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

Sorry so long to answer; daughter moved out into her own place and wife had a few issues with starting school and her new job, plus some empty nest depression. Been a little busy.

I had mentioned this before, but I'm at Transco Lines Inc out of Little Rock. They're a lease only outfit and I run primarily east of I-35, although I recently got jacked on a load from Dallas to Aurora CO that left me sitting all weekend. They finally did step up and compensate me a little since it was entirely their fault and I shouldn't have been sent out there to begin with, and I at least got to watch the Super Bowl (nearly left after half time, decided to stick around, glad I did).

Right now I'm on an easy load from Louisville to New Orleans that delivers Monday.

Before you ask (and I know somebody is going to), The Hot Chick would prefer I went back to company driving. Big M wants me back and has been talking to me. I signed the papers on this 2017 Peterbilt 579 Epiq the day Donald Trump got elected. I'm eating some poop financially until I pay it off, then I'll have a substantial raise without the payment unless I trade out into a newer one first. TLI treats me well enough in the meantime. Some good, some not so good, just Trucking 101. Meanwhile between The Hot Chick and me we're still paying all the bills and still able to help out the kid (which she isn't needing so much any more--whew). Anyway, after the fiasco this past weekend I fired my dispatcher and I feel I owe it to my new dispatcher to give her a fair shake. Not to mention I did sign a commitment and would like to live up to it.

We are on the prowl for a car or motorcycle for The Hot Chick (she wants a motorcycle but she's wrong) but are not in a hurry as she does not need one right now. She is in a centrally located place that is close to EVERYTHING (as in easy walking distance). Her new job is a 5 minute walk from the front door. And both major bus routes stop literally right in front of the house. Not to mention Über is never more than 5 minutes away. She got a bus pass with her student discount for half price so I'm thinking we can wait. She's pushing for a small motorcycle or large scooter because they're fun. We'll see. Maybe when it warms up a little.

 

Found on Craigslist for $4000. Thought maybe this would be a good choice for Indianapolis given the snowy winters. Only problem is I would be projectile vomiting the whole time I was driving it. Anybody who would do this to a Corvette ought to be hit with it.

 

Pay is about average for a lease, not the best but definitely not the worst. They pay .95 loaded and .82 empty, with an extra .02 for short loads (don't remember the threshold, think it's 700 miles but don't quote me). If you have Hazmat that's .02 extra on everything you do. When I started there was a sign on bonus of 500 out of orientation then 250 for next 2 weeks, then .02 extra for the first year, then another 1500 on your first anniversary. I think that's still going on. They pay tolls (EZPass and the little square for OK and KS) and all lumpers. We fuel at Pilot/Flying J primarily with some Love's open where there aren't any PFJ available, and I get .06 rebate on diesel. If you you can't make it to a network fuel station you can call in and they'll open up your EFS card to work where you are one time.

Trucks are a mix of Freightliner, Volvo, and some new Peterbilts. THEY ARE NOT FROM "QUALITY." The Peterbilt 579s have the touch screen driver information center in the dash with built in navigation (works decent). All trucks are automatics except an ancient International they use for check rides. Trucks are governed at 68. They are a mix of Qualcomm and Peoplenet elogs. Trucks have APU with 1800W inverters and refrigerators.

Most trailers have air release tandems except for the older ones. The newer ones have skirts and/or aero bits for the People's Democratic Socialist Republic of California. But solo drivers are kept east of I35, mostly. I don't even have chains on my truck.

Orientation is 3 days and I believe it is now held in Little Rock (used to be Russellville). Mon-Wed, in a truck Wed afternoon and rolling by Thurs. Payroll cutoff is midnight Mon night. They use Transflo scanning but don't support the Transflo app (don't ask me why--they have this weird other app that doesn't work on my second rate phone so I just scan when I fuel).

Dispatch is Trucking 101 for the most part. I'm averaging between 2500-2800 miles a week. They're wanting that average above 2800 but freight is weird this time of year and I keep getting loads that make me sit for a day to pick up (deliver Mon 1600, next load picks up Tues 1700, can't pick up early).

You can have a small pet but need to pay a $700 deposit against damage to the truck ($100/week). Rider policy is pretty good but no kids. They want 7-10 days notice for time off. Not sure what the limit is, if any, since I seldom take time off. I'm going home for 2 days on the 21st for my 30th wedding anniversary and that's the second time I've taken off since I've been here (last time was a 34 to get The Hot Chick moved out).

Well, time for breakfast. Later!

 

Delivered at John Koerner, then drop and hook at post office headed to Romeoville for Wed delivery.

 

Erkkkk, aaaack, ugh, overslept by about 90 minutes this morning, brain all fuzzy and refusing to start, what the #### was in that cereal last night!?

Phone charger popped out and battery died. My fault. Time to call in and face the music.

Oh wait, still okay for delivery... what they don't know won't hurt 'em, I guess.