A good day, overall. I started out heading towards Minnesota, but swapped loads and am now due in Alabama tomorrow. Though, it will be a miracle if I get there, because I'm working with the worst directions I've ever received.
I'm coming from a different direction than anticipated, so the initial directions I received needed some modification. Actually, they're totally worthless no matter where you're coming from because they don't have any street names. Anyway, my instinct was to call the source - the receiver. A woman answered the phone. She must have just finished sniffing some glue, because in the 2 minutes of her convoluted rambling, not once did I hear a street name. Guess I know where we got the first directions from. She mentioned a landmark I would pass. Not understanding her pronunciation, I asked if she would mind spelling the name. "Why does it matter? That's not where you're going." And there you have it - yet another reason Alabama should be burned to the ground and then flooded for good measure.
I have no idea if what I ended up with are accurate directions or not. I'm gonna go to sleep and hope the directions come in a dream.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Candler, NC - 6/29/09
I had a nice, uneventful day. I delivered in Charleston and picked-up my next load, which unfortunately is not going in the right direction to get me home this weekend. We'll see how it works out.
Short and sweet tonight. I'm going to bed.
Short and sweet tonight. I'm going to bed.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Charleston, TN - 6/26/09
I spent last night in Cherokee, waiting for an empty trailer to become available. Upon waking this morning, there were still no empty trailers, so I sent a message to my dispatcher. The reply was "Go tell them where you're loading and they should get you one."
"Them" could mean security, shipping, or receiving. I chose shipping. I didn't know why any of them would care where I was loading, but whatever. After explaining who I was with, where I was loading, and that I needed an empty trailer, the gentleman checked the computer and told me there were no empties on the lot. Thanks for nothing. Providing that already-known tidbit of information was apparently the extent to which he was willing to help, so I went back to the truck and sent another message to dispatch. I had guessed right on 'shipping', but this time, the response included the name of an actual person to talk to. After talking with a very polite young lady who arranged for the next available trailer to be reserved for me, I went back to the truck to wait. Shortly thereafter, an observant coworker happened to drive by and see me and my trailer-less truck. "My trailer is empty. Do you need it?" Yes. Please. Thank you. Bada-boom bada-bing, I had a trailer and I was on the way to Tennessee to pick up my load. I even made it on time.
After getting loaded, which took all of fifteen minutes, I headed to Nashville to swap loads with another driver. I found out on the way there that he had a flat tire and was going to be late. No problem. That means I get more time for lunch. Now, normally I keep to myself and don't go out of my way to strike up conversations. And today was no different, but apparently my waitress saw "Counselor/Tutor" written on my forehead, because after making a brief comment that, because it was time for her to go home, she was handing me off to another waitress, she sat down in my booth as she began to tell me what a rough day she had had and she still had homework to do but she was having trouble with it, etc.
I guess I let it slip that I knew a thing or two about algebra and a few minutes later she had all her books and notepads on the table. I admired her zeal, but I might as well have been discussing metaphysics with the ketchup bottle on the table. After a brief tutoring session, I went back to the truck to wait for the other driver. After swapping loads, I made my delivery and picked up my next load - on a trailer with a flat tire. Fortunately the Love's nearby had recently opened a tire center, so I was able to get a new tire without too much hassle.
My delivery isn't until Monday, so I'm hoping to spend some time in K-Town before heading over to South Carolina. Should be a pretty light weekend - less than five-hundred miles to cover in two and a half days. I can handle that.
"Them" could mean security, shipping, or receiving. I chose shipping. I didn't know why any of them would care where I was loading, but whatever. After explaining who I was with, where I was loading, and that I needed an empty trailer, the gentleman checked the computer and told me there were no empties on the lot. Thanks for nothing. Providing that already-known tidbit of information was apparently the extent to which he was willing to help, so I went back to the truck and sent another message to dispatch. I had guessed right on 'shipping', but this time, the response included the name of an actual person to talk to. After talking with a very polite young lady who arranged for the next available trailer to be reserved for me, I went back to the truck to wait. Shortly thereafter, an observant coworker happened to drive by and see me and my trailer-less truck. "My trailer is empty. Do you need it?" Yes. Please. Thank you. Bada-boom bada-bing, I had a trailer and I was on the way to Tennessee to pick up my load. I even made it on time.
