Stevens Transport aviary

So I got a load after delivering in Syracuse that picks up in a tiny town up in Vermont at the Canadian border, St. Albans and goes down to Richmond, Virginia. Only two ways to go, up to US11 and piss around in the mountains, or I90 to I87 and then up north. I90 to I87 is longer by over 100 miles, but kept me out of the rain and winds and mess up there, not to mention it was all little mountain roads in rain and wind. So, think the weekend crew would okay going longer but safer? Nope. But I did it anyway. It was a Kraft production load. I shouldn't have to say anything else about that, right? So I expect a chewing from my DM tomorrow or the next day. But hell, he gets two days a week off and I can't get okays from him those days, so what else can I do? Go the shorter route that takes me right into a rain/wind/snow storm in the upper Adirondacks on narrow state roads? Or refuse to go and do a weather shutdown? Or take the 100 miles longer route and get the Kraft production load picked up and delivered on time?
Then of course, they take all day to load me, and I have just enough time to take I95 south and deliver on time, or take 301 and save another 100 miles but never make it on time.
Yeah, I'm getting chewed on this one. Oh well. Probably end up paying the extra miles. If I do, next time the same thing happens on a weekend, I'm parking and requesting a different run.
Anyway, got that one done, then I end up going from Suffolk to Chicago. Wonder how long I'll be stuck up there?

 

That a load of chocolate? I picked up there once. Took 87; 89 or something like that back. It took me across lake champlaine (sp) and on top of a mountain. Was some nice countryside...

 

Picked up a load of shredded lettuce last night in Versalia, headed to Ft Worth.
Hated to give it up. Only 7,000 pounds.
Was getting 9.6mpg, even after going over the grapevine.
But alas...had to be in SD for business today, so swapped it for an empty in Ontario.
I think I made that driver's day...he emptied in LA, and didn't have to wait around for a produce load.
So now am heading over to Holtville for a load of corn going to Denver Safeway.
Whoopeee! another great receiver!
I'm batting 1,000 lately!

 

yuppers to load and route.
Now stuck in Morris. sigh
Got a load heading to CA to pickup tomorrow. Probably have to hand it off as I will not have enough hours to make it.
just barely <3000 miles this week.

 

I bought a 2010 with a Cummins engine, no DEF fluid. I was wondering where you guys are shifting etc... My file mileage sucks. 9.0 empty and 6.9 loaded. Where is the sweet spot? Rpm? Thanks....

 

That is about right for mine too. 1340 gets me the best fuel milage. And since the shop put the crappy michilan recaps on the drives I lost 4/10 on my monthly average. XDNA2

 

Dujo,
you might think about adding the shift kit to your tranny. About $200.
When you can split 6, 7 and 8, especially splitting btwn 7 & 8, it helps when climbing those hills.
I've got the same truck as you do.
I shift on flat ground around 1200, if I'm climbing, I go a bit higher.
My sweet spot is around 1300-1350.
I'm averaging over 7.5 overall.

 

Do they have a training school?

 

By training school, do you mean CDL school?
yes they do.

I always advise people to get their CDL at a private school. It usually is cheaper, you will get all your endorsements, which will often come in handy later in your career, and you are not 'married' to the company for the first year or two.

don't know where you live, but most states have federal monies available (usually thru Unemployment Dept) from the feds, under the Displaced Workers Act.
This will pay your total tuition at a private school local to you and you will be able to live at home as you go thru school, another cost savings.

 

Good advice there...

Unemployment will pay for your school just be aware, atleast, in my state you have to jump through a lot of hoops to get the money.