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.
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