After getting loaded, which took all of fifteen minutes, I headed to Nashville to swap loads with another driver. I found out on the way there that he had a flat tire and was going to be late. No problem. That means I get more time for lunch. Now, normally I keep to myself and don't go out of my way to strike up conversations. And today was no different, but apparently my waitress saw "Counselor/Tutor" written on my forehead, because after making a brief comment that, because it was time for her to go home, she was handing me off to another waitress, she sat down in my booth as she began to tell me what a rough day she had had and she still had homework to do but she was having trouble with it, etc.
I guess I let it slip that I knew a thing or two about algebra and a few minutes later she had all her books and notepads on the table. I admired her zeal, but I might as well have been discussing metaphysics with the ketchup bottle on the table. After a brief tutoring session, I went back to the truck to wait for the other driver. After swapping loads, I made my delivery and picked up my next load - on a trailer with a flat tire. Fortunately the Love's nearby had recently opened a tire center, so I was able to get a new tire without too much hassle.
My delivery isn't until Monday, so I'm hoping to spend some time in K-Town before heading over to South Carolina. Should be a pretty light weekend - less than five-hundred miles to cover in two and a half days. I can handle that.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Atlanta, GA - 6/24/09
Lately, I've noticed more often kids riding shotgun in the big trucks passing me on the road. Or a kid trudging along beside his dad through the parking lot on the way into the truckstop. I guess that sight is how a trucker knows summer has officially arrived (in case the sweat dripping off your brow wasn't enough to make summer's presence known). I'm sitting in the truck with the A/C on high, trying not to move, so that I don't inadvertently make it any hotter in here. Optimized-Idle is not my friend right now.
I have a 6am delivery appointment, so I'm off to bed now.
I have a 6am delivery appointment, so I'm off to bed now.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Alabama doesn't disappoint
Conway, SC - 6/23/09
Two nights of neglecting my duties is enough - I figure I better update now while I'm getting unloaded, in case I forget tonight.
After delivering in Cherokee Sunday evening, I picked up this load and made it to Lincoln, AL. I drove all day yesterday and stopped in Aynor, SC last night. They're almost finished with me here and I should be headed to Columbia, SC to pick up a load back to Cherokee.
Hopefully no hurricanes or other natural disasters are headed this way. In such a situation, it would seem important to have the governor on hand and ready to dispatch emergency personnel when needed. However, given the SC governor's recent penchant for going AWOL to "kind of clear his head after the legislative session," I'm not holding my breath for him to be around the next time things get tough.
After delivering in Cherokee Sunday evening, I picked up this load and made it to Lincoln, AL. I drove all day yesterday and stopped in Aynor, SC last night. They're almost finished with me here and I should be headed to Columbia, SC to pick up a load back to Cherokee.
Hopefully no hurricanes or other natural disasters are headed this way. In such a situation, it would seem important to have the governor on hand and ready to dispatch emergency personnel when needed. However, given the SC governor's recent penchant for going AWOL to "kind of clear his head after the legislative session," I'm not holding my breath for him to be around the next time things get tough.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
That ain't right (pics)
Tractor-trailer and camper wreck on I-65 in Alabama
This car apparently got tired of waiting in the traffic jam, so they turned around and drove the wrong way on the interstate, which had fortunately been closed
U-Haul truck towing a vehicle decided to make a u-turn on the interstate
Convertible buses. I have no idea why.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wildwood, FL - 6/18/08
Four hours getting unloaded this morning meant I wasn't going to make it to Orlando before the 3pm cut-off to get loaded. I got there around 4:30 and they loaded me anyway. Thanks.
This morning, I had already explained to my dispatcher that a noon delivery tomorrow in Alabama was not possible, so I was told I could take the load home for the weekend. Works for me. After getting loaded, I had to figure out how to get back to I-75 without paying any tolls. The most direct route is not always the fastest. Orlando has 468,238 traffic lights and the highway I was on contained 468,235 of them. Realizing I was approaching the end of my 14-hr clock, and sick of redlights, I gave up and got on the turnpike. I managed to escape relatively unscathed, robbed of only ten dollars.
