The start of my first year with Swift.

I got a short load early this morning. Was able to make my first stop at 0600, but I had to wait until 0700 for my second stop because of a noise ordinance. I wasn't about to push that line again. I arrived a couple of minutes before 7am. I was the only delivery there. I rang the buzzer and waited. I rang it again about 15 minutes later and still nothing. I called the store and was told they would send a manager right back. 15 minutes later and after ringing the buzzer again, still nothing. I called Swift and they contacted the DC who called the store. Nothing. I waited 15 more minutes and called Swift again, they called the DC and nothing happened. I finally walked to some doors that said "Customer Entrance". They were locked. I continued around to the front and found customer service. I told the gal my story and she said she had paged the managers twice and thought someone had went back. We walked through the store and found FOUR managers standing in a group telling stories and laughing. I told them I'd been waiting for an hour. They said they heard the page, but thought someone else would get it. I was told to go to the back and "Tina" would be right there. Tina met me at the dock. She said she started back there a week ago, didn't have keys to the locks, couldn't open the doors, and didn't know how to run the electric fork lift. I told her we would get the truck unloaded if she could get the doors open. Finally a guy showed up who had keys and who could run the equipment. He paged ALL hands from produce to the back to unload the truck. Not a single employee showed up. This stop used up all so much of my time that I was now eating into my drive time.

I made it to my next stop with just a few minutes to spare and not be late. Kind of the same thing again. No keys, no one to unload.

I'm now back at Corinne. I asked for a load to Boise so I can take a 34. It sounds like it will be either tonight after a take a 10 or in the morning.

On another note. The fiery redhead who unloaded me at the first stop was so efficient and in control of the entire receiving crew that reminded me of the Irish lass I married. She scares me too.

Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers who read this.

 

I'm sitting here at home now. I made my deliveries and now get to enjoy some time away from the truck.

 

I haven't posted in a few days. It seems like there really isn't much to post about. I've been running steady miles out of Corinne, mostly around SLC and to Boise and back. It's great to get home once a week instead of once a month. I did find out something I find a bit odd. The miles I run out of here don't count towards my ranking and aren't considered for the quarterly bonus. I also don't get paid the Walmart dedicated mileage rate. It seems like I'm taking it in the shorts on both sides of the issue. I'm not going to complain as I know this is a short term gig and at the end of this month I'll get another pay pump to .30cpm.

The Volvo is really short on space. I wish I had a 780 just for the space it offers. My truck is 2013 and it's only because I lucked out. A guy quit and this one was sitting in the Boise yard. Lucky for me.

I'm now sitting and waiting for a load. Yesterday I made fives stops and by the time I got back this morning, everything had been planned.

 

I woke up this morning Fat, Dumb, and Happy. I guess the rest of the world thinks that's no way to go through life. I was preplanned on some nice loads. It was going to be another good 24 hours with 6 stops and about 650 miles AND a chance to maybe stay at home for a night.

I hit the dock on my first stop with nothing wrong. I had timed my start so I could be sure to hit my third stop so I wouldn't be in violation of the noise ordinance. It was a great plan...for me. The lady at the second stop was not impressed. I called ahead to let her know I was coming. She told me I would have to wait for the vendors to be unloaded. I called dispatch to confirm that Walmart loads are supposed to have priority. When I arrived I called and got the same woman. It was about like talking to a badger. I explained to her again that I had a Walmart trailer. It did not impress her at all. She told me I would have to wait. As luck would have it there was an open dock and I hit it. As the truck was nearly unloaded this woman came back and asked me just when I was supposed have been there. I explained to her I had a stop prior to hers and I got there as soon as possible. I was hours from being late. It turned out that she was mad because I hadn't come earlier. She blamed me because the store was backed up with Vendor stock in the receiving area. I put on my best smile and told her I would convey her concerns to my supervisor. I'm pretty sure she's a real peach to work with.

I made my final delivery and now I'm sitting at Utah Onion. I was told I could get here early. I guess they don't open until 0730. 0630 was too early. I'm waiting in line behind what looks like five trucks. I'm guessing I'm not going to get the load back to Boise as I doubt I have time. It could be worse, I could be rolling tarps in the pouring rain.