Driver Forgot To Set Brakes

Have you ever forgot to set your brakes? Chances are you have if you have been driving for any length of time.That is one sinking feeling when you look up and see your truck start rolling down the road and you and no one else is in the drivers seat. One night I was fueling at one of our truck stops that is located on a hill. I looked up and there was a whole load of brand new trucks that were piggybacking heading down the hill rolling off of the fuel island. I didn't realize the driver was not in the cab until they crashed into a truck that was in the parked area, no doubt the driver was sleeping.
 A few days ago a new driver loaded his brand new company truck with fuel at a terminal and one of our company drivers said he looked up and the truck crashed through a fence and took off down a steep hill before slamming into a telephone pole. As it rolled over the embankment the oil pan was tore completely off the unit. He thought maybe the driver had a heart attack and started to run after the runaway truck but when he arrived at the scene no one was there. Looking back up the hill he saw the driver coming out of the bathroom pulling his pants up.

Trucking In The Northeast

Over the past few months I was sent up north to help out in some different areas. I spent about a month in Sturbridge Massachusetts, a couple weeks in Albany Ny, and  Kanona NY, and a few weeks in Carneys Point NJ. Things went pretty smooth the whole time I was gone. No bad accidents or any real problems occurred just the way we like things. The hardest part was getting used to the various time schedules that I had to work always starting on the day shift to get the loading cards I would need at the various loading terminals then shifting to the night shift which was invariably the spot where help was needed the most. We ran shifts from 11 to 11, 5 till 5 and 2 till 2. The most difficult shift I worked was from 2 A:M until 2 P:M. It was difficult getting up at 2 in the morning and right as the sun came up it became hard as he## to keep the eyes open. There was nowhere stop because I was running into Philadelphia most of the time. I was glad to finally get home but I noticed my old dog was not acting the same and took her to the vet. He told me her kidneys were starting to fail and I have had her for around 14 years now so it was hard news for me.He kept her on IV fluids for 3 days and she has come back around although she lost a lot of weight and I am trying not to think about what will inevitably happen.