CRETE - A Year in Review

I have access to industry research through RMA and First Research at work. From what I've read, you're magazine is pretty much right on. Freight is forecast to pick up in 09 and grow steadily over the next five years. Of course, that report came out before the banking crisis.

 

Yeah, them 3700 mile weeks can really eat up a logbook in a hurry

About a week ago, I put in my home time request for today, the 22nd.

Just before leaving the J in Hubbard on my way to Montgomery, IL on Friday I got a preplan that picked up in Milwaukee (d/h, anytime before midnight Saturday night) and delivered in Kennesaw, GA (d/h, anytime before 6:30pm today the 22nd).

So, I took my load to Montgomery, grabbed an empty, and made it to the truckstop across the street from the T/A on I-94 at the IL/WI line. Next morning, after a hearty breakfast that would make a cardiologist cringe, I went on in to Milwaukee and got my load. Interestingly, they had me drop my empty in a door and get my load at a drop yard a few blocks away. Usually that place just sends me straight to the drop yard to do the swap. It'd been so long since I actually bumped a dock, I decided to take a picture of it:



I kind of took my time with that load, got the truck a bath in Whiteland, IN to wash off the salt and 2 months' worth of other grime, and spent last night at the house. I went on down to Kennesaw today and got to my delivery at about noon or so. Before I left home (near Chattanooga) this morning I sent in my ETA and what my remaining hours would be, and asked if they wanted me to deadhead home after delivery or if they had something they needed picked up today that I could take home until Friday.

I ended up with a load that picked up in Covington, GA (d/h, anytime before midnight tomorrow night) that delivers in Milwaukee (d/h, anytime between 00:01 and 12:00 on Monday 12/29). That means I don't have to hit the road again until Saturday, and will have 912 miles when I deliver first thing Monday morning. I'll get on the Qualcomm tomorrow and let them know my ETA and that I'll have pretty much all of my 11 and most of my 14 left after delivery, and see what they come up with as far as a preplan to hopefully get me back on the good side of Chicago before the city wakes up. In case anyone is wondering which side of Chicago is the good side, you're on the good side of Chicago if you're looking at it in your mirrors

The worst part of today was the fact that by the time I got to Covington, swept out my empty, dropped it, hooked onto my load, and got my paperwork at the guard shack, it was about 3:30pm eastern. That meant I got the distinct pleasure of entering the Atlanta 285 loop at just after 4pm.

Ah well, it can't all be sunshine and lollipops...if it was they wouldn't have to pay somebody to do it

 

Nice story Redbeard, glad to hear youre doing well!

 

After the 846 mile debacle that was the week of December 8th, I did really well last week with 3,293 miles. Got lucky and was able to deliver the first two loads early. This week isn't looking too good right now, though. I decided to stay out over Christmas thinking I'd be able to burn it up when most everyone else was home or trying to get there, but what do I get? Reefer Madness!!! In Houston, nonetheless!

I sat around all day yesterday waiting on a load and got the "Would you be interested in covering a reefer load" message around 1600. Sucker that I am, I assumed it would be "dry" and said yes. Wrong ... Gotta run the unit and keep it at -10. It goes from Sugar Land, TX to Lewiston, ME (2056 miles). Seems pretty good except that it has a drop in Gouldsboro, PA on the 26th and it's a Wal Mart live unload in Lewiston on the 27th. Considering I'll be in the black hole for freight known as New England, it looks like that's all I'll get for the week. Bleh ... To make matters worse, I had to go to the Houston drop yard to get a trailer and the only one that was empty and not out-of-service was an old Sunflower POS. I got to the shipper, claimed a door, set the unit to precool and on comes the warning light five minutes later ... It coded for low coolant and overheating ... Soooooo, I got with breakdown and had to go back to the Thermo King shop which didn't open 'til 0700. I found a spot nearby, got it in the shop first thing and they're now saying they have to install a new water pump, so here I sit ...

I was really jonesing to t-call this one in New Kingstown and get back on the Crete board early on the 25th, but it looks like that ain't gonna happen. Merry. Freakin'. Christmas. Won't do this again ...

 

Dont feel bad, I had more troubles with this run, made it here on the 23rd and unloading was done for the day..now the 24th and im hearing they didnt have me on schedule..2 days late now and all i want is to get this crap off.

 

you guys waana see the trucking life, this a link to a web cam in a shaffer truck

http://sweetbear.camstreams.com/

 

For those that are out running freight over the holiday.... A hearty thankyou.

And to rub it in a bit, I may have to dig out the shorts down here. It's only suppose to be a low of 60 tonight, and in the upper 70's to low 80's through most of the weekend.... AHHHHHHHHHHH This makes up for all the nasty times during the summer when we're dodging hurricanes.

 

ok whos near the ottawa yard...im stuck...i would like to thank the parking lot crew on a wonderf&*#@inful job ! and top it all off , no shower or laundry today either

 

hey weazz,

I was there at Ottawa yesterday, picked up a T-called load. I was stuck on the ice and another Crete driver says, " try putting your splitter in the high range, engage the interaxle and try pulling in a higher gear" well it actually worked. Just thought it might be worth a try if you are still stuck. BTW it took over 2 hrs to break free from ice and frozen brakes on an empty trl at the Menards DC in plano.

good luck