CDL in hand... Now What ? Decision time, that's what...

Original delivery time for the ceiling tile to Holland, MI was 13:00 today but that didn't happen. After the trailer marker light repair, I thought the rusty ol' curtainside was good to go. But during this morning's pre-trip I found a big cut/gouge in one of the trailer tires. So I stopped in Appleton, WI to get it repaired (replaced actually). I was surprised at how fast they got it done. The guys at that terminal seem to have their act together pretty well. I was only there for a total of about 1.5 hours. In the meantime, my delivery was pushed out until tomorrow morning because they stop unloading at 15:00. Would not have made that, so I am at the Tulip City truck stop, just a mile away form the consignee; now scheduled to deliver at 06:30 tomorrow morning.

After that I should be getting a load assignment that takes me east for some home time.

Be safe and have fun.

Perpetual.

 

Best wishes whatever you decide!

 

Caution: Sarcasm Ahead.

Today was the most frustrating day so far in my short trucking career. I am okay now but it's a good thing I didn't write this earlier.

The day started off just fine. I was 1.3 miles from the consignee; made it there at 06:15, there was one other Roehl truck ahead of me with the same commodity from the same origin. I helped him fold his tarp and he was unloaded rapidly. I too was in and out of there quickly; sent in my empty call at about 06:35. Went the 1.3 miles back to the truck stop to wait on my next load assignment.

And wait I did. Despite 3 qualcomm messages and 4 phone calls it took me nine (9) hours to receive instructions on where to go and what to do.

Absolutely ridiculous.

At the 2 hour mark I called and suggested that I take the empty curtainside trailer back to Gary, a mere 125 miles away and either get a relay there or at least an empty flatbed so that I would be more likely to get a load.

"Oh no, can't have you deadhead that far, fuel is expensive..." blah blah...

"But it was okay that I deadheaded 217 miles my last load assignment?"

"We'll find you something before long."

At the 4 hour mark: "Anything yet?"

"Ugh, no the problem is finding a load that works with a curtainside."

"Yeah wish I had a flatbed... Bet there's one in Gary..."

"Hang tight, we'll figure it out."

At the 8 hour mark:

"Hi this is [ ] in truck [ ] and it has been over 8 hours since I sent my empty call..."

"Oh wow let me call the planner. I'll call you back."

At the 9 hour mark: phone rings.

"Hi you're going to want to shoot me..."

"Why what happened?"

"Well we need you to deadhead back to Gary and get a flatbed so we can get you a load assignment from there tomorrow."

"Gee now that is a great idea. Wish I'd thought of that..."

Funny thing, though as soon as I got on the road, I was fine; just needed to start moving.

So I am in Gary having ditched the curtainside and now connected to a flatbed awaiting tomorrow's adventure.

Until next time...

 

Still no load assignment at of now (07:45 Fri). Last night there must have been nearly 100 trucks here at the Gary terminal staged and ready for their deliveries today. Rather amazing to watch nearly all of them depart through the gate in the last few hours.

Maybe I'll get to go somewhere today also...

 

Woo hoo alert the media: 1000+ mi load - pick up in Chicago today;
2 stops in VA Monday, then consignee in MD & home on Tuesday.

That's more like it