I stopped in Knoxville today and had a short but nice visit with Mom and Dad. Waited far too long for mechanic to replace four lights on the truck.
Another long day tomorrow. I'm going to bed
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Lebanon, TN - 4/29/09
My optimistic outlook for the rest of the week lasted slightly less than eight hours today. That's how long it took for the pre-planned loads that would have put me in Atlanta on Friday morning (and possibly home for the weekend) to get cancelled. Instead, I'll be in Ohio. Hooray.
I left Atlanta this morning, made my drop and hook in Cherokee, and have finished the day here in Lebanon, a couple miles from my delivery in the morning.
I noticed on my last paycheck that I received my first (incredibly modest) pay raise, which means I've hit the six-month mark. Actually, I probably got the raise a few weeks ago, but I wasn't really paying attention.
I left Atlanta this morning, made my drop and hook in Cherokee, and have finished the day here in Lebanon, a couple miles from my delivery in the morning.
I noticed on my last paycheck that I received my first (incredibly modest) pay raise, which means I've hit the six-month mark. Actually, I probably got the raise a few weeks ago, but I wasn't really paying attention.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Lawrenceville, GA - 4/27/09
This Atlanta local-driving crap isn't all it's cracked up to be. I left home around 9am and got back home around 5:30pm. A pretty normal workday by most standards, and a great workday by trucking standards. Only, during that time, I made one delivery, one pick-up, and drove a total of 80 miles. Which means there was plenty of waiting in between. Had the receiver and shipper been on their game, I could have been home by at least 5:15pm. Hey, it's not trucking if you can't find something to complain about.
My dispatcher was kind enough to arrange another day of home-time for me, so here I am. I was welcomed home this evening by one of my cats hovering over a tail-less salamander as it slowly made its way across the carpet. After muttering something along the lines of "@#$%", I dropped my bags and tended to the situation. We've had spiders and roaches before, but amphibians are new. Never a dull moment.
My dispatcher was kind enough to arrange another day of home-time for me, so here I am. I was welcomed home this evening by one of my cats hovering over a tail-less salamander as it slowly made its way across the carpet. After muttering something along the lines of "@#$%", I dropped my bags and tended to the situation. We've had spiders and roaches before, but amphibians are new. Never a dull moment.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Lawrenceville, GA
Wow. Who knew things could actually work out? After I stopped in Franklin Friday night, I called the shipper to see if the load out of Cherokee would be ready a day early. "No, it's not ready and it's not scheduled to load until Sunday." Ah, well. It was worth a shot. On the off chance that is was, I knew I could get from Franklin to Cherokee to home in one day.
So I got rolling Saturday morning and got good news upon arriving at Cherokee - the load was, in fact, ready. Apparently they had loaded it after I called and it was done at 5am. Perfect. A quick drop-and-hook later and I was ready to head to Georgia. I got in late, but that's better than nothing.
While driving through Alabama yesterday, I noticed there was a race at Talladega. I was passed by a couple of cars with writing on the back windshield. And I laughed out loud when I saw the first one. In big white letters: "Go Kyle Bush #18". Now, I don't consider myself a huge fan of NASCAR and I don't watch the races. If I hadn't seen that car, I couldn't have told you that Kyle was #18. But for crying out loud, even I know that his last name is spelled "Busch". NASCAR fans, you just don't do yourself any favors.
So I got rolling Saturday morning and got good news upon arriving at Cherokee - the load was, in fact, ready. Apparently they had loaded it after I called and it was done at 5am. Perfect. A quick drop-and-hook later and I was ready to head to Georgia. I got in late, but that's better than nothing.
