Bored in Tamp with a reefer

Somebody ain't doing their job. Look at Florida on this government report.http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/wa_fv190.txt All Florida areas shortage of trucks, good rates.
If you can't find a load out of Florida this time of year, you don't want one.

 

Been sitting here for five hours and still haven't made it to the dock
There's 12 other reefers here....gotta love brokered loads

I should have just parked it in St. Petersburg for the weekend .

Buying my own truck is looking better every day .

 

MJ, I was just in Tampa last week.... I think I was on the phone with you as I was driving into Tampa.... Anyhow, I got a rate coming out of Tampa that paid twice of what I went in with.

 

Bobtail down to Maimi - tons of hot chicks in thongs.

 

They are hurting for trucks to haul potatoes out of Palatka right now... should pay about $3100 to chicago...

 

Maybe I can talk them into loading my RGN.....

 

They would probably load a covered wagon!

 

This time of year they will load bulk spuds on about anything--depends on where it is going--some chip house don't wanna lift f/b s/d etc--earlier post on EKBare--give them a call--good folks can get good info

 

Ok I have kind of followed this for a few days--and please take this as the constructive advice it is--
I do not know how long you have been out here--but maybe pulling a reefer isn't for you--unless you a driving for a big company that does not do produce--patience is of the essence--nothing you have posted this week is unusual--just a normal trip in the produce biz--now you could say your company should have been more proactive etc--I cannot disagree with that--but I can tell you as a 3d generation very old (LOL)produce hauler--what you have described is normal--you got mt--waited a day--bounced a few hours--and got in line--that is how it works--I never leave the house without a VERY GOOD idea of what I am pickin and where etc--BUT--it ALWAYS looks good on paper--things change constantly--rates change--market prices change--customers make and cancel orders--if you decide to stay with that kind of work you get used to it--learn the people and ins and outs--but the basics never change--There is a lot of loads in Fla this time of year--but it is the same farms--farmers--in Fl S. georgia--so their crop timing(day to day)will determine when and where you load--nothing unusual--and almost all barns are first come first serve--depending on product you are getting--especially on any mixed loads--I know it seems like a PITA--but this is how it works--Also keep in mind(NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE TELLS YOU)Fresh Produce--Rarely if ever--loads before 2d shift--they only pick what they need to ship that day(with few exceptions)and rarely go into fields before 9-10AM(gotta give things time to dry from overnight)then harvesting starts--loads start to come in--have to be vacumed(cooled)usually but also exceptions)
So the main point is--fresh produce is an animal unto itself--and it is either something you enjoy doing or not--and for the most part the only time you are in a hurry is ONCE YOU ARE LOADED!
Please understand--I am not trying to give you a hard time--or judge you etc.--I am just trying to give you some insight to how this thing works--to help you understand what is going on--especially since you say--buying your own truck is looking better--if this is what you decide to do--I wish you ALL THE BEST and would help in any way I can--BUT--haulin produce and what goes on--won't change--Have a safe ride this weekend!
Just my $.02

 

Now that's nailing on the head, but truer words were never spoken. In the Texas valley, and Nogales they always tell you to get on over to the shed your load will be ready at 4 pm, but it's always 11pm to 3am, it's not for everyone.