Well I got down to Laurinburg an hour early and got the truck put into the shop for the pm. It was only an "A" pm so no motel room for the night. I called thinking that I'd put myself up for the night and they were all booked up.
So I was standing around shooting the bull with some other drivers when the mechanic came out and asked if I wanted the good news or the bad. The bad. The wheel bearings are shot and they need to send my truck to freightliner. The good. You get a motel room for the night. They have to transfer the inverter from one truck to the other and I won't be able to start moving my stuff until Saturday morning.
Well at least I get a room for the night. I might have to bump the Concord, On load I am not sure how long it will take to transfer my stuff. Well I called Maverick to warn them and they said to wait until I got everything transferred and then give them a call with my new eta. Good enough.
Have a good day
Bookerz out
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
4/13-/4/15/10
I getting neglectful. After unloading Tuesday I was given a deadhead over to Ottawa, Il. From which I'll be grabbing a load headed for Etobicoke, ON.
Now our drop yard is next to a place called the Bears Den. They serve a killer sausage burger. It is rumored that their other sandwiches are equally good, but I haven't ventured away from the sausage burger. It has been my experience that a sausage burger and a couple of pints of ale will cure what ails you. Seeing that I get to spend the night here it was just what the doctor ordered.
The next morning just as the sun started brightening the eastern horizon. I was under way. Today's objective is to try a new truck stop(new to me) only 20 miles from the Canadian border. My usual stop is 80-90 miles from the border in Perry, MI. This different truckstop called Bricoe's is... well a shit hole with a bad parking lot and a dilapidated building. So unless I really need to stage that close to the border it won't be happening again. My usual place has a nice smooth parking lot a nice building and quite a few eateries within walking distance and on site.
Thursday after unloading I was given a dead head to Laurinburg, NC. The truck is overdue for a PM so that is scheduled for tonight (Friday). When Maverick has to keep the truck overnight to do a PM or fix something they will generally put you up in the hotel. So tonight it should be a hotel for me.
I've already got my next work assignment which will take me to Concord, ON. for Monday morning at 6am. At that point I'll have 1600 miles in almost as many miles as I got this week.
Well your up to speed now. My coffee is ready and I need to do a walk around the truck so I can start my day.
Have a nice day
Bookerz out
Now our drop yard is next to a place called the Bears Den. They serve a killer sausage burger. It is rumored that their other sandwiches are equally good, but I haven't ventured away from the sausage burger. It has been my experience that a sausage burger and a couple of pints of ale will cure what ails you. Seeing that I get to spend the night here it was just what the doctor ordered.
The next morning just as the sun started brightening the eastern horizon. I was under way. Today's objective is to try a new truck stop(new to me) only 20 miles from the Canadian border. My usual stop is 80-90 miles from the border in Perry, MI. This different truckstop called Bricoe's is... well a shit hole with a bad parking lot and a dilapidated building. So unless I really need to stage that close to the border it won't be happening again. My usual place has a nice smooth parking lot a nice building and quite a few eateries within walking distance and on site.
Thursday after unloading I was given a dead head to Laurinburg, NC. The truck is overdue for a PM so that is scheduled for tonight (Friday). When Maverick has to keep the truck overnight to do a PM or fix something they will generally put you up in the hotel. So tonight it should be a hotel for me.
I've already got my next work assignment which will take me to Concord, ON. for Monday morning at 6am. At that point I'll have 1600 miles in almost as many miles as I got this week.
Well your up to speed now. My coffee is ready and I need to do a walk around the truck so I can start my day.
Have a nice day
Bookerz out
Monday, April 12, 2010
4/12/2010
Today was a day to try a driver's backing skills and luck.
At my delivery point they unloaded half the load in one building and the other half in another. While my backing skills/luck were not operating at the highest efficiency they were up to the task. And despite moving from one building to another the unload time was still better than some places where movement is not required.
Now my next shipment picked up on the south side of Pittsburgh, PA. There is a considerable amount of construction going on in downtown. Despite the fact the shortest route was through downtown I decided that circumventing it was the best option. Especially considering that running through there with no traffic at 11pm or so last night proved a problem. But it did add 30 miles to my destination.
