From the Wasatch Front to the Sacramento Valley
Tour of Duty 16th August 2019 to 28th August 2019
Part I: 16th August to 19th August

After missing out on trips from New Philadelphia, OH to Sparks, NV and Twinsburg, OH to Sulphur, LA I finally settled on a trip from Lehi, UT to West Sacramento, CA. I had booked a trip on WN from LGB to PIT. I got the ticket changed to SLC. I wasn't aware of it at the time but I goofed on the date and alas, when I was going to check in 24 hours before my intended departure, I saw on my phone the flight was boarding. I got the ticket canceled one or two minutes before scheduled departure then I had to phone up Southwest and got ticket on the correct date from LGB to SLC via LAS. This is a huge reason why I like Southwest; there is no penalty for changes. If I was flying any other airline I would have been whacked with huge penalties.

The time came and I got transport to LGB. I checked in and checked my bags which weighed 48.0 and 45.5lbs. I cleared security and did not opt out due to time constraints and my briefcase got additional screening. The total time from beginning of check in to clear of security was 17 minutes.

Southwest #2292 LGB-LAS B-737-700 Boarding Pass B30
Seat 21F Cruising altitude 29,000 feet Estimated flying time 0:44, actual 0:45
Depart: Gate 2 Scheduled 09h15, actual 09h13 Taxi: 9 minutes
Arrive: Gate C5 Scheduled 10h20, actual 10h14 Taxi: 6 minutes

I boarded via rear stairs and the plane was almost full with a load of 140/143. It was announced it was 90F at LAS. Pushback was 2 minutes early and takeoff was to the northwest. We turned left and I saw San Pedro, the Vincent Thomas Bridge and the Port of Los Angeles before we went overwater. We made 2 more lefts and made landfall at 0:06 over the Huntington Harbour/Bolsa Chica/Sunset Beach area of northern Orange County. I had a panoramic view of much of Orange County followed by a panoramic view of much of the San Bernardino County section of the Inland Empire including but not limited to ONT and the Auto Club Speedway. We were over the Mojave Desert by 0:14 and we crossed Interstate 40 at 0:19. We crossed Interstate 15 at 0:21. I saw Baker, CA and felt descent begin at 0:23. Seatbelt sign stayed on the entire flight. I got cup of soda at 0:28. I saw Primm, NV at 0:30 and we turned more due north. We turned east at 0:34 and I saw Nevada 160 and Mountain Springs. We crossed Interstate 15 once more at 0:37 this time heading east. We turned north at 0:40 and west at 0:41 and I saw Lake Mead. We landed east to west and it was a hard landing. We arrived at gate 6 minutes early and we deplaned via jetway. During my layover I got two Nathan's hot dogs for midday rations.

Southwest #2308 LAS-SLC B-737-700 Boarding Pass A56
Seat 23F Cruising altitude not given Estimated flying time 0:53, actual 0:53
Depart: Gate C4 Scheduled 11h50, actual 11h51 Taxi: 11 minutes
Arrive: Gate F15 Scheduled 14h15, actual 13h59 Taxi: 3 minutes
Reclaim checked bags 20-21 minutes after arrival

We boarded via jetway after a short delay as the plane needed to be de-fueled as too much fuel was put on. The plane was almost full with a load of 139/143. Pushback was one minute late and takeoff was to the east. I saw the junction of Interstate 515 and 215 then we turned left. I saw Hoover Dam and the new bridge to bypass the dam. Then I saw Lake Mead. I also saw the start of the Grand Canyon and the Virgin River Gorge. At 0:16 drink orders were taken. At 0:17 I saw Interstate 15 and Hurricane, UT including the Walmart Distribution Centre. Then I saw portions of Zion National Park. At 0:21 I saw Cedar City, UT and at 0:22 I saw Parowan, UT. I got cup of soda at 0:27 and accidentally spilled some so I got napkins to wipe it up. I got pretzels at 0:32. At 0:34 I felt descent, and descent was announced. Seatbelt sign stayed on the entire flight. I felt some real good bumps during descent and I saw Utah Lake and Lehi, UT. At 0:50 we crossed Interstate 15. We landed south to north and arrived at gate 16 minutes early and we deplaned via jetway.

After I reclaimed my checked bags I got transport to where the truck was and I phoned the shipper en route and met the shipper. I loaded my gear and did inspection and had to take 30 minutes off duty before getting started on the trip.

