Truck driver b.s.

I know some here won't feel my pain...

Friday, 1530hrs, I have 2 spots left on my (overweight) trailer. Call dispatch to see where we're at, been a slow day otherwise and figure maybe I'll get off early (7-7.5 hrs). He says, bring it in, but may have to grab an MT and go do a swap. Get to the yard, put the trailer in my assigned door, bring my paperwork in and ask what's up: How would you like to run to Algoma (1.5 hrs away)? Was going to send Walt, but if you want it...

I tell dispatch I don't want to step on toes, if Walt wants it, he can have it. Well, Walt didn't want it, would push him over 12 for the day, must deliver yet today (guaranteed delivery). My day ended up being 10.5 hrs.

I wonder how much it cost to send a driver out on a 3.5 hr run (78 miles plus unloading time) for 1 pallet because the linehaul driver couldn't get back in a timely manner so that 1 pallet could've made the regular truck? Didn't make any money on that freight!

 

I saw it all the time when I worked for Dayton freight LTL. I would say yes to help out the dispatcher, but then the next day he would turn around and screw me over so I quit doing it. You need to understand something about trucking. Your just a dot on a screen, a truck number, there is no consideration (respect) for the driver.

 

Saw that a lot at my last job. Our dispatch is a great guy, doesn't go out of his way to fuck with guys (unless they ask for it). Because of this, I and others go out of our way to work with him to get done what needs to get done. He knows guys won't go out of their way to help him if he dicks us around.

Just like everything in life...it's a two-way street.

 

Well got to back up a truck and trailer in the wrecker tonight… holy shit the back of that trailer is a couple zip codes away in the mirror. I thought I might have some hope because I drive transfer trucks but I definitely wasn’t prepared for that…

 

Uhg, Monday, need more coffee.......

 

2 months post surgery, feeling good. Followed directions getting along well, been increasing walking. P/T doing evaluation today to send to Dr.
Main thing is I'm able to sit and drive pain free.
Thanks for all the advice on taking time and don't push.

 

Nice and wet kind of day in New England.

 

We had that the last 2 days. Grass has taken off again.

 

Guess my feet are getting wet today… lol the rain has been hanging around for the last few weeks this way!

 

Yeah, if the rain don’t stop soon I’m going to sell the Harley for a boat! Lol

 

There are a few good people to still work for .

As the owners retire or sell off the number gets smaller every year.

Now days with all the electronics I would never want to to go back.

Now I hear the next big hoop is transponders in all commercial vehicles giving access to any Law Enforcement any time plus GPS tracking.

The rough part someone has a starving family and 1 check away from living under a bridge that will take that load . Never fails enough said.

If the job is no longer fun I can no longer do it very long.

 

I wish I had advice like this all those times I worked through being hurt.

The bill has for sure come due now.

 

Why I always wore Gortex all leather boots .

As long as the water does not get in from the top of the boots I was good.

 

That was over my boots. I have a pair of nicks handmade boots about the best money can buy. Still got wet lol

 

I would be mean and cranky till my feet were dry again.

 

That’s me every day.

 

How many of you guys that have been driving for a long time now have an automatic truck? I just got my first automatic after 22 years of driving. I’m almost at my first year mark with it and I’m not really a fan. Don’t like it in the snow at all!

Looking for other people thoughts on this.

 

Pretty much agree with this.

 

It seems like most companies are buying automatic now. I know my company did it for hiring new drivers.

 

Yeah, about the only thing I like about them is sitting in traffic.