A decision to be made...

Dan M wrote:

Boy, this is a tough call.



It sure is. Purrs and thoughts for you to be able to follow both your
head and your heart. You're a good man, Dan. You'll know what is right
for all of you.

Pam, Rob, and the Fayetteville Six + kittens and Speedy the d-thing

It sure is. Purrs and thoughts for you to be able to follow both your
head and your heart. You're a good man, Dan. You'll know what is right
for all of you.

Pam, Rob, and the Fayetteville Six + kittens and Speedy the d-thing

I'm hoping so.

Last night on a web search I learned of another company (based in NC,
Greenville, I think) looking for drivers for what sounds like the same
gig. Southern CA, home once or twice during week, weekends off. I've got
a call in to them (they're closed til Monday) and will find out about
their pet poilicy and pay rate.

I requested home time for last night through tonight, my request was
approved, and my dispatcher said he'd get me home on time (this was a
couple weeks ago). Instead I'm still at the Sacramento yard, will be
here until 2 AM tomorrow, then will run in the wrong direction. So I
won't be leaving US Xpress this week (the other company does orientation
in southern CA starting every Monday).

Dan, I am puzzled. I used to be connected with the trucking industry and
your situation sounds backwards to me.
Did I misunderstand? If you use THEIR truck, you may take along your pet,
but if you use YOUR truck, they won't allow it? That really makes no sense
to me at all, at all.

With the guys I drive for now I can bring along a pet period. With these
new guys if I drive their truck I can't bring a pet. If I lease a truck
(basically run as an O/O) I can. But with fuel prices going as they are
I'm not quite ready to be buying my own fuel

Sounds like the stinkers know they could lose you if you got home on a
Monday!

Jo
"Dan M" wrote in message
...
It sure is. Purrs and thoughts for you to be able to follow both your
head and your heart. You're a good man, Dan. You'll know what is right
for all of you.

Pam, Rob, and the Fayetteville Six + kittens and Speedy the d-thing

I'm hoping so.

Last night on a web search I learned of another company (based in NC,
Greenville, I think) looking for drivers for what sounds like the same
gig. Southern CA, home once or twice during week, weekends off. I've got a
call in to them (they're closed til Monday) and will find out about their
pet poilicy and pay rate.

I requested home time for last night through tonight, my request was
approved, and my dispatcher said he'd get me home on time (this was a
couple weeks ago). Instead I'm still at the Sacramento yard, will be here
until 2 AM tomorrow, then will run in the wrong direction. So I won't be
leaving US Xpress this week (the other company does orientation in
southern CA starting every Monday).

"Dan M" wrote in message

With the guys I drive for now I can bring along a pet period. With these
new guys if I drive their truck I can't bring a pet. If I lease a truck
(basically run as an O/O) I can. But with fuel prices going as they are
I'm not quite ready to be buying my own fuel


I too would miss reading stories of Harri the roadcat, Samurai in
training. But, it sounds like a good gig. Keep in mind Dan, they have a
policy & you'd be the 'new' guy. Once you've been with the company a while,
who knows? I've been both an employee who rules were bent for in time & a
manager who bent rules for staff who had proved their worth... All things
are possible.
--
Mathew
Butler to 2 kittens: Chablis & Muscat
En Vino Veritas

Jo Firey wrote:

Sounds like the stinkers know they could lose you if you got home on a
Monday!

It does, doesn't it?

These guys used to be really good about keeping me rolling, and getting
me home when scheduled to be home, and handling dispatching exceptions
(like my truck being in the shop) smoothly. Then a couple months ago my
dispatcher got transferred to another fleet and I got a new guy. Since
then things have been sliding steadily downhill. All the more reason to
get out now.

Assuming that I eventually get back to my home terminal.

Dan M wrote:
Boy, this is a tough call.
snip

Bummer! Hope you can come to a decision soon. More money and a
dedicated rtoute aren't anything to sniff at...

-L.

"Dan M" wrote in message
...
Boy, this is a tough call.

Another trucking company has been calling me, trying to get me to come
drive a dedicated route for them. I talked to them a week ago, and they're
offering a good deal - substantially more money than I'm getting now, home
one or two nights during the week, and home one and a half to two days
every weekend. Plus paid holidays (something I don't get now). Overall it
sounds like a sweet deal.

The down side - they don't allow pets in their trucks! Excpet for drivers
who lease a truck from the company.

You said it right -- it's a tough call. Best of luck in whatever you choose
to do.
Sam, closely supervised by Mistletoe

Dan M wrote:
Boy, this is a tough call.

Another trucking company has been calling me, trying to get me to come
drive a dedicated route for them. I talked to them a week ago, and
they're offering a good deal - substantially more money than I'm getting
now, home one or two nights during the week, and home one and a half to
two days every weekend. Plus paid holidays (something I don't get now).
Overall it sounds like a sweet deal.

The down side - they don't allow pets in their trucks! Excpet for
drivers who lease a truck from the company.

I don't think Harri would have a problem with being a full-time house
kitty. When we left the house this last time (a couple weeks ago) she
wasn't really eager. She would just as soon have stayed under the
recliner with Tabitha. She didn't protest going on the truck with me,
but she has been pretty bored these last couple weeks. I think the
novelty has worn off and now it's just hours and hours of boredom
punctuated by the occasional exciting kitty walk.

I'm the only one who would have problems with this! I can't imagine
being on the road without my Roadcat by my side. Since early November
I've had Harri with me all day, every day, every place I've gone. When I
need someone to talk to, I talk to Harri. When I need someone to explain
my worries and fears and sorrows to, I talk to Harri. Oh boy, I do not
look forward to going on the road without her!

However, circumstances seem to be conspiring to keep me from doing so. I
was supposed to report or orientation in LA Monday morning, but right
now (Saturday evening) I'm sitting in the Sacramento yard without a load
on me. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

What I REALLY want to find is something I can do from home so I can have
all my kitties with me. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Dan

I've been lurking for a while and have so enjoyed your stories about
Harri Roadcat. We are sending best wishes for whatever you decide to
work out. I've never heard of a cat that travels, but I'm a bit
sheltered and a bit of a homebody. I'm sure Harri would enjoy it either
way -- the times in your company on the road, or a life at home with
your DW and the others and awaiting your presence when you get to go home.

-J

I don't think Harri would have a problem
with being a full-time house kitty. When
we left the house this last time (a couple
weeks ago) she wasn't really eager. She
would just as soon have stayed under the
recliner with Tabitha. She didn't protest
going on the truck with me, but she has
been pretty bored these last couple
weeks. I think the novelty has worn off
and now it's just hours and hours of
boredom punctuated by the occasional
exciting kitty walk.

I think you've pretty much answered your own question. You obviously are
thinking about what's best for your kitty and spending days in the cab
of a truck with occasional walks isn't that much different from being in
a large cage. From your description it sounds like she's made it pretty
clear what her choice is and she'd be much happier staying home where
there is lots of room and a playmate. I'll also add that as kittens grow
into cats it seems that they lose a lot (but not all) of their
adventurous tendencies and prefer to be settled in as opposed to
constant back and forth stuff. At least that's been my experience over
the years.

Megan



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