Good Night From II

Sounds like it's working out.

 

Thanks. Yes. I think what I have been looking for. They have the miles and she knows that I am one to stay out at least 4-5 weeks at a time so she says that I will get the miles. Forgot to mention that today I stopped at Peelot for fuel and the price was the same as across the street at the Kwik Trip so I thought with the 10X points, Peelot. Looked at my receipt and was told, that stopped. Now only give them out at random and promotional. Nice that we were told about it

 

At the TA in Morris, IL tonight. Have a couple short days then I'm going home on Saturday. Delivered at Walgreens in Madison, WI this today. Got there about noon for a 1300 appointment. Asked approximately how long it might take, you know, just a general idea. He said it was scheduled to last until about 2300 tonight. WHAT?!?!?! He said they break down every pallet and put hands on each and every box, and depending on how its loaded it could take a while. Nothing else I could do, so I kick back in the bunk and watch a couple movies. About 4 hours later I get the notice that I'm done and I can the bills. So glad it didn't take until midnight tonight. Got a late Costco load tomorrow and then another Costco load home on Saturday. Leaves me with 1100 miles on the weekend, which I like because I can usually get another 1200 or so by Wednesday and have a pretty good week (for a company driver anyway).

 

Oakwood, IL. What started as a great day turned to crap once through the Twin Cities. Brake chamber on the truck went out, so there went 2 hours. Then the Swift routing had me going 60 miles OOR, which I ended up doing. After the breakdown and then the traffic from Madison to Beloit, it would put me in Chicago right around 5, and with the construction and being Friday, no way. So took the OOR down 39 to 74 to 75. Looks like a 34 on Tuesday. Plans did get changed a little. Instead of Coldwater, a 2 stop load out of Augusta to Wyoming, MI. Miles are a little less, but extra stop pay and I do not have to worry about finding a trailer at Wal-Mart since live unload. Once done, then go find a nice place to part and pu in Thursday morning and down to Dandridge for Friday afternoon. Not used to working this hard

 

Still at Phoenix, tried to set up my first broker load this morning and needed an empty solution. I thought it was absolutely amazing how fast the planner gave me a load when I requested an empty for a broker load, now eight hours later I'm still waiting for one with a 07:00 pickup scheduled.

 

I got down to Laredo this morning and got the trailer inspected, then headed to the t-call location.
They are closed weekends.
I was able to t-call it at the terminal. I'm glad I didn't have to sit on it until tomorrow.
My next load picked up at the terminal and delivers tomorrow morning near Dallas. A light load this time, which is nice.
We are at a TA just north of San Antonio tonight.

The freight seems to be picking up finally. I've had pplans well before delivering for the past week. Hopefully it keeps up.

 

Wenona, IL. Got rolling this morning and could not believe the traffic north on 75 out of Knoxville at 0830. Drop tomorrow morning and hook to another and head to Wyoming, MI and then over to Auburn, MI and have to do a 34 and live load Thursday and back to Dandridge. Today came out and took that new US411N to US 25 and GPS going nuts. Saying that on restricted route. Brand new spur.

Scottie, just before I was ready to take the truck to KW, engine fan issue corrected itself. Think that the air line was plugged and it blew itself out and what a difference in my MPG. Down to Dandridge got 6.3 and now heading back north, 7.4

 

Lancaster, deliver in Farmers Branch tomorrow. I hope freight isn't bad this week, I gotta run while my energy levels are up.

 

Edgerton, WI. Went to pick drop and pick up my load today and can not believe the people that can not read a sign. When you check in it says to pull to stop sign and then go in. I was 3rd in line while the drivers of two trucks walked in before going to the stop sign. One was ours and the other Wal-mart. When I pulled up there were 3 more trucks in line and all of them were inside. Again one ours and 1 Wal-mart. Then I watched our in a bt do a U-turn in the entry lane to leave. And I wonder why we get a bad rap. Tomorrow 2 stops and was looking at Google earth, and the second stop is almost right across the street from the first one. Love these 2 stop load. After finish over to Auburn and for a 34 and then back to Dandridge and who knows after that. I know that I will be stacked up all weekend and probably until next Wednesday.

 

And if you read the sign at the gate for the last place I picked up at, you would be waiting forever.
It said to use the intercom to contact dispatch before going through, but no one answered. An outgoing driver told me to just go to shipping because they ignore the call box.

Nestle Waters in Dallas, TX.
I got there 40 minutes early for a pre-loaded trailer and was told to sign in and wait to be called.
2 hours later they called me and told me the door I was to use for the 'live load'.
And I had to sit in the drivers lounge the whole time.
I should have been out of there by 1330, but it was closer to 1630 - so right in Dallas rush hour.

I fought through traffic and stopped north of Dallas at a J. Paid parking is sometimes good when everything else is taken.

Other than that, it's been a pretty good day.