Random LTL Rants (all are welcomed)

I’m the 60s where I’m at right now, normally there’d be snow on the ground this time of year.

 

When I was on inbound, I lost 25 pounds the first 3 months after I switched to just being in the yard all night. Usually just 2 of us out there during the shift. Breaking enough sets to put up ~100 pups a night out, 5-10 through hooks and whatever van moves (full or swap to liftgate) .

 

At National Cement in Lebec, CA we would occassionly have to back out of the loading bays if something ahead of us went sour, So I always made sure to pull into the loadout very stright.

 

I used to be perplexed at why LTL guys were such petty folks, but I'm starting to get it.

The hub was a royal mess on Wednesday. I missed gate by 2 hours, and when I got my paperwork I knew I was going to be over gross, the only question was by how much. I only had 5 hours on my 14, had to build my set and drive 244 miles through Chicago in the rain at the start of rush hour. By the time I would have scaled out and then gotten weight taken off I'd be out of time, so I said 'forget it, lets ride'. Not the smartest of decisions, pretty gosh darn stupid in fact. But I was worried about the 14, so I ran. Got to the barn and took a lap to scale out so I had some real numbers for the conversation I was planning with the hub, got to the break area and the Number 3 guy was collecting his dolly and I asked about his weights, then flipped my lid when I found out his tail was only 9,000. Broke the set, 18 minutes after ingating, the trailers were in the doors.

Thursday night there's a 'see me' note in my box. I got snipped at for 'holding up the city' for scaling on the return and 'having a conversation with a co-worker' instead of getting the trailers in the door. I get that there were 6 guys waiting on my freight, but I'm not the reason the freight is 2 hours late.

Thursday night the hub was a mess again, and all the way home I was fighting the urge to be petty and take the full 30 minutes to build my set, make the drive take the full allotted time, take a break on the way, and do a VERY thorough post trip before breaking the set at the yard. I didn't, but I can see starting to if I got snipped at for minuscule stuff for 20 years.

 

At the ripe old age of 21 many moons ago 1997 I started at CF Motor Freight. I absolutely loved working there but who wouldn’t at 21! I worked with some of the best guys in trucking, but we also had some of the most bitter, grumpy old men I have been around in my life. Fast forward 38 years and I am doing my best not to be one of those bitter grumpy old men, but it is extremely hard some days.
I have been out of LTL since 2002, but UPS and now carhaul will try your patience occasionally too!

 

Hey now, 1997 was only 28 years ago, not 38. Don’t make the rest of us feel older as well!

 

I would love to take 10 years off my current age. Correct that to 1987 since I was a 1966 baby.

I guess you like hauling groceries better than LTL? Kroger has a big DC here in my town. Probably a half dozen guys I have worked with over the years went there for one reason or another. I almost went there when CF went out of business but UPS called first.

 

Yeah I always wanted to try groceries, so this was an easy choice when I decided to leave LTL. I’m making similar money, working mostly daytime hours, and every day is something different. It’s nowhere even close to being as monotonous as linehaul.

 

Lol at whatever ####### tried to say we had NYE off but had to come in and work NY Day. I took a vacation day. 4 day weekend.

Is it really that difficult for corporate america to give people a few days off? Especially with freight being slow. ####. End rant.

 

In the trucking industry is not uncommon to roll 24/7, In general if you have hours, and not waiting for a apt. your probably going to roll

Ive missed alot of holidays, anniversary's, birthdays, etc.... Just life in a truck. Most companies I have driven for made an attempt to get drivers home for Holidays, I ve always told them just dont leave me sitting, If Im not at home, I want tobe rolling not sitting.