Terry's first post: thoughts after 3 weeks

We've been on the road for 3 weeks.  We have traveled through 30 states.  We have put 17,600 miles on the truck, which works out to 838 per day on average.

Our original plan for shifts did not work.  Originally we had planned on doing a 12 x 12, Allan doing midnight to noon and me doing noon to midnight.  After trying to make it happen, we eventually gave up and have gone to something a bit more flexible, which has worked out with Allan getting us rolling at around 4:00 a.m. and then me taking over between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. and running until about 2:00 a.m. or so.  

No day is the same, but we always try to fit in some downtime -- usually between midnight and 4:00 a.m.  The problem with this is finding a safe and legal place to shut down, so sometimes our shift change takes place at the fuel island of a truck stop.

For us the key to being successful as a team has been communication and the ability to be flexible.  We both have our own opinions on how hard and fast we should run and inevitably we both voice concerns over making sure the other one is getting the rest they need.

We have also settled into somewhat of a routine of roles; Allan is more focused on the administrative side of things and I on the mechanical.  This compliment of abilities and motivations has helped us keep rolling efficiently and safely.

Living on the road as we do has led at times to the realization that when we have the opportunity to stop, we enjoy the scenery, or, as we are doing tonight in Roanoke, Virginia, to just take a little break.  We could have pushed on today, through the weather system, but since we are under no pressure to deliver, and once we do will be heading to Dallas for truck service and our annual Spring Training, we decided to let the weather move on and then optimize our driving time.

I'll have more to say from time to time, particularly of the beautiful places we've traveled.

Terry