, CO
Lowest diesel price: $2.959 at Chevron Socorro, NM
Permits needed: none

This was another pickup truck with automatic transmission but it ran on diesel. I could not have asked for better weather on this trip. I spent the first night in Santa Fe, NM and had problems finding the motel due in part to construction. Second day I saw some new territory once I headed west on US60. I stopped briefly and saw the VLA which is the Very Large Array of Satellite dishes between Magdalena and Datil, NM. I spent the second night in Springerville, AZ. Third day I saw some stupendous views of the Salt River Canyon between Show Low, AZ and Globe, AZ. It warmed up as I lost elevation and I made delivery late in the afternoon in Chandler, AZ and got a ride to motel near PHX. The temperature in the Phoenix area was in the high 80'sF/over 30C.

The company booked me on a rare Sunday flight to BUF and I was to meet up with another driver and go in a rental car from Buffalo to Plattsburgh, NY because a mandatory safety meeting was scheduled for Monday in Plattsburgh, NY. As a result this was one of those rare Sundays when I was unable to attend church. I got shuttle to PHX and the terminal was a zoo due to multitudes leaving town as a NASCAR race was held the previous day. The queue to check bags took about 15 minutes or so and the queue for security was at least 25 minutes. There was no secondary screening nor any hand searches. I arrived at the gate with not a lot of time to spare.

Southwest #2467 PHX-BUF B-737-700 Boarding Pass B18 Seat 22F Cruising altitude 37,000 feet Estimated flying time 3:45, actual 3:42 Scheduled departure 09h00, actual 09h03 out of D5 Scheduled arrival 16h00, actual 16h09 into gate 18

Plane was full. Weather at BUF was scattered clouds and 50F. Pushback was 3 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 21 minutes and takeoff to the east. I saw Interstate 10, junction of Interstate 10 and US60 and Loop 101 and East Valley cities. I saw the Mesa GAteway Airport and we made turn to northeast. I saw Apache Junction to the south and I saw Roosevelt Lake and the Salt River. I saw US60 and the White Mountains and Springerville, AZ.

At 0:21 the F/A came through with snacks and I chose Ritz Crackers with Cheese. At 0:26 I saw Quemado, NM. We reached cruise and seatbelt sign came off at 0:33. We crossed Interstate 25 at 0:38 over ABQ. I saw the Rio Grande and Belen, NM to the south and Interstate 40 at 0:40 and Tijeras, NM with Moriarity, NM to the distance. At 0:41 I got a cup of soda. At 0:49 we crossed Interstate 25 again then there were clouds. At 0:57 I got another cup of soda and at 1:15 there was another pass of the snack basket and I chose Ritz chips.

At 1:56 I saw Topeka, KS to the south and at 1:58 we crossed the Missouri River and I saw MCI to the south and Interstate 29. At 2:03 we crossed Interstate 35 north of Kansas City. I saw the Mississippi River at 2:20 then clouds. At 2:40 I saw Interstate 80 near Morris, IL and at 2:53 I saw what looked to be the Indiana toll road and South Bend, IN. At 3:05 we crossed what I thought was US23 in Ann Arbor, MI and I thought I felt descent gegin at the same time. At 3:08 I saw Interstate 75 in southern Michigan then we went over Lake Erie. We flew over southern Ontario briefly then back over the lake.

Descent was announced and seatbelt sign went on at 3:22 and it was clear and 55F at BUF. At 3:25 we passed by Erie, PA while overwater. We made landfall over New York State at 3:29 and made left turn and I saw Interstate 90 the New York Thruway then overwater. At 3:36 I saw downtown Buffalo and Interstate 190. There were a few bumps during the latter part of descent and we overflew BUF and circled around and landed east to west. Taxi was 2 minutes and we arrived at gate 9 minutes late. I got my bags 24-25 minutes after arrival and met the other driver and we headed to Plattsburgh where we spent the night.

Monday the safety meeting took place. The main topic was CSA 2010. CSA sounds for Comprehensive Safety Analysis. This is a new way the government is going to keep track of both drivers and motor carriers. Any citation or warning a driver gets will count against both the driver and the company. Any defects noted in a roadside inspection, no matter how minor and even if no citation is issued will also count against both the driver and the company. Violations are weighted according to severity and also according to time. After the safety meeting I spent a second night in Plattsburgh, NY.

