I'm baaaaaack!!!!!!!!

The Hot Chick pointed out that I have never been in such close proximity to the Amway Mafia for so long without someone trying to recruit me. Strangely, my first reaction upon realizing that was to be mildly offended. Go figure.

It. Was. Cold. This morning. Picked up a load on the yard, quick shag to a warehouse 12 miles away. Address on bills and dispatch is wrong. I finally find the place and they have no appointment scheduled. Bring it back to yard. Paid for two shags. Sitting at the license division right now because they don't have my medical certification. They faxed it and asked me to wait for confirmation before leaving. Then it's two blocks north to Wal-Mart and then back to truck to pick up in Plainfield going to Green Bay yard. Trying to remember that this is "The Holidays" which seems to mean that everybody gets a pass on doing their job competently. Grrrrr....

Have been assured that after "The Holidays," things quickly return to a semblance of normalcy and I'll have more miles than I can handle. Keeping calm, carrying on, maintaining a good attitude. This, too, shall pass... kind of like a kidney stone.

I am Captain Zoom.
I have spoken.

 

I am one with the universe...I am one with the universe...I am one with the universe... (twitch twitch twitch)

Got to Niagara Water in Plainfield IN. Per shipper rules I park and walk 1/8 mile in windy, 20° weather to check in. Stand in line outside, my turn, smile, good afternoon, I'm with GTI picking up blah blah blah. Number is no good. Walk 1/8 mile back to truck, check QC, there is the number he asked for buried in the very bottom of the page. Write it down, walk back to check-in, stand in line, smile, tip hat, hello again, here's the number you asked for, sorry about that. Number is good but the load doesn't deliver until January 6th. Walk back to truck (wind has picked up), contact dispatch, twiddle thumbs, they ask for a name and number. Stare at screen -- really? You don't have that information? How did you book the load?

Round trip, send info, waiting now. No longer smiling.

 

Got a message from dispatch informing me that the planner wanted me to return tomorrow to get the load that won't be ready til the sixth, and please return to the yard. I sent a message that I wanted to meet with the fleet manager (Operations Manager) when I got there. We chatted for about ten minutes. No yelling or cussing, just a calm recount of my week. Result: immediate removal of the current load. Acknowledgement that I had been on an inordinate number of concurrent short runs. A small cash bonus to help offset the damage caused me financially by the lousy week and messed up planning. A modest cash advance to help me over the "hump" I have found myself stuck behind, with the promise of more if needed to get my feet back under me. A weekly phone appointment to see how things are going for me (and, I suspect, to monitor that Looney planner). And a 500 mile load that picks up tomorrow and delivers Friday morning first thing.

Not bad for ten minutes' conversation.

Spoke with a couple other guys who are getting burned by the holiday slump who were bragging about how tough they were being on their dispatchers, jumping down their throats, reading them the riot act, etc. Both of those guys are sitting til the weekend at least. I am amused that they called me a b#### for not standing up for myself. I'm rolling and they aren't. Seems to me I'm the one who stood up for himself successfully.

Said it before, saying it again:"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

I am Captain Zoom.
I have spoken softly.

 

Still tying to figure out the no idle heat on this thing. Seems to be no settings between "Meat Freezer" and "Broil Trucker." Last Cascadia I drove didn't have that issue.

 

I have a Webasco type heater that's controlled by the TriPac control panel (digital thermostat instead of the old rotary knob). Since I don't have windshield curtains I use the mid cab ones and there's is a much smaller Area to heat. I have to set the thermostat for like 50° and that's plenty warm in 15° weather. The trick is finding the right setting as it changes according to weather conditions. Also, The Hot Chick sleeps in the top bunk which is much warmer than the bottom. I like it a little cooler than she does so it works out if we can find the right setting.

 

At the yard in Pontoon Beach. Picking up a relay that delivers in Kansas City at 1000 tomorrow. Since we have a little time we're doing laundry and showering before we leave. This is a nicer facility than the Indy yard. Waiting for Chinese food. There's nothing else that delivers here and I don't want to go to the Flying J or the Hen House. Tomorrow I'm going to have to get something different or my wife will probably stab me with her knitting needles.

I'll retreat to a safe distance and throw chocolate at her til she stops growling.