I'm a useless olde guy now!
 

As of 1500, 4/14/17, I finally retired, for the 2nd time.
First time was from 29 years at a power company in downstate Michigan.
This time was after 11 years of playing with the big trucks. The last 6 driving heavyhaul in northern Michigan and Ontario.
The job really never got boring, but it's time I start getting ME time.
I'll miss crossing the Mackinac Bridge and the Soo Locks everyday, and most of the people I worked with and know down here, as well as the ones in Ontario.
I won't miss -30/-40 temps,ice/snow for 350 miles at a time, getting up at 0315, and the damn tourists.
So, I'm starting another phase now.
Oh, and my bottle of Johnny Walker Blue Label is 200 miles away, my gift to myself. I left it at my wifes house last month!!:mad:
The photo is of my last truck, 2013 Freightliner Coronado SD. I picked it up at the dealer brand new, a little over 4 years ago. It now has 435765 miles on it when I parked it for the last time yesterday.
The trailer was custom made by Titan specifically for my job a year ago.

Re: I'm a useless olde guy now!
 

Congratulations!

Re: I'm a useless olde guy now!
 

Thank you Terrence!

Re: I'm a useless olde guy now!
 

Hey John, congrats on firing your manager in the name of pursuing personal pleasures! I suggest starting with that bottle of Johnny. :)

"...I'll miss crossing the Mackinac Bridge..."
^^^Isn't that the bridge that a crosswind blew a (being driven at the time) Yugo off of and down into the river? :rofl:

Re: I'm a useless olde guy now!
 

Congratulations. That trailer looks like one hell of a beast. What did you haul? I am definitely used to seeing loads that heavy on flat beds, not inside a nice cushy trailer.

Re: I'm a useless olde guy now!
 

Thanks Bill, the Blue Label will have to wait until I go downstate. Guess I'll have to make do with the bottle of Double Black I have here. The cheap stuff, ya know.:D

Yes, that did happen. IIRC it had somewhat to do with the car being driven too fast. But it fell into Lake Huron. It's surprising there aren't more accidents on the bridge. When the winds get too high, trucks and campers, and people pulling trailers/boats, aren't supposed to exceed 20 mph. But typical 4wheelers, they either think the rules don't apply them, or as soon as they read the warnings, they don't remember even seeing them.
There was a semi blown into the cables a few years ago as well, but the cables caught him, and he stayed on the bridge.

Re: I'm a useless olde guy now!
 

I didn't know that was even possible in a Yugo. :rofl:

Re: I'm a useless olde guy now!
 

More work than I'll ever do. It's a well-deserved retirement, enjoy life buddy

Re: I'm a useless olde guy now!
 

Thank you!
In that trailer, I hauled wood chips or saw dust. It's 53' long, and with my truck, was legally good for 138K#, that was the legal limit in both Mi. and On. Not to say I wasn't over at times, but as long as I stayed under 144K, I didn't exceed the limits on the two big bridges I crossed.
Actually, that combination was easier to drive, and more stable than an 18 wheeler. On that particular trailer, the two front axles were also "steer" axles. According to Ontario law, the driver has no control of the axles from the cab, and they have to stay down. It's a very stupid law, on ice/snow/slick conditions, you really have to be careful when turning, the drives on the truck are unloaded quite a bit, and that trailer will push you off the road, or worse, into someone. That's the only drawback on that trailer, but in dry conditions it handled great.
The other trailer I used to haul, had 8 axles, 4 of them were controlled from the cab, much nicer on ice/snow, and also I could weigh up to 158K legally.

----------

Thanks Matt, I'm sure gonna give it my best try!

Congratulations! When you get back down state, give me a shout. I'm not too far from 'Waste-land'! 😉

Re: I'm a useless olde guy now!
 

congrats!! enjoy life now!

Re: I'm a useless olde guy now!
 

Thanks Andy, and I'll do that!

----------

Thanks Howard. I sure will, got plenty to do here. Except for today, I'm just kicking back, 'cuz I can!!

Re: I'm a useless olde guy now!
 

Re: I'm a useless olde guy now!
 

Thanks Don! Yepper, I'm sure. You're right about the truck, it's got more miles left on it than I do!!!:DLOL

Re: I'm a useless olde guy now!
 

Congratulations john! You earned it. Now you can enjoy life.