Around midnight thirty I was getting settled back into the truck. Knowing the chances of a quick response from support shift, I go ahead and dial their number whilst I get ready to roll. Then I take off. About thirty minutes later it rings through then goes back on hold. After fifty minutes I get the same girl I recently had the displeasure to speak with whom informed me we could not conduct our business while I parked on the shoulder.

I tell her what I'm calling for, our three some with customer service. She puts me on hold for a few minutes. By now I am about 7 miles from my P/U.

She comes back online and informs me I am late for my P/U.
"No I'm not. I set my ETA for 2:15."
"Well there's a P/U window. You're beyond that window. Did you not look at that?"
"No. I never do. Why? Because the trailer is setting on a DC lot. It doesn't really matter when I pick it up. It matters if I deliver on time, which I will."
"No, you have to go by the P/U window also. This is a service critical customer. How are you doing your trip plan?"

"I look at when the delivery window is and I decide from there what time I want to leave the house. That's how I've always done it."
"Well you can't do that."
"Watch me. Who's driving this truck? Me or you? Who's planning this trip? You? Survey says 'Nay!'"

After the fact a previous conversation with my DBL came back to mind that would have been very handy in this conversation. He told me, "I don't care when you pick it up. If it's ready, you can pick it up before you go home. If you want to sleep late, fine. It doesn't matter as long as you DELIVER on time."

Then she says, "Why are you just now calling?"
"Um, well, I guess because y'all keep telling me I need to waste our time with these phone calls. So, I always call before I leave."
"Well you're supposed to call within two hours of receiving your assignment."
"Really? No one has ever brought that to my attention. I've always been told to call before P/U."
"No, within two hours of receiving your assignment."
"Oh, well I'll definitely try to do better from now on. Because if there's one thing I hate about being at home, it's that disconnected from work feeling that just nags the ever living shat out of me."

At this point I am on the verge of hanging up on her.

Next: "Are you driving?"
"No."
"You're not? Are you parked someplace safe and legal; like a truck stop or something?"
"Yup."
"Strange. You need to check your Qualcomm. It still shows you driving. Ok, I'll get CS. Hold one moment."
DOH!

So, as usual, CS asks if I've ever made these runs before. For Kim's benefit I reply, "Yes, many, many times."

Ordinarily after the chat with CS, the dispatcher will come back on the line and ask if I need anything else then courteously close the conversation. I guess Kim feels about the way I do; that our relationship is severely strained and has little hope of a fruitful future. She just hung up on me.

So dear, sweet Kim, I dunno if you are just new at this and so you feel you just have a lot to prove....or if you are just overzealous..... I dunno anything other than if you keep talking to me like I just walked in the door while everyone else on your shift just tries to help me get moving.... Lady, I'm feeling the urge to proffer you with a swift and decisive JSBS (Jumping, Spinning Back Slap.)


**disclaimer to authorities: that is not a threat. Just an expression of exasperation. No need to make mountains of mole hills. That is all.**


I truly hope that phone call is not setting the tone for the rest of the week. If I get Kim on the phone again, I may just hang up and call back in hopes of a different Schneider zombie.

---

Hope everyone had a good Father's Day.

One nice thing about my day was getting to spend some time with my father-in-law. He explained to me in more detail why I can't use his truck. Long story short: it's farm tagged.

He reminisced about the only company job he held. At 21 he was the youngest hired driver for Merico (later Earth Grains then Sara Lee.) I had heard they were Teamster. He said they went Teamster about eight months after he hired in.

He said they came to his house wanting him to sign a card. "Hell, I had no idea what a union was. They was telling me about all these raises and bonuses and better vacations we was gonna get. Sounded good to me. Before we went union we had company picnics almost ever week. They always gave out shot guns and prizes like that to the drivers with the best fuel mileage. All kind of good stuff. All that stopped the day we went union. Only difference I ever seen was $30 a month missing from my check."

He jawed a bit about what a headache it is to own a truck and how expensive it is. He was basically telling me how good I got it and should not be considering becoming an IC. To which my wife scratched her head and said, "You shouldn't but he just bought a second truck?" I dunno. She's got a pretty good dad. He's got his reasons, no doubt.

Aiight, I need to get on to bed. Be chill, pickles!