While driving through Alabama yesterday, I noticed there was a race at Talladega. I was passed by a couple of cars with writing on the back windshield. And I laughed out loud when I saw the first one. In big white letters: "Go Kyle Bush #18". Now, I don't consider myself a huge fan of NASCAR and I don't watch the races. If I hadn't seen that car, I couldn't have told you that Kyle was #18. But for crying out loud, even I know that his last name is spelled "Busch". NASCAR fans, you just don't do yourself any favors.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Franklin, KY - 4/24/09
After getting up this morning, I headed over to the shipper, which happened to be in a small, crowded industrial section of downtown Chicago. Translation: Tight quarters. I checked-in and was told to go to the end of the street, turn around, and park on the left side of the narrow two-lane behind the other two trucks.
So, to get to the end of the street, I had to squeeze past the trucks on my right and the guard rail on my left. Obviously, this required taking the only available lane of traffic. Of course at the same exact moment I pull into that lane, some hot-shot in a car comes flying up the road in the opposite direction and decides I should back up so he could get through. Look, people. That's just not how it works. I don't know why; I don't make the rules, I just follow them. After a standoff that lasted long enough for vehicles to pile up behind both of us, some pissed-off big dude with a mustache and thinly braided pony-tail (read: scary looking) approached the car and convinced the driver that he should get out of the way.
With Custer's Last Stand over with, I assumed my position in line. A couple hours later, I was loaded and ready to go. Save for some construction in Indiana, traffic wasn't too bad. I'm set to deliver in Cherokee tomorrow and then I get to play the wait-and-see game to find out when my load out of Cherokee will be ready. Fun times.
So, to get to the end of the street, I had to squeeze past the trucks on my right and the guard rail on my left. Obviously, this required taking the only available lane of traffic. Of course at the same exact moment I pull into that lane, some hot-shot in a car comes flying up the road in the opposite direction and decides I should back up so he could get through. Look, people. That's just not how it works. I don't know why; I don't make the rules, I just follow them. After a standoff that lasted long enough for vehicles to pile up behind both of us, some pissed-off big dude with a mustache and thinly braided pony-tail (read: scary looking) approached the car and convinced the driver that he should get out of the way.
With Custer's Last Stand over with, I assumed my position in line. A couple hours later, I was loaded and ready to go. Save for some construction in Indiana, traffic wasn't too bad. I'm set to deliver in Cherokee tomorrow and then I get to play the wait-and-see game to find out when my load out of Cherokee will be ready. Fun times.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Hampshire, IL - 4/23/09
Today = 718 miles and 13 hours on duty (that's a long day, in case you were wondering).
Before my 10-hr break was over this afternoon, I was assigned yet another relay load. Instead of delivering to South Carolina, I'd be swapping loads with a driver in Richmond, KY and taking it to the Chicago area (here) to hand-off to another driver in order to make the scheduled delivery in Minnesota Friday morning. Whew.
Well, my part is done now and I'm supposed - key word - to pick up a load going back south tomorrow, but with the way things have gone so far this week, one can only guess what might actually happen.
Before my 10-hr break was over this afternoon, I was assigned yet another relay load. Instead of delivering to South Carolina, I'd be swapping loads with a driver in Richmond, KY and taking it to the Chicago area (here) to hand-off to another driver in order to make the scheduled delivery in Minnesota Friday morning. Whew.
Well, my part is done now and I'm supposed - key word - to pick up a load going back south tomorrow, but with the way things have gone so far this week, one can only guess what might actually happen.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Seymour, IN
When I was a kid, I used to pass by truckers on the road and they were always enigmatic to me; the drivers and their trucks were like zombies on the road - road zombies. I never saw them getting loaded or delivering, only driving at all hours of the day and night. Today, I was a road zombie.
I finally got my truck back from the shop this afternoon - 24 hours after they took it. As I was hooking up to my trailer and getting ready to leave the yard, I got beeped. "You still here?" Yes. "Hold up for a minute." As I found out, what I was holding up for were instructions to swap loads with another driver near the WI-IL state line. So much for having my trip planned out.
