FedEx Ground Linehaul with JohnBoy

Got it. Thank you.

 

I’ve run Briley Parkway (155) for years. Now that I work out of Murfreesboro, I was shown and guided around Nashville going west on 24. The worst part of this job is getting caught up in that horror show at the wrong time of day, bad weather, and any other type of adjectives you want to throw in. I’m just thankful most of my runs have left at 0300.

 

I’ve been filling in for a driver the last 2 weeks doing his run while he waits on a return to work ok from his Dr. I got a phone call yesterday from the Ops manager asking for a favor. Wanted to know if I could finish this week and next week as well. I was planning on going home next Wednesday, when he threw in an extra $500 bone, I couldn’t resist. I’ll finish the run Friday night in Memphis, leave the truck at the hub and fly out Saturday morning. I’ll be back to work Sunday the 7th. This actually works out better. The airport is a short Uber ride from the hub, and I get to fly into PBI which is 9 miles from the house. So far, this warm and fuzzy feeling is still here after 3 months.

My keen observations that has stuck out for me so far is this. It’s very obvious who the top tier contractors are, all one needs to do is look at some of the trucks at these hubs, and some of the drivers driving these trucks. That’s all I’m going to say about that. One thing that really pisses me off is this, FedEx is big on workplace safety. We have a boatload of safety policies in place. Some are very obvious. Making sure your safety chains are hooked, speeding on property, pedestrian right away, and so on. So what do I see at some hubs on a daily basis? Speeding, running stop signs for the pedestrian walkway’s and not doing proper safety checks on the equipment. All I want to do is get in, drop, find an empty and leave, there are times I feel like I’m in a war zone.

And here is another keen observation from yours truly. I have touched minimally 5 trailers a day every day, probably touched 200 trailers and 50 Dollie’s, not one of them have had an expired inspection sticker, or bad tire. If I did, it’s red tagged on the spot, and I go find another trailer. I thought I was to bring it to the shop, but I found out recently that you leave it in place, there’s a multitude of golf carts running around with mechanics and walkie talkies sending a yard truck to get said trailer and bring it to the shop. As a driver, it’s a great way to do things. The important part though is red tagging the equipment.

 

Another week done. Drove a total of 2533 miles this week. Of which 533 were bonus miles. I’m flying home out of Nashville Wednesday morning. Will be back at work on Sunday the 7th. Because I am going home for 10 days, I was asked if I wanted to run tonight and Sunday. I said absolutely. So I’m doing a Humboldt to Olive Branch then back to Humboldt tonight, then a Humboldt to Newbern to Memphis twice tomorrow. Monday and Tuesday I’ll be at Murfreesboro on call. Then Uber to Nashville for my flight home at 0600 on Wednesday.

 

I’ve notice one constant in life. It doesn’t matter what job or profession one is involved in, the third shift in any job sucks. I’m not talking about the time of day, I’m talking about the quality of workers. My run last night is one that happens every Saturday night, hook a set of empties, drive the 102 miles to Olive Branch, break the set down, then check in to get your load assignment going back to Humboldt, a loaded set. I get to the hub and do my drop, check my trip buddy and my load assignment is there. Then I look at it. They assigned me an empty 53’ to take back to Humboldt. I drive to the Linehaul office, use the restroom, then walk to the window to clarify my return load. When I explained that this made no sense, the kid on the other side of the window told me to do it as directed. I should have, instead I called my ops manager at 11:30 last night and explained to him what they had me doing. I knew they were wrong, but there was no telling the know it alls. He called me back in 5 minutes to recheck in on the app and my loaded trailers and assignment will be updated. It was, then this dumb truck driver went on with his night. Even a well oiled machine is only as good as your employees.