Running With Schneider!

Long day today, trucked down from Yermo CA to Mira Loma CA drp MT and picked up load to San Antonio. Made it to Wilcox AZ. So far, right on schedule but this run is really tight. I don't like it when I do this but unfortunately sometimes it's a roll of the dice. You see, in our load assignment we get estimate of how long it will take to get unloaded at that specific customer. I usually add a little time to that so I can plan and pick my next load. Plus always try to be early. However this last customer I went to in Vegas went like this. I show up 1 hour early take my paper work in to the consignee and she said "oh your not early, we are going on break" I said "but I am early! appt is 10:30 and it is 9:30 now" She said "oh I know but your not early and we are going on lunch" She then said "to bad you weren't early we could of gotten you unloaded" by now to myself I'm shaking my head in dis belief!Out of respect I just say "okay.. when do you think you will be back?" She said at about your appt time 10:30. She said "go back to your truck and when the light turns red come back inside. You have to be inside when they unload you." I said "cool I will be waiting". 11:00 rolls around and finally the light is red. I go inside to wait. Keep in mind they only have 9 pallets to unload. So while I am standing there a DHL truck backs in with short pup trailer. The fork lift driver immediately stops working on my truck and goes to unload him. Now I m thinking what the heck is this!.. I let it go and calmly walk over to the lady in charge and say "it is almost 12:30 and I am suppose to be at the next stop at 12:30 plus not sure how much they charge but it probably cost quit a bit to tie up this truck and keep me waiting. Well you would have thought the president came and asked them to hurry up! Wasn't 10 min later they had me unloaded and she scurried to get the paper work done and apologized for holding me up!

As i walk away I'm thinking......... #### I should of started with that line! There is always next time!

Needless to say that few hours threw me off by burning my driving hours and that is what is making this run tight!

I don't say this to vent or complain just getting the word out to be mentally prepared for these things so you can calmly get through it and hopefully speed the process up! For me I seldom have difficulty getting unloaded in a timely fashion but I have heard some drivers talk as if it's an everyday event. I really do believe it is what you make it!

til next time!

 

lol That's good! Yes I believe they are just overwhelm sometimes and need to hear from you to remind them you don't just want to lay round and wait.

 

Made on time delivery in San Antonio this morning with 15 min to spare! Had to get up at 2 am to get it done tho. Told you it was close.

Took the rest of the day off and just kicked it! Watched little TV. BTW recently install a TV in my truck. Pretty cool. For now I only have a digital antenna and basically will pick up all the local stations when in a populated area. Eventually will get the Vuqube satellite with dish network.

So onward we go!! After relaxing most of the day I finally found a pretty descent load going back to Cali. Funny thing, now that I'm not in a need to get to Cali everywhere I looked today on the load board seem to be a load to Cali. Last week couldn't find one to save my life! ha! Just how it rolls out here. I have noticed some areas there are same loads all the time and some areas it is always changing and the rates go up and down as well.

Going to hit the sack and get up early to get started on this next load. I slept some today so probably only get couple hours in but is all good. My sleep schedule is a little messed up from running the last load. Should be able to even it out tho on this trip!

Be safe!

 

Picked up this load in Laredo and headed to Cali!

I got to looking for more loads and planning ahead for when I get to delivery in San Bernardino CA. Just so happen there was a combination of 2 loads taking me right by my family's house again and plenty of time to at least stop and visit a few hours. Then will be picking up a load and running to WA. I know- i know! I warn about going up North but it is going to help me finish this week off nicely. Last time I was up there it worked out okay. So will have to see If SNI can pull a rabbit out of the load board hat again so I can find good loads out.

until next time, Rock on!

 

I was regional 11 western out of Fontana when first started and lived about 80 miles away but they did not let me take the truck home unless I had a load close by the house. Typically I would park truck at the OC and my personal car at the OC too. Sometimes I would have loads near the house and go home from there or the wife would come visit me if I was just there for the load waiting for the next one. Depending on how much money you want to make you can get home regularly. Schneider is pretty good about getting you home every 2 weeks if you want. In my case I just stay out for months and was willing to go East if they wanted to send me there. When I asked to get home I was usually there within a week or two.

Once you get started and work a few months you may be able to go into one of there other programs like "home Run" I think it is called. Out two weeks home for a week. Someone else on here may know more about that but I think that is how it worked. I had a friend that was in orientation with me that went that route about a month after starting on the regional side. There is also dedicated positions that get you home daily or weekly too but you should go the regional and build relations with your dbl and they will help ya get into something that fits your needs. From what I have seen anyway! The people at Fontana are some of the best people to work with as long as you work hard, apply yourself 100% to do the best job you can and be respectful you will get where you want to be.

That is speaking from my experience working them!

Before I started I was thinking the same as you. Get my experience and then find a local company. But now I see that this is actually a great place to work and found this position as an O/O and can route myself home when I want, stay out or even stay local. Doesn't work out that easily all the time but can be done! Plus now I am investing in a Truck with my own business and have the freedom to go and where I want, take my truck home when I want, visit family and friends and make a good living. Of course I set priorities and work at my business first and learn how to be successful as O/O. Then I have more time and money to get home when I want and visit friends etc.. Hope that helps ..

I'm in different position not having kids at home so my focus has been on this career. But now days companies are providing more opportunities for drivers to see their family than before.

I know it is tough with kids at home I tried it back in the early 90's but couldn't make the money to even pay the bills back then so it was even more stressful. I have done a lot of growing up sense then so that has help me out this time, plus the awesome support from my wife makes all the difference as well!