ASK LOU
"REALITY"
Q: Hi Lou, I'm currently working on the national television show, "Truck Stop Missouri" on the Travel Channel. Do you know of any Truckers in Missouri who would be interested in being on the show?
A: Now, I'm sorry, but I find it funny that right when Joyce Brenny and Heather team up together to fight reality tv, this letter comes in. If it weren't sensationalism, and were the real reality, I would volunteer. But, I will be fair and say if anyone is interested, hit Ms. Healy up. You can email her by clicking here. Good luck Ms. Healy FLATBEDDING
Q: I've really have been thinking alot lately about moving over to flatbed, because it seems a little bit more challenging. I don't have any experience with flat bed. I just wanted to get your thoughts and maybe a company to look at?
A: Some days can be rather challenging, especially when it's -30, and your tarps, chains, and straps are frozen solid or it's 40-60 mph an hour winds and you're trying to tarp. There's a lot more at stake since you're in charge of securing your loads and there's no walls holding your freight in. I think it's hard and long work occasionally, but you get treated better at the customers. If you go to Heather's recruiters page in the business directory, you'll find Central Oregon. They'll teach you how to flatbed. | FAULTY REPORTING
Q: Hello Lou, I am a fairly new Truck Driver less then 2 years. In that time I have worked for 2 major trucking companies. I am sorry to report that I am finding out that Trucking companies are horrible and run by very questionable characters. I am also finding that the system of the DAC is geared to support the companies and drag the drivers through the mud. I am an awesome person and an even better driver. I take my job very seriously and pride myself on doing my very best to stand out and get the job done safely and right. However, even with my go get er positive attitude I have been blackballed by the companies that I worked hard to do a great job for. My concern is how can a person like myself who constantly received praise and awards from both of my employers, end up with such derogatory information on my DAC? Please tell me what, if any proof, is required from the reporting company before they are allowed to drag a good driver thru the mud. And how can I get this information removed and corrected without having it affect my work history even more? Can you please give me some advice and or point me in the right direction, and give me a few directions in which to turn.
A: Reporting companies need no proof to make allegations on your DAC. Some companies make faulty reporting a commonality, unfortunately. Without knowing your exact situation, I can't weight in on what was wrong and right. Actually, Heather sends everyone through a connection, who in turn is well connected with the problem solvers on this issue. She just recently wrote him a recommendation also. Email Mr. Gooch at RGooch1969@aol.com. The man is nice, and runs Justice for Truckers. |
LIZARDS
Q: WHY IS IT A MAN ONLY THINKS OF WOMEN AS LIZARDS?I HAVE ALOT OF FREINDS ON MY TAGGED AND FACEBOOK, SO THEY THE TRUCKERS CAN KEEP INCONTACT WITH OTHER TRUCKERS, BUT WHEN I SPEAK TO ONE OR 2 OF THEM ,THEY TREAT ME NOT LIKE A NICE LADY OR TRUCKERS ANGEL,INSTEAD THEY TREAT ME LIKE A LIZARD!!I GET MESSAGES LIKE HEY DO YOU FUCK?? AND HEY WHAT IS YOUR GOING RATE BEBE CHICKY DODO??
A: Heather has dealt with idiots like this. These guys are pathetic losers and most of us are not like this at all (Heather says you're on her fb too). Exactly what she does is tell them "no wonder you're single, grow some fucking balls and acts like a man," followed by blocking them. I would suggest doing the same and not letting that pathetic group of men make you think we are all like that. | RELIGION
Q: Are you and Heather Christians?
A: Pastor Steve, first and foremost, thanks for sending the Mansinis our way for Trucking Santas. We are not Christians. Heather is Pagan and I'm teetering between Pagan and Agnostic. I believe in Karma and something higher. I respect everyone's beliefs, but don't believe them. MONEY'S ON MY MIND
Q: Where do you feel the money is better...flatbed, reefer, dryvan, dump trailer?
A: In my opinion, it's always flatbed/stepdeck or grain. Most would say heavy haul, but they're not looking at the wear & tear on the truck. |
FUEL MILEAGE
Q: Lou, I just became an o/o. I'm on a big fleet but I can't get my pay right. I drive a 780 Volvo. I can't get fuel right. It wipes out my whole settlement. How can I get my fuel cost down so I can bring home better pay?
A: 1. Take your foot out. 60-65 mph. 2. Check your paremameters. 3. Find out when the last time you had your overhead done. 4. Check your air to air. 5. Keep with timely tune ups and don't lack on maintenance. 6. Plan your routes. Don't top off every time. Try to avoid pulls and don't haul grossed out if possible. Some times the shortest route isn't the best route when considering fuel mileage. | FLAGGING OR LINE?