On Tuesday I received word of a truck in Parsippany, NJ going to Woburn, MA. I hired a taxi and rushed to the train station. I learned the train was late due to delay at the border.

Amtrak #68 Adirondack Plattsburgh, NY to Penn Station New York, NY
Scheduled departure 12h35, actual 13h00 Scheduled arrival 20h35, actual 21h40 Ticket cost: $63

I had to carry all my bags on board as there was no checked baggage at this station. I bought my ticket on board as tickets were not sold at the station. I saw Lake Champlain after we got started. The train stopped at a siding south of Ticondoroga to wait for a northbound train. The train made a stop in Albany for a crew change and departed there about an hour late. I saw the sunset over the Hudson River and we arrived at Penn Station a little over an hour late. Penn Station was underground so I did not actually see New York City this trip. I bought a ticket on NJ Transit to Morris Plains and made connection. That train made a bunch of stops before mine and when I got off I shared a taxi with another person and got to lodging in Parsippany.

Next day I went to the shipper to pick up the truck but the truck was still in service so I had to wait several hours. The truck came and there was a minor issue with the passenger side mirror that was resolved and I left during rush hour traffic.

Trip: Parsippany, NJ to Woburn, MA ~246 miles Route: Interstate 287 to Interstate 95 to Interstate 91 to Interstate 84 to Interstate 90 to Interstate 95 Maximum elevation: unknown No fuel purchased Permits required: none

This was an old truck that definitely saw its better days. It appeared that the truck was involved in at least one accident. I ran into a traffic jam near New Haven, CT as Interstate 95 narrowed from three lanes to one due to construction. I spent the first night in Wethersfield, CT.

Next day I made pit stop at truck stop in Willington, CT. The key apparantly bent either in the door lock or the ignition. I tried to start the truck but the key would not turn to start the truck. The key broke in my hands. I had to ring a locksmith as no one at the truckstop made new keys. I had about a three hour wait for a three minute job as the locksmith made a new key that worked. I was not happy because I heard of a trip from Duluth, MN to Moncton, NB and because of the delay I lost out on that trip. I got rolling and hit traffic a little shy of Woburn. I finally made delivery and spent the night in Woburn, MA.

Following day was Friday and it was grey with rain at times. The company was going to fly me to Orlando to pick up a truck for either Louisiana or Canada. The company purchased me an air ticket to MCO via JFK on Jet Blue and I took a taxi to BOS. En route to Logan Airport I was able to contact the company and was told the air ticket was canceled as I would not get there in time to pick up the truck before the weekend so I was told to call from the airport. I found out I was to fly to Buffalo and take ground transport to Burlington, ON and get a truck going to Baltimore, MD. I checked in and paid $60 for checking two bags and cleared security with no secondary screening and no hand search of carry ons.

USAirways Express #3691 BOS-BUF CRJ-200 Seat 2A Cruising altitude 26,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:02, actual 1:24 Scheduled departure 16h45, actual 16h55 out of B9A Scheduled arrival 18h12, actual 18h32 into gate 4

Plane was full or nearly full. Pushback was 10 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 9 minutes and takeoff to east. I saw the bay and then immediately into the clouds. AT 0:12 there was a drink run and I got cup of soda. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:22 and on again at 0:52. I was unsure of when descent actually began but it was announced at 1:01. At 1:03 we were put in a holding pattern over Rochester due to weather at BUF. At 1:10 the hold was released. We landed east to west and taxi was 3 minutes and we arrived at gate 20 minutes late. I got my bags 13-14 minutes after arrival and took the Jet Express to Burlington, ON where I spent the night.

Trip: Burlington, ON to Baltimore, MD ~479 miles Route: QEW to Ontario 405 to Interstate 190 to Interstate 290 to Interstate 90 to Interstate 390 to Interstate 86 to US15 to US322 to Interstate 81 to Interstate 83 to Interstate 695 to Interstate 95 Maximum elevation: 2,157' at Bloss Mountain on US15 north of Liberty, PA
Diesel price (Canada): $0.979CAD/litre at Fifth Wheel Grimsby, ON
Diesel price (USA): $3.279/gallon at Flying J Corfu, NY
Permits required: PA Trip Permit

This was a rather old Mack road tractor going to the port for export. The border crossing went OK. There was rain at times and later on some snowflakes heading south on Interstate 390. I spent the first night in Painted Post, NY.

