CRETE - A Year in Review

I've been staying out 5 to 6 weeks of late, and taking 5 or 6 days off. No place to leave an empty that long. And I refuse to lock up an empty with a phony seal for that long either. Turns out they had me bobtail to the Spartanburg yard (42 miles from my house), and hook an empty. I did, sent the message, and....VIOLA! Pick up a loaded trailer.....AT THE SPARTANBURG YARD! But to be fair, I think this time it just so happened a driver was t-calling a load there and they were actually in the process of looking for a driver to finish the load when my situation came to their knowledge. So I'll cut 'em a little slack this time.

So...I'm delivering in Cincy, then picking up in North Vernon, IN and heading to Springfield, MO.

 

That's one of pet peeves too. I wish there was a way to access the QCOM through the web or have it notify you through email or text so you wouldn't have to be held hostage hour after unpaid hour in the cab (instead of being able to utilize your free time).

 

How's that Pre-Plan deal working out for OTR? I know it was awesome when I was with my trainer on the General Mills account. I figure its hit or miss depending on what dispatcher you get right?

 

So far, so so-so. You are correct...your asset manager has a lot to do with it. Mine is still having issues with planning, but hopefully is going to continue to improve. I'm going to really push it and be more aggressive than I have been. As angry and frustrated as I get, I don't tend to push too hard because I don't want to get out of line....been an issue with me for all my adult years. I still think if my truck continues to operate relatively trouble-free, I'll be OK.

Oh, that and getting home when I'm supposed to. The next time home, in five weeks, is a must-be-there. We'll see if I get there with Crete's help...or without it. Either way, I'll be there.

 

Has Crete not heard of that new fangled thang called a cell phone? Knight is far from perfect, but at least they will pick up the phone and call you to say, "Hey got you a load at so and so it picks up at this time, you good on that?"

 

Qualcomm better start looking over their shoulder. Masslogics has an app that lets you do everything QCOM does over a smart phone. And i'm sure most wireless companies would cut trucking companies discounts for the number of phones needed to do up a fleet. They have EBORS available too so it's step up or step off time for QCom.

 

USx is not perfect either but we have a smartphone app
That let's me know when I have a Preplan, and all the info
on the current run I'm on. I also scan send all my bills with
the iPhone app to get paid. Oh yea I use the phone for the gps
And maps as needed as well. No I don't text or talk while driving.
My fleet manager will call me if needed.

 

How do you get to do that? Who makes that decision your FM or AM? I have been told a strict four days max so I stopped staying out any longer than what is required to get four days off. Plus on the fake seal. If I drive the terminal lot two times and don't find an empty I start looking at the red seals for a CRETE and start sending trailer numbers in to see if they are indeed loaded. I would never break a seal, CRETE or otherwise. I once saw a guy going on home time at Marietta just leave his truck hooked up to the trailer...haha some people!

 

I only secure a trailer w/seal and lock if I am dispatched on a load that picks up later and I'm at a terminal killing time before starting my 14 to go pick it up. I was at New Kingstown years ago and did that. I decided I would drop the trailer and run down to get lunch before leaving. As I was pulling in, I saw a shop guy rolling a portable acct/oxy cutting torch towards my trailer. I stopped him just before he was going to cut my $150 lock off per Lincoln's orders...so I stopped doing that...and it doesn't help looking for a Crete seal...I was using a metal seal that I bought from a truck stop. Now, I don't drop my empty if I am just killing time to go pick up... If I'm going into the shop, my empty is fair game. Usually at a terminal, there are drivers circling the lot like buzzards. As soon as you pull out, they are backing under it before it quits shaking.

 

msg duplicated by smartphone...plz delete