Good Night From II

also told him i've got 3-4 tcall loads from THIS terminal without scale tix. that the dispatch person says i needed to weigh the load myself anyways. he said that he didnt say that. i didnt say he said it, i said dispatch person. he said otr drivers are required to have the scale tix for tcall. again bs, i said its company policy for ALL tcall loads over 35000 lbs to have a scale tix.otr and locals. he said he has driver run over to fontana term to scale load and write it down. i told him thats not something i would trust.

 

I think next time I go to pick up a t-call load anywhere but the border terminals that doesn't have a CAT scale ticket, I'll refuse the load until I get dispatched separately to go scale it and bring it back to t-call it. I want to be paid for those miles and hassle, and I want the terminals to start taking responsibility for making sure it's done before accepting a t-call.

 

In Greer, SC waiting on my mentor. Was supposed to meet me at the hotel last night, but something happened because he's still in Georgia. To top that off, while at the Super-Great and approaching check out time I called and spoke to a DL to get an update. I was told that I should come down to the terminal in wait in the driver's lounge. I asked about a ride and was told that there was no shuttle on the weekend ... that's fine, I can understand that ... and was told that I should walk ... again, fine ... I grabbed my duffel and pack (aprox 50lbs including my laptop, jacket, blanket and clothes) and I walked my fat a-- over. As I'm walking through the drivers lounge, huffing and puffing, I hear someone tell another person to go pick up a couple drivers at the hotel as they're handed a set of keys. So, that's how it's going to be here in Greer ... LOL ... I did need the exercise anyway ... but still...

 

wow,that's total bs.......I'd let driver services know about that including dl name......

 

I would but he never gave me a name and I didn't ask. I will mention it if I have a reason to, especially if I get told the same thing tonight if my mentor doesn't show again. Frustrating ... deep breathing is still helping ... for now.

 

Keep in mind that when you called, the van may not have been available. Terminals often loan them out to drivers to do Walmart/grocery runs.

Also, night/weekend DLs can recognize a truck three out of five times, and don't know much about how things work at the terminal. The person to talk to about shuttles and such is the person at the driver's window; they are the guardian of the van keys.

 

I still learn something new every day ... I'll ask for dispatch next time. Wish there was an option on the phone menu.

 

Dropped my load in Ogden UT and now doing a 10 at a FlyJ a few minutes away.

Got a ppln on the way in to p/u a 25K lb 2-stop to Costco at the same place I dropped. First stop in Gypsum CO on the west side of the Rockies and 2nd stop in Arvada CO on the east side. I like the scenery on I-70 crossing the mountains. That hop will bring me to 2200 miles for Monday morning. With the right load(s) after that it should be EZ to bust 3000 again this week.

 

You ain't seen nothing yet! You'll go thru a lot of frustrating occurrences and it won't end. But after a steep learning curve you'll be able to anticipate issues and learn how to head them off.

Learning Swifts culture and how to get things done will come in time and then it'll become business as usual and you can concentrate on getting miles. Sometimes miles don't come easy and you have to get proactive. Don't let the day to day BS get to you cuz it's never ending. Learn the ropes, become excellent at time management and trip planning and you'll do fine. PS...don't have accidents and always be on time.