No quarter for fuel thieves
On July 23, 2008, I fueled my truck to the rim in Avondale, Ariz., loaded in Phoenix and headed to Ottawa, Kan. I had a nice, light load and plenty of time, so I looked forward to the easy trip and getting some good fuel mileage. I stopped for the night in Moriarty, N.M. Just before I hit the bed, I happened to look at my fuel gauge and it read just over 3/4 tank. Well, when I got up the next morning I had just over 1/4 tank. Huh? That can’t be right! I have a TriPac, and I know how much fuel I burn. I had been robbed! As near as I can figure, the jerk stole about 120-130 gallons of fuel. I am so mad I could spit! That’s more than $550 out of my pocket! I am an owner-operator leased to a large company, and I know some O/Os don’t respect that. But for God’s sake, why rip a man off? What makes you think you deserve what I work for more than I do? To all you drivers who have ever stolen fuel from anyone, you should hang your head in shame! If you steal, you are no better than the sludge at the bottom of a Porta-Potty! I hope you get caught by the cops or by the driver you are ripping off, in the act! And I pray that when it happens, he takes pity on your sorry soul. Some drivers I have told this story to out here, well, you would not like what they would do to you if they caught you! It’s sad enough that we get the shaft from so many different angles. But to be ripped off by another driver while times are as tough as they are right now just makes me sick. I have been driving for 17 years. And for the first time ever, I am ashamed of what type of people are in our profession. I know not all are bad, but man, it sure makes you wonder. To the driver who stole my fuel: I hope you choke on it! By the way, that’s $550 I don’t get to spend on my daughter for her Sweet 16 in August! Thanks a lot!
Mike (Grinder) Kirby
Irving, Texas

Fit for the Road Making a Difference
Thank you for doing such a wonderful article on me in the July issue. It put a smile on my face and lifted my self-esteem to a higher level. On May 2, I ran my best time yet on the treadmill: 41 minutes, 35 seconds. I cut back to two miles running, but I do cross training, bike riding and swimming as well. I have lost another six pounds and currently weigh 178.

What I have discovered in setting goals is that hard work pays off the way it should. That when you reach your goals, you go on and set new goals and challenges. Also, that exercise stimulates the positive brain cells, which keeps me going. One of the things I am working on now is growing maple trees. Many seeds have fallen this spring, so I have 60 small trees growing in containers and many more growing in the yard. I am planning on selling some and trying to reforest a piece of city property. It would not only help the environment but eliminate having the city hire somebody to cut the grass.

Self-defeating, defensive behavior accomplishes nothing. Remove the self-imposed barriers that hinder your progress. Take a step beyond those barriers. Elevating others raises the bar. Positive achievements result from resisting negative forces.
Sincerely,
Gary Kujat

In-Cab Exercise?
I’ve enjoyed reading your Fit for the Road articles. I bought what I would say is a small stepper machine that I put in my truck. I like to use it when I’m in truckstops where it might not be such a good idea to walk around by oneself. If a person does two miles or 4,000 steps, would this still be the same as walking outside? The machine does keep track of steps or miles.

Also, is it possible for someone to think of a routine that can be done inside of a semi truck? You might be thinking I’m silly, but I try to work out when I can with a 10-lb. dumbbell and some bands of various strengths. But other than squats, there isn’t a whole lot of room in a truck to work your legs. I can do exercises for arms and shoulders a lot, just the legs don’t get a lot of work except for walking when I can. Sit-ups I do on the bunk, with push-ups, too.