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

windsmith · Apr 27, 2012

Perpetual said: ↑

"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..."
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So, you DID let him know that since it's his fault that you needlessly burned your 14, he's going to pay you a layover amount that would be equivalent to 500 loaded miles at your current mileage rate - right?

German Hammer-Rhoid · Apr 27, 2012

Hehehe...get used to that kind of day. Get you a portable DVD player, an MP3player, rollerskates, a grill, and make sure your pillow is comfy! Happy trucking - happy waiting

German Hammer-Rhoid · Apr 27, 2012

Perpetual said: ↑

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...
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Treefork said: ↑

Someone dropped the ball there. Man that stinks.
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windsmith said: ↑

So, you DID let him know that since it's his fault that you needlessly burned your 14, he's going to pay you a layover amount that would be equivalent to 500 loaded miles at your current mileage rate - right?
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You know THAT probably won't happen - after all, it's a rookie and they can be used and abused.

chompi · Apr 27, 2012

Trucking can be very frustrating at times and unfortunately that is going to happen from time to time. Desk jockey's just don't seem to get what its like out there and sometimes you but heads! I think it should be a requirement for those guys to have a minimum of one year over the road before they become dispatchers.

German Hammer-Rhoid · Apr 27, 2012

chompi said: ↑

Trucking can be very frustrating at times and unfortunately that is going to happen from time to time. Desk jockey's just don't seem to get what its like out there and sometimes you but heads! I think it should be a requirement for those guys to have a minimum of one year over the road before they become dispatchers.
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I am right there with you, but I don't believe 1 year OTR would be enough. They have to get to the burn out point before becoming dispatchers, so they know how we feel. I wouldn't hire a dispatcher that cannot show at least 3 years OTR experience. And in my world, they also have to be able to know distances and approximate driving times to cover those distances. Everything less than that doesn't need to apply!

Perpetual · Apr 27, 2012

windsmith said: ↑

So, you DID let him know that since it's his fault that you needlessly burned your 14, he's going to pay you a layover amount that would be equivalent to 500 loaded miles at your current mileage rate - right?
Click to expand...

I sent a QC message this am after not receiving a load assignment for over 24 hours saying that I deserve compensation equivalent to layover pay or better. Not gonna hold my breath

Perpetual · Apr 27, 2012

German Hammer-Rhoid said: ↑

Hehehe...get used to that kind of day. Get you a portable DVD player, an MP3player, rollerskates, a grill, and make sure your pillow is comfy! Happy trucking - happy waiting
Click to expand...

Yep got the laptop with broadband card, guitar, books, Sirius radio subscription. Maybe I'll bungee/chain lock a bike to the headache rack for the summer... lol

Perpetual · Apr 27, 2012

The new load of pipe/tubing is on the brand new trailer (lots of comments on that from other drivers at the shipper hehe) and now back in Gary again. Shipper appointment was for 10:30am. Started loading at 15:45 (more detention pay). Got out of downtown Chicago right at 17:30 Friday rush hour. Had plenty of hours left on my 14 since I didn't start until 09:30 this morning, but decided to scale and stay at Gary and do all the driving over the weekend.

The shipper did a nice job of loading and tagging the bundles that get unloaded at each stop. I'll be peeling back the tarps from back to front as I make the stops.

Looking forward to this route. Going through Dayton, OH (lived there 1992-96) and some pretty country through West-by-gosh-Virginia (went to school there) on my way to Roanoke, VA for Monday morning delivery. Then onto Richmond, VA for the Monday afternoon stop, then on to Hanover, MD (near Baltimore) Tuesday morning for the final stop. Total of 3 stops plus tarp/untarp pay at each, so all in all not bad. Then home for the better part of a week.

My buddy from orientation is coming through Gary early tomorrow morning to pick up a relay bound for Kentucky. We are both routed on I-65 for a bit so we may play the 2-truck convoy game.

And fun times were had by all.

Have a good weekend and be safe.

Perpetual.

Perpetual · Apr 27, 2012

jdimes said: ↑

Perpetual how many miles will you end up with before heading home?
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Thanks for asking. I'll post the totals for the last few weeks once I get home.

Perpetual · Apr 27, 2012

chompi said: ↑

Trucking can be very frustrating at times and unfortunately that is going to happen from time to time. Desk jockey's just don't seem to get what its like out there and sometimes you but heads! I think it should be a requirement for those guys to have a minimum of one year over the road before they become dispatchers.
Click to expand...

Hi chompi - good to see you back here again

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