OFC/Shmidt first impression

Early quit times are a huge plus to the early start times. Honestly, aside from hearing the alarm and rollin outta bed so early, I like starting early. Seems last week, Id work the whole 14, and when my 10 was over I was in the drivers seat ready to roll soon as my pretrip ticked off (which I already did on my break). Got started most days around 530. The only problem was after getting up so early, sometimes on my first stop Id have to sit and wait. That was kinda frusterating. Dispatcher said I dont need to start till 7 tomorrow morning, but I think Ill get to the yard about six. I just gotta grab a preloaded trailer and head towards Sioux City.

 

My week was the opposite of yours, started well then went in the crapper. Id had to add coolant a couple times in a week, then tuesday I had to add 2 gallons during an unload then 2 more gallons at the end of the day. Shop wanted a look so instead of a nice wednesday 9 hr drive from Joplin to Denver, I detoured up through the yard. After farting around with a couple attempts, they figured it was an inner engine problem pressurizing the radiator. So they put my in a Columbia (that I hate!) and moved my drop back from 0600 to 1400 thursday at univar. Then up to Greeley for tallow that delivered to Newton IA friday. Univar actually went fairly smooth, but swift was out of tallow. Told me to come back in the morning. Gps said 680 miles and 11 1\2 hours to Newton. Cant make that in a day which got my dispatcher all bent. So I brought it to the yard and tomorrow I got a cake run taking a trailer up to the Barto yard and bringing another back to OFC. Im just ready to get back in a Classic! Gabe says if they dont get mine fixed soon he will service another and put me in it. Seems everything folks said was better about the Columbias I dont see. This thing rides like crap, is horrible in tight spots, and is terribly uncomfortable! The shifter would be in the right spot, if I shifted with my elbow... Aside from more room inside, and a better sounding stereo, I cant say a good thing about it. Plus it rattles, squeeks and whistles like it is trying to drive you mad. And the seat is beyond wore out. But its only temporary to keep me moving, and tomorrow is super easy dough, so I better quit my griping. Got a nice check this week, and a better one coming next week. Makes being away from home, and a sore hiney, a lot easier to deal with when you can pay the bills and still afford taking out the ol lady and some fancy beers during the weekend. Man I should have split from Schnieder as soon as my year was up!

 

Maybe tbe Columbia I got with 1.2 mill on it is the problem, but Id sure rather have my Classic back! Maybe next week I get it. Today I had to take a trailer to Barto, swap for another, and head back to the Ofc yard. Cake day. On the way home, a north bound pickup pulling a camper lost it and went into the median. Dude just barely missed a bridge pillar with his truck, but the camper hit it and blew to pieces! Myself and another driver stopped to see if he was ok. The old guy and his dog were fine. The other driver called for help, and I busted back the roof of the camper from the drivers door so the guy could get out. Real friendly guy. I shot the bull with him for 15 minutes or so and got headed back on my way. glad to see he was okay. Could have been real bad for him.