Should be home tomorrow evening, barring any unforeseen change in plans. I've learned when it comes to trucking, it's usually not wise to commit to anything 100%, as nothing is certain and things can change any time. Not always, but sometimes. Occasionally, but not a lot. I think I'll get ready for bed, or maybe not. See how that works? It takes practice to become that noncommittal. Okay, enough rambling about nonsense. Time for bed.
This morning, I had already explained to my dispatcher that a noon delivery tomorrow in Alabama was not possible, so I was told I could take the load home for the weekend. Works for me. After getting loaded, I had to figure out how to get back to I-75 without paying any tolls. The most direct route is not always the fastest. Orlando has 468,238 traffic lights and the highway I was on contained 468,235 of them. Realizing I was approaching the end of my 14-hr clock, and sick of redlights, I gave up and got on the turnpike. I managed to escape relatively unscathed, robbed of only ten dollars.
Should be home tomorrow evening, barring any unforeseen change in plans. I've learned when it comes to trucking, it's usually not wise to commit to anything 100%, as nothing is certain and things can change any time. Not always, but sometimes. Occasionally, but not a lot. I think I'll get ready for bed, or maybe not. See how that works? It takes practice to become that noncommittal. Okay, enough rambling about nonsense. Time for bed.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Miami, FL - 6/17/09
I made it to Miami without paying so much as a penny in tolls. Take that, Florida. I had a nice, leisurely, speed-limit ride all the way down the coast, that is until I got to Miami. The last four miles took about half an hour - because there was a wreck on the other side of the divided highway. The *other side* of the * divided* highway. People just wanted to look. And I just wanted them to go. We've all been in a traffic jam where people drive in a rude, careless, and ignorant manner, so I'll spare you the details.
I had plenty of time to spare today, so I grabbed a shower this morning and had a sit-down lunch this afternoon. The weather has been great and I already have a load back to Alabama. All in all, a good day.
I had plenty of time to spare today, so I grabbed a shower this morning and had a sit-down lunch this afternoon. The weather has been great and I already have a load back to Alabama. All in all, a good day.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Jacksonville, FL - 6/16/09
By the time I got to Cherokee last night, all I wanted to do was go to bed. So I did. Here's why:
I was scheduled to deliver on the westside of Atlanta at 8am Monday. That's not too early, but with traffic, I figured I'd try to leave around 6am and, if I was lucky, get there a little early. So, like a good little truck driver, I stepped outside to do my pre-trip inspection. A little while later I was all finished and it was time to hop in and get on the road. Only, my door won't open. Oh. Crap.
It was now just before 6am, the truck was locked, my keys were inside, and I was up the creek. The only thing I had was my iPhone, which I had clipped to my belt before getting out of the truck - as if I couldn't love this phone anymore. Alright, time to call a locksmith. After pulling up a list of local locksmiths on my phone, I called the first 24 hr one listed...and got an answering machine. Okay, on to number two. And the second answering machine. Do these people know what 24/7 means? Well, the third time was a charm - I got a real person on the line. The technician, as he referred to himself, showed up about an hour after he said he would. By that time, it had already become clear an 8am delivery was not going to happen, so I had alerted my dispatcher. According to the technician, this was the first big truck he had worked on - and it was evident: three phone consultations with other locksmiths and one hour later, my door was unlocked.
So remember kids, if you lose your wallet and think things can't get worse, Murphy hates you and things will get worse. You'll end up locked out of your vehicle...with your no-wallet-having self.
So that was yesterday's adventure. I ended up making the delivery and picking up a load to Cherokee. I dropped the trailer in Cherokee, parked in front of my trailer that was being loaded in the dock, and went to bed.
Today was much smoother. A long but relatively painless ride from Cherokee to Jacksonville today. My routing to Miami had me taking a bunch of toll roads, but since, as previously mentioned in an earlier post, my Sunpass is in Wisconsin and I don't want to deal with stopping to pay for tolls with my own cash, I'm taking an alternate route. It's a little longer drive, but I'm saving the company a chunk of change by avoiding the tolls. And did I mention I'm not a fan of using my own money to pay for tolls? Of course, the company reimburses me for such expenses, but that's a hassle and I'm simply not a fan of tolls or of lending my company money.
