Good night from...

The proposed fuel route given from Swift is not set in stone, it is a suggested route and fuel stop generated by a computer. I've been given fuel stops that would actually take me hundreds of miles out of the shorter route, which of course we are getting paid for. Plan your trip for the most efficient route you know. If it follows a toll road, take it. if it requires a different fuel stop, request a new fuel stop when you need it, but don't wait until the last minute for that. It's your own fault if you run out of fuel.

Everytime I get sent to the east, I am always routed along I68 in WV/MD instead of the I70/I76 turnpike in PA. I68 has some 7% grades and can add a good hour or more to my trip if I'm loaded heavy, not to mention the extra fuel used and more wear on the truck. Plus the turnpike is about 20 miles shorter, ends up at the same place, and though it still has some grades, it's not as severe as I68. I always take the turnpike over I68 and I have never been questioned about it. I have actually called to question a certain route given and was told that if I can find a shorter route, take it.

 

Been sitting at home since thursday afternoon, leaving out sunday night at 10pm for NC. It's nice to spend time at home with the family. Had a serious storm blow thru here yesterday. Was pretty scary. Our power was out for about 5 hours. Heard about 3 trucks that got blown over in Findlay, OH. Praying that everyone was ok.

Be safe

 

Getting reports of massive power outages along the Mid-Alantic east coast. Truckers rolling northbound were warning us southbounders to top off our fuel before getting too far down into Virgina as some truck stops had run out of fuel or power and couldn't pump it if they had it.

Also getting reports that freight will be very slow this week since the holiday is on Wednesday. I should have tried for a Canadian load, they don't celebrate the 4th as hardcore as we do lol.

Well, take care and be safe and have a fun 4th!

 

Here in Waterloo, IA. I HATE MILLER BEER loads. Today had to wait because they did not have enough trailers. There are 4 sitting at Miller, and OOS, one even with about a 5 foot long gash in the roof. Driver dumped it at the yard, hurried and hooked his loaded one, and split, so today 3 of us had to wait for live loads.

Well, Susan is sitting home now with no power. That storm ripped through Licking County where I live and knocked out power. They are saying now that it could be 5-7 days, possible longer. Licking county is now in a state of emergency. They had more storms rip through this afternoon. Susan is handling like a trooper. Lucky the landlord is there to help out. If it gets real bad, they will head to the house in the city.

Scottie, Susan told me to tell you, she put another bag of Goldfish in the truck for Abbey.

 

Columbia, TN... Pick up six rolls of paper in the Chatahochi area, way down yonder. Had to rework the load cause it was 500lbs over on drives... With the Qualcomm cluster yesterday and spending an hr and half extra reworking, Mac 22 becomes my friend.

 

As a company driver it is always best to get the OK before going 'out of route'.
Never gotten in trouble for it, but the percentage is sometimes brought up with the monthly review.

With this new Volvo the system always seems to calculate my fuel stops short, probably because it has 100 gallon tanks.
So I call to get fueled and I am authorized for 51 gallons. The pump stops at exactly 50.

I hit the road, expecting to fuel at my next scheduled stop. Not so.
I am given a new fuel route, and the first stop is the Pilot I just left.
??? WTF??? I am not going back.
So I just drive until my hours run out and end up at the exit that I was supposed to fuel at in the first place, with 3 minutes to spare on my 70.
And my computer has shown 0 gallons of fuel for the last 40 miles.

I send a message that I need fuel and have virtually none left. That was 4 hours ago, and still no reply.
I'm trying not to idle any more than I have to (not easy in this heat), hoping I have a few gallons left so I can drive a few hundred yards to the pump in the morning.
Gotta be driving by 0500 so I can make this JIT load in time.

Effingham, IL at the TA.

Effing weekend people are ignoring me, it seems.

 

Moose, I gotta ask...What is brought up in a monthly review, and who does it, the DM?

 

Moose, they seem to try to run me dry about every other load as well. When I ask for a fuel re-op I get one 50 miles away or way behind me, never at the truckstop I'm at. I've been showing from 1/8 to 1/4 less than I have on mac10 as well.

Shutdown for a 34 at the Petro, N. Las Vegas. Got screwed out of my load to Ellensburg, WA so next time someone needs a "favor" they can kma unless the payback is dispatched same time as the favor.

Frank

 

Idle time, out of route percentage, on-time percentage, miles for the month, fuel mileage, safety rating.

Yes, done by the DM. I'm always told 'good job, keep it up', even if idle or out of route are high.
Well, idle is usually higher than they want - sometimes by a lot. This month, with all the heat, it will be pretty high.
I don't have any service failures, my safety rating is 8 something and my fuel mileage is in the ball park.

 

I called this morning to request fuel. I was sent acroos the street to Flying J.
It took 166 gallons to fill, and I have a 200 gallon capacity, so I was not really that low.

I also found out that the system shows my fuel capacity as 240 gallons, so it always thinks I have more than I really do.
I'll call my DM tomorrow and see if he can adjust it.