A few days ago it came over the QualComm that another customer is being placed into the quasi-dedicated area of service like what I am doing now. Two things about the notice really stood out to me:
1) From Corsicana, TX (maybe 100 mi SE of Dallas on I-45) to Houston area.
2) Pay is mileage based.

I guess that's gonna be a total rookie run. And I mean total rookie; right out the egg. I'm only about nine months in and I wouldn't take a crap line like that. Corsicana to Houston ...

This has been the worst day in a while. I shoulda stayed in bed at least another 30 minutes. It would have made all the difference.

Actually, yesterday..... On my way to pick up.....we have to call for a "pep talk"; every single load we have to call in so they can read a script to us about how important this load is. So on my way there I call. I ain't gonna sit around waiting for them to answer the phone. It's against company policy to even use a hands-free phone while driving. ...

It was nice to score a couple days off. Even got to see my first born off to her first prom.

Before that, I checked in on the truck to see if they had dispatched my work assignment. All I had was an email telling me to call in for a three way service chat (just some BS read off a script for EVERY single one of these loads.)

I replied I did not yet have an assignment to go

...

Welcome to the NEW and totally unimproved Over The Road Association! Serving driver's interest, needs, desires and whims since.... NOW!

So what is OTRA? Allow me an introduction. OTRA traces it's humble beginnings back to an excited rookie driver with a dream and has now been hijacked by a bored rookie driver with a nightmare.

(you can copy/paste this link to read the first ...

Attached Thumbnails

 

Hello my dear Monday. I've eagerly awaited your arrival. All thruout the awesome weekend I was forced to endure, I knew in the back of my mind you, dear Monday, held you're arms wide open waiting for me to draw near enough for you to fling dung at me.

I hop in my precious Schneider provided ride in the wee hours ready to rock and roll. Let's make some money! Oh, wait, Qualcomm says, "wait a moment..... Ok, screw you."

I was never able to "complete" ...

This morning I dutifully got up knowing there wouldn't be a load ready for me at 0345. But I checked anyway, cause that's my job. Surprise, surprise, there was a load.

2 minor issues with it. One, it showed my start location at the Dallas OC; only about a hundred miles off.
Second; a load going to Georgia. Ordinarily that is not big deal. In this case, I had told them Friday would be my last day in this truck. So why would they send me 900 miles away with no chance to get back ...

After yet another hour on the phone (not like I has anything else to do) another random DBL asked how many hours I had. Same as I had two hours ago when I was told to update so I could get a load.

"Ok. Then we'll get you a load. Ok?"
Wow, thanks! I feel so much better about life now! You're a real sweetheart. A true diamond in the rough.

True to her word, soon orders came in. Pick up the trailer I brought and deliver it. Dead head to Dallas, drop the ...