By the time we swapped loads, it was well past dinner time and the sun was beginning to set. I'd been sitting at the yard for 24 hours, so driving all night was fine by me. And so my zombie status began. Indianapolis was my goal, but I figured I'd end up stopping before then. Along the way, I kept checking my GPS for the distance to my next checkpoint. Oh, it's only an hour. I'll just keep going. I did that a few times, and voilà: I'm in Seymour, which is south of Indianapolis. Basically, I had to come at least this far if I wanted to have a chance at making my delivery a day early. I'm not even certain they'll take it a day early, but there's no sense in wasting time if I don't have to.
I finally got my truck back from the shop this afternoon - 24 hours after they took it. As I was hooking up to my trailer and getting ready to leave the yard, I got beeped. "You still here?" Yes. "Hold up for a minute." As I found out, what I was holding up for were instructions to swap loads with another driver near the WI-IL state line. So much for having my trip planned out.
By the time we swapped loads, it was well past dinner time and the sun was beginning to set. I'd been sitting at the yard for 24 hours, so driving all night was fine by me. And so my zombie status began. Indianapolis was my goal, but I figured I'd end up stopping before then. Along the way, I kept checking my GPS for the distance to my next checkpoint. Oh, it's only an hour. I'll just keep going. I did that a few times, and voilà: I'm in Seymour, which is south of Indianapolis. Basically, I had to come at least this far if I wanted to have a chance at making my delivery a day early. I'm not even certain they'll take it a day early, but there's no sense in wasting time if I don't have to.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Amherst, WI
Son of a...I just checked my blog and realized the only content of my Oak Grove, KY post is a picture; the entire text that was supposed to have been included in the post apparently got lost in Internet World. Piece o'junk. I didn't have much to say that night and I almost went to bed without posting, but I remember willing myself to make an effort and was actually pleased with what I had come up with. Now it was for naught. That brings a parallel to mind.
All last week, in an effort to get home sooner than later, I stayed ahead of the game: When I wanted to stop for the night, I kept driving; when I wanted to sleep past my minimum 10-hr break, I woke up and drove anyway; when I could have stopped for a sit-down dinner, I ate in the truck. And what did I get? A load picking-up 150+ miles away from home on the morning I was supposed to be home. Again, hard work all for naught. Lesson: Work hard and you earn more work. Bad lesson. Oh no, I'm not still bitter. Though, I did make it home by lunch-time that day, so it wasn't a complete loss.
Anyway, I'm finally in Amherst getting the truck serviced. Hopefully I'll be out of here tomorrow morning.
All last week, in an effort to get home sooner than later, I stayed ahead of the game: When I wanted to stop for the night, I kept driving; when I wanted to sleep past my minimum 10-hr break, I woke up and drove anyway; when I could have stopped for a sit-down dinner, I ate in the truck. And what did I get? A load picking-up 150+ miles away from home on the morning I was supposed to be home. Again, hard work all for naught. Lesson: Work hard and you earn more work. Bad lesson. Oh no, I'm not still bitter. Though, I did make it home by lunch-time that day, so it wasn't a complete loss.
Anyway, I'm finally in Amherst getting the truck serviced. Hopefully I'll be out of here tomorrow morning.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Lawrenceville, GA
Turns out I didn't really need to be concerned about having the hours to get home after my delivery last night. Despite having requested over a week ago to be home by today, I was given another load that picked up this morning 156 miles from home. My delivery last night was about 45 miles from home. Not sure where the logic was in that decision. What. Ever. Dude.
As mentioned, my delivery last "night" was scheduled for 3:30am. Fortunately, they let all the trucks in to start unloading at midnight. Four hours later, I was unloaded and ready to make my next pick-up. Not wanting to start my 14-hr clock earlier than necessary, I hung out 'til around 5am before making the drive south. I arrived just as the recycling center was opening and was loaded a couple hours later. I guess the good part was all the Atlanta rush-hour traffic had cleared out by the time I went back through.
So I did a little math and realized I haven't had a full day off at home in 19 days. Unfortunately, I think that's a record for me. I'll enjoy a couple days at home before heading back out.
