New Career Begins

Sorry for the lack of update, been busy with the team driving phase of training now.

We left Laredo with a load for Fort Worth, TX. Then Fort Worth to Robert, LA with a load for Walmart. Let me just say that the distribution center is on my #### list. Turned in my paperwork then back to the truck to get a ComChex authorization for the unload. Returned to the window 20 minutes later and they were closed. Sign hanging on the window that the next shift would be there at 2 AM. It sure would have been nice for them to, one; say they were getting ready to leave. Or two; wait the 5 minutes for me to come back up.

Anyway, from there we were off to Newton, MS to pick up a load bound for Redlands, CA. I'm driving nights mostly so I was looking forward to the extra day we would have to relax in Palm Springs, Ca. I lived there for a few years and have a great friend we stayed with. So all day yesterday was relaxing in the 75 degree sunny weather.

Our load is due this morning in Redlands so we'll be off soon. Can't wait to see where we're going next.

 

Wow is all I can say about our California run. We spent a lot of wasted time waiting.

Delivered our load in Fontana and then off to the yard to pick up a preloaded trailer to deliver to Costco. During the PTI, discovered the trailer AVR expired 19 days ago. In fact it hadn't been inspected in over a year! We still haven't figured out how this trailer managed to miss the inspection cycle every 90 days. On top of that, why on earth would the last three drivers pulling this trailer during the last 19 days didn't do anything about it? Well, I know the answer, they didn't bother to check the paperwork during their PTI. They were #### lucky they didn't get DOT inspected...big fine and CSA points!

Anyway, we take it to the TA to get a DOT Inspection and talk about a cluster f***! One light needs to be fixed, no big deal. However, upon inspecting the service techician's report, we discover that he didn't check the tire pressure. How do we know this? Valve stems are still muddy and one is so tight that it strips the teeth off a pair of pliers when we try to remove it. All 8 tires were 20lbs low which of course a violation.

By now, its to late to make this delivery appointment so we have to wait until morning. In the morning dispatch tells us the consignee won't take it until tomorrow so back to the yard the trailer goes.

New load assigment takes me up to Ventura for a live load. I just love driving thru LA at 10 AM...NOT! LOL...actually no real issues, just watching all the stupid 4 wheelers.

Anyway, this load is taking us back to Texas and we're enroute.

Keep the rubber side down!

 

Oh and here is the laugh of the day. Dispatch sent routing from Ontario, CA to Ventura as the I-10 to the 101 which would require us to drive downtown LA at 10 AM....LOL!

Apparently they've never been to LA before. I thankfully have and suggested a new route to the trainer. He said that I know what I'm doing and go for it.

Therefore, I took the I-10 to the 210, then 135 to the 101. Much more saner route on a weekday! He was very impressed...

 

There is also the fact that their routing didn't make any sense. The 101 doesn't connect to the 10. Apparently they can't read a map either.

 

Quick update:

Unloaded in Houston and reloaded. Unloaded again in Texarkana and then reloaded to drop trailer at terminal in West Memphis, Arkansas.

Now waiting on another load. Set a personal record yesterday. 562 miles in 9 hours! My log is legal and all I can say is a lot of down hill with the wind at my back door.

 

Well a visit to our Roanoke, VA terminal made me never want to go back there again...LOL! It apparently hasn't been hit by the remodel yet but its coming.

Dropped a trailer for another driver on his way home. Then picked up a preload headed to York, PA. We actually overslept and were 30 minutes late for our delivery time. I called the consignee to advise them and she was shocked that I bothered to call. She told me that in three years she's been running traffic, its never happened. And because I was so courteous, she promised to get me in and out right away. The unloaded the trailer and we were on our way again in 35 minutes!

Picked up our next load which was a preloaded trailer about 11 miles away. More trailer problems. Two bad tires and a leaking brake chamber. So now we're sitting in the Petro in Carlisle, PA waiting for our turn in the shop.

Hopefully they'll be done by midnight so we can make this load on time.