Crete Carrier - A Year In Review - Fall 2013 Going Forward

4.5 hrs now and counting. Only 1.5 hrs to go on my 14 and still no service truck has come here to the Pilot in South Bend to change this trailer tire. There was a Shrader Tire Service truck here when I arrived who I spoke to that was willing to have his dispatch send on out another truck with a tire and do the repair. They have a shop right here in South Bend. I advised Road Service of this when I spoke to them 1.5 hrs in. Nope. They want to use someone else which at this point will absolutely require this load to be either relayed or the appt rescheduled. Clearly they are not seeing the Forest for the Trees.

 

I had one in my Crete truck, but it stayed off most of the time for the same reason. I have one in my 68 mph Poly truck...and people still whine and complain about me being in their way...but the security gates at our facilities use them when we scale in and out, so we have to have one. One thing a CB is good for are those times when the customer offers to call you on the CB when you're done...if you don't have one you have to stay in the receiving area instead of going to your truck.

 

Get the CB. Every driver should have one and you'll be surprised how much time it will save you avoiding traffic (among other things). And don't worry about the #### talkers... you can always turn off the radio and call it good.

 

It took me 1.5 hours too to get thru for the daily hotel approval, and I have to call back tomorrow too.

But then I lectured them again about how a recall notice on a truck meant the part was going to #### up and needed replaced and maybe some ###### should tell the drivers their truck has recalls on it and they can drop the truck off at a dealer on their hometime, not be stuck in a hotel for 4 days when they're due home.
My brake chamber on the steer axle blew apart, had a recall on it and I was in a company shop last week to boot.
International got me right in on Thursday, but didn't have 2 chambers, I grabbed my bag for the hotel and they were fixing the recall on the bunk heater?
Not sure how many recalls I had, but today I got more stuff and they had pulled both front wheels hubs and put them back on.

I guess the snow really screwed up their parts deliveries, the shop was packed full of trucks waiting on parts.

I was due home Friday, I'm sitting 590 miles away instead.

I have to get a belt buckle bottle opener so I don't have to use a pocketknife, my bottle opener is in the truck.

 

If you get to West Memphis, stop at the cb shop by the McDonalds by the Petro, get a used Cobra 29 that's been peaked and tuned and a noise cancelling mike.
A cb is a must have, especially in this weather, it's nice to know that both right lanes are closed over that hill because of a wreck or so I can comment on how you sure don't look like a valuable asset and that you look more like a ####### ######

 

I will actually be in West Memphis for a fuel stop around 5am. I'm gonna get one but gotta wait till next payday.

 

C'mon, use your teeth like a real man... :smt030

 

Well just after my 14 expired I finally got a call from the tire repair service. They gave up waiting on hold for Road Service and won't call back. They gave me their # and won't do the repair without our Road Service calling them. Going to bed now.

 

Honestly, I wish all service companies would take this firm stance and force our companies to adequately staff the Road Service Departments.

 

620 miles today and got done a lot later than I would have liked. No parking spots left. I am a terrible illegal parker. I am sitting on the end of a row right on the red no parking area and a sign that says towing will be enforced. While I am sitting 4 other drivers parked in spots that didn't even cross my mind. The garbage guy in the golf cart just drove by and didn't say a word so I'm going to stay here.