As mentioned, my delivery last "night" was scheduled for 3:30am. Fortunately, they let all the trucks in to start unloading at midnight. Four hours later, I was unloaded and ready to make my next pick-up. Not wanting to start my 14-hr clock earlier than necessary, I hung out 'til around 5am before making the drive south. I arrived just as the recycling center was opening and was loaded a couple hours later. I guess the good part was all the Atlanta rush-hour traffic had cleared out by the time I went back through.
So I did a little math and realized I haven't had a full day off at home in 19 days. Unfortunately, I think that's a record for me. I'll enjoy a couple days at home before heading back out.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Cullman, AL
The sun was actually up before I was this morning, and I managed to get rolling just as my 10-hr break was up. My delivery went off without a hitch and I was on to my next load.
I pulled into the shipper, a recycling facility, and was told to back into the dock and slide my tandems all the way back, which is pretty standard. If they aren't slid all the way back, the forklift guy bounces around a lot when he drives in and out of the trailer. Yeah, cry me a river. Anyway, I lined up straight with the dock, moved my tandems to the rear, and proceeded to back down the ramp. And that's when I heard...CRUNCH and the truck stopped. Hmm, this doesn't seem good. Knowing I wasn't even remotely close to hitting anything, I hopped out to investigate. I didn't have to go far. The dock was a downward sloping ramp, and with my trailer wheels slid all the way back, by the time they got to the bottom of the ramp, the landing gear on the trailer had bottomed out at the top of the ramp. Voilà: one stuck tractor-trailer.
Okay, I know to be cautious driving across raised railroad crossings, where such mishaps are prone to occur, but a freaking dock that's made for trucks? Who designs this junk anyway? No need to answer that last one. I'm assuming the guys had seen this before, because it didn't take long before the head hauncho brought out a forklift, raised the trailer from the rear, and voilà: one unstuck tractor-trailer. This time, I slid the wheels all the way forward and left them there; forklift guy can bounce around in the trailer for all I care. I was loaded in short order and made may way north, stopping here in Cullman just as my 70-hr clock decided I shouldn't drive anymore (the law says I can't log more than 70 hours on-duty/driving during the preceding 8 days - I've logged 69.5). At midnight, the hours from 8 days ago will "fall off" and I'll be able to work those hours tomorrow.
After I deliver in Cherokee tomorrow, I'll be picking-up a load going to the Atlanta area. The downside is it delivers at 3:30am. Yikes. Haven't had one of those in a while. In order to have the hours to drive home after I deliver, I need to get my 10-hr break in beforehand, meaning I have to be shut-down tomorrow by 5:30pm. The point is, I have to get up really early tomorrow morning so I can get everything done by 5:30pm. Off to bed, I said.
I pulled into the shipper, a recycling facility, and was told to back into the dock and slide my tandems all the way back, which is pretty standard. If they aren't slid all the way back, the forklift guy bounces around a lot when he drives in and out of the trailer. Yeah, cry me a river. Anyway, I lined up straight with the dock, moved my tandems to the rear, and proceeded to back down the ramp. And that's when I heard...CRUNCH and the truck stopped. Hmm, this doesn't seem good. Knowing I wasn't even remotely close to hitting anything, I hopped out to investigate. I didn't have to go far. The dock was a downward sloping ramp, and with my trailer wheels slid all the way back, by the time they got to the bottom of the ramp, the landing gear on the trailer had bottomed out at the top of the ramp. Voilà: one stuck tractor-trailer.
Okay, I know to be cautious driving across raised railroad crossings, where such mishaps are prone to occur, but a freaking dock that's made for trucks? Who designs this junk anyway? No need to answer that last one. I'm assuming the guys had seen this before, because it didn't take long before the head hauncho brought out a forklift, raised the trailer from the rear, and voilà: one unstuck tractor-trailer. This time, I slid the wheels all the way forward and left them there; forklift guy can bounce around in the trailer for all I care. I was loaded in short order and made may way north, stopping here in Cullman just as my 70-hr clock decided I shouldn't drive anymore (the law says I can't log more than 70 hours on-duty/driving during the preceding 8 days - I've logged 69.5). At midnight, the hours from 8 days ago will "fall off" and I'll be able to work those hours tomorrow.
