Tour of Duty 18th March 2013 to 5th April 2013
After a spell at home I got a false alarm where I thought I'd be flying out to Kansas City to get a truck going to Oklahoma. That fell through and then I learned of a truck that needed to be moved from Compton, CA.
On Monday 18th of March I got trip information then I hired a taxi to Compton, CA. I picked up the truck and got rolling.
Trip: Compton, CA to Point of Rocks, WY 880 paid miles
Make: 2013 Peterbilt
Model: Vacuum Truck Supersucker
Transmission: Standard 10 speed
Route: Interstate 710 to Interstate 105 to Interstate 605 to Interstate 210 to Interstate 15 to Interstate 80 to Wyoming 337
Maximum elevation: 7,474 feet on Interstate 80 13 miles east of the UT/WY state line (7-10 miles east of Evanston, WY).
Highest diesel price USA: $4.259/gallon at Flying J Barstow, CA
Lowest diesel price USA: $3.899/gallon at Flying J Rock Springs, WY
Permits required: NV, AZ and WY Trip Permits
After I made the pickup I got started and there were some areas where traffic was moving slowly and other areas where traffic was moving well until I reached the Cajon Pass. The weather was mostly cloudy. As I made the pickup in the afternoon I fuelled up in Barstow then found a motel and shut down for the night.
Tuesday was bright and clear but my departure was delayed as I had to wait for the Nevada Trip Permit to be faxed to me. I took some pictures of Barstow along Old Route 66 and saw lots of murals. I got the Nevada permit and got rolling. I made it through Nevada, a small corner of Arizona and stopped at the St-George Port of Entry in Utah where I purchased the Trip Permit for the miles I drove in Arizona. I spent the night in Cedar City, UT.
Wednesday was cloudy to mostly cloudy all day. I was able to get the truck up to 75mph (120km/h) which is the speed limit in most western states. However on Interstate 15 between mileposts 65 and 207 just north of Cedar City to a little south of Nephi, UT there are several stretches that are posted 80mph (128km/h). There was light rain/drizzle off and on upon leaving Springville, UT. The road was dry with no precipitation going up Parley's Summit on Interstate 80 but light rain started around Echo Canyon and continued almost to the Wyoming state line. I stopped at the Wyoming Port of Entry and got Trip Permit and proceeded to Lyman, WY where I spent the night.
Thursday morning I woke up and saw snow on the ground but it was clear and windy. I stopped in Little America for a quick lunch and received a call from another driver who was delivering to the same place I was but she was to go to Rock Springs and get a rental car and then pick me up. I proceeded to Point of Rocks and was confused about exactly what entrance to go to at the facility I was delivering the truck to. I finally found the correct entrance and found out my cell phone had no service. After a wait I made the delivery and was taken back to the guard house where I waited and waited and finally the other driver came and picked me up and we proceeded to Salt Lake City where we got separate hotel rooms. The company booked us an air ticket on Southwest to Chicago MDW via PHX leaving at 07h50 and I saw there was a computer at the hotel so I got online to check in to get a better boarding pass. I got an error message when I tried to check in. I found out the company booked our air ticket for Saturday instead of Friday so I notified the company. The company changed the air ticket but could not get us on the same flight so she had a flight leaving early in the morning and my flight was a little later. I had a short night in Salt Lake City, UT.
Friday morning it was snowing lightly and I hired a taxi to SLC as the airport shuttle was full. I checked my bags which weighed 49 and 43lbs at no charge. I cleared security after a short queue and patted down after I opted out of the machine.
Southwest #747 SLC-DEN B-737-700 Boarding Pass B55
Seat 11F Cruising altitude 35,000 feet Estimated flying time 0:53, actual 0:53
Depart: Gate B15 Scheduled 9h10, actual 9h21 Taxi/hold 1h33min
Arrive: Gate C45 Scheduled 10h35, actual 11h44 Taxi: 6 minutes
We boarded via jetway. It was announced winds were out of the east southeast and it was 38F with high broken clouds at DEN. We needed to deice after pushback. Pushback was 11 minutes late. We de-iced then we taxied back to gate B19 at 09h50. It quit snowing. It was announced there was a maintenance problem and hoped it would be a quick fix. The APU was checked and pushback again was at 10h28 and taxi was 16 minutes and it started snowing lightly and takeoff was to the north and we entered the clouds within 20 seconds. We broke above the clouds at 0:05 and clouds broke a little at 0:11. I got pretzels at 0:13 and seatbelt sign went off at the same time. There was a drink run at 0:22 and got cup of soda. I felt descent begin at 0:33. Cloud cover diminished and I saw snow-capped peaks. Seatbelt sign went on at 0:42 and it was announced it was 39F and winds were gusting to 30mph out of the southeast. We crossed Interstate 25 at 0:44 and Interstate 76 at 0:50 and we landed north to south and arrived at gate 1h9min late.
Southwest #395 DEN-MDW B-737-700 Boarding Pass B45
Scheduled Departure 11h30 Scheduled Arrival 14h45
DID NOT TAKE THIS FLIGHT DUE TO MISCONNECTION
I found out I missed this flight due to the late arrival of my first flight so I was rebooked on the next fight. I found out I missed this flight by about 15 minutes.
Southwest #601 DEN-MDW B-737-700 Boarding Pass A8
Seat 12F Exit Cruising altitude 38,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:50, actual 1:45
Depart: Gate C47 Scheduled 12h50, actual 12h49 Taxi: 7 minutes
Arrive: Gate B8 Scheduled 16h05, actual 15h47 Taxi: 4 minutes
Reclaim bags 21 minutes after arrival.
We boarded via jetway and it was announced it was 32F at MDW. Pushback was 1 minute early and takeoff was to the east. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:12 and it was announced we would arrive 20 minutes early due to traffic flow. At 0:22 I got Cheese Nips and I got pretzels a minute later. At 0:26 I got cup of soda and at 0:46 I got another cup of soda. The view outside was blocked by clouds.
I thought I felt descent at 1:03 and clouds were still blocking the view below. Clouds broke at 1:11 and it appeared we crossed the Mississippi River at 1:14 south of the Quad Cities. Seatbelt sign went on at 1:17 and descent was announced at 1:19 and it was announced it was 34F at MDW. I saw what looked to be Interstate 80 and Ottawa, IL at 1:30 then Minooka, IL at 1:35 and at 1:36 I saw the junction of Interstate 80 and 55 and Joliet, IL then I saw Lake Michigan to the distance followed by downtown Chicago as we turned and landed to the northwest. We arrived at gate 18 minutes early.
After I collected my luggage, I was picked up and the other driver who took me to Salt Lake City was in the van. We went to the International dealership in Chicago where we waited for a driver from another company and he came and dropped off a truck and we went down to Streator, IL. We did some local work staging some trucks by moving them from the factory to a nearby yard before I made the pickup.
Trip: Streator, IL to Calgary, AB 1,622 paid miles
Make: International
Model: Vacuum Truck
Transmission: Automatic
Highest diesel price USA: $4.439/gallon at Flying J Minot, ND
Lowest diesel price USA: $4.059/gallon at Flying J Black River Falls, WI and Pilot Alexandria, MN
Highest diesel price Canada: $1.259CAD/litre at Flying J Moose Jaw, SK and Husky Medicine Hat, AB
Lowest diesel price Canada: $1.209CAD/litre at Flying J Calgary, AB
Permits required: none
Border Crossing: Portal, ND/North Portal, SK
Because of the local work I did it was late when I picked up the truck. I was able to make it to Ottawa, IL where I shut down as I reached the end of my legal 14-hour workday. I did not take a legal break of 10 hours or more before picking up the truck or doing the local work therefore I had to log my travel time as "on duty not driving".
Saturday I proceeded through the rest of Illinois and into Wisconsin. I spent the night in Eau Claire, WI.
Sunday morning I phoned up a church in Eau Claire to get directions as I wanted to attend the morning service. However I saw a spot under the truck and upon closer examination I understood that there was a hub seal oil leak on the inside of the driver's side steer axle. I phoned up dispatch to notify them of the problem and was told to go to a truckstop with a shop. That scotched my plans to go to morning church. I proceeded with caution and stopped frequently to do safety checks and let things cool off. I made it to the TA in Hudson, WI where I was told there was a long backlog at the shop so I notified dispatch and was told to proceed to the dealer in Minneapolis (which was not open on Sunday). I was picked up and was taken to Bible Baptist Church in North Hudson, WI where I attended the evening service. The sermon was on willful sin. I was taken back to the truck and proceeded into Minnesota and spent the night in Roseville, MN.
Monday morning dawned cold and clear and I proceeded to the International dealer in Minneapolis where the repair was made. It was almost 9 hours before the repair was complete as there was some wait. During that time I took a walk and discovered Jimmy John's where I had lunch. I was impressed not only with the quality of the sandwich but also how fast it was made. I got rolling again around sunset and spent the night in Melrose, MN.
Tuesday I proceeded into North Dakota and there was a problem with a fuel transaction in Tower City. That cost me over an hour then I proceeded to Bismarck, ND where I spent the night.
Wednesday it was 13F when I woke up and 19F when I got rolling. I crossed the border and proceeded into Canada and spent the night in Weyburn, SK where I plugged the truck in.
Thursday morning it was -15C/5F when I woke up and I saw ice crystals in the air. It took a while for the truck to warm up. The temperature moderated as I proceeded and I spent the night in Brooks, AB.
Friday I proceeded and found out the company wanted to fly me to Chicago. The time on the phone cost me some time. I proceeded to Calgary where I delivered the truck then a street preacher who lives near Calgary picked me up and took me to hotel. I got to know the street preacher a little as I met him previously on Facebook but I finally got to see him face to face. I spent a short night in Calgary, AB.
Saturday morning I awoke bright and early. I got shuttle to YYC and checked in and checked bags which weighed 48 and 44.6lbs. I learned that there was no second bag fee due the ticket price. I cleared security after a short queue and there was no hand searches and no additional screening. Time from curb to clearing security was about 25 minutes.
West Jet #698 YYC-YYZ B-737-600
Seat 3F Cruising altitude 38,000 feet Estimated flying time 3:19, actual 3:22
Depart: Gate D46 Scheduled 07h00, actual 06h56 Taxi: 12 minutes
Arrive: Gate C24 Scheduled 12h46, actual 12h38 Taxi: 7 minutes
We boarded via jetway and 116 of 119 seats were taken. Pushback was 4 minutes early and takeoff was to the north followed by turn to the east. I saw YYC and downtown Calgary and the Rocky Mountains to the distance as well as a setting moon. Then I saw the Trans Canada Highway and the snowpack increased. I saw some clouds and seatbelt sign went off at 0:06.