Trip: Lehi, UT to West Sacramento, CA 679 miles
Make: 2019 Western Star
Model: Vacuum Truck
Transmission: Automatic
Governed Speed: 78mph/125kph
Route: Interstate 15 to Utah 201 to Interstate 215 to Interstate 80 to Business 80 to US50
Highest elevation: 7,227 feet at Donner Summit Interstate 80 about 10 miles west of Truckee, CA
Highest diesel price USA: 3.399$ per gallon at Flying J Winnemucca, NV
Lowest diesel price USA: 3.039$ per gallon at Flying J Salt Lake City, UT
Permits Required: NV Trip Permit

I got started and got caught in traffic congestion on the 15. I stopped in Salt Lake City to take on fuel. I stopped in the Lake Point/Tooele area for evening rations at Burger King. I continued west on Interstate 80 and the speed limit was 80 though I did not got near that fast at night. I stopped in Wendover, UT and checked into hotel then I took a walk into West Wendover, NV and took some pictures. I spent the night in Wendover, UT.

Saturday I had to wait for my Nevada Trip Permit to become valid then I got started. There were three more 80mph zones on Interstate 80 in Nevada. I found out the truck was governed to 77 or 78mph. I made a pit stop in Wells, NV then I stopped in Elko, NV for midday rations at Port O Subs and I also took pictures of downtown Elko. I continued west and stopped in Battle Mountain, NV to take pictures then I stopped in Winnemucca for evening rations then I took on some fuel due to the burn rate. I ended up spending the night in Lovelock, NV.

Sunday I did not go to morning church in Lovelock, NV due to time constraints on my Nevada Trip Permit. I made a pit stop in Sparks, NV then continued through Reno and entered California. I made a stop at a fairly new truckstop in Soda Springs, CA before getting caught in congestion on the westbound 80 in the Sierra Nevada. There was no doubt a lot of motorists returning to the Sacramento area as well as the Bay Area. I booked a flight from SMF to DEN in anticipation of getting a trip from Brighton, CO to either Corona, CA or Portland, OR. I arrived in Sacramento and parked and booked hotel room then I checked in. I walked to Madison Avenue Baptist Church and attended the Sunday Evening service and heard a message on the Book of Judges chapter 2. Afterward I got settled in and had evening rations at Brookfield Restaurant which consisted of Roast Beef, Creamy Horseradish, Broccoli, French Fries and a Roll and Butter. I spent the night in Sacramento, CA.

Monday I completed delivery. The trips originating in Brighton, CO fell through so I had to rethink my plans. I ended up accepting a trip from Salina, KS to Victor, MT. I got a rental car set up from Brighton, CO to Salina, KS and a hotel room was already set up at Brighton, CO. I got a lift to SMF. I had to wait to check in. I finally checked in and my checked bags weighed 47.5 and 45.5lbs. I cleared security after a queue and opted out and was patted down and my briefcase got additional screening. Total time from beginning of check in to clear of security was 42 minutes. After I cleared security I had evening rations. I went to one place for a burger and fries and another place for Stromboli and soda.

Southwest #6152 SMF-DEN B-737-700 Boarding Pass A54
Seat 22A Cruising altitude 39,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:55, actual 1:52
Depart: Gate B18 Scheduled 20h35, actual 20h27 Taxi: 8 minutes
Arrive: Gate C33 Scheduled 23h50, actual 23h31 Taxi: 4 minutes
Reclaim checked bags 32 minutes after arrival

There was dual boarding where passengers were given the option of boarding via jetway as usual or else walking out an open door and down stairs and across the tarmac to board via rear stairs. I opted for the latter and boarded via rear stairs. The plane was almost full with a load of 129/143. It was announced it was 81F and overcast at DEN. Pushback was 8 minutes early and takeoff was to the south. We crossed Interstate 5 then turned east. Drink order was taken at 0:21. I got Ritz Bits at 0:28. At 0:39 I got cup of soda. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:50. At 1:00 I saw the lights of the Salt Lake City/Ogden/Provo area to the distance. Seatbelt sign went on at 1:12. At 1:15 it was announced the cabin would be cleaned up early due to expected turbulence on descent into DEN. I felt descent begin at 1:22 and I felt bumps at 1:38. I saw the lights of Denver at 1:41. We landed north to south and arrived at gate 19 minutes early. We deplaned via jetway.

After I reclaimed my bags I got transport to hotel and spent the night in Brighton, CO.

My ride from Lehi, Utah to West Sacramento, California