After I deliver in Cherokee tomorrow, I'll be picking-up a load going to the Atlanta area. The downside is it delivers at 3:30am. Yikes. Haven't had one of those in a while. In order to have the hours to drive home after I deliver, I need to get my 10-hr break in beforehand, meaning I have to be shut-down tomorrow by 5:30pm. The point is, I have to get up really early tomorrow morning so I can get everything done by 5:30pm. Off to bed, I said.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Dallas, TX
At this point in my life, I'm grateful that I chose truck driving over piracy despite the potential for a substantial income. It's just as well; the required attire isn't very becoming. There's no such thing as a jaunty eye-patch.
I'm quite proud of myself for my self-motivation these past couple of days. Despite not having to get up early and drive all day, I did anyway. The end result was I arrived in Dallas this afternoon, leaving me a nice chunk of time with which to relax. Good times.
I'm set to deliver about 20 miles from here in the morning and then I can pick-up my next load and head back east. Home-time is on the horizon.
I'm quite proud of myself for my self-motivation these past couple of days. Despite not having to get up early and drive all day, I did anyway. The end result was I arrived in Dallas this afternoon, leaving me a nice chunk of time with which to relax. Good times.
I'm set to deliver about 20 miles from here in the morning and then I can pick-up my next load and head back east. Home-time is on the horizon.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Duncan, SC
So, I stopped for fuel this morning and took a much-needed shower. Not long after I got rolling again, the Qualcomm beeped with a message reminding me that "it's Good Friday and not everybody works all day, so keep moving!" This, after I've busted my hump this week. I guess she thought I was playing hop-scotch in the parking lot and wanted to make sure I got to the receiver before the they closed. Whatevs. I deliver the freight, they pay me, and I ignore stupid messages like that one.
Speaking of delivering freight: After I got backed into the dock this afternoon, I'm informed that there's a $60, cash only, fee (a "lumper fee" as it's called) to unload the trailer. So, I made a run to a nearby truckstop to get the dough. Where's my "I carry no cash" t-shirt when I need it? Cash only. Psshh.
I'm headed to Texas again. Not a bad ride, really; I can set the cruise on 64mph and let it roll most of the way. And I've already got a load coming out of TX, so that's a plus.
I checked the news a few times today - something about four pirates vs the US Navy just seems pathetic. Actually, something about any pirates vs the US Navy is pathetic. I know it's a more complex situation than my superficial label implies, and I certainly don't condone their actions, but the Wall Street Bull has nothing on those four guys.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
"We don't need no water...."
personnel had already arrived.
FAIL
truck and run across the road to see it.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Bracey, VA
The only good thing about driving 10.5 hours today is that my 70-hr
clock is getting low. I only have 7 hours available for tomorrow.
After the past few days, I could use a short day.
clock is getting low. I only have 7 hours available for tomorrow.
After the past few days, I could use a short day.
Not much to report today. I've decided I'm not a big fan of driving
in the Carolinas, which is unfortunate because I was in North Carolina
most of today and will be in South Carolina tomorrow. The hills, the
traffic, the (lack of) scenery.....blah. Not sure where I'll be going
after SC. Hopefully somewhere flat.
Huntsville, AL
I just couldn't do it. Last night I couldn't bring myself to relive
the hell that was yesterday by blogging about it. But I found out
today my troubles were worth an extra $230, so that helped to take the
edge off.
the hell that was yesterday by blogging about it. But I found out
today my troubles were worth an extra $230, so that helped to take the
edge off.
