CRETE - A Year in Review

I was able to take a couple of pics, but I drove through the worst of it last night. These pics were taken the next morning about 60 miles north of Memphis where the ice buildup and damage was much lighter.

 

Well, the ol' mileage whoa's are still following me closely. I put in my empty call in the frigid winter wonder land of OH last Wednesday. I had three loads to pick from. One to eastern PA that picked up at midnight (it was currently 2pm or so)from the very place I had just dropped my trailer and had a drop delivery. It was about 500 miles and I could have it there by Thursday night. But who wants to be in PA Thursday night, not to mention that would mean driving across the same roads I had just spent the last 6 very tense hours on and I had no real desire to do it again.

That left me the option of running a load down to Memphis (700mi) or to Pineville, LA (1050mi). They both had Saturday delivery times, but the Memphis run was a 700 live unload and the LA load was a drop. I went with the LA run knowing that I had little chance of getting a load out in a timely manner, but then I didn't really have that much confidence in the Memphis load either. At least the LA load had a few more miles on it. Plus I could have it there by late Friday afternoon and get my name on the list sooner than if I took the Saturday live unload.

I did get my load there by Friday, 4pm or so and actually got a single load offer rather quickly. Problem was that it didn't pickup intil the next day at 4pm. That's 24 hrs of waiting and I wasn't exactly getting good news from the other drivers on the lot waiting for their loads. Three Crete drivers where there with Noon pickup appointments (it's now past 4) and none of their loads were ready. Not uncommon at this place. I figured there was a backup on the production line when I turned the corner into the place. There was a unusually large number of bobtails scattered all over the place looking for parking. A sure sign that things were not going well.

A couple of the Crete drivers were really stressed out. Not just because the loads were late so much as what result that would have on their next paycheck. They were both in a situation where their 14hr clock would run out while they were waiting. This would mean that they would have to wait until early the next morning to roll out, which in turn would prevent them from Transflowing in their paperwork by the Midnight cutoff. This seemed to be a big problem for both of them.

They were absolutely thrilled to find out that I could scan their paperwork and Transflow them from my truck. I spent the next 45mins scanning and sending off their Trips and went off on my marry way. Sure wish it would have occurred to me to send in my own paper work. It was a cruel trick that my absent mind played on me. At the exact time of 12:01, (really, at that very moment)one minute after midnight it hit me that I had forgot to send in my last 1050mi trip. Looks like this weeks pay will be short $450+. At least the following weeks pay will look like a real paycheck.

And along with that bit of good news, my load that picked up 24 hrs after my drop delivered in OK (469mi) at 23:00 Tuesday night going to a Family Dollar. A set appointment with no early delivery. This is Friday. Thats almost 4 1/2 days. They can't actually expect me to sit near the customer for 3 days waiting to unload. My first thought was to freak out and beat my head on the steering wheel, but I had to assume that would hurt. So I didn't.

I soon realized that I could swing by the Wilmer yard in Tx and Tcall this ld. Not the greatest plan because I would have to sit here for 24hrs just to pickup the load. The run over to Wilmer would only be about 300 miles and then I would be sitting empty looking for a load in Tx on a Saturday. Yeah! That will work out just great. But what choice did I have. I accepted the load and waited for the load info. Then I started beating my head on the steering wheel.

Right there at the bottom of the load info. "High Priority Load" (Really? I think)"Must deliver as scheduled, absolutely no Tcal" This can't be happening.

Once my head stops spinning (Yup, steering wheels hurt, I was right) I shot off a message to dispatch. "Help" I go on to explain my situation and follow it with an "I don't like to complain, but this load plan is insane." I had actually expected that message to be ignored but it was quickly answered, but not exactly comforting. "Check back in the morning, there is enough downtime on load, should be able to repower, ask daytime dispatch 2mrw."

We'll that leaves me with a glimmer of hope, but it made for a restless night. I try not to let this kind of thing bother me, but it's been happening enough that it's starting to catch up with me a little. I can deal with a down day or two here and there, but 3 days was just eatin me up.

It was 10am the next day before I was able to get it worked out, but the Tcall was finally approved and my load was actually ready 4hrs early. Things are looking up, but that is only because I'm in a deep pit and that's the direction I have to look when I dream about crawling out of this mess.

So, by 6pm I find myself in the Wilmer yard and put in my Tcall. Dispatch wants to know what empty trailer I have and when I'll be ready to roll. Well, that sounds encouraging,

"Not so Much"

I'm not really sure why they asked because as it turns out they are out of freight until Monday morning, but they were kind enough to give me a choice of two loads. One to LA (500mi) the Bijou state, not sunny Cali, with a Midnight delivery on Tuesday (Man, I don't know what's going on with all of these middle of the night appointment deliveries, I'm strating to feel like a refer driver again) which comes up to 250mi a day. I'll pass. And the other load was going back to OH (1167mi) with an anytime delivery.

I was really hoping to get back to Phx, but it looks like hometime will once again be put on hold. I might try to work something out with dispatch tomorrow when the day crew comes in.

With all said and done, it looks like I have pulled in another 2300 mile week.

I haven't run the solid numbers yet, but I think I'm right at 10,000 miles for the month of January and I didn't come back from hometime until the 5th. Considering all that is going on with the economy I guess I should be happy to get that.

At least I get to watch the Cards in the Superbowl. Can you believe it, there are actually a few people out here who are interested in that game.

I found this in a Pilot's bargin bin about 2months ago for $3. Who would have thunk it?

 

JDRentzJR!

Hey John, I believe we have finally crossed paths. Last Thursday I was coming off of I75 and had just pulled onto I70 WB outside of Dayton (I had heard the roads in Cincinnati were horrible and decided to avoid it) You were East bound, headed towards Columbus I would assume. If your truck numbers end with 05 it was you my good man.

I did a little whiplash thing as I saw you go by and tried to get you on the CB, but no luck.