Driving OTR with US Xpress

I'm there quite a bit.


We have a contractor group that does automotive loads in and around MI, all the way down to Laredo, TX. I've pulled some of their loads.


I'll be in Livonia on Monday, as a matter of fact.

 

Hello Everyone.


Trips and Stats.


Last weeks settlement sheet, as predicted, was off from the norm with a day in the shop and losing 2 days BT in CT. Miles for the week: 1,718.


Since then, I've been running real hard. I'm in Dexter, MI tonight. I just dropped in Livonia, and I'll pick up tomorrow morning in Detroit and run that load to Gas City, IN. I've been running a load everyday with overlapping runs, so time to post has been non-existent. When I shut down for the night, all I have is my 10 hrs., no margin to speak of. Tonight is the first night where I've had some time to relax in over a week. The 70 is low, so this truck hasn't been sitting still

Yep. We're in the silly season. Christmas is coming, and people need.............stuff.



Hey...............I've been exercising lately. It's important to stay in tip top condition when you drive a CMV, as our lifestyle is not considered "active".......................Hang on while I do my sit-ups.........


.........One!


.............Two.


...........................................Three.


...........................................................................F__________





Three! ............whew..............What a work-out.





I'll try for 4 tomorrow.







Oh man..............I think I'm gonna pass out..........









Thanks for reading.
-Wedge

 

Your "to-do" list would be more fun than my sit-ups.

 

Hello There.


Greetings from Denham Springs, LA.


Trips and Stats.

This weeks settlement sheet was a marked improvement over last week, 2,354. But as will always be the case, all you need is one thing to go wrong and it can kill your miles.

The last run I had that was applied to this pay period (Detroit to Gas City, IN) should have been a straight forward trip. 53 feet worth of paper plates headed to a Walmart DC. The shipper advises me he doesn't have all of the product for my load and it will be a few hours before it's on site.

So what happens to my pre-plan? Gone.

In reality, it was a 4 hour delay. A Knight driver was also waiting for a similar load going to the Walmart in Gas City and was scheduled to fuel at my fuel stop, so we decided to run together. Like a mini convoy..........



...............We was headed for bear on I one Oh 'bout a mile outta Shaky Town. I said "Callin' all trucks, this here's the Duck, and I'm about to put the hammer...............


.......Sorry.......can't get it out of my head.



Anyway......

While enroute to Gas City, I did, however, get a P/A that picked up in Woodburn, IN and dropped in Laredo, TX, paid miles: 1,487. That was followed up by a run that picked up at our Laredo terminal and delivers in West Point, GA, paid miles: 1,023.

This load delivers on Tuesday, but I will be calling in for an early delivery. Right now, I'm only 6 hours away from the receiver.

One way or another, I'm getting out from under this load tomorrow.............I hope.


Helpful Stuff.

If your on I 57 in MO, and need to park, try the Pilot at exit 10 in Charleston. It's not very big, but it has to have the nicest showers I've seen to date. They're meticulously clean and roomy.




....And I'm up to 30 sit-ups a day without needing any assistance from the paramedics.





And speaking of showers........

This Pilot I'm at has only 2 showers, no KIOSK, so they hand you a key when you buy or cash in a shower credit. Well, as I was tying my shoes getting ready to exit my shower (I was leaning on the door), the lady clerk who provided me with my shower key, decided to come in to see if I was finished.

All of a sudden the door bolts open, I was sent flying toward the sink (I think she used her shoulder). Good thing I had the security hasp engaged.





If she had showed up 2 minutes sooner, she would have seen me in my nakedidity.




Mmmmm. Maybe they time the showers here.








Thanks for reading.
-Wedge

 

Hello There.


I was able to deliver the load I was hauling from Laredo, TX to West Point, GA a full day early. This created a small problem in that I wasn't expected to be available for dispatch for another 24 hours.

So it was decision making time:

1.) Have my FM work around my limited hours for the next 3 days (18 hrs avail for M-W).

2.) Stay put at the Pilot in LaGrange, GA and knock out a 34.

3.) Take an early home-time (only 50 mins. to my home terminal in Ellenwood).


Easy pick there.


Yep, I'm taking the early home-time this way I can re-load on supplies while I reset my hours.


So I'll be back in the truck on Friday morning.





Thanks for reading.
-Wedge