I arrived at the consignee, which turned out to be a state prison,
yesterday morning and was greeted by a helpful guard that pointed me
in the direction of the dock. After another guard came out to inspect
my truck and unlock the gate, I was allowed to back in. The receiving
manager came out and immediately rejected the load because it wasn't
on pallets and they couldn't get it off the trailer. Sweet. A short
while later, I was instructed to go to warehouse in Norcross to get
the load palletized. Okay. The forklift guy at Norcross worked
pretty quick and I was soon on my way back to Buford. They're pretty
serious about security there. The guard had to inspect my truck
before I entered and again before I could leave. Anyway, after I
opened the trailer doors and backed in, I walked the the back of the
trailer and found the manager staring at the load and shaking her
head. Forklift guy in Norcross stacked two rolls on each pallet and
the receiver had no way to get the top rolls off.
Before I could get instructions from my dispatcher, I was pretty much
kicked out of the prison; that old guard was rushing me out of there
like he was late for a date. I was only fifteen minutes from the yard
where I park the truck during hometime, so I went back over there to
wait. And wait. Two hours later, I was told to go deliver the load to
the Norcross warehouse and they'd deliver it themselves tomorrow. At
this point, it's clear there has been a serious lack of communication
among all interested parties, but hey, I just go where I'm told.
Back at Norcross, I'm finally empty and go inside to get my paperwork
signed, only they wont sign it because they're not keeping the
freight. Oh no, they're palletizing the load on individual pallets
like they were supposed to the first time and putting it back on the
trailer. By now, it's after five and the prison stopped receiving at
three. And according to my dispatcher, I was suppose to leave
Norcross empty. Repeat to self: "I just drive the truck, I just drive
the truck..." By the way, I haven't been more than thirty miles from
home all day. Unable to deliver the load, I went home for the night.
This morning I called my dispatcher and was told to go back
to....Buford. They finally accepted the load and I was on my way.
I picked-up my next load in Doraville, made a drop/hook in Cherokee,
and have called it a day here in Huntsville. I'm headed toward
Virginia and have a pretty tight schedule, so I'm off to bed.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Almost done
After I got up this morning, I figured I might as well get the AC/Heat fan looked at; the fan hasn't been working for a week or two, and with the warming temperatures of spring (well, they're supposed to be warmer), I didn't want to be without air conditioning for too long.
With that out of the way, I was ready to hit the road for a nice Sunday drive back to Georgia. Everybody else on the road, however, apparently had no interest in a nice Sunday drive. They seemingly hit the road for a nice "cut in front of that big truck and hit the brakes" drive. And that's why I wish all four-wheelers (cars) had CB's. Yelling and cussing to myself just doesn't seem as satisfying. Some minivan decided to drive into a guard rail, so the police and a highway response truck blocked the right lane. Seeing the impediment ahead, I slowed in the center lane to allow cars to move over. Well, I flatter myself, really; the cars were coming into my lane whether I was there or not. After all, everybody knows the world will flat-out cease to exist if a driver has to actually slow down or *gasp* stop in his lane to avoid a collision. Only, once the guy cut in front of me, he hit the brakes to make sure he got a good look at the crash and almost caused another one in the process. Ah, well. FYI, the air horn still works. Fortunately, the brakes do too.
I-65 through Louisville. Worst. Road. Ever. Still.
While I'm home for the night, I'm scheduled to deliver this load in the morning, just a few miles away. My next load picks-up in Atlanta and should give me some home-time.
With that out of the way, I was ready to hit the road for a nice Sunday drive back to Georgia. Everybody else on the road, however, apparently had no interest in a nice Sunday drive. They seemingly hit the road for a nice "cut in front of that big truck and hit the brakes" drive. And that's why I wish all four-wheelers (cars) had CB's. Yelling and cussing to myself just doesn't seem as satisfying. Some minivan decided to drive into a guard rail, so the police and a highway response truck blocked the right lane. Seeing the impediment ahead, I slowed in the center lane to allow cars to move over. Well, I flatter myself, really; the cars were coming into my lane whether I was there or not. After all, everybody knows the world will flat-out cease to exist if a driver has to actually slow down or *gasp* stop in his lane to avoid a collision. Only, once the guy cut in front of me, he hit the brakes to make sure he got a good look at the crash and almost caused another one in the process. Ah, well. FYI, the air horn still works. Fortunately, the brakes do too.
