Heading For Little Rock! Maverick

Maverick does not ever want you to bend the rules and their goal is to get you home of through the house every weekend.
I would ask them specifically about your area. They will be honest with you.

 

I was in Madison this week and had them change the air/spring chamber on my trailer.
Now when I apply my breaks, I hear the air leaking off at the red and yellow knob. The air pressure starts to drop. It will then start to surge up and down making a loud air leaking noise.
Sometimes when I go to start it, the alarms go off as it is under 60 lbs. Sometimes the breaks do not release even though it is well above the point where the brakes will set.
I should have just kept it the way it was until I turned the trailer in.
On a positive not....lol....I am home and do not have to leave out until tuesday morning.

I had a wild run in Tenn. I had two hours left on my 14 to make it to pick up a load at Mital Steel. I went the speed limit which was 65 mph. It was really a lot of fun running the truck at that speed.
I had no choice if I was to make it or not. The next day I went 55 all the way.

I have learned that If I push it one day, I have to take it easy. I believe that I finished the quarter above 7 mpg.

 

Here is a recap of my week.
Headed out Sunday to get as close to Suffolk VA as I could. I had a rest area zeroed in and right before I got there I saw a sign for a Pilot. So I thought I would check it out and if it was full, fuel up and then head down the road to the Rest area. I pulled in and there was one spot left so I took it. I fueled in the morning. I delivered at 7:00 am in in the morning. Sat for about 30 minutes and then got the next load to Georgia Pacific in VA. I got there and was promptly informed that my load was not ready and they do not know why I was told to come pick it up. He said it would be 30 minutes. 2 hours later I was loaded and went out to tarp in the 100 degree weather. I was tarping a load of flooring. I just took my time and kept drinking water as I went. When I got too hot, I got in the cab and stuck my face in front of the vent. It took me every bit of 2 hours to tarp it....but it was done. This load was going to Home Depot in Saint Louis MO. I drove up the road as far as I could get in three hours and spent the night still in VA at a rest area.
Stopped into Madison in the AM to pick up some more of the load note books. I was told by my fleet manager that he was not allowed to mail them to me.
Went on over to Home Depot and drove right past it. Had to go up on the Interstate and go about 4 miles and get off and get back on. Got there and had to wait about 2 hours.
After I got unloaded I pulled out and was in the TMC yard. I tried to stop long enough to send in my qualcom. This yard mule comes honking at me telling me I have to move. I moved further into the lot and again tried to send in my leaving shipper.
Now a tmc truck is honking at me to move. So I pull a bit further down and stop.
Here comes the mule again. I notice on the side it says tmc. This black driver goes by me real slow and stares at me with a real mean look. He goes up and makes a u turn and comes back and does the same. He must have some real insecurity issues.
Instead of waiting for the next load, I headed over to madison as I figured they would send me to Granite City. On the way the qualcom goes off. Then it goes off again and the red light on the dash goes on. I think what now. Got to the yard and read that I have to pick up some coils in US Steel. The message was that this was not my typical load and that I did not have a definite appointment.
I get there and they say " I hope you are the Maverick Driver We have been waiting for.....I was so they send me back down the street to dock 25. I get there and they tell me that the load is not ready yet and I had to wait.
I am getting 5 coils to be loaded eyes to the side.
They were real good about keeping me updated and that they appreciated my patience. I told them I was pleased that they even cared!
Got my coils, loaded, secured, tarped and headed to the yard. Had them attempt to fix my trailer while I watched Heart Break Ridge.
Spent the night in the yard of course. Headed out to Tenn at 4 am in the morning.
Got there with no trouble and unloaded.
Afteward I sat for 2 hours for my next load. It was Ameristeal and I had two hours to get there. I was picking up 40' sections of rebar.
Got there and it said Tarp. But you can not get on the trailer at all unless you use their set up which takes 2 hours to set up according to them.
I talk to a yard driver and he tells me there is a place outside the gate where I can tarp...so that is what I am going to do. Everyone there said " You have to tarp that?"
Even the guard at the gate as he was giving me my bill of lading. I said yes unless you write on my paperwork that it does not need it....so he did.
He then told me I could spend the night in the securement area...which was good as I was out of time.
So I headed out in the morning for Muncie Indiana to Ameristeal.
On the way I decided to save some miles instead of taking 75 north to dayton and then over to muncie. I went up there and there was a 20 mile detour....last time I ever go there.
The directions were horrible and I got lost. Had to go up and turn around in a shopping center.
Then I get to the road and there is no way that I can turn right from the right hand lane....so I improvised and cut through the lot that was there. It was obvious that everyone else did the same thing. I would have just barely had enough room to make the turn from the left hand lane....using a button hook...which we are not supposed to do.
Then the turn into 8th street was almost as bad....but I made it.
Got unloaded and then had a run to Greenfield to pick up some skidded coils.
I got there and after waiting 30 minutes I finally got someones attention that I was there. The guy says, " I wish someone would have told me you were coming"!"
I told him not to worry as that had been my theme all week long.
Finally after waiting another hour, he got me loaded. Got to tarp right there in the bay and then they told me I could spend the night out in their lot....which I really appreciated...since I was out of hours.
Got up at 5 this morning and drove home.

I always find it amusing when I tell my fleet manager that I am going to be out of hours when I get there. They always say....you can work as long as you want,,,you just can not drive. I am sure there will be a lot there you can sleep in.
First....I don't want to work over 14 hours a day just because I can...and secondly there is not always a place you can stay....I just happen to luck out this week.
I am heading up past Lansing Michigan with my load on Tuesday....Nice weekend!
Happy Fourth to all of you!
God Bless!

 

Thanks for sharing!
You might want to change your profile from student!

God Bless!