Random LTL Rants (all are welcomed)

Haha! Kinda-we lease our trucks from Penske. Their "mechanics" can't fix or maintain ####. The lift gate trailers are company owned and have definitely seen better days.

 

So there's a local chain of grain and feed stores around here. Every one of them is staffed by wonderful, helpful people...but y'all know there's ALWAYS ONE.

The one "Jeff" delivers to just can't seem to understand the difference between LTL and TL. We can't afford to wait. They constantly keep him waiting because the forklift guy goes to lunch whenever he wants and it always seems to be when Jeff shows up. These people actually whined that Jeff was 'so demanding,' to which management replied, "Well, he's been working here for 32 years, and we've never heard a complaint like that before." That shut them up with a quickness.

Anyway, they kept Jeff waiting so long that he brought their freight back yesterday. And he brought it back today. Seems they weren't too pleased about the north of $700 redelivery charge they racked up by being jerks. I'd love to know what the outcome will be tomorrow...

 

Jeff , let us know...

 

If i decide to take this job with new penn when i get back home the manager i talked to said we have to load our own trailers. Im on the fence about it. I already have ltl food service exp but this would really be a foot in the door.

The 18$ hr is the drawback with a 45hr commute. But like i said its a foot in the door and 5-6 guys retiring so a jump to LH might be easy. Who knows land that golden daytime line gig. And free health ins compared to nothing here

 

So running a million locals again (boring, tired of it). They hand me the first hook slip and say "it might be a hooked set, check there first"

go over and check and sure enough it is. SWEET, hook up, go a quick pre-trip and WTH? the dolly ABS and low tire lights are on. Drive around towards the shop, see if they will reset. nope, still on
go into shop. He spends like 10 minutes and says "it's going to be a while"

Crap (I don't get paid hourly). Go back inside to dispatch. They hand me a different hook slip (of course not built), so i build that set. Can't find a trailer. Drive around aimlessly. Finally call for GPS on it. yeah, i drove by it like 3 times. (old age and senility) Get the set built, go inside to get approval and what do they say?

You know it's coming

"oh yeah, the shop just called that other set is done now"
errrgghhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

Besides of course, totally boning the driver over

but hey, no company gives a #### about the driver, just work harder and longer. it's for the company you know

and they wonder why no one wants to be a driver anymore?

 

Reminds me of seeing drivers going above and beyond for the company. Willing to run illegal violating HOS to get 'er done and be a good company man. I would tell these mokes to stop it-you are risking your license and when you screw up and have an incident 1 "oh ####" wipes out 1000 "atta boy"s. If the company has to make a choice between standing by a good company man or protecting their reputation or pocket book-under the bus you go.