Central Refrigerated Truck Stop II

Anyone have any experiance picking up a smith? I have a pickup there tomorrow morning and looking for any advice on how it runs there?

 

In other words, your higher ups are trying to convince the office staff that the drivers would be in a ditch crying if they didn't have them?

It sounds like you're running your fleet well. If I was OTR and had to call in all the time, I'd flatten someone. I don't need a babysitter, I need someone to get me loads and stay out of my hair while I drive.

 

When I was OTR, our willingness to switch loads really depended on who was asking, how badly they needed us, how far behind the load was, and what our current load was. If we had just started a decent run, then we'd usually pass on a repower. Same if the load was already late. I really hated getting loads that were already past their delivery time, because 9 times out of 10, we'd get there, and they'd give us a penalty hold because we were the truck delivering late. Even if I explained that we'd done this as a favor, they'd hold us. Sometimes they'd sympathize, but it never did any good. And, because it's a repower and the load is late, we seldom got detention. There was only 1 person we'd always do repowers for, and it was the guy who used to be my boss.

If I was a dedicated driver, I'd think twice about repowering a load, because some of them go places you won't get your dedicated freight. When your dm has to go hunt a broker load, it can take a while.

 

I don't imagine many people here are on the old log system, with the old Qualcomms, but if you are, you will not get an automatic 34 hour reset. You have to call safety, give them your truck number, and ask them to check your log. They go in, verify you met the requirements, and check a box in their system, which then gives you a 34. So, when your 34 is up, call safety and get that taken care of before you approve your logs, or you may be out of luck.

 

What do you mean "LOL" is too short of a reply? I spend my 30 catching up on TTR. Y'all went on a question spree! Condolences to the newbies... Welcome to the fun zone!! The 8 hasn't messed with me too much. I've had two impossible loads because of it, but we rescheduled one and the other was mostly my fault so I got to eat 260 miles of fuel after 7 days off. Go me. Luckily my DM had me moving again pretty quick and I have money in my Maint acct to live off and voucher helped me kill that negative balance. Clarification on Murphy's law for truckers... "If it can go wrong and you're not ready for it, it will!" Ok, my 30 is up, now I can get fueled and return to my 14 hr day!!

 

Oh mam. What a day. Thought it was going to be a simple day of tests. upgrade. get seated and get out of here. But they want me to fly to Rochelle and get in my truck there. so I had to figure out how I was going to fit all my junk in 1 carry on bag and 2 checked bags. finally got it. ended up giving away all my food. which wasnt much. but is still something. gotta be at the airport at 3am. will keep everyone updated on what truck I'm getting. I asked him and he said we'll talk about that when you get here. We have quite a few. So hopefully that's a good thing.

 

Edit: double post. weird being back in the dorm for a night.

 

Well I had a 0400 appointment at SMITH that when I arrived was told it would be an 1800 drop and hook. It is now 1830 and I just went in to check on it, now they have no estimate on when I will get out of here. Got my next Pset for tomorrow at 1100 in Atlanta don't think I am going to make that. Then to top it all, I was supposed to be heading toward home and just got told there will be no freight heading west till Friday. so now I can't get home and have made no money in the last two days. I didnt come out here to smell cows for two days.

 

Well...I haven't posted much except when on home time really - TMobile is not the best carrier to have when out on the road. This post will be a 'moving on' post as well since I have been offered a position at a University and may also get the opportunity to help coach Fastpitch Softball...at the college level - Division I.

For you newbies and oldies...not that I'm a real oldie but I did put in a hard 8 months...read that as in I worked hard...not that the 'work' was hard. I liked Central...and would actually still be working at Central were it not for this particular opportunity. As a note...I did interview at other software companies but I really didn't want to go that route - but working at a University...very good benefits as well as my wife and kids (remaining 'kid') can get their degree tuition free along with the opportunity to help out with the softball team - too good a deal to pass up at this point. I was OTR at first but then ended up on the Farmland account. Communicate with your DM's and work hard - do what you say you are going to do...and you'll do fine. I left on good terms and could come back if I need to - it's good to have a backup plan.

Anyway, I have some things that I don't need anymore - anyone know of anyone that could use the following:

12v 40qt coleman cooler ($100+ at Truck Stops, $90 at WalMart)
Cobra 25 LTD Classic CB (normally $80-100, normal sell price about $70)
XM Snap Satellite Radio ($30 at WalMart...much more at Truck Stops)
Road Pro 12v Portable Stove/Oven ($30)
Road Pro 12v Clip anywhere Fan ($20)
Celltronix Bluetooth Headset (sell $25...normally $50+)

Selling for:
Cooler - $70
CB - $50
Satellite Radio - $20
Stove - $10
Fan - $10
Headset - $10

Or will sell everything to one person for $150. I live just South of CRSWVC (live down in the Provo/Orem area) and could bring up the items some evening. Everything, except the cooler, is in original packaging. The cooler is actually only about 4 months old. Everything is in GOOD working order. You can make an open post or you can PM me - I'm fine either way.

I was hoping to meet some of you at some time - I came along after PSUMoose, had posted my training experience on 'Follow me through Central refrigeration training 2, and actually had a good time out on the road. I could have done with less waiting but again, communicating with your DM and doing a good job will help you stay busy. I see that PSUMoose has moved on as well as others, and many other still here. I'll continue to monitor the thread...especially now that I have pretty much constant internet access. I've experienced enough to be able to say...stay safe out there...and keep a cool and level head - it's all in the attitude...ok, and some good luck too.

Thanks to All of You!! - Diner Man

 

Congrats! If you can get out and get a chance to have part of your old life back, then go for it. I wish you all the best. If I had skills other places would want, I'd be doing the same.