Once at my destination they decided that my backing a plume was to be challenged again. I got to back my way between 2 rail cars and a semi trailer and about 400 yards to the narrow door. It wouldn't have been so bad but backing straight wasn't within my skill set today. Alas in the door and the only thing hurt (a small amount) was my pride. Good enough. I had heard this was quite the hell hole. I must say that my experience here wasn't all that bad.
Now the qualcomm said that my consignee was a mere 205 miles away. With Pennslyvannia and eastern Ohio roads being what they are I decided to stick with the interstates. That added 50 miles and probably reduced the stress by 50 percent. I consider that a good trade so I went with it.
I have a 6am delivery time and I am only 40 minutes away. So life is good!!
As for tomorrow we will just have to wait and see. Perhaps, hopefully I'll get something with some legs to it and I won't have to work so hard.
Have a good day
Bookerz out
At my delivery point they unloaded half the load in one building and the other half in another. While my backing skills/luck were not operating at the highest efficiency they were up to the task. And despite moving from one building to another the unload time was still better than some places where movement is not required.
Now my next shipment picked up on the south side of Pittsburgh, PA. There is a considerable amount of construction going on in downtown. Despite the fact the shortest route was through downtown I decided that circumventing it was the best option. Especially considering that running through there with no traffic at 11pm or so last night proved a problem. But it did add 30 miles to my destination.
Once at my destination they decided that my backing a plume was to be challenged again. I got to back my way between 2 rail cars and a semi trailer and about 400 yards to the narrow door. It wouldn't have been so bad but backing straight wasn't within my skill set today. Alas in the door and the only thing hurt (a small amount) was my pride. Good enough. I had heard this was quite the hell hole. I must say that my experience here wasn't all that bad.
Now the qualcomm said that my consignee was a mere 205 miles away. With Pennslyvannia and eastern Ohio roads being what they are I decided to stick with the interstates. That added 50 miles and probably reduced the stress by 50 percent. I consider that a good trade so I went with it.
I have a 6am delivery time and I am only 40 minutes away. So life is good!!
As for tomorrow we will just have to wait and see. Perhaps, hopefully I'll get something with some legs to it and I won't have to work so hard.
Have a good day
Bookerz out
04/11/2010
Yesterday was ill planned, but luck was on my side. Sometimes, just sometimes luck will suffice.
I spend a minute explaining. I left the house late enough that my only option that would keep me legal is to drive straight to the consignee and park on sight. Yesterday, until I got here, I didn't remember being here before, alas I have been here before and there is a place or two where you can park overnight.
I wasn't able to best the best route in due to the highway construction and I missed the detour route. I hate it when I am in the wrong lane in this thing. You can't jump two or three lane and make the exit. Fortunately the gps will adjust to you missing a turn. AS a special note it doesn't berate you for missing the turn either.
Once unloaded I need to make my way to the south side of Pittsburgh and do a live load of crated glass bound for Upper Sandusky, OH for a 6am delivery tomorrow. Good times!
Have a good day
Bookerz out
Sunday, April 11, 2010
04/09/2010
After yesterday today seemed like a dream. No international borders and no maintenance people too wait on.
The drive down I-90/I-271/OH-8/I-77 was nice. I hit all the sections at the right times and traffic wasn't an issue. The directions were clear and concise and the receivers receiving area was a bit fun.
I'll take a moment to explain. I had to back down the lane about 250 yards. Push the trailer to the right between two objects towards the dumpster and then pull forward to square up the truck. Actually there was about 8 mounds of stuff to work myself between and around. Fortunately the mounds consisted of sawdust, horse manure, peat moss, top soil, and a couple of mounds where they mixed the stuff with big front end loaders. What was fun about it there was no way I could damage either the tractor/trailer or the material. And the back job went of without a hitch.