Tomorrow should be a relatively light 5-6 hour drive down to Miami. I'm supposed to deliver Thursday morning and then I'm hoping for a load back to Georgia, but I'm certainly not going to hold my breath.
I was scheduled to deliver on the westside of Atlanta at 8am Monday. That's not too early, but with traffic, I figured I'd try to leave around 6am and, if I was lucky, get there a little early. So, like a good little truck driver, I stepped outside to do my pre-trip inspection. A little while later I was all finished and it was time to hop in and get on the road. Only, my door won't open. Oh. Crap.
It was now just before 6am, the truck was locked, my keys were inside, and I was up the creek. The only thing I had was my iPhone, which I had clipped to my belt before getting out of the truck - as if I couldn't love this phone anymore. Alright, time to call a locksmith. After pulling up a list of local locksmiths on my phone, I called the first 24 hr one listed...and got an answering machine. Okay, on to number two. And the second answering machine. Do these people know what 24/7 means? Well, the third time was a charm - I got a real person on the line. The technician, as he referred to himself, showed up about an hour after he said he would. By that time, it had already become clear an 8am delivery was not going to happen, so I had alerted my dispatcher. According to the technician, this was the first big truck he had worked on - and it was evident: three phone consultations with other locksmiths and one hour later, my door was unlocked.
So remember kids, if you lose your wallet and think things can't get worse, Murphy hates you and things will get worse. You'll end up locked out of your vehicle...with your no-wallet-having self.
So that was yesterday's adventure. I ended up making the delivery and picking up a load to Cherokee. I dropped the trailer in Cherokee, parked in front of my trailer that was being loaded in the dock, and went to bed.
Today was much smoother. A long but relatively painless ride from Cherokee to Jacksonville today. My routing to Miami had me taking a bunch of toll roads, but since, as previously mentioned in an earlier post, my Sunpass is in Wisconsin and I don't want to deal with stopping to pay for tolls with my own cash, I'm taking an alternate route. It's a little longer drive, but I'm saving the company a chunk of change by avoiding the tolls. And did I mention I'm not a fan of using my own money to pay for tolls? Of course, the company reimburses me for such expenses, but that's a hassle and I'm simply not a fan of tolls or of lending my company money.
Tomorrow should be a relatively light 5-6 hour drive down to Miami. I'm supposed to deliver Thursday morning and then I'm hoping for a load back to Georgia, but I'm certainly not going to hold my breath.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Birmingham, AL - 6/12/08
Today brought good news and bad news. The good news is I should be home tomorrow. The bad news is I now know the despair of losing a wallet. For those of us that value things such as, say, our identity, it is a nightmarish experience. I've spent most of the day kicking myself for losing it and wishing I could kick the person or persons that know where it's at and have decided to not return it. But with no cash in the wallet and all my debit and credit cards now cancelled, I realize I'm more fortunate than some people, in that I haven't lost any money.
So, to the *CENSORED* that has my wallet, I hope you enjoy playing with the garbage that was my wallet, because nothing in it is of any value to you.
So, to the *CENSORED* that has my wallet, I hope you enjoy playing with the garbage that was my wallet, because nothing in it is of any value to you.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Jackson, GA - 6/11/09
I was pleasantly surprised this morning at only spending three and a half hours getting unloaded instead of the usual five or more. Way to go, Sysco, for having your act together this morning.
After unloading, I headed into Tampa to pick-up the load of scrap paper. After bumping the dock, I barely had enough time to fix a sandwich and eat before of was time to pull around to the scales again. Works for me. The sooner I get rolling, the sooner I can drop this load, and the better my chances of getting home soon.
I stopped for fuel in Ocala on my way north. Inevitably, a person will get solicited in some manner or another at a truck stop, and today was no different. This time it was "Hey man, you wanna buy a radio? I jut lost my job and I'll sell it to you cheap. Twenty bucks." He may have been jobless and broke, but he wasn't dumb; after declining his offer on this hot Florida day, he asked if he could use my radio to advertise so he wouldn't have to walk all around the parking lot saying "Hey man, you wanna buy..."