Q: Can you just flag something without making a duty status change if it takes less than 15 mins? My company gave me a log violation for flagging a DOT level 3 inspection that took exactly 10 mins. The cop never got outta the car, checked my log and stuff real quick, printed me a driver examination report which shows a time of 1840 to 1850, and I flagged it off of line 3 cause it was under 15 mins just wondering if I was right or wrong by doing that. Thanks!
A: I was taught under 7 can be flagged, over should be a line. To be safe, over 7, I show 15. Check your company policy, and ask the next scalehouse for this is not strictly written. |
CSA & UNITY
Q: What do you think about CSA and do you think we can get the drivers to unite so we can get things changed for the better and stop the politicians who make the rules for us?
A: In theory, I think it's a good thing, but it has a lot of flaws. They need to keep messing with the hours and do away with the 14 hour clock. Allow us to nap. Reality, I don't believe unity will happen. We stay hopeful. Time will tell. The guys who want to unify are so burned out that they give up. I understand this feeling some days. | POINTS FOR LOGBOOKS
Q: How bad is a single shutdown for an over-14 gonna kill my score? Is there something to contrast it to to illustrate the severity or lack thereof?
A: You can always fight the points if you get an actual ticket. With a warning ticket, you have no chance of fighting points. The points for CSA are constantly changing as they try to adjust the system accordingly. So, as of right now, I can tell you severity, but it could change tomorrow. There's nothing you can do for contrast. Good inspections do give you good points though. My suggestion.............drive legal. |
HOME TIME & QUITTING
Q: What would you do if a trucking company left you out on the road for four months and everytime you asked to go home they refused to answer?
A: Exactly what I did, start looking, find a good company, and quit. Heather can help you on where to go. | MY NAME IS LOUCIFER
Q: Hey Lou... is that your real name?
A; My real first name is Louis, which I hate. I went by Louie, which Heather hates. So, it's now Lou |
WEDDING DATE
Q: Lou, how did you meet my cousin? When did you know you loved her? When are yall planning on getting married?
A: We met on a website, Crush or Flush, in a chat room called Clean Chat. It may sound crazy, but it was an instant bonding when we talked after the first few hours. I've loved her from day one and love her still. The date is Sept. 29, 2012. CONTROL OF THE PHONE
Q: Do you ever get control of the phone?
A: No, and I slap Heather's hand a way when she's playing messenger, gets tired of playing messenger, and tries to hand me the phone. I'll use the phone to get my point across. I think they're impersonal, and would rather talk face to face. I also don't use the computer unless I'm on Streets & Trips SLEEPING
Q: Do you sleep on your left side, right side, flamingo position, fetal position, on you back or on your stomach?
A: I sleep everywhere. My right side, fetal, stomach, and if Heather's not holding me that night, my left side so I can hold her. Mainly, I sleep cuddled. I can't sleep worth a hoot if Heather's not cuddling. BOOKS, MOVIES & MUSIC
Q: Read any good books lately? What was the last good movie you saw? What music moves you?
A: Heather is currently reading Scalper by Todd Dull while I finish Running Legal Blues by Jeff Head. Tim Burton's new Alice in Wonderland is the last movie I thoroughly enjoyed (I rarely have time for movies, and she's been dragging me through tear jerkers). Celtic punk and classic rock are the two music genres that move me. Wanna wake me? Blast Flogging Molly or Coal Chamber. | PEEING
Q: How in the heck do you guys get across country? I have to pull over every hour to pee whrn I road trip. I am simply amazed at the bladder control of truckers....
A: For the most part, I'm really good at holding my pee for long periods at times. For bad days, I'll grab a big mouth bottle to pee if I don't have time to pull over. Heather's been "trash can trained." JUST 1 THING? OKAY...........
Q: IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING IN TRUCKING (ANYTHING) WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY...
A: I would get rid of the huge fleets. In my opinion, they are killing comaradery, freight rates, and old school trucking. That's the best answer I can give. THE PRICE OF PEOPLE
Q: If truck drivers are a dime a dozen then wouldnt dispathers be a penny a dozen?
A: If you've got an outfit that has the attitude of drivers being a dime a dozen, then yes Cleo, the dispatchers are a penny a dozen BORN TO DRIVE
Q: Why are we born truck drivers? As you sure as hell you cant make one?
A: My thought behind this one is we are gypsies. We are free-spirited and independent. My honest opinion is, these are the best traits a person can have. And yes, you can't make one. Then, you create a steering wheel holder. 56 MPH TRUCKING
Q: Lou, as you know we are speed limited to 56 mph
here in the United Kingdom. If Midnight was restricted to 56 mph, how much
would your schedules be affected?
