Going back trucking with PTL

Last day of hometime. Really enjoying sitting at home chilling.

My wife lost her job of 11 years on Friday. She was devastated. She will take a month off than look for something.

PTL just changed their fuel bonus program as of 4/1. I did not see a QC message about it, but it was announced on their FB page. I will ask my FM about it tomorrow.

 

My FM was not in today. Got my PP. Picking up in Catersville, GA Bud plant and deliver in Metairie, LA.

When I got to the pickup after doing some major goatpathing though the hills of NW AL and NE GA the guard said my trailer was to dirty on the inside and I would have to get it swept out. So off to the Pilot I go to buy a broom. I asked PTL if they would pay for it, they said nope. I think that is BS. It cost $20 so no major biggie.

Back to the plant, dropped my MT and come around BT to scale then back to pickup my loaded trailer. It took me a while to get the weight adjusted on this 45K load of beer.

Sitting at the Love's on I65 about 236miles from my drop for tomorrow.

 

Spoke with my FM today. He is going to ask his boss about it.

 

Got the beer unloaded. It took him 4 hours. Each of these Bud distributors does things differently. At this one you go inside and get the bolt cutters to cut the massive bolt seal on the trailer. If there is an open door back into it, remove the load locks then wait till unloaded then come back in and remove the plastic dunnage then wait for your signed bills.

Meanwhile while waiting to get unloaded my next PP arrives. It picks up at 1200 about 90 miles away and delivers in Chicago on Friday at 0800. It's another brokered load, so I call the broker and he says the load was to be picked up on 4/1 by 1200. I tell him my company says 4/2 at 1200. After trying to confirm with PTL (FM not in today) I call back the broker after 30 minutes and he says oops his mistake it is for 4/2 at 1200.

Finally get unloaded and on my way at 1230. They change the appt to before 1400. My Navigo (Jill) has me going back roads to get there. I arrive about 1345 after missing the entrance and have to find a place to turn around (I HATE THAT sent an update to Navigo so the next person does not have the same problem).
The guard has me watch a 15 min safety video, I have to wear a jacket, hardhat and safety glasses. Where am I, I'm just picking up a load of stuff that's used in drilling.

Get loaded with 40K of the stuff and head out. Because of heavy traffic on I12 I was over on my 14 by 5 minutes before I got to my stopping point.

Today was just driving 570 miles to the rest area I am at. Have 253 miles to deliver in the morning.

 

Made it to Chicago to deliver. I hate Chicago everything is too tight. Not bad getting to my delivery other than traffic.

My next PP is picking up in Chicago. This one was difficult to get into. I had to backup up about 200 yards down an alley. Then I had to put my trailer between 2 other trailers with about 2 inches of clearance between them on each side. That took awhile.
Got loaded with 4888lbs of fiber drums to deliverer to the chemical plant next to our yard in Murray, KY.

When I got to the plant this morning they had me drop the trailer and BT out. Unfortunately I forgot I had 2 straps holding the drums in. It's going to be fun to get those replaced without me having to pay for them.

My next PP came in. Picking up in Paducah, KY and delivering in Gettysburg, PA. I call the weekend FM and he said I could BT over to pickup a loaded trailer. While I was at the yard I was able to get the truck washed. the only 2 places we can do this is Murray and W Memphis, AR.

Ran over an picked up my loaded trailer (which is very empty). The bils say 15K I'd say more like 8K.

Sitting at the Pilot in Lebanon JCT, KY which was my fuel stop. After I spent 4hrs going 8 miles on I65 due to construction. Well good night I'm beat.

 

Now at the TA in Greencastle, PA about 38 miles from my delivery. I want to deliver it early AM for a chance at a better load out of here.

The routing and fuel solution I got for this load is 867 miles but only paid for 817. I am going to speak to my FM about this. It should not be that bad.

The routing took me across I68 through WV and MD. I don't believe I have ever been on this road. It was actually fun for me with only 10K in the box. I would hate it with 44K.