Superior Carriers 2013-2014

1/31-2/5

I finally got my Holland Mi load last Friday about 5:15PM. Dispatch casually mentioned as I was leaving the office at 3PM that the plant would close at 6PM Saturday so I needed to get it up there. I got to the plant and saw one of the loading bays was empty so that made it a quicker drop and hook than normal. It still takes some time since its a 3 compartment tank with none of the domes secured and you have 12 placards to put on. The hold up was for paperwork. Once it got near 5 and the office guy left to unload a conway truck while I waited for paperwork I called dispatch to tell him that unless I got my paperwork in 30 minutes this load would be late.

He had already called me with the news that I was the only guy with enough hours to run another Holland that needed to be there Tuesday. I informed him then that I was not going to run into the wee hours of the morning to get home Sunday at midnight since I had been on hold for this load since 7 AM. We decided that I would call him Monday from Beckley where I planned to stop and run in for a drop hook when it was ready Monday. That was fine for me since I would get paid for the jerk around and delay. This delay jeopardized that plan if this fork lift jockey kept me there much longer.

5 minutes after I called a big wig showed up demanding to know why I wasn't on my way. 20 minutes later I was thrown out into rush hour traffic. I ran an 8-2 split to save 30 minutes and got to the plant 1 minute late. They got me unloaded in under 3 hours which is incredible for this load. Its amazing what they can do when it gets close to quitting time.

I headed out around 6 AM and ran leisurely to Beckley. Got there about 6 PM just in time for kickoff. I parked at the 44 and caught the game at Ruby Tuesdays. Called the next morning to find out that I was in a holding pattern until 4PM on an 11AM load. Pretty par for the course. I walked down to Cracker Barrel for breakfast, then took a little nap before heading out around noon. Got to the plant around 4PM and they were still loading it. It was done by the time I had the placards on it. I think my fork lift jockey was still pissed about Friday since he kept me waiting around 45 minutes. Finally got the load around 6:30 PM.

I did another 8-2 split and managed to beat the storm up to Holland. I took 10 hours at the plant and woke up to moderate snow and about 6 inches on the ground. I headed out about 5:30 this morning. It took me over an hour to go 37 miles mainly due to visibility issues. I decided to stop at the rest area on 131 near Kalamazoo and I-94 to wait for sunrise. After checking out the local TV news I see a jackknifed truck on 94 and a back up. I only have 14 hours left on my 70 and don't pick up anymore until midnight Thursday so I am going to collect some weather delay pay and head out in a few hours after the winter storm warning start to lift. I will have to take a 10 anyway so might as well drive the bulk of it tomorrow once the roads get plowed.

 

Get it washed out at a truck wash or terminal. Before you turn it on take a pipe wrench and move the PTO shaft to make sure it isn't frozen up. It moves either direction. I have done that with a big set of vise grips as well. Do that before you use it as well.

I was in Karns City a few years ago and they prepped my pump with something called white oil to keep it from freezing up. It was real cold there. You do not want to turn on the pump if it is frozen as you will break the PTO shaft.

I had that happen with a load of glue a few years ago. The tank wash put steam to it while cleaning the pump and it set up the glue. When they had me turn on the pump it broke the shaft.

 

That will work. Check out the weather report and how cold it will be when you unload and tell the tank wash guys. It's cold up there. They will know what needs to be done to keep the pump from freezing

 

That's a good thing when you don't have to pump. It always happens to me after a 2 day hose search because I have a rear unloader and need 5- 3 inch hoses. That one time you don't do it will be when they will want you to use the truck pump.

I have another Plaquemine La out and back. They are changing us up a little. Have to wash out in Plaquemine before loading Tuesday. That means be there at 5 AM for a 9:30 appointment.