West Bound Freight

Does it seem to anybody else that Westbound freight at USA Truck seems to be picking up? I mean states west of I35? I just picked up my load today going from Joliet, IL to Chandler, AZ. This is the second "out west" load I've gotten in a little over 30 days. When I first started with this company, loads west of Texas seemed to be like a faraway dream that more often than not were just a mix of legend and fable. In fact my trainer had told me that in 3 years of working for USA Truck he had only gone to California twice and Colorado once. Many folks at the terminals only mentioned westbound loads as something that they did 2 or more years ago. The only exceptions being married couples who run as teams and a few guys I know who are on dedicated Honda accounts who make frequent west coast runs.

Lately it seems that as I go into terminals, more and more folks are talking about "just coming back" from California or Oregon and Washington. In fact, I'd never successfully completed a westbound load until last month to LA even after begging for one. The only two I'd ever gotten assigned (one to Denver and one to New Mexico) they'd forced to me to either relay or drop in the drop yards. Now I'm on my second in 30 days.

On a side note, to those who always say having HAZMAT is a PITA and a waste of time, I'm laughing at you now. I've run 85% HAZMAT for the last 3 weeks. I've been back and forth between Maryland and Wisconsin and all states between. It seems I've spent 2-3 nights a week sleeping at South Holland terminal. I've had $700-800 paychecks each week and now this load to AZ is 1700 miles and HAZMAT as well.

 

You are right about the PA turnpike. But on the other hand, guess what Vandalia and S Holland were full of? That's right! A bunch of drivers whining about not getting any miles. One was venting to the mechanics about "I've had it! This is my last week! I'm serious!". Well when one or two asked where I was heading, I told them AZ and they got pissed. They were telling me that it wasn't fair that I got that load until they heard it was HM. Then of course NOBODY does HM.

These must be the whiny guys that Bear Funky was talking about. Each of them had a reason why they wouldn't do something.
1. "I WON'T run northeast."
2. "I WON'T haul hazmat."
3. "I WONT run loads shorter than 200 miles."
4. "I WONT stay out longer than 2 weeks."
5. "I WILL quit if I don't get my way!"

I've done all of the above and this Sunday was the first idle day I've had in 2 weeks and only because I delivered Monday's load early (on Saturday). I'm becoming more convinced that attitude and reputation are a BIG influence on work load.