Driving OTR with US Xpress

Aye.

I was heavy, but the wind was still pushing me around quite a bit.

 

How many miles are on that buggy?

 

Missed most of it, but I do have leaves permanently embedded into the frame of the truck.


Gotta stay safe.........I need another one of Dave's cherry smoked steaks.

 

Hello Everyone


Trips and Stats.

The Christmas season is in full swing. How can I tell? I came back out from home-time on Saturday the 27th, and by mid-day Wednesday I had already run 2,281 miles. All my trips have been short hops, and I wiped out my 70 in 6 days. I'm now taking a rare 34 hour reset in Kutztown, PA.

Of course, I'm not at the best TS, but at least I'm off the road and have access to all the required necessities.....well, almost all.

One unfortunate uncontrollable aspect of this business is the lumpers. It's not just dealing with them, or getting money loaded on your fuel card, or authorizing Transchecks. What do you do if you show up at a receiver, very low on hours (1 1/2 hrs), no off duty time left and the clerk at the receiving office says:

"They're out to lunch......should be back in an hour."

"I can't wait that long. By the time they get back, tell me how much it will cost to unload, and I get the check authorized, I'll be out of hours."

"You can park in our lot over-night."

"Thanks, but I'll be parking in your lot for the next 34 hours because my 70 is wiped out."

"You can un-load it yourself, if you want."

"OK. Which one of these electric pallet jacks can I use?"

"You can't use those. You have to use the manual pallet jacks."

"The other drivers are using them."

"They're certified."

"How do I become that?"

"I dunno. Manual pallet jacks are at the other end of the building." 1/2 mile away.


I go to my truck dock...........yep.........Crisco Oil.......gallons........1,400 lbs per pallet. Yeah, right. Manual pallet jack my a.......


The driver unloading next to me asks what's up. I gave him the details. Did it with one sentence. Must be some kind of Vulcan mind meld ability drivers acquire after they've been on the road a bit.

He says "I'm just about done. I'll unload you so you can get out of here. The girl checking in the freight is here so that won't hold you up." (holds back tears)



I couldn't pay him, but I sure did feed him. He didn't really want anything, but I gave him some goodies for his pantry. And as a result, I was able to find a parking spot at my back-up truck stop (Trexler's TS was packed) with 2 minutes left on my clock.

I'll gladly repay his kindness, given the chance. I did find myself filled with an excessive amount of "door opening, or help people back up into parking spot" kindness at the TS last night. A definite side affect of receiving an act of kindness.





That's is why I wave to other drivers.


You need to get back in line after turtle racing someone, most times they'll give you the lights, and sometimes will slow down to help you complete the pass.






Kindness.


Pass it on.



Thanks for reading.
-Wedge