Good Night From II

Palestine, AR.

0730
I got to my delivery at Family Dollar 1 hour early, got a door right away, then waited over 30 minutes to get the PO for the lumper. And they don't unload until money is in hand.
Then waited another hour for them to begin unloading.
Then waited another hour and a half after they finished unloading so they could count everything.

Then was told too much was sent. An overage with 2 items equaling about 70 cases.
I was told to call my dispatch and see what they wanted to do... leave it here or take it back.
So I sent the macro, then called the number. I told her they wanted to know if they should keep it, which they were willing to do.
Yes, (thank goodness!!), just make sure they document it on the BOL.
So what could have taken hours longer dealing with claims turned out to take just a few more minutes.

1230
I was supposed to pick up the next load at 1100, and its a 30 minute drive.

There was a pick up window so I wasn't actually 'late', but it does make time very tight for the delivery appointment.
It ate up so much of my 14 that I had to shut down way sooner then I had planned.
Well, early to bed and early to rise, and all that fluff.

 

Here in lovely Beaumont, TX. Last night received a message that my t-call location changed and the new place will not take early so I guess stuck dropping it on Friday morning so tomorrow will be another easy day.

 

Good ol' TX.
I'm headed down to Mission. Nearly as far down as one can go in this country.

I'm really hoping for a load that will bounce be right out of TX.

 

Since I have home time for April 1 and have to turn this truck in on the 2nd to get my new truck there in PHX, I am pretty sure what I will be doing for the next 6 days. Bouncing around TX and AZ, and possibly CA

 

Funny, those are 3 of the (6) states I try most to avoid.
NY, NJ and CT... actually, anything in those parts.

 

Don't know if you've been there before..but..if not, my condolences

Right after starting with Swift I brought a load of noodles from L.A. to an HEB DC in Weslaco just down the street from Mission. Due to CSR screw ups I was there 3 days trying to get unloaded. Commuted back and forth from the FlyJ a little north in Edinburg. Wasn't about to sit in a dirt patch in town by myself that close to the Border.

My load out of that hot, fly infested, rat hole was a live load in Mission. There were two loads to p/u but Swift booked five trucks!! Another Company driver, me and 3 O/Os. When we all found out what was going on the O/Os bailed out quick..I was too stupid back then to realize what was coming and should've hauled ### too.

This place had an outdoor dock, crusty filthy warehouse, very dusty dirt lot...and BUGS, oh Lord, I'll never forget the Bugs. A relentless assault by anything that could crawl or fly. The other guy got loaded that night and left as I sat up on a little hill behind their building wondering why I wanted to drive a truck. They loaded me the following night after sitting there another smoking hot bug-filled day.

I can't remember the name of that dump but I swore on Heaven & Earth I would NEVER return..and I haven't and will not ever again for any reason. I am permanently emotionally scarred from the experience of spending 5 days there.

Enjoy your visit!!

 

I took the load because of the miles, but didn't check the map as to where is really was.
My mistake, perhaps.

I've had similar experiences down there. It seems it's not unlike deep Mexico.
Dirty, filthy, and they just don't care.

I'm hoping access to mac 30 will get me out of there quickly.
Hoping...

 

Rest area off I 30 nearing the Big D in TX. At least this l/u at 08:00 was in the pplan. Nice drive south today. Some storms in OK, but I heard it got worse later.

Below freezing last night in north part of the Show Me state, 81 degrees as I pulled in to shut down here. Now I remember why post menopausal women experience personal "Texas days".

Sent a mac34 update to original scheduled appt. Will start looking for something to set me up for Saturday home time.

 

Taking a breather at the AmBest on I-55 just north of the AR border.

I had originally planned on leaving very early to slip through Memphis while the commuters were asleep to finish the last five hours to Brookhaven MS and drop at 9am (the delv window is long, to 11pm tomorrow night). I would have two hours or so left on my 70 when finished setting me up for yet another day of trying to sleep during daylight and picking up loads at 12am and driving all night. I don't mind once in a while but I've been in this cycle for the past week or so and its wearing me out. Getting woke up too often during the day and overall fatigue is setting in.

Checked Mac30 several times after adjusting my drop time and PTA. Same 3 loads over and over requiring me to get moving at 11pm, drive 3 hrs on a 2-lane to central Louisiana for a 45K lb load to deliver in Atlanta during morning rush hour off the Loop. All 3 loads same shipper, same destination.

Decided I better make a move quick to not only get off night driving but to ensure Memphis planners didn't jam one of those crap loads on me. I don't normally delay a delivery within a window but this time I did another 34 and pushed my ETA out to 4pm and my PTA out to the following morning to 4am. Hope to find a better load after tomorrow. Had to sacrifice some miles but is worth it to me to end this cycle. My 70 will be back to 11+ hours then so that will help some.

 

Shut down at the FJ north of SLC. Decided as I was approaching SLC during rush hour it would be better to stop and get a parking spot, then fly through SLC and Provo in the wee hours.

My brother called from OKC. Said golf ball sized hail and tornado sirens are blasting, spent some time in the cellar. Sounds like Moore got hit again.