My new experience with Gordon Trucking, post-buyout

A shipper last week asked me if we were "getting used to" pulling red and white trailers. I told her it's like flying an airplane...what I concern myself with is what's up front, not what's behind me.

 

Soon, bed time. Windows down. Heat off. Wha-a-a-a?

I know, right!

 

I'll be leaving this Flying J in Jerome, Idaho later today for my destination in Hermiston, Oregon. I had breakfast here this morning; if you ever get the chance to eat from PFJ's hot bar, take it. The hot oatmeal is to die for! It makes me want to go back and pay $3.99 for a second large bowl!

And I finally figured out how to get MY money off GTI's fuel card; the first two paychecks go there until the direct deposit goes into effect. I won't use it for cash because making the mistakes I did while learning cost me about $10 in Comdata and ATM fees. I refuse to pay money to get to MY money.

 

Here I sit in a dock at Albertson's DC in North Salt Lake. I got almost all the way to Boise when a new message arrived...we have a relay for you, so drop your Hermiston load in the Boise yard and head south. It must be there at 8:30 and we know it will be tight, but...

So yeah, I made it. 15 minutes early. In spite of WINTER in the mountains. With speeds as low as 15 and as high as...48! And now I wait for the lumpers to do their thing before going to Ogden for the next pickup and heading to Kent, Washington, for a 2/5 delivery.

And the winter in these mountains, though serious, isn't anything like winter in the Midwest. Heck, people in POVs actually seem to know how to drive! Works for me.

 

Miles from last Tuesday morning, almost 2,500. And next weeks pay should be pretty good, too. Not too shabby. Now all I have to do is wait for my paychecks and deposits to sync...

 

So far, 2½ hours and they're still unloading...and my 14 is getting very tight.