After getting unload and waiting a bit. I got a work assignment of picking up a coil in Coshocton, PA and taking it to Randleman, NC. This steel facility unlike my experience in Birmingham, AL went off without a hitch, the only problem being is when it came time for me to leave it was time for shift change. During shift change they close the pedestrian cross walks to motorized traffic. Therefore I couldn't leave I kinda thought that was a bit anal, but it had been 777 days since the had a work time loss due to injury. That is an impressive safety track record especially considering the size of the plant.
I didn't really want this load. At some point along the working for money curve Uncle Sam figures you are making entirely too much money. He figures that taxing you to death at this point will deter you from becoming to greedy. To be frank it was working and somewhere along the way to randleman I'll cross the making too much money line and from that point forward I'll be working for the tax man and not Maverick or myself. But as I am not my own boss and there is no way I could (or would) refuse this load. I will just have to suck it up and cry as the tax man has carnal knowledge of me.
It was the best week this year as far as miles covered 3120 and an additional $100 or so in ancillary pay.
Once I unloaded in Randleman I was released to head home. This alowwed me to arrive home mid afternoon Friday. SWEET! I had encouraged them to find me a load that would get me rolling on Sunday. The response wasn't exactly encouraging to me, but alas they came thru. I am picking up a load Sunday in Richburg, SC and taking it to Cheswick, PA. and I have a preplan on top of that. Running upto Jeffersonhills, PA and taking a load of glass over to Sandusky, OH for Tuesday. I need to be careful how much encouraging I do :). Anyway that will be a nice start for the week coming out of the house. Now I need to get started loading the truck and getting myself underway.
Have a nice day
Bookerz out
The drive down I-90/I-271/OH-8/I-77 was nice. I hit all the sections at the right times and traffic wasn't an issue. The directions were clear and concise and the receivers receiving area was a bit fun.
I'll take a moment to explain. I had to back down the lane about 250 yards. Push the trailer to the right between two objects towards the dumpster and then pull forward to square up the truck. Actually there was about 8 mounds of stuff to work myself between and around. Fortunately the mounds consisted of sawdust, horse manure, peat moss, top soil, and a couple of mounds where they mixed the stuff with big front end loaders. What was fun about it there was no way I could damage either the tractor/trailer or the material. And the back job went of without a hitch.
After getting unload and waiting a bit. I got a work assignment of picking up a coil in Coshocton, PA and taking it to Randleman, NC. This steel facility unlike my experience in Birmingham, AL went off without a hitch, the only problem being is when it came time for me to leave it was time for shift change. During shift change they close the pedestrian cross walks to motorized traffic. Therefore I couldn't leave I kinda thought that was a bit anal, but it had been 777 days since the had a work time loss due to injury. That is an impressive safety track record especially considering the size of the plant.
I didn't really want this load. At some point along the working for money curve Uncle Sam figures you are making entirely too much money. He figures that taxing you to death at this point will deter you from becoming to greedy. To be frank it was working and somewhere along the way to randleman I'll cross the making too much money line and from that point forward I'll be working for the tax man and not Maverick or myself. But as I am not my own boss and there is no way I could (or would) refuse this load. I will just have to suck it up and cry as the tax man has carnal knowledge of me.
It was the best week this year as far as miles covered 3120 and an additional $100 or so in ancillary pay.
Once I unloaded in Randleman I was released to head home. This alowwed me to arrive home mid afternoon Friday. SWEET! I had encouraged them to find me a load that would get me rolling on Sunday. The response wasn't exactly encouraging to me, but alas they came thru. I am picking up a load Sunday in Richburg, SC and taking it to Cheswick, PA. and I have a preplan on top of that. Running upto Jeffersonhills, PA and taking a load of glass over to Sandusky, OH for Tuesday. I need to be careful how much encouraging I do :). Anyway that will be a nice start for the week coming out of the house. Now I need to get started loading the truck and getting myself underway.
Have a nice day
Bookerz out
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Me
- Bookerz
- Greenville, SC, United States
- I've been married for 21 years. After nearly 25 years in the retail industry I decided to make an abrupt change in direction into the trucking industry.
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments