Central Oregon Truck Co...the fun begins

What is, split logging?

 

I actually like running at night, just kinda hard to do with our customers. Worked out this time, went through Seattle at 0200 and no issues for once lol. In fact, no issues all the way from Cody either. Delivered this morning in Delta at 0600 and they helped me roll up my tarps and unstrap, very nice of them. Crossed back stateside at Sumas and then picked up a load of shingles. The wind is blowing something wicked up here, gusts over 45 made strapping down a real pain. Got that done in a little over an hour. I'll deliver this load in Bend after the weekend. From there I'll be bouncing up to Gresham to load for Calgary.

Only had a 1200 mile week last week because I couldn't deliver and pick up on the Friday after Thanksgiving which really hurt my week. Oh well, next week's check will get me back on track.

Swen, I'll be heading home here in an hour. It appears Portland is the only place in good shape. Chains are required right now over Siskyou. Roads don't look fun on here. If you haven't already, here's these links. I use them regularly.

http://www.tripcheck.net/Pages/RCMap.asp?curRegion=0

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/truckers-weather-and-road-conditions/13063-current-trucker-weather-maps.html

Hope this helps. Be safe out there.

 

I hear that. I haven't had to chain up yet but I am prepared for it because of practicing before hand and watching otter's video on here. After dealing with the subzero temps all last week, my winter parka and snow pants came in the mail today from Ma & Pa from L.L. Bean. Early Christmas gifts that they said I could open if I needed to. I was gonna hold out since temps had been relatively mild so far, but after this week, I think it's safe to say they are needed.

Delivered in Bend this morning and stopped in the yard to get some 911 and other fluids, as well as some paperwork, and my mud flaps on my trailer replaced. Last week it was so cold in Cody that when I back up the incline to the dock, the mud flaps cracked off.

Talked to my dispatcher and decided on a Gresham to Calgary load for Wednesday morning delivery. From there, I'll pick up in Kettle Falls going to Madras for Friday morning delivery. The plan after that is to pick up in Gresham again going to Fort McMurray. Need to get that load picked up on Friday that way I can leave Sunday and deliver before payroll cutoff on Tuesday. That would make about a 3500 mile week plus tarp and Canada crossings.

This week's check was more like normal for me. 2403 miles, 2 tarps, 1 Canada crossing, and 8 hours detention pay for the miscommunication in Wyoming. It feels good to be rolling again.

Oh, and we have a bunch of brand new 680's on the lot. Out with old, in with the new.

 

I appreciate those kind words JB. I'm just trying to tell it how it is, just like you do. That's one of the biggest things I took away from reading your threads. I'll be looking for you out this way, the next cup o' joe is on me.

I forgot to mention that my 90 probationary period is up. I now have medical, dental, vision, and short term disability paid for by the company. I just handle co-pays, a big reason I came over in light of this healthcare mess. I also can now take a rider free of charge and my name on the truck, although that's been there from the start.

So far, I couldn't be happier. Any of my gripes and complaints so far come from flatbed itself, it's just the nature of the beast. I have been home every weekend, as I was told, and I'm getting more miles than I had anticipated. A huge part of that is the fact the I live in Portland. Another would be the fact that I communicate with my dispatcher, I call every morning to update my ETA/PTA. Really simple thing that makes things a lot more efficient.

A lot of people knocked my last company because of no miles, low pay, bad equipment. I ended up running 145k miles at close to .40 cpm because I took care of the little things, the easy things. I'm doing the same thing here, averaging around .465 cpm and 2500-3000 miles a week, but now I'm home every weekend.

No matter where you go, do your homework. Talk to drivers, be thorough in your research. It is all about what is best for you. Never in a thousand years did I ever think I would be flatbeddin', but for the right price, I'll give it a whirl. It was definitely frustrating in the beginning but it's nice having a social life again. Looking forward to hitting up some more Blazers games. Tough one against Dallas, but a real fun game to watch/team to watch.