After a few unanswered calls on the radio, he called it quits and reluctantly decided to meander the parking lot. I got back on the road and made good time to Jackson. I should be in Cherokee tomorrow afternoon. And then...???
After unloading, I headed into Tampa to pick-up the load of scrap paper. After bumping the dock, I barely had enough time to fix a sandwich and eat before of was time to pull around to the scales again. Works for me. The sooner I get rolling, the sooner I can drop this load, and the better my chances of getting home soon.
I stopped for fuel in Ocala on my way north. Inevitably, a person will get solicited in some manner or another at a truck stop, and today was no different. This time it was "Hey man, you wanna buy a radio? I jut lost my job and I'll sell it to you cheap. Twenty bucks." He may have been jobless and broke, but he wasn't dumb; after declining his offer on this hot Florida day, he asked if he could use my radio to advertise so he wouldn't have to walk all around the parking lot saying "Hey man, you wanna buy..."
After a few unanswered calls on the radio, he called it quits and reluctantly decided to meander the parking lot. I got back on the road and made good time to Jackson. I should be in Cherokee tomorrow afternoon. And then...???
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Tallapoosa, GA - 6/9/09
I was rather productive today, getting my drop and hook done in Cherokee and making it back down to Georgia. I've got around 570 miles to cover tomorrow, so I should be in good shape to make my appointment Thursday morning in Palmetto, FL.
Coming back down I-65 this afternoon, I was glad to be on the southbound side instead of the northbound side: Apparently a tractor-trailer and a camper being towed by a pick-up truck got mixed up with one another. That's what the rumor on the CB was, anyway; I saw the semi on the side of the road and a pile of white debris, that I assume was the camper, strewn across both lanes. There were two miles of bumper to bumper traffic, unfortunate souls that got caught in the jam before the police had time to shut down the interstate and detour traffic a few miles down the road. Traffic was backed up another two miles because of the detour. People in both traffic jams were out of their cars, sitting on tailgates, talking to one another.
What I found out a few miles down the road was, they had already sat in one traffic jam just to get caught in another. A tanker truck was pulled over on the shoulder with about five police cars and a fire truck and the police cars had blocked off at least one of the two lanes. I'm guessing the tanker truck might have been leaking. That had traffic stopped for another mile or so.
My ride south and then east was trouble free. Hopefully the trip to Florida tomorrow will be, too.
Coming back down I-65 this afternoon, I was glad to be on the southbound side instead of the northbound side: Apparently a tractor-trailer and a camper being towed by a pick-up truck got mixed up with one another. That's what the rumor on the CB was, anyway; I saw the semi on the side of the road and a pile of white debris, that I assume was the camper, strewn across both lanes. There were two miles of bumper to bumper traffic, unfortunate souls that got caught in the jam before the police had time to shut down the interstate and detour traffic a few miles down the road. Traffic was backed up another two miles because of the detour. People in both traffic jams were out of their cars, sitting on tailgates, talking to one another.
What I found out a few miles down the road was, they had already sat in one traffic jam just to get caught in another. A tanker truck was pulled over on the shoulder with about five police cars and a fire truck and the police cars had blocked off at least one of the two lanes. I'm guessing the tanker truck might have been leaking. That had traffic stopped for another mile or so.
My ride south and then east was trouble free. Hopefully the trip to Florida tomorrow will be, too.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Carnesville, GA - 6/8/09
I was really tempted to take the night off from blogging, but in the spirit if continuity and tradition, blah, blah, blah, whatever, here I am.
Today would have been much better had the forklift guy in Spartanburg, SC not taken five and a half hours to unload me. In fact, he took so long, the forklift ran out of gas - while it was in the trailer; that was another half-hour ball of fun. Had he taken, say, four and a half hours, I would be home right now. Instead, I ran up against my fourteen hour clock and am enjoying the evening in Carnesville. Whatever.
After that disaster, the rest of the day's events progressed much faster. I drove up to the shipper in Charlotte and was loaded in thirty minutes. Thirty minutes! That was awesome, but it still didn't give me enough time to get home, thanks to the aforementioned forklift guy. Whatever.
