Loads from metal processing facilities

I used to haul steel in this area exclusively. Gave that up about two years ago for other flatbed freight, best decision I ever made. Was 185 where the rail cars where loaded right next to you? I got caught by rail change a few times, that really was bad. Or trying to find the 168?, it was all the way out back outside. Trying to find that whole in the fence was fun the first time in the dark. It's been so long since I've been in there. Actually was in there this summer deliver new rail road ties. LOL.

 

185 was back in 4 deep, gotta love how everything takes priority over loading the truck driver.

Haven't hauled steel for many, many years and honestly, I can say I dont miss it or the attitude that came with it

 

2-3 hours? That's it?

Atlas Tube, if you show up early or on-time, you'll sit 3-4 hours just waiting to get pulled in if they aren't loading on schedule (and if you're late, they'll sit you until they can "find time"). Then if you're load is mixed types, you'll sit another 2 to load while they drag their heels around the warehouse "looking" for the bundles. Then get to spend the next 2 tarping.

You can get there at 10 am and still be run out of hours on the day... with Canadian hours of service rules.

And apparently they were worse before elogs came in.

 

That little Bitty bit?

Plenty of time to do securement and nailing down wood cribbing at Logan County where those are Aluminum going to Busch in Williamsburg.

Me doth thinks you need a vacation more badly than I do.

 

Is that Atlas tube in Chicago? I've been there once and twice wont ever be a third strike... They are terrible...

Independence tube and Allied Tube in Chicagoland area the same wont load at them ever again.

 

That's any of the three of them. Chicago, Plymouth, MI or Harrow, ON. But they have been improving over the last few years apparently (Harrow is still the worst).

I usually get the best treatment in Chicago, but I'm usually loading in Door 21 with the nice older latino guy who appreciates when a driver wants to help (despite Atlas company policy saying a driver can't do anything). I guess I made a good first impression. He even recognizes my truck at this point.

 

I’ve never had a problem at Atlas Chicago. Good folks there as far as I can tell?

One time the broker screwed up so bad a company guy with soft shoes and a tie came down to apologize personally.

And it wasn’t even all that screwed up.

 

Door 185 was ridiculous. Nothing that goes on around there makes much sense

 

It’s amazing and if you mention it to them it’s like you’re asking them to load the truck by hand. I don’t have a lot of steel mill experience but the Veyance rubber plant in Marysville is steel workers. When I was in LTL I went there some, first and second shift overlap by a half hour at least on the dock. The second shift girl would clock in and walk all the way to the back of the plant to the receiving dock. After about ten minutes the fat lazy first shift guy would drive the fork lift up front to clock out and she had to walk all the way up and get it. If you got there at shift change it was a disaster.