It's a Team's Life

Boredom

Driving into the sunset or sunrise is the most dangerous time of day and as truck drivers, we do this day in and day out.  In our team situation, Bob drives into the sunset and I get to watch the sunrise which suits our sleep patterns perfect.  Those sleep patterns are not true for everyone and this time of day we really need to watch those around us and vehicles that are coming towards us, as they could be asleep at the wheel

If you find yourself getting tired or you are having a hard time staying in your lane and keep setting off the lane departure warning system it is time to take a break.  Sometimes getting out and walking helps, drinking cold water, or take a short nap, there is nothing worth falling asleep at the wheel.  A very wise truck driver told me never ever sleep in the driver’s seat as the last thing you want your brain to think it that it is ok to take a nap behind the wheel.

When I find my drive getting boring such as driving from Salt Lake City, Utah to Reno, Nevada I listen to audiobooks on my iPhone or listen to my head banging heart racing music.  What I do not do is sing out loud as it would wake up Bob and he would wonder what the awful noise was coming from the cab of the truck.  The other problem with waking up your driving partner is that it will soon be their turn to drive and we do not want them to drive tired. 

Bob and I share an Audible account and our audio library over time has grown very large. Our taste in books is not the same but we do share a middle common ground where we will listen to the same books. Bob enjoys murder mystery’s and I enjoy more adventure and drama without a murder.  These books though often make the miles zoom by and there are times after we shut the truck off that we have to keep listening to the book to see what happens next. 

Music is another way to get out of being bored as we tap our toes to a great song.  Tapping of the toes and moving helps with circulation of your legs for those long drives.  I have found that most of the year I enjoy fast music until December and my choice in music changes to Christmas tunes.  During December I enjoy watching for Christmas lights as I listen to Silent Night and other Christmas songs.  Oh, how I appreciate people who leave their lights on all night long.

Something else that keeps me entertained is when I see a nice piece of furniture or a cushion off of a couch alongside the road I wonder what kind of excuse the husband gave his wife of why part of their furniture is missing.  Too often we see people transporting stuff in the back of their pickups with no or very little securement.  Then I have to think of the many many miles as a child I rode in the back of pickups with no securement….

I always look forward to loads with many miles on them as it gives me time to think while driving, catch up on my listening of books and music, and I enjoy the changes in the countryside.  I do not have one favorite drive as there are parts of every drive I really like and parts I could do without.  The time of the year also makes some areas of the country much nicer than other areas of the country.

Bob & Linda Caffee

TeamCaffee

Saint Louis MO

Expediters since January 2005

[email protected]

 

Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle;

Expediting isn't just a lifestyle, it's an adventure;

Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;

Expediting isn't just a job, it's a business.