ATS/school

BigDuker, from what I have heard 80' wouldn't even be close to the longest possible for those wind tower guys/gals. Supposedly ATS has an expanable trailer that goes out to 115', and has 19 axles. I can't even imagine trying to turn that thing! As to pay, I know they get a lot more per mile, but they are also restricted on when they can run. So that might impact how much they actually make. On the other hand, if it didn't pay well they wouldn't do it. Those guys are all veteran truckers who I'm sure could get a job anywhere they wanted doing whatever they wanted. So it must at least pay decent and be challenging. Something to keep them interested.

 

ok, catch up time. I sat in the Hagerstown Pilot all day, then got the next load at 5pm(6eastern). I had to pickup in Philly before 5 am. That sucked! I tried to catch a nap, then left at 12am. Got there fine, it was a preloaded trailer, that part was nice. But it had to be tarped. Alone with brand new, never been opened tarps, yeah it sucked. But I got out before 5am. Just like I was supposed to. Started out for Duluth,GA with cable racks for comercial electric work(guess that's why they had to be tarped). Made the delivery on time, had an interesting time trying to back up an elevated ramp into the warehouse, it was also very tight. But the folks were very good to work with. I know that isn't always the case. One of the guy's even took my dog for a walk while I folded tarps and they unloaded. The next load came in much faster, only a few hours. This time I had to get to Thomasville,GA. Had a few misturns, but got there on time as well. Now i'm sitting in Summersville,WV waiting until Monday to unload. I will probably then have to deadhead home. I found out today I have a funeral to get to in Canada. So far it doesn't sound like this will be a problem. I sent the emergency time off request in(on the drivertech) and heard back within an hour(maybe 1/12-2hrs,can't rem. exact.) Message said time off was changed. I'll have to let you know how it all works out, but again I am pleased so far. Having only been here for two weeks I wouldn't have been suprised with a denial. And I really couldn't have blamed them. Well, I'll let you know. On another note, if you get or use the new Maptuit program on the Drivertech, be a little careful. For the first two trips it got me right to the address spot on. But going to Thomasville it was a bit off at times. Not really the map but more the spoken directions. If you look at the map(either on the screen or in your atlas) to keep an idea of how or were to go it works out much better. Sometimes it will want you to "make a slight right" but that actually takes you in the wrong direction. I think they are trying to be to exact in some ways. A simple " take US19 to the right" would be better than trying to be so exact. Oh well, nothings perfect and experience always helps!

 

Hey AG, sorry to hear about Polman, thought they were going to be perfect for you. Hope Magnum works out better. I'm heading to Maine right now with a stop in Vt. The #### roads in Wisc. today have me behind were I want to be so I'll be off early to try and make some time tommorrow. Need to deliver on Thurs. in Vt, Friday in Me. Hope the weather holds. Got a load of skid steers and those little 4x4 trucks( sorry don't know what Bobcat calls them). Strange to have them loaded from a dock not with a crane or forklift. THose guys did know how to manuever them though! Had another ATS guy loading at the same place so he helped me secure them, since I had never done vehicles before. Word to the wise tho, don't just strap over the wheels when they are loaded sideways, EVEN WHEN THEY TELL YOU THATS HOW TO DO IT! Had both straps come off one, right after each other, in Chicago. Fortunately I saw the first one come loose( always check your mirrors) and got over before any problems. I added a chain to each, NOW they arre secure. And yes, I had been doing load checks a few times a day. Just goes to show you that you really cant be too careful!

 

BigDuker, I can't agree more! Chains from now on! When I delivered today the reciever said" they all come in just strapped". Well not from me anymore! BigDaddy, so far the Volvo is fine, not that great in hills though. But some of that could be me. It seems to be better if I don't let it bump the gov., then the engine doesn't have to deal with that lag. It had some trouble in the small steady hills, and the up and downs. Again, I am willing to take some blame. As to the acceptance letter, I actually got both. I was in pretty steady contact with Traci, so she called and then I got a letter. I would suggest that you be pro-active with Traci. She is a bit disorganized at times. Actually she just has a lot to do and not really enough help. Should deliver in ME tomorrow. By the way, does anyone know for sure if all VT state roads are truck routes or not? The atlas says no but the #### Maptuit program kept trying to get me on roads I know were not for trucks( one even had a big "no trucks" sign). Lost a lot of time today because of that. Well, now I know not to trust the thing as much more than a guide. Funny though, the first trip out east it was dead on. HMMMM....