Smith Transport - Roaring Spring, PA

Well c'mon buddy!!!! We're waiting for you

;?)

 

Call me. John boy has my number

 

"Gay Polo Shirts".... now THAT'S funny. If it will make you feel any better Shaggy... I don't do teal.... hehehehe Mine are either black (mostly) or grey. (still chuckling)

Honestly, I haven't had a lot of interaction with the other drivers, however I will admit, I've seen a few that I would not let date my daughters ) . Typically, I go into a terminal, do what I have to do, and leave. I'm not what you would call a "social butterfly" when I am working. That is, unless you have the ability to affect my paycheck. I have found a long time ago that a large percentage of the truck drivers out there do not share my feelings about things, nor do they want to be social either. that is, unless you are sitting at a counter in a truckstop restaurant. Then you can't seem to get them to shut up.... and they are typically the ones who don't have a clue, and don't mind making you very aware that they indeed do not have a clue. So, I really can't speak for any of the other drivers up there. But the few that I have talked to seem to be cordial and personable. But I see your point.

As far as Dispatch goes, I really haven't had any issues with them either. Now, granted, I have only been there since March, but so far, my experiences have been good. I typically deal with a driver manager (Kevin) out of Atlanta, and he is awesome. Short and to the point, but I realize he is busy too. Generally, I do all my communicating over the QUALCOMM, so my conversations with "dispatch" are few and far between. But again... they have always appeared to be interactive and rather prompt. I am told that a lot of it (like it is in EVERY trucking company) depends on your Driver Manager. And I am sure that there are ones that are better than others. Maybe I just got lucky. But Smith does work with me, gets me home when I want or need to, and I am getting miles.

Have no idea about the water truck aspect of the company. Not my game and therefore no need to be informed about it. I do hate that you got held up by a Smith driver. Although I have not met him personally, I do know who 2 Tall is, but couldn't tell you a thing about him or his decals (you have my curiosity going now - what decals?)

And yes, the trucks are nice, and it seems that Mr. Smith does put effort forth in making the drivers happy. I guess it's like everywhere else. There are good things and bad things. But to compare Smith drivers with USA or CRST? I'm sorry bud, but I am going to have to disagree with you there. Sure, Smith probably has some bad drivers, but doesn't everyone? If you think about it, in order to have something BAD, one must also have something GOOD to compare it to.

Perhaps you're talking to some of them now, and letting them sway your opinion? Dunno... but if they were so displeased with the company, why don't they go somewhere else? Maybe they can't.... or maybe it's not as bad as the picture they paint. No telling. Like I said in an earlier post... I don't stick around in places or situations that make me miserable. For now, I am pleased with the way things are going. They don't micro-manage me, and I don't micro-manage them (hehehehee). If I have a problem, one call fixes it. And I'm ok with that.

And as far as "getting out while I can"... I'm not too worried about that coming down on me. It was outlawed in the 1860's.

But I appreciate the heads-up. It will certainly give me something to keep my eye out for.

 

OK, so let's catch up, shall we?

Last two weeks, I was running all over the place (long trips), and dealing with a couple teeth that were KILLING ME!!!! I had originally planned on "Man-ning Up" and seeing my dentist when I got home, but it got to the point on week two where I was absolutely DONE with the pain. I called my DM, and we worked it out where (since I was only spitting distance away from the terminal) I would deadhead in and have time to go see a dentist. I found a dentist in Roaring Spring who was willing to fit me in. It was worked out where I could take one of the company cars to the dentist, and "keep it as long as I need to". Ended up having teeth pulled. Oh, what a relief!!!

When I got back to the terminal, Evan (one of the front line guys) was genuinely concerned, and told me they would get me back on the road when I felt up to it. Then offered to reserve one of the bunk rooms for me. I told him I would be much comfortable in my truck, but appreciated the offer.

Next day, I was up to par. Walked into dispatch, told them I was ready, and before I made it back to my truck, they had sent me a SWEET load assignment that got me by the house for the weekend. So I got to do the Mother's Day thing with Lisa, and snatched a 34. Headed back out Monday to unload in Atlanta, deadheaded 22 miles, picked up a load, and took off for Tennessee. Unloaded this morning, snatched another 10 miles away, and will deliver that in PA tomorrow morning with 10 hours drivetime left on my clock. Expecting my preplan to come over the QUALCOMM any minute now.

For me, life is good...