Truckstop USA

Donations

Old Guy — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:38:45 GMT

Subject: Donations I just had a call from a Charity asking me to donate some of my clothes to the starving people throughout the world. I told them to kiss my ass !! Anybody who fits into my clothes isn't starving!!

Love the Trucks, BUT,,,something about the banner

Joethemechanic — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:33:50 GMT

I would feel kind of funny

Ladymacguiver......come here

goofy — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:13:03 GMT

This Load is Hot

Joethemechanic — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:02:23 GMT

What is your opinion about this.

corydon — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:09:05 GMT

It turns pretty easy, hauls about 45 ton, and gets plenty miles per gallon.

Pizza?????

Joethemechanic — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:15:00 GMT

Why is it so lousy when you get more than a couple of miles west of NYC / NJ ?

Damn stuff tastes like ketchup on white bread dough topped with american cheese. Sometimes you ask for white pizza with spinach and ricotta and they look at you like you have 3 heads

You can't even get a nice cannoli for desert

I kinda have this love/hate relationship with Italians

David_Reed Happy Birthday

Admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:49:55 GMT

Wishing you a Happy Birthday from all of us here at TruckStop USA

EPA petioned to ban lead

goofy — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 15:40:29 GMT

On Aug. 23, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency was petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and four other organizations to ban all lead in fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This includes sinkers, jigs, weighted fly line and components that contain lead, such as brass and ballast, in a wide variety of lures, including spinners, stickbaits and more.

It is important that industry members send comments now! Let your voice be heard!

On Aug. 27, 2010, the EPA denied the petition for ammunition but maintained the petition to ban lead fishing tackle. Supporters of hunting and the shooting sports have been successful in having ammunition excluded from this ban.

The petition was presented with the aim of reducing bird deaths caused by the ingestion of lead sinkers and jigheads; however, a study conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service found that less than 1 percent of all waterfowl and other birds such as eagles are killed by lead sinker ingestion.

The reasons for opposing the ban are:

The data does not support a federal ban on lead sinkers used for fishing. In general, bird populations, including loons and other waterfowl species, are subject to much more substantial threats such as habitat loss through shoreline development. Any lead restrictions need to be based on sound science that supports the appropriate action for a particular water body or species.
Depending on the alternative metal and current prevailing raw material costs, non-lead fishing tackle products can cost from six to 15 times more than lead products. Non-lead products may not be as available and most do not perform as well. Mandatory transitioning to non-lead fishing tackle would require significant changes from both the industry and anglers.
A federal ban of the use of lead in fishing tackle will have a significant negative impact on recreational anglers and fisheries resources but a negligible impact on waterfowl populations.
America's 60 million anglers generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation's economy creating employment for over 1 million people.

Industry members are encouraged to support voluntary angler education programs for the use of lead sinkers and should urge state and federal fish and wildlife agencies to do the same.

How you can help

The EPA has opened the petition for public comments. Please take the following four simple steps to oppose this ban.

Officially submit your comments opposing this ban using the EPA's comment page at www.regulations.gov. Comments are due by Sept. 15. You can copy and paste the template message below into the official comment form.
Voice your concerns directly to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson through ASA's Legislative Action Center. Your letter to EPA Administrator Jackson will also be copied to your two Senators and House member.
In addition, we encourage you to turn the comments below into a letter to fax to Administrator Jackson on your company letterhead. Please include information about your company. Her fax number is: 202-501-1450.
Please fax a copy of the same letter to your Congressional delegation.

A nice Holiday Weekend

Admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 15:04:19 GMT

A nice Holiday Weekend to everybody:grillin::7_4_33[1]::cook[1]::barmaid:

Harry:36_15_50[1]:

Milwaukee VA Hospital

Thunderstixx — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:21:29 GMT

A little over a month ago, I came back from another great week with Schneider and my Trip Planner Ben from the Green Bay office. 3400 miles, Texas and back, and a couple stops in the meantime.

I had been waking up in the middle of the night short of breath for a few weeks and since I am an LPN and super smart, and waaayyyy more than qualified to diagnose everything in the world... I thought I had developed some pneumonia or something and decided I should go by the VA on my way to the EAA convention in Osh Kosh with my 9 year old daughter for some antibiotics or something.

