Where is everyone #5

You think you could do it for 2-3 months at a time?

Or am I just a crazy kid?

 

I have in the past. I’m not a fan of a tour that long. I wouldn’t do it now with the kids and all. Bout two weeks and I’m ready to climb out of the truck for a couple days.

 

You ever read atlas shrugged? It's been 25 years since i read it so im paraphrasing here. There is a philosopher that gets a job at a road side diner. "just because I'm making burgers doesn't mean i have to do it half ###".

 

Well - I'll stick my neck out here a little. I don't know much but - here's how I see it.

If it's a big house pulling it - it may be an AA&E team or DOD cleared - whatever, the big house is to ensure security, or when laid over on classified loads at bases where they are prisoner to the load - often mentioned to me as the "How come you and Gretchen don't do it" - my response - "I ain't a babysitter for the military, and I don't care what it pays"

Open deck stuff pulled by a big house may be an AA&E team that ran out of DOD loads and are filling their time.

Then again - may just be a lifestyle thing for them. Who knows.

There's an agent in KY that I could pull for (did the F-150 frames through them), main bread and butter is military - but 80% or better step deck, I got a flat - so no deal, and I'd not buy a step just to haul the freight, I've found my niche. They call every so often to quote long stuff, happy to do so, but never hauled one for 'em.

The few military loads I've done - lackluster - well - to me anyhow. Why?

• Dealing with kids. God bless 'em, but they're kids.
• No respect for my time as a business capacity provider.
• No FSC - dunno why, but not there.
• Lack lustre rates - to me anyhow.
• Lack of facilities.
• Signature and tally sheets and useless paperwork that ain't my business.
• Generally geared toward step and drop deck - not my trailer.

Some guys get a hard on pulling into military bases - doesn't impress me. They could be way more streamlined and secure if I had my time and management assessment consultancy fee accepted. It's the govt - right? Does anyone agree that the govt. does ANYTHING efficiently?

Had a conversation with the tender sergeant at a base once, appears it works the same if I'm not mistaken. Difference is that the accepted tender winner must have the capacity, (not allowed to broker the load out) , you win the bid - you move it.

So there's not much hidden in the equation, what you get paid is pretty much what it pays - but that will depend on the spot market capacity and perhaps availability of the tender winners' conveyance availability - i.e. if John has 150 mini-deck RGN's then he's gonna get the bid for whatever he quotes because Phil, Dave and Bob don't have 20 trailers put together.

Please feel free to throw in better information guys - that's just the little I've learned about it in the last 5.

 

You get back to the house bud?

 

Well...sometimes I just wanna dick around lol

I have to admit, I dont think I'd ever go back to a smaller bunk from my 86" studio unless it's a local gig that I'm home bout every single day. Those days where you spend all day waiting around on a load, it's nice to be in a bedroom instead of a coffin box. Thats Just me though

 

It really just depends on what it is and where its going. And how many different logistics firms have a piece of the pie befire the carrier gets it.

I've pulled some loads that paid a small fortune, so was worth the extra hassle, and I've been called on some that paid so little i wouldn't stop to get it even tho i was running empty right past it on my way to the area it delivered at.

 

Im the same, but in the 8-9hrs I have for my break, I like to have stuff to make my life more comfortable. If I can cook a small meal in my truck and not have to eat the terrible ### food in & around truck stops then Im a happy camper.

Plus I need the extra room for them fat chicks!

 

Your impression would be correct. Unless it's an S&P load, they're usually cheap.

 

WHAT? SMALL BUNKS?



Yeah - I trip over stuff all the time too. 'Tis what it 'tis.