It is hot. That is obvious. When I look at the calendar and the temperature, it triggers memories for me of a time, not so long ago, when I did not have a truck with an APU. I recall the telephone conversations and the meetings between myself and the fuel person at my company, who reported to the safety department.
While on the one side of their mouth, my carrier would tell me how much they appreciated what the drivers did, and on the other, harass drivers when their idle time went over a pre-determined percentage – most likely determined by executives who needed to cut their fuel expense, no matter the impact on the driver. Initially, that did not include the purchase of an APU.
I wanted an APU before they were in style. I’m sure there are some drivers who can sleep not matter how harsh – cold or hot – the weather is. They find a nice breezy corner of the truck stop somewhere, insert those filter things in both the drivers and passenger side windows, open everything else that can be opened and sleep comfortably. Many times, I witnesses an owner – operator with his bunk door open, his feet stuck out, snoring away, while the temperature soared above 100 degrees. The only thing kept cold – on ice actually – was the 24 pack of Bud Lite in his cooler. You don’t ever want to get that beer warm.
I knew from the very first moment of the very first breath uttered by the fuel guy at my company, that this was a “relationship” that was doomed to fail. I was polite at first, I listened, I pondered and try to intelligently analyze what the voice on the other end was telling me. I believed I might have said something positive or two. He continued to “suggest.” I might have used a cuss word. He said he can’t speak to anyone who cusses. I think I cussed some more. He hung up.
The next call was from his supervisor – the actual real fuel manager was out that day – the d-eye-reck-tor of safety – not the real director of safety – he had the title, but oversaw log books and injuries or some nonsense. Like anyone in safety, he was an arrogant bureaucratic know-it-all. He told me I had upset “his” fuel person something terrible – and – that I was unprofessional. He didn’t mention anything about me being right, just that I can’t “cuss” at his people. By this point, I got my tiger back in the cage, calmed down a bit and actually said I’m sorry and I’ll do whatever it takes to not run my truck in the hot weather.
I made up my mind at that point, due to the way I was treated during that incident and subsequent conversations and meetings, that I would do nothing to save fuel, instead opting to keep myself as comfortable as possible in hot or cold weather. The mystery fuel bonus they were offering was paid to nobody I ever talked to. One month you needed to do this, next quarter it changed and you had to do something else. All BS. I deleted the messages from my QC and never returned the fuel departments calls.
My basic premise was that if you want to take care of your drivers, save money on reduced idling and cut the wear on the engine, you’ve got to make the investment in APU’s. They listened, but they didn’t listen. Again, I didn’t care – I was not shutting my truck down at night when the weather wasn’t perfect. The few good days there were, sure, I shut off the truck. Of course, while waiting for a load, I only had the truck on when absolutely necessary. If I was told the load wasn’t going to be ready for hours or until the next day, it was windows up and the air or heat went on.
The fuel people came and went. One guy told me to go to a Lowe’s and get styrofoam and tape it over the skylights. He said I should do whatever necessary to “catch a breeze” rather than run the truck. He said I hadn’t “earned” a APU. After that conversation, I wrote a two page memo to the president of my carrier. Apparently, I wasn’t the only driver that was upset at this idiot. Three months later, he was terminated.
In all truthfulness, I had so wanted to stay with my company for as long as it was necessary to see all those who had harassed me and other drivers over idling get fired. Too bad, my heart and knees had different ideas. I eventually got my APU and, of course, it was long overdue. Management has failed miserably in acting proactively to make the necessary investment to cut fuel costs and win the respect of their drivers. It was something, that until my very last day, I held against them.
So, I watch the calendar and the temperature, perhaps, very differently than “civilians”. It’s more than just hot or cold to a truck driver. Fight for that APU. Because it is just the right thing for “them” to do. Remember, you’re #1, not the truck or the freight or the company. And when does that safety director go home and shut down his A/C to cut his electricity bill – never.
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We lost a TV icon today. Peter Falk was best known for his TV show, Columbo. I watched Columbo as a kid with my parents. He was appealing to me because of his slouchy, wrinkled, can’t find his glasses, goofy demeanor. You couldn’t help but like him. He came across as bumbling and not too bright, but that is where those he was investigating made their fatal mistakes. He was a genius detective under the wrinkled raincoat. 
Columbo is a part of my childhood. I am thankful for the many hours of entertainment he gave us. Mr. Falk was 83. I am sure before he took this final journey he turned around one last time and said; “Just one more thing.”