I stopped at the VA ER and spent a couple hours being poked and prodded and having some tests and x-rays done.

My life changed instantly when the results came back on the tests.

The ER MD asked me what I was planning for the weekend...

I told him about the EAA and My daughter, who was sitting in the room with me, and he clearly stated that he didn't feel that I should go to the EAA and instead he summarily told me that I was going to be a guest of their fine facility for a few days... Or I was going to die...

The sound of my asshole slamming shut hit 4.5 on the Richter scale...

Then he told me about my diagnosis... I was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy, Cardiomegly, and Congestive Heart Failure...

I spent 5 days in the Cardiac Care Telemetry unit and underwent a whole battery of tests. They gave me 80 Mg of Lasix IV push and I lost 17 lbs in the first 24 hours... I never thought peeing in a hospital urinal could feel so good...Don't forget to measure it...How many CC's...

I was given last rights by the Priest after he took one look at me...

Fortunately there was no permanent damage to my heart from blockages, and the MD that did my Angiogram told me that my coronary arteries were " As smooth as a babies bottom". So the final diagnosis is Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy, Cardiomegaly, CHF and anxiety...

Anxiety??? NO SHIT HEY!!!

It turns out that the abdominal surgery I had 5 years ago that included a severe case of peritonitis and blood poisoning had affected my heart and led to a rapid heartbeat for 5 years running. That is what happened to my heart, it just plain wore out.

The ejection fraction on my heart was between 15-20, with 50 being normal,and I quite possibly might require a heat transplant at some time in the future or at least a defibrillator.

The RN at the Occupational Health Department at Schneider told me that I was screwed when it came to ever driving a truck again as the DOT requires an EF of 40 to drive professionally and that I will never see that again.

Needless to say, my life has changed, literally in an instant, but I am doing well and have made good progress from the Cardiac meds (gotta love them pharmaceutical companies) I am on and I haven't put on any more dangerous weight due to fluid buildup.

Now I know what women go through with PMS...Oooohhh, I hate feeling so bloated... I am going to punch the first guy that talks to me about needing a Tampax...

My Nurse Practitioner, Mary, who is an absolutely wonderful NP I might add, told me that my being a long distance runner and mountain climber in my younger years had truly saved my life and that I will live, but I am now 100% disabled and my adjustment to not being a productive member of society has been challenging at times to say the least.

I went from being a professional idiot to being a professional idiot derelict in a blink of an eye...

No more ridin' the range for Ol' Thunder, the derelict cowboy...

The reason I am writing this is to publicly say thank you to all those that work at the Milwaukee VA Hospital. Without their kind, caring and absolutely wonderful care I would be dead. They have saved my life twice, a fact that I live with and am thankful for every day.

Dead, you know, taking a dirt nap, pushing up daisies, being under the grass...etc...

There is no way in the world that me enlisting in the United States Army in a drug and alcohol induced stupor in 1974 to keep my nasty ass out of jail would have turned out to be the smartest thing I ever did in my life and I thank the Judge that suggested that I pursue a different line of work as my skills at being a common criminal were lacking to say the least.

Every time I go in there, I feel proud to be associated with that hospital and the best thing about that place is that everybody in there has worked for the right to be there, and no matter what their present situation is, there ain't a slacker in the bunch. We all did our 180 days active duty service.

I am now a Disabled veteran, My oldest daughter is a service connected disabled veteran, and my son in law is an Iraq War Combat Medic Disabled Veteran.

Sheesh, there ought to be a law against having so many in one family...

I would also like to thank Schneider for the year and a half I worked for them as an IC and the folks at the Charlotte Operating Center. They listened to my pissing and moaning for quite some time and although we had a few disagreements I was always treated professionally and with more respect than I sometimes deserved... Really...

So please take a minute to thank a veteran, buy them a cup of coffee or just say a prayer for the troops that serve. and give to the USO every chance you get, till they all come home.

We all appreciate it.

Thunder

:bighug[1]:

Psssttt...Anybody wanna buy a truck???

1 million dollars found in truck

SUNSHINE — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 12:14:25 GMT

Maine troopers stop truck, find false logbook ... and $1M cash

YORK, Maine � State police say a routine roadside safety check on the Maine Turnpike led to the discovery of more than $1 million in greenbacks.

Maine Public Safety Department spokesman Steve McCausland says the episode unfolded with the discovery of a falsified driver's log during the routine truck inspection Friday. He says a subsequent inspection of the trailer revealed U.S. currency estimated to be in excess of $1 million.

McCausland says the driver, 35-year-old Jhon Rivera-Ramirez, was arrested for the logbook violation.

Troopers say the smuggling of bulk currency is a preferred method for criminals to move illicit proceeds across borders. It is a crime to cross the border with more than $10,000 in undeclared currency.

http://www.bangordailynews.com/story...in-cash,152978

Anyone who has ever

Acorn Trucking — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 06:26:09 GMT

delivered to a paving crew or similar scenario with a belly dump, belt feed or similar trailer.

What is the furthest distance you have had to back the trailer to get to the paver?

What is the fastest you have pushed a trailer backwards?

What has been your most challenging road to back in on?

I'll start.

The furthest I have had to back at this point that I can recall was about 1 & 1/2 miles on 2lane rd.

The fastest has been about 18 mph.

The most challenging road so far has been a narrow 2lane in Custer State park. Some uphill down hill with tight narrow corners.

Remember this has to be in a tractor trailer combination, straight trucks (end dumps) don't count for the purpose of this post.

Here's an idea: Directions !

Jimbo — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:33:47 GMT

Maybe we could start a section here giving directions to places we go. When you go somewhere, and get directions, often the directions can leave a lot to be desired. You could do a post with the customer's name and city as the subject, and the post could be written directions, maybe with a google map attached?

Just an idea i had bouncing around in my head

Went to the range yesterday........

Big_Dave — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:32:58 GMT

For once the weather cooperated and it wasn't too hot, too cold or too rainy here in south central Minnesota.

So, me and the B-I-L loaded up some 'toys' and headed to the Sportsman Club to 'play'. :hi5[1]:

I took my recently acquired Mosin Nagant 91/30 and my DPMS LR-308. He brought his Winchester 12 ga. pump w/ cantilevered barrel & scope, Saiga AK-47, Mosin Nagant 91/30 and Marlin Model 60 .22LR. I tried to get a video of him burning up a 30 round mag, but he was 'well into it' when I realized what he was doing.

Both of mine are working flawlessly (my new mags stopped any jamming my LR-308 had last year :1hi5: ), and dead on target @ 100 yards! Next range trip will include longer distances. I only put 15 rounds through the Mosin and 60 rounds through the LR-308 today. Forgot to put any rounds through my Springfield Armory 1911A1. :wtf: I let him shoot the LR-308 and he let me shoot his Winny 12 ga. That SOB kicks like a freakin' mule!

Here's a couple short vids of me shooting each of my guns (click on the pics). :Trucker: We were pretty much done shooting and were kinda screwing around. :rofl:

Me & the LR-308.

024-2.mp4 video by Big_Dave_2006 - Photobucket

Me and the Mosin Nagant 91/30.

026-1.mp4 video by Big_Dave_2006 - Photobucket

Family Topic: Long distance relationships

Jimbo — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:29:01 GMT

Maybe I have a bad memory, but I don't remember this topic being discussed. I am not claiming to be an expert on relationships, but what my wife and I have is so awesome, I feel I must be doing something right.

Truckers have the same situation so often, maybe it would be good to talk about. Either you are running all over the country, or maybe running local so hard, that you only get to see your family one day a week.

Back in the beginning, I ran over the road, and was gone for 9 to 12 weeks at a time. When I got time off at home, it flew by too fast, before i was back out driving. I called people every day, but that was a tough way to make things work.

Compared to what I do now, 9 to 12 weeks would be a walk in the park. I am married to the most wonderful woman I have ever met, and we have this sweet little gift from God. It is tough only seeing them 2 or 3 times a year, but I need to earn the money here, and can't afford to bring them from there yet.

Maybe if my wife wasn't so darned loving to me, it would be easier to be away from her, but Noooooo! She keeps throwing all this love and affection stuff at me, making the time away from her hard to handle. I have often heard people say "things worth doing, are sometimes not easy". I couldn't agree more.

Lets hear about how you handle time away from the family or friends. Maybe some of the newbies can get some help from it, if they are just starting out, and have to run weeks away from home.