CDL in hand... Now What ? Decision time, that's what...

After delivering the steel bar to East Peoria, IL and getting unloaded quickly I wnet to the truckstop in Morton. Received a new assignment in short order - a deadhead to Gary to pick up a relay. It is a steel coil going to Tennessee. Up early tomorrow to get it there tomorrow afternoon.

Be safe & have fun.

Perpetual.

 

Left at about 04:00 from Gary, IN to make it to Murphreesboro, TN on time; actually made it an hour early (13:00). Upon arrival, sent QC message stating I had 3 hours left to drive and 4 hours on my 14 clock (no response). Untarped, unstrapped, unchained and waited in line behind 8 trucks to get unloaded; empty at about 15:30. Sent in empty call; waited 30 mins. Called FM.

"Hi I'm empty and have about 2.5 hours left to drive. You have a load for me? By the way, if you are planning to send me to Russellville, KY, I can still make it there this afternoon."

"HANG TIGHT let me call the planner....... Well he's on the phone. HANG TIGHT I'll call you back in 5 minutes."

30 minutes later:

"Hi, it's me again, any word?"

"Well the planner is trying to set up an afternoon pickup for tomorrow in Russellville. So HUNKER DOWN where you are and I'll for sure call you first thing tomorrow morning."

So I walked 1.5 miles to the Kroger to restock my fresh food and then got a shower here at the Pilot in Murphreesboro.

I am officially HUNKERED DOWN.

We'll see what happens tomorrow....

 

Kept an eye out for you but no visual.

 

Yeah that'll be me tomorrow...waking up after sunrise ...no alarm set. Ain't holdin' my breath for that call "first thing tomorrow" either... lol.

 

As expected, no call "first thing" so I called an hour into the FM work day.

"Nothing yet. HANG TIGHT and I'll call you as soon as I hear something."

10 minutes later, a QC message: There may be a load ready to pick up at 15:00. HANG TIGHT.'

Just changed the fuel filter since it was due. Cleaned all the mirrors, glass, lenses, and shook out the rugs. Rather do something other than sit. May go for another walk.

 

Things that make you go "Hmmmm."

 

Sure enough, load between 15:00 - 17:00 at Russellville, KY and due in downtown Chicago at 12:15 tomorrow. Looks like a significant part of this run will be at night. Managed to avoid that so far but knew it would happen eventually. The good news is midday in Chicago means hopefully getting out of there before Friday rush hour.