Calex Express....My New Home!

Any other questions just ask. As far as the pay scale for teams, call into safety and ask either Jim or Mort.

 

Nice meeting you. Good luck with everything. If you have any questions just ask. I wish I had pictures of mine when I got it. What it looked like then and what it looks like now is a world of difference. Hopefully you'll be running your tail off and the cleaning of the truck will take a back seat. If the truck is really messy Mort will pay to have it cleaned for you, just ask him. Also, the shop will supply you with paper towels and cleaning supplies whenever you need them.

 

Ok, another round to the west coast is complete. I'm now sitting in Milton Pa. waiting to load my Florida load 6am tomorrow so I can be home for the weekend. Actually, I'll be home until Wednesday, I have been putting off a root canal and it started really bothering me on the way back east this past weekend, so it's being done Tuesday. The last time I had this done was 25 years ago and it wasn't a good experience.

I got dispatched last Wednesday out of Reno, NV. for 5 p/u's in Salinas for Friday. After my reset was complete I left early Thursday morning and headed down to start my pickups. I stopped and got my truck and trailer washed along with a trailer washout while at the truck wash I called the cooler and asked about loading my 740 boxes of lettuce a day early. They said sure the product was ready and they would load me as soon as I got there. Cool, 2/3 of my trailer was loaded in 30 minutes and I called my second p/u and was told the same thing. So all I had left on Friday was 6 pallets of product at 3 packing houses, how long could that take, right? How about until 8pm local time. I was not a happy camper trust me.

After loading and weighing the truck I headed out. I prefer running 80, but I decided to visit my brother in Denver on the way back so I went 101 south, 46 east, 58 east 15 north 70, 76, 80. The difference in mileage is only 28 miles, but let me tell you, the time difference is probably 5 hours more because of all the mountains to go over. At the top of Vail Summit I stopped at the brake check area and noticed I was missing a lug nut on my trailer. No problem, I'll just get it taken care of at the TA in Commerce City at my fuel stop.

I got to Denver, fueled and got the lug nut replaced. My brother got there just as I was coming out of the shop. After parking I went over to his house and took a shower, and went out to dinner with him. We had a great time and then it was back to work to finish up my 10 hours. I made it to North Platte Nebraska and called it a night. The next morning I woke up and realized that I was still exhausted. I attributed it to the mountain climbing I did the last day and a half. Trust me, I was beat and I still had 1350 miles to go.

I struggled all day Monday and made it to Morris Il. that night for fuel and my 10 hour break. I woke up yesterday with 650 miles to go. I struggled yesterday also but knew I would have time to rest before reloading for home. I bumped the dock 6:15 this morning with 4 other Calex trucks all coming out of Salinas with produce and was empty by 8:15. I called Louie to hear his famous words, bring it back to the yard. I got to the yard, went upstairs and was given my load information for home. The load will be a drop and hook in Mcelhattan Pa. 6am in the morning going to Orlando for a Monday 5am delivery. I'll be home Friday late afternoon, deliver Monday then go back home to have my mouth torn apart by my Dentist. Oh, Garylobo was at the yard today and is headed to the West coast. I'll be going next week after coming out of Florida.

One last thing, I have noticed 4 or 5 drivers have been hired recently that all have read this blog. I just want to say to the new guys that what I go through on a daily basis and what I have to deal with on the company side has worked very nicely for me since I started here back on August 4th of last year. This is not a perfect company, but it works for me. I find it very refreshing when the President of the company comes downstairs and takes the time to shake your hand and talk to you about the new trucks they ordered, and to ask you how things are going, all this by calling you by your first name. Granted we only have 180 trucks and not 2500, but that's why I choose to work for Calex.You guy's will fit in just fine. All it takes is this one very amazing concept, deliver on time safely, and when a problem does occur deal with it in a professional manner. Good luck and God Bless!