I'm headed back to good ol' Cherokee, where I'll be dropping this load and picking up a load to Florida. Fortunately, I don't anticipate driving on any toll roads in Florida, which is good, since my Sunpass is sitting at the yard in Wisconsin. Though, last time I went to this particular receiver in Florida, I did have to cross a toll bridge to get to my next load in Clearwater. Hmm, maybe I better get a few bucks in cash just in case.
Today would have been much better had the forklift guy in Spartanburg, SC not taken five and a half hours to unload me. In fact, he took so long, the forklift ran out of gas - while it was in the trailer; that was another half-hour ball of fun. Had he taken, say, four and a half hours, I would be home right now. Instead, I ran up against my fourteen hour clock and am enjoying the evening in Carnesville. Whatever.
After that disaster, the rest of the day's events progressed much faster. I drove up to the shipper in Charlotte and was loaded in thirty minutes. Thirty minutes! That was awesome, but it still didn't give me enough time to get home, thanks to the aforementioned forklift guy. Whatever.
I'm headed back to good ol' Cherokee, where I'll be dropping this load and picking up a load to Florida. Fortunately, I don't anticipate driving on any toll roads in Florida, which is good, since my Sunpass is sitting at the yard in Wisconsin. Though, last time I went to this particular receiver in Florida, I did have to cross a toll bridge to get to my next load in Clearwater. Hmm, maybe I better get a few bucks in cash just in case.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
A few random pictures
You can check out the rest of my random, senseless pictures and see where they were taken here.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Tuscumbia, AL - 6/4/09
My favorite joke of all time: How do you get a clown off a swing-set? (answer at end of post)
Well, I started off the day with 8.25 available hours and managed to use every last minute. I drove, made my delivery on time, and even got fuel. I would say today was a perfect illustration of my masterful trip planning skills, but I'm pretty sure luck had something to do with it (not really, but Murphy's Law can be a real pain in the ass sometimes, so I'm trying not to jinx myself).
I'm all set to pick up a load in Corinth, MS in the morning that should get me home for the weekend.
Answer: Hit him in the face with with an axe!
Well, I started off the day with 8.25 available hours and managed to use every last minute. I drove, made my delivery on time, and even got fuel. I would say today was a perfect illustration of my masterful trip planning skills, but I'm pretty sure luck had something to do with it (not really, but Murphy's Law can be a real pain in the ass sometimes, so I'm trying not to jinx myself).
I'm all set to pick up a load in Corinth, MS in the morning that should get me home for the weekend.
Answer: Hit him in the face with with an axe!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Effingham, IL - 6/3/09
I had lousy directions to the receiver this morning, putting me on the wrong side of the warehouse (the side with no docks) and at the end of a dead-end residential street. I drove through downtown Chicago, on crowded narrow city streets (that's the only kind they have). I finished my pick-up just in time to hit the peak of rush-hour on the way out of Chicago. And if I'm lucky, I will barely make my delivery
tomorrow before running out of hours. Yee-haw!
tomorrow before running out of hours. Yee-haw!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
De Forest, WI - 6/2/09
Random observation #1: Windmills have been a pretty common sight the past few days. Strangely, for the hundreds (if not thousands) of functioning windmills I've seen, and the many I've seen being hauled by trucks, I've yet to see one actually being installed. I think they're like crop circles; they just show up one day.
Random observation #2: As one might imagine, dairy farms are quite popular 'round these parts. And if I don't ever smell another cattle-hauler truck again, it'll be too soon.
I just got my next preplan this afternoon, so after my delivery tomorrow I'll be heading down to Chicago to pick-up a load to Cherokee. Yee-haw!
Random observation #2: As one might imagine, dairy farms are quite popular 'round these parts. And if I don't ever smell another cattle-hauler truck again, it'll be too soon.
