Swift Is Good

I won't have to use those loose leaf "books" until next year. I stocked up on log books when I saw those things and saw how much hell I'm going to catch with them. Being a local driver, I make up to 10-15+ stops within a 24 hour period and it's not going to be pretty trying to squeeze all of them in that tiny space under my lines.

 

lucky you! I'm so happy! Today is Weds.......and it's free pie day! woot woot

 

that sounds alot like the start of a movie. (fade in the music and soft light here)

oh, and the best pie i've ever had on the road was apple pie al la mode at The Villiage Inn.

 

The Village Inn is where wednesday is free pie day. *nods happily*

 

Otherhalf, I wonder if the same Sears planner you referred to is still there? I ask because I did 2 good sears loads in and out of Columbus , the last being to Manteno Ill, get here with 9 hrs left on the my clock, and sit all day waiting ..... Seems like the Memphis mentality exists here also as I asked drivers where they were headed, what they were tcalling etc.... and seemed the loads are here, but as my luck would have it, sit here all day waiting and they send me a preplan to pick up at midnight going back to PA! LOl I just came outa there and jersey, no desire to head straight back w/ a 500 mile load that doesnt deliver till after noon on Friday....BigT

 

It sounds like they are "zoning" the trucks again...but late August seems a bit early for the "positioning"....I can remember when they first opened the Manteno terminal...it was for the dedicated trucks for the warehouse across the street. Even back then, the freight out of there for OTR trucks did seem to send them right back to PA and NY. Yep, Manteno is very much like Memphis in that respect...but the shop at Manteno used to be top notch...I would plan on getting service done there if Columbus was too busy.

The only thing, advice I can give you is push on your DM to get you going and staying in the midwest where the freight is supposed to be fairly strong this time of year....just hang in there, it takes some time investment to get the contacts established to keep the miles steady. Keep one thing in mind...all the companies are going through the same problems right now, and god only knows when that will change for the better!

 

Otherhalf, you were dead on again as usual . They sent me preplan 330 this morning to guess where? Yep, PA... Same deal, I turned it down, sent another message this am to DM, follow up on the phone call I had with her yesterday about shorter runs, long delivery windows, and the Northeast... Guess I'll wait and see what comes of it.....BigT

 

How long have you been driving for swift, Big T?

Otherhalf, as far as the Manteno shop goes, i like it. No where else can i get a 'grab bag' full of spare parts (i.e. glad hand rubbers, truck/trailer lights, springs, etc.) without having to explain what i need them for all the time. When i first started, i was in Greer, SC. and got a full set of air lines and pigtail as a back up. Now? I have to go thru quick lane as they wont hand them out anymore, UNLESS you're a L/O or O/O.

So, the load i had yesterday, i t-called in Gary. I sat for an hour or two then sent a message to my sub-DM asking if there was a Morris load. Got one about 30 min. later. then they send me a PP to pick up at Macy's in Minooka, just to get an MT. I get there at 17:10 CDT, then come to find out i need an appointment number. I look at my watch and see the time above, and just said "awww SHATNER". So i msg memphis asking for the number. Yep, you guessed it...an HOUR later...still nothing. I msg them again saying i cnat get the trl without the appt. number. Then send another off saying i was rolling to Morris here in a bit, and i'll come back for the trailer in the morning, giving the CSR/Planner all night to locate the number. I run across the street to the Pilot with the Arby's to grab a bite. BEEP. as soon as i got stopped at the Pilot, i got the appt. number. Funny...its almost as if they wait to watch your truck roll on sensor-tracs to do their job.

 

I couldn't fathom turning down a load.

 

DickJones, less than six months. I agree, they wait till your moving and half way gone before they send you what you need half the time. Get this, I pick up at CSX RR around Chicago (5 hr nightmare getting registered) get half way to Minn. send mac 23 for Consignee, keep getting directions to a different railyard in Cicero lol. Come to find out the Planner never sent me the preplan to t-call 20 miles from where I picked it up. Intermodal...... anyway, still making the delivery to Minn

Dodge, gotta make truck payments, cant do it on 3-400 mile runs that dont deliver for 2 days....BigT