I finally met an unhappy Watkins Shepard driver.

Its a bummer to have to do business that way, but sometimes its the only way to get things done.

Indeed I've had discussions with Macon. He seems like a good man although what he can do about 700mi runs that deliver in 3 days etc. I have no idea.

 

How can you be so bad when I held the record? Now, I am the easiest guy in the world to get along with until someone does something that is total out of line; then I get my dander up.

The worst thing about Marten's dispatch was, I always had freight from Los Angeles to Spokane, WA on the way home until my dispatch changed. Then I started getting Portland Runs and I would find out that someone else would get the freight I needed to get directly home and that person would have no reason to go to Spokane; usually to sit for a day.

When you have been running for four to six weeks and it is time to go home, there is no excuse. I missed, birthdays of my grandchildren, medical appointments, dental appointments and other business that needed to be taken care of because of this kind of BS. Did not good to try to plan anything.

It was just totally uncalled for and that is the sort of thing that goes on all the time in the trucking industry. Some people just do not pay attention to details and just go to work for the paycheck. Drivers are just numbers on a board.

 

You can say that again. One thing I can't stand is someone who can't tell the truth.

 

Lucky142, sometimes I think the people in dispatch are not trying to make our lives miserable... sometimes they just dont think, and unfortunately it affects us directly. Have you tried letting them know in writing when you have to be home? Then you have written proof that you advised them?

The other day, dispatch sent me with a single axle tractor to pick up a tandem axle load. When I questioned them, they said they FORGOT that my tandem was in the shop and that I was driving a single... and that is on a fleet of 30 trucks... I cant imagine how many trucks some dispatchers are managing at one time!

 

There are dispatchers who can handle 30 trucks and there are those that have trouble with two. I don't understand it, but thats truck drivin.

It is just a matter of paying attention to who's loaded, who will be unloading and what is on the board; while maintaining a list of wants by the drivers that are due for delivery and have requests. Since all trucks are not picking up and delivering every day, they don't deal with the bunch at one time. Should be a kick back job part of the time, busy some days and there are days when they probably want to pull their hair out and screeeem, but still no excuse for making drivers lives miserable.

 

Hey, Lucky142, I hear you! Although, my dispatch deals with 30 trucks every day as we are LTL. Wouldnt want their job for anything in this world!
Hopefully you have better luck with dispatch this week!

 

Well, I am just dispatching myself right now. I miss the road and have a few more years I could work, but when I sold all my equipment, I pretty much retired.

I still remember those days though. I have had high pressure desk jobs before and I enjoyed the challenge. Never had problems with mission and still kept my sanity. That is why I don't understand some of these people who just can't coordinate, but you are right about LTL and 30 trucks. That would be a challenge.

I am doing the home base business thing now. Love it to, in spite of a lot of negativity. It is just representing a great company or companies to build customer bases. Same as marketing for a truck company for a paycheck only my pay is unlimited. What can I say. I am just a Capitalist at heart. Love the challenges.

Take care pal.

 

Wow, good luck with your home business! The sky is the limit!:smt023

 

Thanks pal. It is all just work. I do like the pay better though. Still, I miss the road. It is a life I was born for, but I can't see working for nothing in todays high cost living world.

Guess the fact I hang out a truck stops is one reason I still miss it. I don't do any soliciting there though. If I were to do that, I would set up a kiosk and work it every day. Problem there is most drivers don't believe in the business world!(?)!. I am better off doing my seminars. Sure would be nice to see a bunch of rich owner operators out there though who could pick and chose their loads.

Never happen.

I am hoping that by December I will be doing well enough to just take a southern vacation and leave the snow behind. Need lots of money to work over my home before I can take off. Want to replace my roof, add solar power and heat/air pump and refinish my hardwood floors. Thinking about a new kitchen also, so I have my work cut out for me.