I just got my next preplan this afternoon, so after my delivery tomorrow I'll be heading down to Chicago to pick-up a load to Cherokee. Yee-haw!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Albert Lea, MN - 6/1/09
Minnesota: Check
I was just flipping through the pictures on my phone and realized it's been a while since I've posted any. I've taken quite a few, mostly because I've learned that pictures taken with my iPhone are automatically geo-tagged in my Google Picasa Web album, providing an excellent illustration of my travels. Well, maybe "excellent" is a little strong; you can see where I've been, at least. I'll try to remember to post some pics next time I'm home.
I made my 7am appointment this morning with no problems. I was delivering to a home improvement store that had several buildings, only one of which had a dock. Only a small portion of the load, which was all baled home insulation, was going to the building with the dock. That meant the rest of it (practically a trailer full from floor to ceiling) had to be unloaded by hand. The bales had to be rolled or carried to the end of the trailer and dropped onto the
waiting forklift, four bales at a time. I hopped in the trailer to help the guy, working up a sweat and making thirty bucks in the process.
After catching my breath, it was on to the shipper for the next load. I guess the company must have heard me complaining about their crappy directions the other day, so this time they didn't bother to give me any. Fortunately, I had the shipper's name and address, a GPS, and their phone number, just in case. My GPS was spot on - it took me right to the address I was given. After driving all the way up the street, I realized "Cook Paper Recycling" was a figment of someone's imagination. Time for a phone call. The gentlemen that answered the
phone greeted me with the name of an entirely different company than I was given, but seemed to be expecting me and provided me with directions to a location several blocks away. Wow, my company gave me a worthless address AND doesn't even know the name of the shipper. Is this a test? Am I on hidden video? I found the correct location and got loaded, but then it was the shipper that didn't have their act together. They filled the trailer with product and had no idea how
much it weighed. For cryin' out.... So, I had to go to the Pilot a
few miles up the road to weigh the load.....and then go back to the shipper to get my paperwork. It was at this point I found out the address I was initially given was the main office, as this was where I had to pick-up my paperwork. Can anybody in South Dakota work out of just ONE building?Please?
With that adventure over, I hit the road. I'm low on hours, so this load isn't scheduled to deliver in Wisconsin until Wednesday morning, which means I get some time to relax today and tomorrow.
I was just flipping through the pictures on my phone and realized it's been a while since I've posted any. I've taken quite a few, mostly because I've learned that pictures taken with my iPhone are automatically geo-tagged in my Google Picasa Web album, providing an excellent illustration of my travels. Well, maybe "excellent" is a little strong; you can see where I've been, at least. I'll try to remember to post some pics next time I'm home.
I made my 7am appointment this morning with no problems. I was delivering to a home improvement store that had several buildings, only one of which had a dock. Only a small portion of the load, which was all baled home insulation, was going to the building with the dock. That meant the rest of it (practically a trailer full from floor to ceiling) had to be unloaded by hand. The bales had to be rolled or carried to the end of the trailer and dropped onto the
waiting forklift, four bales at a time. I hopped in the trailer to help the guy, working up a sweat and making thirty bucks in the process.
After catching my breath, it was on to the shipper for the next load. I guess the company must have heard me complaining about their crappy directions the other day, so this time they didn't bother to give me any. Fortunately, I had the shipper's name and address, a GPS, and their phone number, just in case. My GPS was spot on - it took me right to the address I was given. After driving all the way up the street, I realized "Cook Paper Recycling" was a figment of someone's imagination. Time for a phone call. The gentlemen that answered the
phone greeted me with the name of an entirely different company than I was given, but seemed to be expecting me and provided me with directions to a location several blocks away. Wow, my company gave me a worthless address AND doesn't even know the name of the shipper. Is this a test? Am I on hidden video? I found the correct location and got loaded, but then it was the shipper that didn't have their act together. They filled the trailer with product and had no idea how
much it weighed. For cryin' out.... So, I had to go to the Pilot a
few miles up the road to weigh the load.....and then go back to the shipper to get my paperwork. It was at this point I found out the address I was initially given was the main office, as this was where I had to pick-up my paperwork. Can anybody in South Dakota work out of just ONE building?Please?
With that adventure over, I hit the road. I'm low on hours, so this load isn't scheduled to deliver in Wisconsin until Wednesday morning, which means I get some time to relax today and tomorrow.
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