A: I have ran a castrated truck and only ran 60 mph. The schedule was easily adjusted. It's all about time management. Heather and I screw off a lot nowadays, that would not be able to happen anymore. |
TIRE AIR PRESSURE
We just received a phone call from a friend. Lou had told him not
to use tire thumpers. Tire thumping doesn't tell you the PSI and
anything under 70 PSI is considered flat in DOT's opinion. The friend
asked me if Lou really checks the tires with a tire gauge on the entire
tractor and trailer. The answer? Yes. He even got the flow through
valves. Friend called today to tell Lou he was right. He went out and
bought a tire gauge and had under 70 PSI on his tire. Did thumping show
he was flat? No. Just some food for thought. -Heather
| END OF WINTER TOUCH UP
Q: Hey Lou.....winter's almost over, haven't polished
all winter...I'm ready to start shining my baby up again ...what steps
should I take & what product is the best in your opinion?
A: I would say it honestly needs to be professionally cut. And keep up with Wenol, California Customs, or the polish at Little Sisters all year round. That's what I do. Don't forget to wax her year round too. |
WOMEN
Q: When a woman says "No", does she really mean "yes"?
A: Of course this has to be from Pete. Sexually, no is no (no brainer). Anything else, unless she's a coon ass (lucky me), they're trying to get you to do something for them without saying they want it. If she's a coon ass, just listen to no, or be prepared for ear plugs. | LEARNING BASICS OF O/O
Q: Where is the best resource to learn about how to make the transition from company to owner operator?
A: My opinion is to take Tim Brady's course on TruckersU. TRUCKING & FARMING
Q: If trucking went down the pan, what would be your next career choice?
A: Farming. I'm too free-spirited to punch a clock. |
DEALING WITH HEATHER
Q: I would like to know what kind of meds you have to take on a daily basis in order to live full time with Heather,and are they D.O.T. approved?
A: Excedrin migraine and an addiction to polishing make it possible, and yes, both are D.O.T. approved lol. She's a handful, but I wouldn't trade her for the world. | GRILLING TIME
Q: I want to get a propane grill but don't want to be placarded for the propane. What's allowed?
A: Over 10 lbs must be placarded if I'm right. I would suggest getting the $40 or $50 little Coleman grill from Wal-Mart and using the little propane containers. That's what I did, and I was always fine. |
THOUGHTS ON MECHANICS
Q: Lou...your thoughts on why mechanics think we are idiots
when it comes to our trucks....when we tell them something is wrong with our
truck. Why do they think we don't know what we're talking about?
A:I think it comes down to the simple fact that there are several uneducated drivers who come in there like Billy Bigrigger, acting like they know it all when they don't, that they take it out on all us. I don't agree it's right, but consider what they've probably had to put up with | HISTORY OF BEDBUGGERS
Q: I have never heard the term bedbugger before what does it mean and where did it get its origin from?
A: Now, I actually had Heather do some research on this topic. What she found out is what I thought. There is no clear answer on this. It's an old school term and my guess is that since you are moving household goods, you're moving furniture. Something leads me to believe it has something to do with moving bed bugs around, hence bed buggers. |
BLAME GAME
Q: We all know who to blame for Trucker's Voice. How did yall meet and become a team?
A: Why do I always get blamed? lol. We met on a now gone site called crushorflush.com in a chat room. She and I clicked right away. I scooped her up a few days later and after two years with each other 24/7 we must be doing something right. I will admit, the first few months of her trying to adjust being in a truck was hard on her though. NEBRASKA & OMAHA CURFEW
Q: I have a friend who just started oversize, he is gonna be
running 80 through Omaha on the weekend, I keep telling him travel embargo =
restriction going through Omaha on 80 after 12pm sat/sun.
He is being told that embargo means he can run? A: You can NOT run Omaha or Lincoln after noon on Saturday or Sunday. There are scales and there is a HUGE curfew. | BIG SCREW UP
Q: If you got pulled in to a scale and you were legal with all your paper work, weight, and so on, but the cop decided to do a dot inspection and took 2 and a half hours to do (cop just wanted to be a prick) and you are in a state that permits "day light only" and then the cops lets you go,but its half hour before sunset, the nearest safe haven/parking is 52 miles away, and you are told no parking in scale after hours. What do you do? (Yea load is 55 ft long,12 5 wide,and 31,500 lbs)
A: If you aren't in a state that day light doesn't give you the 30 minutes after sunset, like most allow, I'd explain to DOT that I'm permitted, I can't go, and that by law, he has to allow me to park where I'm at or have him escort me. If he refuses both, I would have him right it on my log book and permit that he made me leave the scale house fully acknowledging the fact that he knew I couldn't legally make it to the safe haven legally and that he has permitted me to break the law. Make sure the officer includes his printed name, badge number, and signature. |
DIN-DIN
Q: What is your favorite meal (outside the truck) and when are you coming over for dinner?
A: Honestly, hungarian goulash, but I'll settle for a nice, home cooked, Italian meal. We'll be there next weekend. |
