CRETE - A Year in Review

That's what I was affraid of...I am still considering Poly....not sure I want to make that much of a transition for a company driving position. Last time I did that much leg work (appts, brokers etc), I owned my own truck...

 

Anyone on twitter see the crete post about the new 75th anniversary shaffer truck? The whole driver side of the sleeper is a billboard now... Hey Crete boss' how about a big neon arrow pointing at your ad's saying LOOK AT ME....LOOK AT ME. I remember when presenting a professional image meant something here...now it's all about being a standout. Why not paint your new trucks neon lime green with bright neon orange lettering... Oh, and make the new uniform a clown wig, funny shoes and a big red nose...and have a gun in the drivers hand that instead of the joke 'bang' banner that pops out, put the recruiting number on it....I swear the three stooges have to be running the show now.

 

Took a full week for me to get approved, don't sweat it.

 

Well, I didn't hear those dreaded words (short on freight)Thursday. Got a load within 45 minutes going back to Groveland(Columbus) OH for Friday morning. Timed -just- right so I was backing into a parking spot east of town as my 14 expired...and 30 min to spare on the appointment after my break....but, headed into Columbus at rush hour....and if things haven't improved, a lousy freight area. If I hadn't carried over 500 miles from last week, I would have had just over 2000 miles, with the carry-over I managed 2500, so....that the news that's fit to print...see ya in the funny papers

 

Snackey I just dropped a 1900 miler off in Portand and pick up a 2800 miler to VA later on today....can you say Cha Ching...I knew you could With any luck I can give my salute to Tonn one more time this month!!!!

 

My miles haven't been terrific, but they've been OK considering the strange hours I've been picking up and using from week to week.

This week just finishing will be 2526. Last week was 2454. Before that were 3113 and 2985.

This week, I also spent the night at a shipper waiting for a load. Was supposed to be ready at 1330 Wed. It was timestamped as finished at 0345 Thursday. We'll see how much detention I get outta that one. But to be fair, the shipper was very kind and more than willing to sign the detention form, admitting he was embarrassed professionally (they're going through a change in their computer programming, and it's been a nightmare....very similar to my experience at Schneider). Then, with one pallet to go at 9PM, they were out of product. At that point, I unhooked in the door and parked in their very spacious and quiet staging lot.

I'm off most of next week (been out 7 weeks). Son graduates from HS, gonna catch up on some home stuff, and come back out Sunday. Basically an unpaid vacation, but I need it.

I'll have 644 miles for next week. The load I'm on now delivers Sunday morning in SC, then home.

 

Have fun Packard...I'm still on ice; spoke w/recruiter today and they've been waiting for a verification from a car lot I used to work at. I told them not to hold their breath. He says probably Monday for orientation Wed. Fingers crossed. Money...running...OUT! Got--to--get--to--WORK!! (Marvel Comics dialogue courtesy Jack Kirby and Stan Lee)

 

All comic book nerd truckers...I know this is off topic, but--if you haven't already done so, go see The Avengers. 1hr 45min of pure escapist eye candy. Reality will be right here waiting when the movie is over.

 

They say they save the west coast freight for the west coast drivers unless they don't have any near the shipper.

I ended up delivering right on time. Petsmart in Groveland gets 2 thumbs up from this critic...from inbound gate to outbound in 40ish minutes, and I wasn't the only one. Most of the trucks were in and out pretty much like that. The next load came from sw of Groveland...But showed as Columbus....crazy city planners, what map are they using...a dispatchers map? But the load wasn't suppose to pick up until 1600 going to South Carolina. Got there early, and after a number of computer inquiry ''hmmmmm's" and a bunch of phone calls, they said I should call my dispatcher, and the lady said she wasn't allowed to tell me that the load had to be reschuled. Turns out they screwed up, not Crete, and I was pulled off the load and now I get a TONU pay(truck ordered, not used). Now the waiting begins because freight still isn't great in OH. About the time I decided I had been sitting long enough, I was starving, and I needed to transflow...I rolled. And as one might expect, at almost the worst time, a preplan hits me. Pu at ET's favorite AR dedicated shipper, Lowes - N. Vernon, IN (180 mi deadhead) picking up a load to Springdale, AR for Sunday. Not killer miles, but 800 miles on 3/4 of a wekend, and hopefully in a better freight area. Who knows, it is summer, and I won't be far from Ft. Smith...I could be lucky and get one of ET's old -get home- a/c loads to AZ...

 

Glad to hear you are moving 'Snacker...sounds like an easy, relaxing stroll to a good freight zone. I've been to the Petsmart in Groveland, never been there more than an hour. Maybe you'll get a miler out of the Springdale area. Good luck!