Random LTL Rants (all are welcomed)

In Des Moines picking up a set from Dallas, by way of KC. Hub oil all over the wheel on rear pup. KC driver long gone. Thanks. it's 1am but Des Moines shop is open. Sweet!

"We don't fix AAA Cooper equipment. Call AAA Cooper."

I call AAA Cooper breakdown line.

"Have the Des Moines shop fix it."

"Maybe you two oughtts talk to each other."

Pass phone to Des Moines mechanic.

Talking talking talking something something unicorn something something maybe it will fix itself.

"We're gonna unload your pup and send you out with a different pup."

(Walks over to dock to tell head dock guy the plan.)

"I don't have a spare pup."

More phone calls, temperatures rising, steam is starting to leak out of everyone's ears like loony tunes.

"I guess we're gonna unload this pup here, dump your crap into it and send you with that one."

Come to find out daytime mechanic chief in Des Moines has been having a pissing match with AAA Cooper about fixing their shoddy equipment. He won't do it, and he won't let his night time guy do it. I don't blame him. So many of their pups have *something* wrong it seems like they're dumping their junk on us. Are they? Or is it all just.... crap? On top of that the usual drivers not noticing obvious stuff. Management powerless or unwilling to get a handle on the situation. Total system failure.

 

The MME guys in my area are pulling Swift trailers all the time. I wouldn't be surprised if their shop is having the same frustrations with that equipment.

 

I would take the concrete mixer job, you’ll get tired of that factory job really fast plus you’re utilizing the cdl. Personally I would get bored at a factory job, I’ve had a couple production jobs and also I was an order picker in a warehouse once. So boring I must say.

The concrete job still gives you the whole recent experience which will be a leg up to the next opportunity.

 

On a side note I’ve been either turned down or flat out ghosted on getting a freight job, for now I’m doing food service, not the most ideal. Heck it’s more work than I want to be doing but they offered me a job plus day one insurance so I took it. I’ve also taken this Yellow closure harder than I thought I would. I know life goes on but it’s not the same obviously.

 

Personally, I couldn't work in a factory.

 

Just decide what's the best for you and your family and do it. Nobody here are in your shoes. Life throws you curve balls sometimes. Tough to hit them until you swing at them enough. Then you can knock em out of park. Go for it, if wrong decision, change course.
Wish you the best.

 

Most driving jobs want X amount of experience within the last 3 years. Some may vary but that's what I have seen.

The concrete job gets you moving but are there slow times where you might not work?

The factory job sounds mind numbing but everyone needs tires so there may not be a slow time.

My advice driver is pick the job where you won't wake up hating life. I've been reading your posts for about 7 years now and you always seem to land on your feet. Keep your chin up it will get better.