At 0:32 there was a drink run and I got Bits & Bites and a cup of soda. Skies were totally cloudy over most of Saskatchewan. At 1:00 clouds broke some and I saw snow over eastern Saskatchewan. At 1:12 we entered United States airspace near the International Peace Garden over north central North Dakota. I saw the Turtle Mountains and at 1:19 I saw Devils Lake in the distance. At 1:28 we crossed the Red River and I saw Grand Forks and East Grand Forks to the near distance. There were some low clouds which broke enough that I saw Bemidji, MN at 1:40. Then there were clouds.
At 2:04 there was another drink run and this time I got can of soda and more Bits & Bites somewhere over northern Wisconsin though clouds blocked the view below. At 2:31 we made landfall over the northern part of lower Michigan. At 2:44 the F/A came through offering water as we were near Saginaw, MI. I felt descent at 2:50 while over the eastern part of Michigan. I saw the bottom of Lake Huron and Lake St-Clair in the distance. Descent was announced at 2:51 though I could not understand most of the announcement. We went over Lake Huron at 2:52 and made landfall over Ontario at 2:58. I saw the shore of Lake Erie to the distance. Seatbelt sign went on at 3:04 and at 3:07 I saw Cambridge, Kitchener and the Waterloo,ON and Highway 401. Then at 3:09 I saw the western tip of Lake Ontario. At 3:11 I saw Milton, ON then I saw Mississauga and caught a glimpse of downtown Toronto. We overflew YYZ at 3:14 then turned and landed east to west and arrived at gate 8 minutes early and disembarked via jetway.
I got my bags 19 minutes after arrival at connecting bag reclaim then I precleared US Customs after a short queue then recleared security after a short queue and there were no hand searches and no additional screening.
American Eagle #4214 codeshare West Jet #5512 E-145 Group 2
Seat 4A Cruising altitude 32,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:20, actual 1:11
Depart: Gate A9 Scheduled 17h00, actual 16h54 Taxi: 15 minutes
Arrive: Gate G4 Scheduled 17h55, actual 17h28 Taxi: 7 minutes
Reclaim bags 13-18 minutes after arrival
We boarded via an improvised jetway. Configuration was 1-2 and I was on the "1" side. Pushback was 6 minutes early and takeoff was to the west and I saw Mississauga and Lake Ontario then we turned more northwest and I saw some snow cover on the ground in Ontario. Later I saw the shore of Lake Erie to the distance. We went over Lake Huron at 0:16 and I saw the Blue Water Bridge connecting Port Huron, MI with Sarnia, ON. At 0:22 I got can of Root Beer and at 0:24 we made landfall over Michigan north of Port Huron. Haze and clouds thickened as we proceeded west but there was a small break in the clouds and I saw Lansing, MI at 0:40.
I thought I felt descent at 0:45 unsure of location due to cloud cover. I felt bumps and descent was announced at 0:51 and we were over Lake Michigan by 0:53. At 1:02 it was announced it was 57F and we would be landing to the southwest. I saw the IL coast of Lake Michigan at 1:04 and had a hazy view of Chicago to the distance and landfall was made at 1:07 north of Chicago. I saw Interstate 94 and we landed to the southwest and arrived at gate 27 minutes early.
After reclaiming luggage I got ride down to Streator, IL where I got truck. There were a few drops of rain on the way down.
Trip: Streator, IL to Innisfil, ON 630 paid miles
Make: Kenworth
Transmission: 18-speed standard
Route: Illinois 23 to Interstate 80 to Interstate 294 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 to Ontario 400
Maximum elevation: unknown
Diesel price USA: $4.139/gallon at Flying J Grand Ledge, MI
Diesel price Canada: $1.279CAD/litre at Flying J London, ON and Husky Bradford, ON
Permits required: none
Border Crossing: Port Huron, MI/Sarnia, ON
I got the truck and made it to Ottawa, IL where I spent the night.
Sunday morning I got rolling and I had lunch in Porter, IN then I entered Michigan and attended evening service at Harbor Reformed Baptist Church Holland, MI. The sermon was on Genesis 19:1-17 entitled "Cities in the Hands of an Angry God. Then I proceeded and ended up spending the night in Marysville, MI.
Monday I stopped at US Customs to get the title stamped then I crossed the border. I experienced some snow flurries as I approached Milton and a snow squall in Milton itself. I made delivery late at night in Innisfil and it was snowing. I spent night in Innisfil, ON.
Tuesday I got a shuttle to YYZ then hired a taxi to a nearby area of Toronto where I picked up the truck.
Trip: Toronto, ON to Northville, MI 264 paid miles
Make: Western Star
Model: Vacuum Truck
Transmission: Standard 10-speed
Route: Ontario 427 to Ontario 401 to Ontario 402 to Blue Water Bridge to Interstate 94 to Interstate 696 to Interstate 96
Maximum elevation: unknown
Diesel price USA: $4.139/gallon at Pilot Kimball, MI
Diesel Price Canada: $1.279CAD/litre at Husky Mississauga, ON
Permits required: none
Border Crossing: Sarnia, ON/Port Huron, MI
After I got the truck I took on fuel then I ran into heavy traffic so I only made it to London, ON where I spent the night.
Wednesday I was talked into taking another trip. I experienced snow squalls in the morning. The border crossing went OK then I made delivery in Northville, MI and I got the next truck at the exact same place.
Trip: Northville, MI to intended destination of Braceville, IL. Diverted to Island Lake, IL. 385 actual miles
Make: Kenworth
Model: Vacuum Truck
Transmission: 18-speed Standard
Route: Interstate 96 to Interstate 275 to Michigan 14 to Interstate 94 to Interstate 294 to Interstate 80 to Interstate 55 to Interstate 80 to Interstate 355 to Lake Cook Road to US12 to Illinois 176
Maximum elevation: unknown
Highest diesel price USA: $4.059/gallon at Pilot Channahon, IL
Lowest diesel price USA: $3.939/gallon at Pilot Benton Harbor, MI
Permits required: none
I got this truck at the same place I delivered the previous truck. I was low on hours. I stopped in Dexter, MI to eat then proceeded to Kalamazoo, MI where I shut down to spend the night as I had maybe 15 minutes left in my 70 hours of work I am allowed in 8 days after which I cannot drive according to federal hours of service regulations.
Thursday I proceeded but the customer was anxious for the truck at first. I got to a place a few miles shy of the delivery only to find out the customer had no need of the truck so I was diverted to Island Lake about 86 miles away. I waited and had supper then I proceeded and did an after hours drop in Island Lake. I was picked up by a street preacher in the Chicago and was taken to motel and I spent the night in Schiller Park, IL.
Friday the company booked my air ticket then I proceeded to ORD via taxi. I checked in and self-tagged my two bags and found out I was not charged to check the bags. The machine did not give me a window seat so I cleared security after a short queue and got patdown after opting out of machine.
American Airlines #1657 ORD-LAX B-737-800 Group 3
Seat 30A Cruising altitude 36,000 feet Estimated time 4:01, Actual 3:58
Depart: Gate K5 Scheduled 13h05, actual 13h06 Taxi: 12 minutes
Arrive: Gate 48A Scheduled 15h30, actual 15h24 Taxi: 6 minutes
Reclaim bags 22 minutes after arrival.
I went to the gate and got a window seat in the last row. We boarded via jetway. Pushback was 1 minute late. It was announced it was mostly cloudy and 62F at LAX. Takeoff was to the southwest and I saw the Chicago area after takeoff, various highways and brief glimpse of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago. I saw Interstate 88, other highways and the Chicago and Illinois rivers. We crossed Interstate 39 at 0:11 north of Interstate 80 then I saw Princeton, IL at 0:13. At 0:18 I saw junction of Interstates 80 and 74 in IL. At 0:19 the captain announced we reached cruise altitude and seatbelt sign went off at the same time.
We flew directly over the Quad Cities and I saw MLI at 0:20 and at 0:24 we crossed the Mississippi River for good southeast of the Quad Cities. Immediately thereafter clouds increased and blocked the view of the ground for awhile. At 0:57 there was a small break in the clouds and I saw the Missouri River.I felt bumps and seatbelt sign went on at 1:12.
FA's came through offering food for purchase then there was a drink run and I got can of Dr. Pepper at 1:27. Seatbelt sign went off at 1:38. At 2:03 we crossed Interstate north of Pueblo, CO. At 2:05 I saw mountains through breaks in the clouds. Clouds broke and it cleared up and I was unsure of location for awhile. At 2:51 there was a second drink run and I got cup of Pepsi. I started seeing the Grand Canyon at 2:57 and saw the San Francisco Peaks to the south at 2:58. At 3:16 I saw Kingman, AZ then I saw US93 and the Port of Entry. At 3:21 we crossed the Colorado River and I saw Bullhead City, AZ and Needles, CA to the south.
I saw Interstate 40 and South Pass then Mountain Springs Summit then I saw Old Route 66 at 3:26. At 3:29 it was announced good weather and
66F at LAX and estimated 29 minutes to touchdown. I felt descent at 3:30 over the Mojave Desert near Cadiz, CA. At 3:33 I saw what looked to be 29 Palms and the Marine Base there. Haze and clouds thickened. Seatbelt sign went on at 3:35. I saw Yucca Valley/Joshua Tree at 3:36 and Interstate 10 and Coachella Valley to the distance.
At 3:40 I saw Mt. San Gorgonio. Clouds partially blocked the view but I saw Mentone, California 38, and Yucaipa along with Lake Perris and March AFB. Then I Riverside and the junction between CA60, CA91 and Interstate 215 and after that, Corona, Jurupa Valley and Lake Mathews. Then there were more clouds until I saw Diamond Bar and the junction of California 57 and 69 at 3:50.
I saw Interstate 5 at 3:52 then Santa Fe Springs and the junction of Interstates 5 and 605 at the same time. I saw Compton and Lynwood at 3:55. We crossed Interstate 710 and I saw Interstate 105 then we crossed Interstate 110 at 3:56 and I saw the Forum to the right at 3:57. there were some bumps on approach and we crossed Interstate 405 at 3:58. We landed east to west and arrived at gate 6 minutes early. After I reclaimed my bags I got shuttle home and this tour of duty came to an end.
After a spell at home I got a false alarm where I thought I'd be flying out to Kansas City to get a truck going to Oklahoma. That fell through and then I learned of a truck that needed to be moved from Compton, CA.
On Monday 18th of March I got trip information then I hired a taxi to Compton, CA. I picked up the truck and got rolling.
Trip: Compton, CA to Point of Rocks, WY 880 paid miles
Make: 2013 Peterbilt
Model: Vacuum Truck Supersucker
Transmission: Standard 10 speed
Route: Interstate 710 to Interstate 105 to Interstate 605 to Interstate 210 to Interstate 15 to Interstate 80 to Wyoming 337
Maximum elevation: 7,474 feet on Interstate 80 13 miles east of the UT/WY state line (7-10 miles east of Evanston, WY).
Highest diesel price USA: $4.259/gallon at Flying J Barstow, CA
Lowest diesel price USA: $3.899/gallon at Flying J Rock Springs, WY
Permits required: NV, AZ and WY Trip Permits
After I made the pickup I got started and there were some areas where traffic was moving slowly and other areas where traffic was moving well until I reached the Cajon Pass. The weather was mostly cloudy. As I made the pickup in the afternoon I fuelled up in Barstow then found a motel and shut down for the night.
Tuesday was bright and clear but my departure was delayed as I had to wait for the Nevada Trip Permit to be faxed to me. I took some pictures of Barstow along Old Route 66 and saw lots of murals. I got the Nevada permit and got rolling. I made it through Nevada, a small corner of Arizona and stopped at the St-George Port of Entry in Utah where I purchased the Trip Permit for the miles I drove in Arizona. I spent the night in Cedar City, UT.
Wednesday was cloudy to mostly cloudy all day. I was able to get the truck up to 75mph (120km/h) which is the speed limit in most western states. However on Interstate 15 between mileposts 65 and 207 just north of Cedar City to a little south of Nephi, UT there are several stretches that are posted 80mph (128km/h). There was light rain/drizzle off and on upon leaving Springville, UT. The road was dry with no precipitation going up Parley's Summit on Interstate 80 but light rain started around Echo Canyon and continued almost to the Wyoming state line. I stopped at the Wyoming Port of Entry and got Trip Permit and proceeded to Lyman, WY where I spent the night.
Thursday morning I woke up and saw snow on the ground but it was clear and windy. I stopped in Little America for a quick lunch and received a call from another driver who was delivering to the same place I was but she was to go to Rock Springs and get a rental car and then pick me up. I proceeded to Point of Rocks and was confused about exactly what entrance to go to at the facility I was delivering the truck to. I finally found the correct entrance and found out my cell phone had no service. After a wait I made the delivery and was taken back to the guard house where I waited and waited and finally the other driver came and picked me up and we proceeded to Salt Lake City where we got separate hotel rooms. The company booked us an air ticket on Southwest to Chicago MDW via PHX leaving at 07h50 and I saw there was a computer at the hotel so I got online to check in to get a better boarding pass. I got an error message when I tried to check in. I found out the company booked our air ticket for Saturday instead of Friday so I notified the company. The company changed the air ticket but could not get us on the same flight so she had a flight leaving early in the morning and my flight was a little later. I had a short night in Salt Lake City, UT.
Friday morning it was snowing lightly and I hired a taxi to SLC as the airport shuttle was full. I checked my bags which weighed 49 and 43lbs at no charge. I cleared security after a short queue and patted down after I opted out of the machine.
Southwest #747 SLC-DEN B-737-700 Boarding Pass B55
Seat 11F Cruising altitude 35,000 feet Estimated flying time 0:53, actual 0:53
Depart: Gate B15 Scheduled 9h10, actual 9h21 Taxi/hold 1h33min
Arrive: Gate C45 Scheduled 10h35, actual 11h44 Taxi: 6 minutes
We boarded via jetway. It was announced winds were out of the east southeast and it was 38F with high broken clouds at DEN. We needed to deice after pushback. Pushback was 11 minutes late. We de-iced then we taxied back to gate B19 at 09h50. It quit snowing. It was announced there was a maintenance problem and hoped it would be a quick fix. The APU was checked and pushback again was at 10h28 and taxi was 16 minutes and it started snowing lightly and takeoff was to the north and we entered the clouds within 20 seconds. We broke above the clouds at 0:05 and clouds broke a little at 0:11. I got pretzels at 0:13 and seatbelt sign went off at the same time. There was a drink run at 0:22 and got cup of soda. I felt descent begin at 0:33. Cloud cover diminished and I saw snow-capped peaks. Seatbelt sign went on at 0:42 and it was announced it was 39F and winds were gusting to 30mph out of the southeast. We crossed Interstate 25 at 0:44 and Interstate 76 at 0:50 and we landed north to south and arrived at gate 1h9min late.
Southwest #395 DEN-MDW B-737-700 Boarding Pass B45
Scheduled Departure 11h30 Scheduled Arrival 14h45
DID NOT TAKE THIS FLIGHT DUE TO MISCONNECTION
I found out I missed this flight due to the late arrival of my first flight so I was rebooked on the next fight. I found out I missed this flight by about 15 minutes.
Southwest #601 DEN-MDW B-737-700 Boarding Pass A8
Seat 12F Exit Cruising altitude 38,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:50, actual 1:45
Depart: Gate C47 Scheduled 12h50, actual 12h49 Taxi: 7 minutes
Arrive: Gate B8 Scheduled 16h05, actual 15h47 Taxi: 4 minutes
Reclaim bags 21 minutes after arrival.
We boarded via jetway and it was announced it was 32F at MDW. Pushback was 1 minute early and takeoff was to the east. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:12 and it was announced we would arrive 20 minutes early due to traffic flow. At 0:22 I got Cheese Nips and I got pretzels a minute later. At 0:26 I got cup of soda and at 0:46 I got another cup of soda. The view outside was blocked by clouds.
I thought I felt descent at 1:03 and clouds were still blocking the view below. Clouds broke at 1:11 and it appeared we crossed the Mississippi River at 1:14 south of the Quad Cities. Seatbelt sign went on at 1:17 and descent was announced at 1:19 and it was announced it was 34F at MDW. I saw what looked to be Interstate 80 and Ottawa, IL at 1:30 then Minooka, IL at 1:35 and at 1:36 I saw the junction of Interstate 80 and 55 and Joliet, IL then I saw Lake Michigan to the distance followed by downtown Chicago as we turned and landed to the northwest. We arrived at gate 18 minutes early.
After I collected my luggage, I was picked up and the other driver who took me to Salt Lake City was in the van. We went to the International dealership in Chicago where we waited for a driver from another company and he came and dropped off a truck and we went down to Streator, IL. We did some local work staging some trucks by moving them from the factory to a nearby yard before I made the pickup.
Trip: Streator, IL to Calgary, AB 1,622 paid miles
Make: International
Model: Vacuum Truck
Transmission: Automatic
Highest diesel price USA: $4.439/gallon at Flying J Minot, ND
Lowest diesel price USA: $4.059/gallon at Flying J Black River Falls, WI and Pilot Alexandria, MN
Highest diesel price Canada: $1.259CAD/litre at Flying J Moose Jaw, SK and Husky Medicine Hat, AB
Lowest diesel price Canada: $1.209CAD/litre at Flying J Calgary, AB
Permits required: none
Border Crossing: Portal, ND/North Portal, SK
Because of the local work I did it was late when I picked up the truck. I was able to make it to Ottawa, IL where I shut down as I reached the end of my legal 14-hour workday. I did not take a legal break of 10 hours or more before picking up the truck or doing the local work therefore I had to log my travel time as "on duty not driving".
Saturday I proceeded through the rest of Illinois and into Wisconsin. I spent the night in Eau Claire, WI.
Sunday morning I phoned up a church in Eau Claire to get directions as I wanted to attend the morning service. However I saw a spot under the truck and upon closer examination I understood that there was a hub seal oil leak on the inside of the driver's side steer axle. I phoned up dispatch to notify them of the problem and was told to go to a truckstop with a shop. That scotched my plans to go to morning church. I proceeded with caution and stopped frequently to do safety checks and let things cool off. I made it to the TA in Hudson, WI where I was told there was a long backlog at the shop so I notified dispatch and was told to proceed to the dealer in Minneapolis (which was not open on Sunday). I was picked up and was taken to Bible Baptist Church in North Hudson, WI where I attended the evening service. The sermon was on willful sin. I was taken back to the truck and proceeded into Minnesota and spent the night in Roseville, MN.
Monday morning dawned cold and clear and I proceeded to the International dealer in Minneapolis where the repair was made. It was almost 9 hours before the repair was complete as there was some wait. During that time I took a walk and discovered Jimmy John's where I had lunch. I was impressed not only with the quality of the sandwich but also how fast it was made. I got rolling again around sunset and spent the night in Melrose, MN.
Tuesday I proceeded into North Dakota and there was a problem with a fuel transaction in Tower City. That cost me over an hour then I proceeded to Bismarck, ND where I spent the night.
Wednesday it was 13F when I woke up and 19F when I got rolling. I crossed the border and proceeded into Canada and spent the night in Weyburn, SK where I plugged the truck in.
Thursday morning it was -15C/5F when I woke up and I saw ice crystals in the air. It took a while for the truck to warm up. The temperature moderated as I proceeded and I spent the night in Brooks, AB.
Friday I proceeded and found out the company wanted to fly me to Chicago. The time on the phone cost me some time. I proceeded to Calgary where I delivered the truck then a street preacher who lives near Calgary picked me up and took me to hotel. I got to know the street preacher a little as I met him previously on Facebook but I finally got to see him face to face. I spent a short night in Calgary, AB.
Saturday morning I awoke bright and early. I got shuttle to YYC and checked in and checked bags which weighed 48 and 44.6lbs. I learned that there was no second bag fee due the ticket price. I cleared security after a short queue and there was no hand searches and no additional screening. Time from curb to clearing security was about 25 minutes.
West Jet #698 YYC-YYZ B-737-600
Seat 3F Cruising altitude 38,000 feet Estimated flying time 3:19, actual 3:22
Depart: Gate D46 Scheduled 07h00, actual 06h56 Taxi: 12 minutes
Arrive: Gate C24 Scheduled 12h46, actual 12h38 Taxi: 7 minutes
We boarded via jetway and 116 of 119 seats were taken. Pushback was 4 minutes early and takeoff was to the north followed by turn to the east. I saw YYC and downtown Calgary and the Rocky Mountains to the distance as well as a setting moon. Then I saw the Trans Canada Highway and the snowpack increased. I saw some clouds and seatbelt sign went off at 0:06.
At 0:32 there was a drink run and I got Bits & Bites and a cup of soda. Skies were totally cloudy over most of Saskatchewan. At 1:00 clouds broke some and I saw snow over eastern Saskatchewan. At 1:12 we entered United States airspace near the International Peace Garden over north central North Dakota. I saw the Turtle Mountains and at 1:19 I saw Devils Lake in the distance. At 1:28 we crossed the Red River and I saw Grand Forks and East Grand Forks to the near distance. There were some low clouds which broke enough that I saw Bemidji, MN at 1:40. Then there were clouds.
At 2:04 there was another drink run and this time I got can of soda and more Bits & Bites somewhere over northern Wisconsin though clouds blocked the view below. At 2:31 we made landfall over the northern part of lower Michigan. At 2:44 the F/A came through offering water as we were near Saginaw, MI. I felt descent at 2:50 while over the eastern part of Michigan. I saw the bottom of Lake Huron and Lake St-Clair in the distance. Descent was announced at 2:51 though I could not understand most of the announcement. We went over Lake Huron at 2:52 and made landfall over Ontario at 2:58. I saw the shore of Lake Erie to the distance. Seatbelt sign went on at 3:04 and at 3:07 I saw Cambridge, Kitchener and the Waterloo,ON and Highway 401. Then at 3:09 I saw the western tip of Lake Ontario. At 3:11 I saw Milton, ON then I saw Mississauga and caught a glimpse of downtown Toronto. We overflew YYZ at 3:14 then turned and landed east to west and arrived at gate 8 minutes early and disembarked via jetway.
I got my bags 19 minutes after arrival at connecting bag reclaim then I precleared US Customs after a short queue then recleared security after a short queue and there were no hand searches and no additional screening.
American Eagle #4214 codeshare West Jet #5512 E-145 Group 2
Seat 4A Cruising altitude 32,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:20, actual 1:11
Depart: Gate A9 Scheduled 17h00, actual 16h54 Taxi: 15 minutes
Arrive: Gate G4 Scheduled 17h55, actual 17h28 Taxi: 7 minutes
Reclaim bags 13-18 minutes after arrival
We boarded via an improvised jetway. Configuration was 1-2 and I was on the "1" side. Pushback was 6 minutes early and takeoff was to the west and I saw Mississauga and Lake Ontario then we turned more northwest and I saw some snow cover on the ground in Ontario. Later I saw the shore of Lake Erie to the distance. We went over Lake Huron at 0:16 and I saw the Blue Water Bridge connecting Port Huron, MI with Sarnia, ON. At 0:22 I got can of Root Beer and at 0:24 we made landfall over Michigan north of Port Huron. Haze and clouds thickened as we proceeded west but there was a small break in the clouds and I saw Lansing, MI at 0:40.
I thought I felt descent at 0:45 unsure of location due to cloud cover. I felt bumps and descent was announced at 0:51 and we were over Lake Michigan by 0:53. At 1:02 it was announced it was 57F and we would be landing to the southwest. I saw the IL coast of Lake Michigan at 1:04 and had a hazy view of Chicago to the distance and landfall was made at 1:07 north of Chicago. I saw Interstate 94 and we landed to the southwest and arrived at gate 27 minutes early.
After reclaiming luggage I got ride down to Streator, IL where I got truck. There were a few drops of rain on the way down.
Trip: Streator, IL to Innisfil, ON 630 paid miles
Make: Kenworth
Transmission: 18-speed standard
Route: Illinois 23 to Interstate 80 to Interstate 294 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 to Ontario 400
Maximum elevation: unknown
Diesel price USA: $4.139/gallon at Flying J Grand Ledge, MI
Diesel price Canada: $1.279CAD/litre at Flying J London, ON and Husky Bradford, ON
Permits required: none
Border Crossing: Port Huron, MI/Sarnia, ON
I got the truck and made it to Ottawa, IL where I spent the night.
Sunday morning I got rolling and I had lunch in Porter, IN then I entered Michigan and attended evening service at Harbor Reformed Baptist Church Holland, MI. The sermon was on Genesis 19:1-17 entitled "Cities in the Hands of an Angry God. Then I proceeded and ended up spending the night in Marysville, MI.
Monday I stopped at US Customs to get the title stamped then I crossed the border. I experienced some snow flurries as I approached Milton and a snow squall in Milton itself. I made delivery late at night in Innisfil and it was snowing. I spent night in Innisfil, ON.
Tuesday I got a shuttle to YYZ then hired a taxi to a nearby area of Toronto where I picked up the truck.
Trip: Toronto, ON to Northville, MI 264 paid miles
Make: Western Star
Model: Vacuum Truck
Transmission: Standard 10-speed
Route: Ontario 427 to Ontario 401 to Ontario 402 to Blue Water Bridge to Interstate 94 to Interstate 696 to Interstate 96
Maximum elevation: unknown
Diesel price USA: $4.139/gallon at Pilot Kimball, MI
Diesel Price Canada: $1.279CAD/litre at Husky Mississauga, ON
Permits required: none
Border Crossing: Sarnia, ON/Port Huron, MI
After I got the truck I took on fuel then I ran into heavy traffic so I only made it to London, ON where I spent the night.
Wednesday I was talked into taking another trip. I experienced snow squalls in the morning. The border crossing went OK then I made delivery in Northville, MI and I got the next truck at the exact same place.
Trip: Northville, MI to intended destination of Braceville, IL. Diverted to Island Lake, IL. 385 actual miles
Make: Kenworth
Model: Vacuum Truck
Transmission: 18-speed Standard
Route: Interstate 96 to Interstate 275 to Michigan 14 to Interstate 94 to Interstate 294 to Interstate 80 to Interstate 55 to Interstate 80 to Interstate 355 to Lake Cook Road to US12 to Illinois 176
Maximum elevation: unknown
Highest diesel price USA: $4.059/gallon at Pilot Channahon, IL
Lowest diesel price USA: $3.939/gallon at Pilot Benton Harbor, MI
Permits required: none
I got this truck at the same place I delivered the previous truck. I was low on hours. I stopped in Dexter, MI to eat then proceeded to Kalamazoo, MI where I shut down to spend the night as I had maybe 15 minutes left in my 70 hours of work I am allowed in 8 days after which I cannot drive according to federal hours of service regulations.