Sunday I attended Sunday School at Lindley Community Church Lindley, NY. The subject was Proverbs 20:1-4. There was rain at times but the temperature warmed and the weather improved as I headed south. I saw what I thought were unsafe onramps on Interstate 83 in PA. I made it to Baltimore for the night.

Monday I delivered the truck. Then I took a taxi to BWI and rang the company. After a wait I found I was to fly to Chicago and get transport to Streator, IL and get a truck to Innisfil, ON. I checked in after a queue and cleared security after another queue and there was no hand search of carry ons but I was sent to the scanner (other option was patdown) and my hands were swabbed.

Southwest #1266 BWI-PIT B-737-500 Boarding Pass B25 Seat 18E Cruising altitude not announced Estimated flying time 0:41, actual 0:35 Scheduled departure 17h50, actual 17h56 out of A3 Scheduled arrival 18h45, actual 18h43 into gate 3

As this was a smaller plane with capacity of 122 instead of 137 and there were through passengers already on board I was stuck in a middle seat for the first segment. The plane was not totally full. Pushback was 6 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 8 minutes and takeoff to the west. I got a brief glimpse of downtown Baltimore and there were some bumps on climb. There was a drink run and drinks were all served by 0:20. I felt descent begin at 0:21 and saw the Pennsylvania Turnpike and mountains. At 0:24 it was announced it was 61F and gusty winds out of the northwest at PIT. There were bumps during descent. I saw downtown Pittsburgh on approach and the Ohio River. We landed east to west and taxi was 4 minutes. We arrived at gate 2 minutes early. After the count of through passengers I changed seats.

Southwest #1266 PIT-MDW B-737-500 Seat 3F Cruising altitude 30,000 feet Estimated flying time not announced, actual 1:02 Scheduled departure 19h15, actual 19h18 out of gate 3 Scheduled arrival 19h40, actual 19h30 into B11

Plane was not totally full. Pushback was 3 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 6 minutes and takeoff to the west. I saw the Ohio River and at 0:10 I saw what looked to be Interstate 77. I saw the shore of Lake Erie to the far distance. I got pretzels at 0:18 and cup of soda at 0:21. We reached cruise at 0:33 and seatbelt sign went off. It was announced it was 46F and overcast at MDW. I thought I felt descent at 0:38. I saw Interstate 94 (Indiana) and Lake Michigan. At 0:54 I saw Lake Station and junction of Interstate 80 and 65. Seatbelt sign went on at 0:55. I saw downtown Chicago to the distance and Interstate 294 at 1:00. We made turn to northeast and landed that direction on dry runway. Taxi was 2 minutes and we arrived at gate 10 minutes early while the sun was setting. I got transport to Streator, IL and spent the night there.

Tuesday after a considerable wait I learned the truck was not going to be ready so the company rented me a car to MDW and told me I may be flying home next day if no other trucks are available. Shortly after I got the car I got word of a truck in Oregon, IL going to either Saskatoon or the GTA. I headed to Rockford, IL and had a dinner of Blue Gill Filets at Thunder Bay Grille. I liked the fish but there were some other aspects of the dinner that did not impress me.

Wednesday I got the drop location for the rental car changed to Rockford Airport and I saw a B-767-300 belonging to Ryan International there when I turned the car in. I hired a taxi to Oregon, IL and got to the shipper and made the pickup.

Trip: Oregon, IL to Markham, ON 617 paid miles Route: Illinois 64 to Interstate 39 to Interstate 88 (Ronald Reagan Tollway) to Interstate 294 (Tri State Tollway) to Interstate 80 to Interstate 94 to Interstate 196 to Michigan 6 to Interstate 96 to Interstate 69 to Blue Water Bridge to Ontario 402 to Ontario 401 Maximum elevation: unknown
Highest diesel price (USA): $3.099/gallon at Citgo Oregon, IL
Lowest diesel price (USA): $2.879/gallon at Flying J Gary, IN
Diesel price (Canada): $0.979CAD/litre at Fifth Wheel Milton, ON

This was a tank truck with a standard transmission. Capacity of the fuel tanks was 100 gallons. I was fortunate to make it the one mile or so to the nearest filling station with diesel before running out and paid cash for 22.5 gallons. Then I went to Rochelle, IL where I filled the tank using the company-issued fuel card and took on 78 gallons. There were a few sprinkles at times and I spent the first night in Michigan City, IN.

