Good night from...

At home after 5 days off with the family. Spent 4 days on the beach in San Diego, good time was had by all.

At precisely 1400 (my PTA) my phone chirped with a preplan from Glendale, AZ to Jacksonville, FL. Live load @ 1830 tonight, live unload Tuesday the 16th @ 0630. Since I absolutely refuse to drive after loading that late that left me only 3 days to do 2056 actual (2012 paid) miles. I countered with a 1200 delivery on the 16th and they countered back with delivery @ 0630 on the 17th.

Arrived at the shipper @ 1810 and sent my loaded call @ 1905. My truck is sitting in the Phoenix yard and I plan to be headed east @ 0600 tomorrow morning. 12750 lbs in the box, I smell 8 MPG (or better).

The last time I went to Jacksonville (as a company driver) I spent three weeks playing regional driver averaging 2800 miles a week. Here's hoping lighting strikes twice.

 

Phoenix Az, 100 feet back and forwards with not a single whistle... GO ahead laugh it up! HOW many of you have to drive with people wearing yellow vests and a clip board looking at you... between two lines...
So all of you do. I, get it!
We still have much more complicated maneuvers to do, but the instructors say that whoever does as they are told and does not get creative "will put it in the box" and they have been spot on so far.
I am having a great time... just wish I had roommies who stopped smoking and talking LOUD and HIT the material... but to each his own... they must like the hotel and the sound of their own voice... I just stay in my room and read and assimilate and picture the pre trip so I don't end up cracked, damaged, leaking or BENT!!!!!!

 

How do u get loads sent to ur cellphone?

 

You sign up for it. It's just a text with the basic outline of the load (where/when), you still need to either use your Qualcom or call your DM to accept or reject the load.

 

Still here in Del Rio. Nothing going on. Decided to stay in the hotel another evening. Been doing MAC 30 all day and nothing. Ohhh well, note to self, never again in this area. Talk about fr8 slow.

Now I will say, if you are ever stuck here for 1-2 days, the Ramada Inn. It is a very nice place. The lounge actually had a smoking room outside, the food is great, and the morning buffet, which the hotel pays for is just unreal. It is a Tex-Mex style, and there is even a cook behind the buffet that will cook your eggs to order, including omelettes. I am very happy here. Tonight special is Cordon Bleu for $12 and that includes the salad bar. Again, the people here are great and friendly.

 

I was going to make fun of you .... but I remember how nervous I was trying to get through school and get my CDL ... Every little success and every little failure is magnified a hundred fold when you future career hangs on it.

I've been out here of 3 years now. My step father, who has had his CDL since 1968, said in another 10 or 15 years I should get the hang of it.

Bakersfield.

 

At the Pilot in Van Horn, TX. Gonna try for Baytown, TX for tomorrow night so as to avoid Houston traffic on Monday morning. I'm starting to get sick, whatever cold/flu crap my son had for the last week. Trying to do as many miles as I can now so I can limp into Jacksonville if I have to.

On a strange note, I realized that the same woman who hit me up for a ride in Rock Spring, WY about 6 weeks was standing in front of me @ the Wendys.

 

Sounds like you need to relocate to Laredo.

 

Just had a Lizard pound on my sleeper... Albany GA... This is why I like the North West, too #### cold and wet for Lizards.

 

Steve, if nothing come morning, I will be doing just that. Can not believe that KC has nothing more comming out right now. Just did another MAC 30, and nothing.