Thursday I proceeded but the customer was anxious for the truck at first. I got to a place a few miles shy of the delivery only to find out the customer had no need of the truck so I was diverted to Island Lake about 86 miles away. I waited and had supper then I proceeded and did an after hours drop in Island Lake. I was picked up by a street preacher in the Chicago and was taken to motel and I spent the night in Schiller Park, IL.
Friday the company booked my air ticket then I proceeded to ORD via taxi. I checked in and self-tagged my two bags and found out I was not charged to check the bags. The machine did not give me a window seat so I cleared security after a short queue and got patdown after opting out of machine.
American Airlines #1657 ORD-LAX B-737-800 Group 3
Seat 30A Cruising altitude 36,000 feet Estimated time 4:01, Actual 3:58
Depart: Gate K5 Scheduled 13h05, actual 13h06 Taxi: 12 minutes
Arrive: Gate 48A Scheduled 15h30, actual 15h24 Taxi: 6 minutes
Reclaim bags 22 minutes after arrival.
I went to the gate and got a window seat in the last row. We boarded via jetway. Pushback was 1 minute late. It was announced it was mostly cloudy and 62F at LAX. Takeoff was to the southwest and I saw the Chicago area after takeoff, various highways and brief glimpse of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago. I saw Interstate 88, other highways and the Chicago and Illinois rivers. We crossed Interstate 39 at 0:11 north of Interstate 80 then I saw Princeton, IL at 0:13. At 0:18 I saw junction of Interstates 80 and 74 in IL. At 0:19 the captain announced we reached cruise altitude and seatbelt sign went off at the same time.
We flew directly over the Quad Cities and I saw MLI at 0:20 and at 0:24 we crossed the Mississippi River for good southeast of the Quad Cities. Immediately thereafter clouds increased and blocked the view of the ground for awhile. At 0:57 there was a small break in the clouds and I saw the Missouri River.I felt bumps and seatbelt sign went on at 1:12.
FA's came through offering food for purchase then there was a drink run and I got can of Dr. Pepper at 1:27. Seatbelt sign went off at 1:38. At 2:03 we crossed Interstate north of Pueblo, CO. At 2:05 I saw mountains through breaks in the clouds. Clouds broke and it cleared up and I was unsure of location for awhile. At 2:51 there was a second drink run and I got cup of Pepsi. I started seeing the Grand Canyon at 2:57 and saw the San Francisco Peaks to the south at 2:58. At 3:16 I saw Kingman, AZ then I saw US93 and the Port of Entry. At 3:21 we crossed the Colorado River and I saw Bullhead City, AZ and Needles, CA to the south.
I saw Interstate 40 and South Pass then Mountain Springs Summit then I saw Old Route 66 at 3:26. At 3:29 it was announced good weather and
66F at LAX and estimated 29 minutes to touchdown. I felt descent at 3:30 over the Mojave Desert near Cadiz, CA. At 3:33 I saw what looked to be 29 Palms and the Marine Base there. Haze and clouds thickened. Seatbelt sign went on at 3:35. I saw Yucca Valley/Joshua Tree at 3:36 and Interstate 10 and Coachella Valley to the distance.
At 3:40 I saw Mt. San Gorgonio. Clouds partially blocked the view but I saw Mentone, California 38, and Yucaipa along with Lake Perris and March AFB. Then I Riverside and the junction between CA60, CA91 and Interstate 215 and after that, Corona, Jurupa Valley and Lake Mathews. Then there were more clouds until I saw Diamond Bar and the junction of California 57 and 69 at 3:50.
I saw Interstate 5 at 3:52 then Santa Fe Springs and the junction of Interstates 5 and 605 at the same time. I saw Compton and Lynwood at 3:55. We crossed Interstate 710 and I saw Interstate 105 then we crossed Interstate 110 at 3:56 and I saw the Forum to the right at 3:57. there were some bumps on approach and we crossed Interstate 405 at 3:58. We landed east to west and arrived at gate 6 minutes early. After I reclaimed my bags I got shuttle home and this tour of duty came to an end.
This Trip Report is now complete
I didn't realize Westjet, or any North American airline for that matter, flew the 737-600. I might just have to find an excuse fly 'em...
As always, thanks for another enjoyable read and interesting perspective,Loose Cannon.
As always, thanks for another enjoyable read and interesting perspective,Loose Cannon.
I've flown on the 736 a few times but I don't know of any airline in North America besides West Jet that operates that model.
Just curious about what the "problem with fuel transaction" was all about, as I saw that in one of your other trip reports. Do you have a fuel card like Wright Express or something like that which causes the issue?
Great report, as always.
Great report, as always.
The card is called EFS and the problem was I was at a mom and pop fuel stop instead of a big chain and though the truckstop took the card for fuel (otherwise I would have gone elsewhere) no one from the company I contract with ever fuelled there before so the transaction had to be phoned in to be completed.
Quote:
What a pain. Thanks for the answer.Originally Posted by Loose Cannon
The card is called EFS and the problem was I was at a mom and pop fuel stop instead of a big chain and though the truckstop took the card for fuel (otherwise I would have gone elsewhere) no one from the company I contract with ever fuelled there before so the transaction had to be phoned in to be completed.