Still Learning
Every time that I stop, I do a quick walk around the truck and trailer. On Sunday afternoon I stopped for my lunch and 30 minute break in Bloomington, IL. My post break walk around revealed a leaky hub. Three of the
lug nuts were loose and there was some lube on my rim. I tightened up the lug nuts and cleaned the wheel. Getting my truck service on the road is something that I do my best to avoid. I decided to keep an eye on my repair. I got the nuts as tight as I could with my hand wrenches.
Every stop I checked the wheel for signs of a leak. It was good for a few days. Then I noticed the lube on the rim again and that the nuts had loosened. I was at the TA in Seville, OH. I took it into the shop. They told me that it would take about a half hours labor, a new gasket, and perhaps some lube and would cost about $60. That was fine with me. An hour later I was presented with a $58 bill and a professional repair job.
That is the boring part of the story. The interesting part of the story is the mechanic who fixed my truck. Greg Staser is the mechanic who worked on my truck. He showed me what was wrong. He did a thorough professional job of fixing my truck. He did this all without saying a word to me. Greg is a great mechanic who happens to be a deaf mute.
Allan M. Buhite is the shop general manager there. When I asked if it was OK to write about Greg, the counter personnel paged Allan. They thought it was cool that Greg gets some notice for the great work that he does. I had to ask Allan how he came about hiring Greg. Allan could not have been more proud of Greg. Allan hired Greg 28 years ago. At the time Allan was unsure about hiring a deaf mute. Greg had worked at a junk yard for years. His job was to parts out old trucks. He learned about trucks by taking them apart. Greg knew trucks-every part. The junk yard that Greg had worked at was changing operations and could no longer use Greg. Greg's brother brought Greg to Allan and asked Allan to 
give Greg a job. Allan gave Greg a chance. 28 years later he is glad that he did. Greg is a great mechanic, and employee.
About 25 years ago, I learned a lesson in nearby Canton, OH. The broker told me to show up to get a load at 07:00. The first employee got there about 7:30. 25 years ago I was not the wonderful, patient (lol) man that I am today. I followed that employee into the building, berating him the whole way about being late. He never responded. He was deaf. He was early. His start time was 08:00. (The broker had misinformed me about the start time. I know. That's hard to believe.) He could not have been a more competent professional. I sure could have. Maybe someday we could all be as professional as that man, and Greg Staser. I am still learning.