The misadventures of a rookie tanker yanker

Settled for Zaxbys wings. Just started on the laundry. When it's done I'll run over to the Memphis terminal to grab my travel order.

Get a travel order whenever you can instead of filling out a blank one. Not because it's easier, but because often there are special instructions not forwarded in the Qualcomm messaging. Had that happen during my last system run. If I hadn't decided to stop at Cincinnati for a printed travel order, I wouldn't have had 3 sections of 3 inch hose at my unload.

There probably won't be anything on this one, but it feels better to have the right paperwork. Peace of mind is worth 30 minutes of your day.

 

So, I get under my tank and start my pre trip at 0600. Trailer and hoses aren't cleaned.

Don't sweat it. Called it in and got in line to get it cleaned. We can only control what we can control.

Will call an hour out to reschedule pick up. Logops guy said he would make a note. Yeah, he wasn't much help to the new guy. I figure I'm doing the right thing. Will also call the Memphis terminal when they get in.

Load doesn't deliver until Wed morning, so even if they load me a day later, I have time to make delivery.

 

Was informed by my mentor to just roll after the tank is cleaned and call Memphis and they will do any adjusting to the pick up.

 

Carry blank travel orders, take your time, and use Google maps to survey where you're going. On the last one, I've used the street view and found receiving and delivery entrances many times away from where Qualcomm stops you. Also, read the travel order. The directions are helpful and sometimes you will need more hoses than the basic load. Carry 4 gallons of coolant and have a serious pair of cable cutters. Always ask when in doubt, and don't ever be embarrassed to get out and look before backing. It's far less embarrassing to get out and look than to fill out an accident report.

That's all I got off the top of my head.

 

Yup, that be the place.

 

Getting 3 hours on tank wash to start the day. They're about done with it, so hopefully it's only 3 hours before I go get loaded and roll towards Carolina. Home time awaits after this run.

 

Wish I'd have know that in advance. My entire schedule is screwed up.

At my pick-up in Brownsville and weighed in. Grumpy gal at the shack directed me to park and wait after scaling in. She wrote down noon for an anticipated load time.

In hindsight, I wish I wouldn't have gone on duty to do pretrip at 0600. I should have done the pretrip and then ran the clock as I normally do. I could have save 3 hours of clock. I might have 4 hours of clock left when I leave here.

Yup, learning everyday.