Going back trucking with PTL

606 miles today.

Made it to the Indy yard like I planned. I asked if they could look at my APU problem they said sure ( these guys are contractors to PTL). I like them they get right on things.

Turns out my APU issue was a broken fuel filter support. The fuel filter had fallen down and got into the flywheel which chewed a hole in the side. They welded the bracket back on and installed a new filter and he had to replace the belt as it was slipping from all the fuel. I am good to go and don't have to go to a shop near Chicago and waste my day tomorrow after I deliver.

 

Only did 282 miles.

Left Indy yard this morning and went to deliver. Traffic was very light that early in the morning around Chicago. I got to be yard jockey. I had to pull my MT out off door 143 and put my loaded in there. At least there was plenty of room.

Got my next PP picking up in Woodridge, IL. The PP says anytime tomorrow. My FM sent me over there to check on the load. It won't be ready till 1300 tomorrow. So I was able to put my MT in a door and BT over to the Petro in Gary and my FM is going to pay me the extra miles.

I really hate this sitting around waiting but it is the weekend.

This load delivers to the same Sam's DC I recently went to. But does not deliver till Tuesday at 0700. I asked my FM if there is anyway to drop this at a yard on Monday. He said he will message the planner.

 

Did 249 miles today .

Went to my shipper at 1200. The load was ready at 1000. I should have went over sooner. The trailer I have the tandem slide pins would not go all the way in. I thought it was an air problem. So I took it to a Petro to be looked at. After waiting 2 hrs to get in the shop it was just a binding problem. When I checked it with the mechanic all but 1 would go in and after a little hammering it went in also. He did lube them up so hopefully no sticking for a while.

I am at a rest area just north of Effingham, IL for the night. I can't deliver this load early so I'm not in a rush.

 

392 miles today.

I am at a little mom and pop tuck stop in Bald Knob, AR about 10 miles from my delivery at a Sam's Club DC. You can only go in 1 hr prior to you appt. My FM did ask the planner if I could drop this somewhere. Of course he said no.

In order to get a raise here you have to go through driver support. They usually only look at you after a year. I have been here 6 months and ask if it was possible for a raise. Driver support said all my numbers look good so he would put in the request. He calls me back the next day and says no dice because I had an incident on 4/29 so I have to wait for 1 year. Bummer....

 

233 mile today.

Made my delivery no problems I had been to this DC before. I was done about 0800.

Next PP comes in picking up at 1300 and delivers anytime from 7/23 0001 to 7/24 2359. It is only 60 miles away. I go back to the TS I stayed at last night. I head out and plan on arriving at 1130. I get there (I have been to this place before also) and the lady says I'll call with your door. About 1315 she sends me to door 10 after another PTL driver vacates it. Get backed in and they take till 1548 to get me loaded. Talk about slow. This delivers to a Dollar Tree DC in Joliet, IL. At least its a D/H. I plan on being there on 7/23 at 1200.

Sitting at a truck parking area on I57 for the night.

 

407 miles today.

Drove all morning to get to my delivery in Joliet, IL. No problems encountered.

Next PP picking up in Bensenville, IL anytime 0700 to 1700. Going to Memphis delivering tomorrow anytime. Get to the shipper at 1430 and of course they aren't ready. They get me done at 1800 and almost out of hours. Just made it to an Oasis before running out of time.

 

550 miles today.

Took my load of Nike sneakers made in China and dropped it at the warehouse in Memphis,TN. BT over to the W Memphis yard since there were no MT's (there were 4 loaded trailers), got a shower at the Petro and a sub from my favorite sub shop Lenny's.

When I came in the yard I was put OOS for an IPM (intermediate) and the guy who does them won"t be in till the morning. So much for my 0600 PTA.

 

Yesterday 550 miles, Today 497.

Yesterday I was the first one in the shop for the IPM. Done by 0630. told FM ready to go.

Get a PP picking up at the Memphis,TN drop lot going to Allentown, PA. I had never been to this drop lot it was very nice. Picked up my 43K lb load of something from a bakery in CA and delivered it today to Nestle.

When I got my next PP it said pick up in Topton,Pa and take it to Winston-Salem, NC then pick up a different trailer and go to Middletown, NY. Well I don't do the Northeast so I said N on the PP. Got a message back from the Director. "You will not get another PP". Got a call later from weekend dispatch and he explained to pick up the load in PA go to NC and pickup the other one and they will either swap or drop it somewhere.

Sitting at the shipper for the night. I have been here before. They ship batteries.