I-65 through Louisville. Worst. Road. Ever. Still.
While I'm home for the night, I'm scheduled to deliver this load in the morning, just a few miles away. My next load picks-up in Atlanta and should give me some home-time.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Seymour, IN
One of the best things about today was, unlike yesterday, I didn't have to drive 55 mph for 360+ miles. Yeah, I'm talking to you, Illinois.
Another plus: all the snow was gone! Lest I forget I was up north, however, I had plenty of drivers cut me off. Thanks for the warm Chicago-welcome. Bunch of jack-arses. One of them did get pulled over immediately after speeding by me, though. Sweet vindication. Thanks, Po-Po.
After making my delivery this morning, I checked in with the weekend dispatcher to find out exactly what I was supposed to do next. Apparently, the preplans were assigned correctly, leaving no time for a side-trip to the yard for service. I've got a feeling I know who dropped the ball on that one, and her name starts with "Dispatcher." Hey, works for me - less sitting and more driving makes my bank account happy. So down to Georgia we go. In all, I managed to cover 625 miles today, which sets me up for a relatively light day of driving for the trip south tomorrow.
Another plus: all the snow was gone! Lest I forget I was up north, however, I had plenty of drivers cut me off. Thanks for the warm Chicago-welcome. Bunch of jack-arses. One of them did get pulled over immediately after speeding by me, though. Sweet vindication. Thanks, Po-Po.
After making my delivery this morning, I checked in with the weekend dispatcher to find out exactly what I was supposed to do next. Apparently, the preplans were assigned correctly, leaving no time for a side-trip to the yard for service. I've got a feeling I know who dropped the ball on that one, and her name starts with "Dispatcher." Hey, works for me - less sitting and more driving makes my bank account happy. So down to Georgia we go. In all, I managed to cover 625 miles today, which sets me up for a relatively light day of driving for the trip south tomorrow.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Russell, IL
Okay, it's not Wisconsin, but I can see Russia from my hous.....I mean, I can see the state border from here. Almost.
Anyway. Despite having two preplans, I'm not real sure what the deal is after I deliver tomorrow. I asked my dispatcher and her answer was "not sure yet." And then she went home. The first preplan delivers in Georgia on Monday, supposedly. It's a two day trip and the truck still needs service. Not quite sure how this is going to all work out. Guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it, which should be in about twelve hours.
Anyway. Despite having two preplans, I'm not real sure what the deal is after I deliver tomorrow. I asked my dispatcher and her answer was "not sure yet." And then she went home. The first preplan delivers in Georgia on Monday, supposedly. It's a two day trip and the truck still needs service. Not quite sure how this is going to all work out. Guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it, which should be in about twelve hours.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Matthews, MO
What a long day. I checked-out of the motel this morning and got all of my stuff back in the truck just before the rain started to come down. The shipper was only a few miles away, and once I got there, they took their sweet time getting me loaded. In case you haven't noticed, shippers and receivers (with the occasional exception) pretty much don't care about a driver's time. At all. Fine. I crawled in the bed and went back to sleep.
The rest of the day was just a bunch of mind-numbing miles. I was greeted at the Missouri state line with black skies and a torrential rain. It only lasted about twenty minutes and a few miles later, I called it quits for the day here in Matthews. Tomorrow, Wisconsin.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Marshall, TX
This is the kind of downtime I could grow accustomed to. In the absence of a suitable local truckstop, I opted to spend the evening in the comfort of a motel. It's the little things in life...