The second day I got faxed customs invoice with bar code to use to cross the border. I got as far as Imlay City, MI. I found out that Bobs Big Boy there put in a drive-thru window and was required to either pave the dirt lot in back or fence it off. The fencing off of that lot was the cause for a complaint I made earlier.

Next day I crossed the border and eastbound tolls on the Blue Water Bridge were raised to conform to westbound tolls. At the border I was sent to Immigration and had a wait before being cleared and then I proceeded. Traffic was backed up in the GTA and I made delivery in Markham and took taxi to Union Station and took the GO Train into Burlington, ON where I spent the night.

Saturday I talked to the company and the plan was made: I would get to Buffalo and Sunday evening would fly to Chicago and take bus to Rockford, IL and Monday I would pick up another truck in Oregon, IL for Markham, ON. I took the GO Bus to Niagara Falls and took a taxi to hotel across the street from BUF.

Sunday morning was rainy and a friend of mine picked me up and took me to Sunday morning service at Grace & Truth Church in Amherst, NY. The message was on I Corinthians 13 Charity. Afterward we went to restaraunt for lunch then I was dropped off at BUF. I checked in and checked bags after a short queue and cleared security after another short queue and there was no secondary screening and no hand searches. It was wet and rainy at BUF.

Southwest #578 BUF-MDW B-737-700 Boarding Pass A50 Seat 22F Cruising altitude 38,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:14, actual 1:23 Scheduled departure 18h00, actual 18h24 out of gate 16 Scheduled arrival 18h45, actual 18h58 into B2

Plane was late from BWI and was full. Pushback was 24 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 8 minutes and takeoff to the west. We were into the clouds within 40 seconds of liftoff. There were some bumps during climb and the F/A's were instructed to stay seated so there was not enough time for a full drink service. I got pretzels at 0:19. We reached cruise and seatbelt sign went off at 0:21. I got water at 0:26. I thought I felt descent at 0:44. Descent was announced and seatbelt sign went on at 0:49. At 0:58 it was announced it was overcast and 50F with light rain at MDW. We went over Lake Michigan at 1;09 and went in clouds and broke under the clouds maybe one minute before landing. We landed to the northeast on a wet runway and there was maximum braking. Taxi was 2 minutes and we arrived at gate 13 minutes late. I got my bags 20-21 minutes after arrival.

I caught the VanGalder Coach USA bus to Rockford, IL. The bus made a stop at Union Station in Chicago then on to Rockford where I spent the night. Next day I hired a taxi to Oregon, IL where I picked up the truck.

Trip: Oregon, IL to Markham, ON 617 paid miles Route: Illinois 64 to Interstate 39 to Interstate 88 to Interstate 294 to Interstate 80 to Interstate 94 to Interstate 196 to Michigan 6 to Interstate 96 to Interstate 69 to Blue Water Bridge to Ontario 402 to Ontario 401 Maximum elevation: unknown
Highest diesel price (USA): $3.199/gallon at Pilot Rochelle, IL
Lowest diesel price (USA): $2.899/gallon at Flying J Gary, IN
Permits needed: none

This truck was same as last except for the last digit of the VIN (Vehicle ID number). I made pickup and made it nearest filling station with diesel. Next day was breezy to windy. The Blue Water Bridge going to Canada was backed up beyond the toll booth on the US side. That cost me considerable amount of time. Things started moving when I got my camera out to take snapshots of the view. I was not sent to Immigration this time and proceeded and made delivery and spent the night in Markham, ON.

Next day I was picked up at motel and finally taken to company headquarters and learned I was to take a truck from Macungie, PA to Cambridge, ON. I waited for another driver and we shared a rental car. I felt much of my day was wasted waiting for the other driver. I was dropped off in Allentown, PA and the other driver proceeded to New Jersey.

