The journey begins - purchased a truck.

Day 4 in Fort Worth - Load securement.

Woke at 0430. 8 am till noon was spent hands on in load securement. There is a 48 foot trailer parked out there, with a couple of big AC units, a reel (representing a coil) and a 29 foot long, 7 foot tall machine sitting on it. We chained and strapped the load, then tarped it. This is where I learnt the most, several practical and safety tips, and where I gained the most confidence in the four days. Back into the classroom for the afternoon, culminating in a test - I got 100%, and walked out with a new LS cap and a cigar from the load securement trainer. Checked fluids in the truck and fired her up, drove 8 and a half hours home, arriving after 1.30am. Long day, long week, brain fried.

Right rear light not working on indicator, but works on 4-ways. Took an educated troubleshoot guess and ordered a new indicator switch, $140 from KW. Problem solved. Faxed a form for Comdata to authorize direct deposit from the card into the business bank account. Rang shop to book appointment to fit switch for dump valve on trailer for Thursday.

Saturday I went to the local lumber yard, and bought $170 worth of timber and screws. Into production mode we go (sorry Baha, one of those new straps had to suffer)




The middle picture is the 8- 4 by 4 post oak (hardwood) dunnage pieces the local hardwood mill cut for me. Delivered classic redneck style, back up the pickup truck, pull one end of the stack off, drive off real fast (after collecting check - $65 ). So now we have ample dunnage, and corner boards. All good.

Sunday - about 4 hours work before I got here (the forum) -

• Set up comdata cards and verify
• Set up load alert subscriptions
• Formulate "Hi Guys!" letter to prospective agents
• Email one aforementioned agent who has a regular load from here
• Review securement list and price (oof - $2400) for Tri-City Canvas on Monday
• Review stacks of information from orientation and organize
• Complete required online courses at the LS e-learn site
• Set up new business email

That's it for now. Thursday is pick up date for the trailer, and there's a few forms to fill out and fax when I pick it up. Securements should have arrived by then.

Received final paychecks from ODFL, that's the last of the income. $6,000 left in personal operating accounts - that will see us through till LS settlements begin to arrive. $3,000 on business credit card is about to become $6,000 after dump valve and securements - so that will have to get attacked first. First trailer payment is the end of March . . . I'll be busy for the first few weeks.