I got rolling as soon as my 10-hr break was up this morning and made my appointment with 30 minutes to spare. Though, by the time I actually signed in, 30 minutes had elapsed. My delivery, as I found out, was at the Red River Army Depot. As I also found out, so were about twenty other deliveries. And we somehow managed to all arrive at the same time. Fantastic. Because, you know, a bunch of truck drivers and government bureaucracy mix so well. After standing in line for twenty minutes, I finally got to the counter of the first office I was to visit. After being subjected to the rigorous security investigation - "Are you an American citizen?" - and signing some papers, I was allowed to proceed to office #2 to pick-up my badge. All trucks have to be inspected before entering the facility and, of course, by the time I got out of the offices, several trucks had already queued up in the inspection line. At this point, I really shouldn't be surprised.
After getting unloaded, I rolled south on US-59 into Marshall. I'm set to pick-up my next load in the morning and head to Wisconsin. Hopefully the snow has melted by now.
I got rolling as soon as my 10-hr break was up this morning and made my appointment with 30 minutes to spare. Though, by the time I actually signed in, 30 minutes had elapsed. My delivery, as I found out, was at the Red River Army Depot. As I also found out, so were about twenty other deliveries. And we somehow managed to all arrive at the same time. Fantastic. Because, you know, a bunch of truck drivers and government bureaucracy mix so well. After standing in line for twenty minutes, I finally got to the counter of the first office I was to visit. After being subjected to the rigorous security investigation - "Are you an American citizen?" - and signing some papers, I was allowed to proceed to office #2 to pick-up my badge. All trucks have to be inspected before entering the facility and, of course, by the time I got out of the offices, several trucks had already queued up in the inspection line. At this point, I really shouldn't be surprised.
After getting unloaded, I rolled south on US-59 into Marshall. I'm set to pick-up my next load in the morning and head to Wisconsin. Hopefully the snow has melted by now.
Lonoke, AR - 3/31/09
Yesterday's mantra seems to be on track to become the theme of the week. At my dispatcher's insistence, I started my 14-hr clock and went over to Cherokee this morning to wait my turn for an empty trailer. Along with 578854429 other Wolding drivers. Wolding had plenty of drivers bringing loads into Cherokee, but when it came to getting us out of Cherokee, their exit strategy was about as well thought out as Bernard Madoff's. I'm not sure what the deal was with our customer, but they were hanging on to our trailers like they were worth their weight in gold.
While enjoying a nap, I got beeped. Figures. Do I want a load going to Texarkana and then Wisconsin? Um, yes. 1000+ miles sounded much better than 160 miles. Turned out, another driver picked-up the load this morning, but needed to be home soon, so he dropped it off in Cherokee and took my place in line for an empty. Lucky me.
Had I not started my 14-hr clock this morning, I could have gone all the way to Texarkana; instead, I've stopped here for the night after two failed attempts to find parking. Stopped to get fuel - full. Pulled into a rest area - full. After cruising down the road a few more miles, I happened upon a small truckstop with a few spots left. Works for me.
Oh, and that whole waiting thing? Plenty more of that in the cards, just in case you were thinking everything was starting to work out for this here trucker. I deliver this load on the 1st but can't pick-up my next load until the 2nd. Ah well.
While enjoying a nap, I got beeped. Figures. Do I want a load going to Texarkana and then Wisconsin? Um, yes. 1000+ miles sounded much better than 160 miles. Turned out, another driver picked-up the load this morning, but needed to be home soon, so he dropped it off in Cherokee and took my place in line for an empty. Lucky me.
Had I not started my 14-hr clock this morning, I could have gone all the way to Texarkana; instead, I've stopped here for the night after two failed attempts to find parking. Stopped to get fuel - full. Pulled into a rest area - full. After cruising down the road a few more miles, I happened upon a small truckstop with a few spots left. Works for me.
Oh, and that whole waiting thing? Plenty more of that in the cards, just in case you were thinking everything was starting to work out for this here trucker. I deliver this load on the 1st but can't pick-up my next load until the 2nd. Ah well.
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