Running with JCT

Thank you Rizen. This is a very clear explanation of a subject that most new company drivers have no experience with. Many lease/purchase companies don't pay the taxes for their drivers. Anyone considering leasing with any company should know what is paid for by the company and what isn't. Having JCT pay my fuel taxes (and tolls, lumpers, EZ-Pass, etc.) is a big plus in my book.

 

Finally finished loading last night at 01:30. The last three pallets took six hours! Fortunately the elogs. . . uh, hang on. There's something that I've been meaning to say for a while:

"I would like to thank all of the JCT office staff who have found their way to this thread. It's your hard work and dedication that have helped enable me to enjoy some modicum of success in this business. In appreciation, I present you with this adorable photo of a bunny and kitten together":

http://www.whatcantstayinmyhead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/8d7cad2c8c7929802de743ecc558b79d.jpg

Ok. I think it's just us drivers now. Anyway, there are a lot of drivers out there who are on paper logs and are afraid to switch to elogs. There are several pros and cons and I encourage you to search the forum for some detailed discussions on the subject that I will spare you here. Last night I went "Off Duty" at the shipper at my 7 o'clock appointment time. The shipper provides a nice parking lot with overnight parking (if necessary) and it is within walking distance of restaurants, etc. I finished loading and drove over to the Pilot to scale the load and found a lucky parking spot for the night. Fortunately for me, the drive took only about 3 minutes. As I got on the scale, I put the elogs back to "Off Duty". By driving less than 5 minutes, the elogs showed me STILL off duty from 7 pm! I know this is old hat for you elog folks, but it may not be known by some drivers. The benefit for me was that the 2 hour nap that I took at the shipper helped find me rested and "legal" to roll by 09:00 instead of having to twiddle my thumbs until nearly noon.

Ah, confession is good for the soul. . . Today was a smooth cruise down 101 working on fuel economy. This load scaled out at 71.5k lbs so it's no featherweight. At the bottom of Tehachapi I was up to 7.8 mpg. Driving slow in Cali has its benefits. Of course, the hill ate my MPGs for lunch, and it was a long grind towards Barstow to build it back. All was well until the wind picked up near Ludlow. It was creating a dust storm that I was not amused to find was blowing straight into my grill.

It was wind and rain to Lake Havasu where I added 50 gallons of insurance (the fuel light was on over an hour) and then headed to Kingman for the night. Tomorrow if all goes well I will take in that Indian meal at Dhillon Fuel in San Jon, NM that I missed a couple of weeks ago. If you're in the neighborhood (and aren't a DOT officer!) look me up!

 

I lived in Monterey for 20 years so I think you must be talking about Tanimura & Antle. I've heard of them but haven't picked up there yet. Yeah, the PeeLot is a mess. I was planning on parking in Taylor's dirt lot, but a decent parking spot was open and I was done. "Good restaurant" is the magic phrase. I will check them out next time!

I stopped in Dhillon for the first time tonight. Their buffet is $9.99, and for a hole in the wall was delicious! There was a curry rice chicken that was very tasty and the chicken tandoori was very good. I also tried some kidney bean concoction, another vegetarian dish that tasted a whole lot better than it looked, and the yoghurt. I've only had Indian food a few times in Monterey and always with a knowledgeable companion. But hey, a buffet is pretty cool. As for my spanish, I learned enough to survive a week in Puerto Vallarta: "Otra cerveza por favor."

 

Made it to San Jon in good time and about a 657 mile day. Tomorrow is just 433 miles to the JCT yard. I'm hoping to get some new Michelins on the steers like I should've last week. I have the same appointment time in Ochelata for Wednesday morning, so I know now that I can get up 15 minutes later than last time.

I got a nice treat today as I was cruising through Arizona. My pre plan for Wednesday pick up came in already! Picking up in Tulsa and delivering in Union City, CA for 1,945 miles. I'm really burning up I-40 lately! That seems to be how it goes. You can find yourself in a rut and start to feel like a dedicated driver. I don't mind this one though. Great miles and a chance to pick up my mail at the house.

Today was a real struggle in the MPG war. Starting out in Kingman and going east will do that. It's a long fuelish slog up to Flagstaff before you get a little break. Then it gets hilly in New Mexico until you enjoy a nice glide down to Albuquerque. You have to pay the piper later though and I hit Moriarty looking at a dismal 6.8 mpg. It was cross windy but I managed 7.0 for the day by the time I got parked. The final test though is whether I put in enough fuel in Joseph City to make it to OKC. Last trip I overfilled and carried about 50 gallons of expensive fuel into Sooner-ville. This trip will see the fuel light on for sure!

Time for some Dexter and Breaking Bad!

 

Taylor Farms has a crowded pick on Hansen that's about a 3-iron from the Pilot. (Probably more like a driver and a wedge, lol.) Thanks for the tip on the mexican restaurant. I've been accused via PM of talking about food too much on here, lol. Well tomorrow evening looks like me, a roll of quarters, and the food simulators at JCT!

 

If only! Actually the beef brisket sandwich is pretty good.