Glad I moved over to Poly Trucking

I didn't get the plastic scrap load from the outer burbs of Chicago...instead, I got a Pepsi load. Pepsi Chicago is a couple exits south of where I-55 and I-90 split. And...the customers road is closed within sight of their driveway...and the truck detour for the road just.....stopped being marked. I found my way like a blind squirrel finds a nut...shear luck. (And Google Maps with the street view for the bridge height signs) I followed the local detour until I found a crossroad without a 13'(or under) overpass that I could feel my way under. 3 hours to drive 92 miles...where is Mrs Oleary's cow when you need it?!? 3 pm pickup, 10 am delivery in Burnsville, MN...which wouldn't be hard...except I started my day at 8 am, and it's now 4 pm...and I am staring at the dock wishing I was there.

 

I'm in Jacksonville for a 8:00 am delivery at Sam's Club and then off to Quincy for a backhaul going to Midland.

 

I thought with all of that experience you would know better than to take one of those Illinois loads

Lucked out and was able to pick up a load to New Braunfels today out of GP after arriving from Houston. Was that or get stuck waiting for tomorrow to unload and then hope for some leftovers for Tuesday. Wow I-35 from New Braunfels all the way to Hillsboro on the northbound side is screwed. About 4-5 major back ups due to construction. Going to search for a feasible way around that cluster #### if I have to return that way tomorrow.

 

the only reason I took a load to Rockford was because it sends me back to my favorite plant...UPN. And I didn't want the multi-stop that ended in Beaver Dam/Oconomowoc. I was just hoping for the scrap plastic right to the yard...drop and hook both ends, can't beat it. But, I started counting the chickens too early and sat 5+ hours at a Pepsi plant. I ended up running west out of town to Rochelle instead of up 90 thru all that 45mph construction between the city and WI. I had just enough time to shut down at the Petro over here and it is only 25 miles further. The bad news is, load is due in Burnsville at 10...but since I shut down at 2200...it's gona get there more like 1500. Called the brokers direct line...got voice mail. Called the direct line and routed back to the main switchboard....other voice mail. Left the bad news on both...and I'm going to bed.

I am impressed with the inverter system on this truck. When I owned my own truck, I had it hard wired with a 1500 watt inverter, but it took a lot longer to cook stuff than this factory 1200. That and a brand spanking new 700 watt microwave ($49 Walmart cheapie) is much better than my old one.

 

Avoid the Illinois loads , that's what I'm hearing .

 

The only draw back to them is the probability that your back haul will come from the Chicagoland area. Which means traffic and tolls. Our 1 back haul out of the NW burbs actually isn't too bad. Preloaded scrap plastic going straight to Cottage Grove, and there is a non-toll back road escape route into WI. This was the 1st really screwed up load I've had doing an IL load. And the new people in Backhaul kinda messed up. When they gave me my load info, they ended up giving me the shippers phone number instead of the brokers number. It took a second call to get the right info. Plus, the shipper wouldn't answer the phone when I tried to call to find the way in to avoid restricted roads and low bridges.

 

Good deal , thanks for the info Super

..... my latest strategy is to try to get all my fuel at the Loves so I can get the free showers .

 

don't forget the free refills too!

 

Looks like Ive hit the dead zone .
Emptied out in Atchinson , Ks yesterday .
Nothing happening today
They said it was ok to head to the truck stop
25 miles away in St Joseph , MO

Zzzzzz

 

Outbound called today. Pu tomorrow in Cottage Grove. 3 stopper Harwood, MO...OKC...and Clovis NM. So it looks like I turn this 1500 mile run in this week and carry the rest over. Still puts me close to the 8000 mile level by mid month. No complaints here.