Next day was cool and breezy to start. I took taxi to Macungie and picked up a brand new shiny black Mack truck with a standard transmission.

Trip: Macungie, PA to Cambridge, ON 436 paid miles Route: Pennsylvania 100 to Interstate 78 to US22 to Interstate 476 (PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) to Interstate 80 to Interstate 380 to US15 to Interstate 86 to Interstate 390 to Interstate 90 to Interstate 290 to Interstate 190 to Ontario 405 to QEW to Ontario 6 to Ontario 401 Maximum elevation: unknown
Highest diesel price (USA): $3.269/gallon at Flying J Corfu, NY
Lowest diesel price (USA): $3.259/gallon at Bandit Truckstop Kutztown, PA
Permit required: PA Trip Permit

I got started and got as far as Dansville, NY for the first night. Next day was Friday the 30th of April and I learned the delivery location would be open until 17h00. I got a minor delay waiting in queue at the border but the delays for cars were much worse. I was not sent to Immigration and proceeded. I made it to the receiver with literally no time to spare right at 17h00 on the dot and executed delivery and this trip came to a successful conclusion. I talked to the company and was told to take Greyhound from Cambridge to Detroit. Then I was told to scratch that and go to Toronto instead and call in the morning.

I got a lift to the bus depot and purchased ticket on Greyhound to Toronto. The bus was late and I was dropped at the Royal York hotel and took another bus to YYZ where I consulted the courtesy phone and found a motel whose price was not too obscene. I spent night in Toronto, ON.

Next day I took shuttle bus to YYZ and checked in and there was a major hassle with me paying the $30CAD second checked bag fee on Air Canada as the agent had to go to another desk with the money and get receipt. After check in was complete I precleared US Customs after a queue then I cleared security and it was back to the old rules for carry-ons to the USA.

Air Canada #507 YYZ-ORD E-175 Seat 25F Cruising altitude not given Estimated flying time not given, actual time: 1:18 Scheduled departure 14h45, actual 14h51 out of gate 161 Scheduled arrival 15h26, actual 15h35 into E1

This was my first time on an E-175. Plane was full and capacity was 9J/64Y Pushback was 6 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 12 minutes and takeoff to the west. I saw what looked like Brampton, ON and the 407ETR. There were some bumps on the climb. At 0:17 we went over Lake Huron and seatbelt sign went off at 0:21 while still over the lake. At 0:24 we made landfall and I saw the "thumb" of Michigan to the distance. F/A came through BOB was offered. I saw cloud cover thicken and increase as we proressed west. Seatbelt sign went on at 0:41. There was drink run and I got soda at 0:43. I thought I felt descent begin at 0:45. We broke under the clouds at 1:03 and saw Lake Michigan. We turned south then west and the other side was treated to good views of Chicago. I saw Interstate 94 on final and we landed east to west and taxi was 14 minutes. We arrived at gate 9 minutes late.

United #123 ORD-LAX A-319 Seating 3 Seat 21B Cruising altitude 32,000 feet Estimated flying time 3:56, actual 3:50 Scheduled departur 17h18, actual 17h20 Scheduled arrival 20h00, actual 19h29 into 70B

I was stuck in a middle seat and the plane was totally packed. Rain started while I was waiting for this flight. Capacity is 8F/112Y. Pushback was 2 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 12 minutes and takeoff to west. There were some bumps during climb. Channel 9 was on and I used the complimentary headsets to listen. Buy on Board was offered but no cash was accepted so I did not buy. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:32. Weather at LAX was announced at 65F and partly cloudy. There was drink run at 0:49 and I got an of soda.

Seatbelt sign went on at 2:54. At 3:05 there was second drink run and I got another can of soda. At same time there was announcement made we could see the Grand Canyon on the left. I felt descent beginning at 3:20. Seatbelt sign went on again at 3:31. Announcement was made it was 63F and partly cloudy at LAX. The person in the window seat at my row had the window closed almost all the time until just before landing. I saw junction of Interstates 105 and 605 at 3:45. We landed east to west. Taxi was 6 minutes and we arrived at gate 31 minutes early. I got batgs 24-26 minutes after arrival and took a shuttle home.

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