I'm baaaaaack!!!!!!!!

Got my first appointment moved up six hours to give me a head start on it.

The Freightliner is great, except that I'm still stomping on the floor where the clutch is supposed to be when stopping and flailing at the empty space that used to contain a shift lever at seemingly random intervals. The Hot Chick says it looks like I'm paddling to make the truck faster and mimics me. She thinks that's funny.

Only thing I have against the truck is they disabled the performance option, and the shift program is locked into Economy mode. Really not that big a deal, as the cruise function adapts to upgrades and the kickdown function still works for passing (as long as I stay below 63mph...bye, 65mph team truck).

Hot Chick likes the bigger seats (she doesn't sit; she perches in lotus pose). And we both love the larger sleeper (cabinet space, more open floor) that eliminates the need for plastic bins on the bunk that need to be moved nightly.

My first run is Lebanon IN to Kansas City, picks up tomorrow 0800 delivers Saturday 0400. Then it's tight through next Tuesday (St. Joseph MO to Chicago, then Rochelle back to Kansas City).

Oh, and my dispatcher is very professional and actually listens and works on solving issues and keeping me moving. Weird, huh?

Will keep you updated.

 

Meh. There are good and bad dispatchers everywhere. I had a lousy one, now I have a decent one.

 

First load is 27000 pounds and headed to the west side of Kansas City. Due 0400 on the 22nd, dispatcher is trying to move it up to tomorrow morning. Told him I'd be houred out tonight but would make it happen. Now it's a slog to KC--later y'all.

 

This truck has 58,000 miles on it and the APU is out. And I can't idle this one. Fortunately it's cool out. Writing it up in the morning.

Sheeeeez...not one thing it's another. I don't got time for this $#@&!!

 

I remember her! That was from way back when the show was actually funny and they had good music.

I think I got the APU figured out (got out the owner's manual and learned that it works differently if the truck is equipped with optimized idle).

Of course, now I have an engine malfunction light. Manual says to get it looked at if it stays on for more than 3 start cycles.