Comments By Drew Oswalt

My truck is back in the shop for another 5th wheel issue and a bad motor for the driver side window. So yesterday I was supposed to deliver a load but because of delays at the shipper and later at D.O.T weigh station, and not having enough drive time, the load got reschedule for today. However I was assign to a load going to Utah. Unfortunately when I went to uncouple the 5th wheel locking jaw wouldn't open. I was told that debris had gotten stuck in the locking jaw area. Now the window motor issue. At the last shop when I was there I told them about the issue several times. I finally got the clearance to roll. I asked about the window and basically got blown off, I asked a second time in very direct forward manner, and was told the window motor hadn't been replaced . I was told it would be day or two if I wanted to wait I had been sitting long enough and wanted to get rolling. The window was still working raising it was extremely slow Well yesterday one of the mechanics lower it and it wouldn't go up. So I am currently waiting for that repair

They should swap out trucks to keep you moving. Or at least get you a loaner. With my limited experience, that's what's been offered to me when my first truck was down for more than a couple days.

I'm guilty of wearing pajama pants into the drivers lounge to use the restroom a few times. Sometimes you just don't have time to change into pants. And I'm not one to go in the parking lot.

At least mine don't have kitties on them. Mine have huskies. Lol

I got a call this morning from a planner to deadhead to our El Paso terminal. He said there is a better chance of getting a load out that area. So I head out. I'm so thankful I'm no longer sitting in that stinky parking lot.

As soon as I park at the terminal, my Qualcomm starts blowing up. I got a load going to Illinois. Yay!!! I get out of there in about an hour. Had to take a 30. Good thing I kept up with the macros and calls.

Without getting too much into things I may not be allowed to say, there are always areas that just end up with too many drivers. Then other regions don't have enough drivers, because everyone is on the other side of the country. I see this on our load boards.

@Kearsey: my DM is too busy to get me preplanned. I'm always on hold for 15-45 minutes when I call. I always ask to be stacked. I tell him I want to run and make money. It's only happened once. Most of my buddies get stacked or preplanned and keep running. And their DMs pick up the phone and talk to them pretty quickly. I'm going to try and switch to a DM that's not ovegoaded. Should help with both of our numbers.

And you are correct w/ the shuttle drivers. My buddies have mentioned similar situations.

Also, regarding holiday deliveries, I've delivered 2 black Friday loads for a big box retailer. One was a month ago. Makes sense. They want to make sure they have the merchandise so their stores are properly stocked for the big sales. Not have to wait until the last minute.

Thanks for everyone's input. It's soothing to know that a most everyone else goes through some unrequested downtime. I need to sleep now. Have 2 long days ahead of me.

Heck. I'm annoyed I'll be sitting for 5 days before I can potentially get a load due to having none in the area. And may not get one due to having scheduled maintenance coming up. You got it worse. Sorry.

I've been sitting around in Lubbock since Saturday afternoon. Been sending my macros and calling DMs daily. "Light on loads" is the response everytime. Finally get a message today that there are no loads for the area until Wednesday. What sucks about that is that I have to do a Cal Bit service on my truck in 2 days. And an A and B service. But I guess the Cal Bit takes care of those.

Just venting I guess. After every other load I end up sitting for a 1-3 days. Not like I'm turning down loads. I'm not getting them. I just end up in areas with nada. Or my DM isn't taking the time to stack my loads or find them. I dunno. What really sucks is that they mentioned last week that my weekly average miles are low and made it seem like it was me...yeah I know my miles are low. Get me some loads DM. I want to make money...SMFH

But it looks like Plano, TX may be the winner. Low crime rates and good school districts. But cost of living is a bit higher. But still a crap ton cheaper than Los Angeles.

Have you checked out property taxes there? I lived in DFW years ago and property taxes in those northern neighborhoods were up in the stratosphere.

On another note, I have heard Plano is the most heavily armed city in the entire country. Could be a fun place to be!

Property taxes are higher. But on a 3 bedroom house that costs 200k, it's not too bad. Around 4k, if my math is correct. There's no state income tax in Texas, so it's almost a wash. Around Los Angeles, the same house would cost over $1-$1.5 million. So, I'm really ok with the property tax.

I don't mind weapons. I was in the Army. And maybe that's why Plano is always in the top 5 for "safest city to live in".

Ok thanks everyone. Henderson, NV, Greenville, SC, Wyoming, Memphis, TN were top runners. But it looks like Plano, TX may be the winner. Low crime rates and good school districts. But cost of living is a bit higher. But still a crap ton cheaper than Los Angeles. I've been sitting here for 2 days in Lubbock so I've had time to research.

This crap sucks btw. Sitting for 2 days because they are "light" on loads. I am doing a macro 10 daily and called a DM.

Just thought about this. If you're using the thing outside, you don't even need to use the smoke-filter. Kind of obvious. Lol. Geez Louise. I'm liking this thing even more now.

The base version has a $23 off coupon on Amazon right now. Making it $200. I kind of want the one with the temp probe. But that's $270.

Dimension:

Product Dimensions 17 x 14 x 11 inches Item Weight 14.5 pounds Shipping Weight 26.9 pounds

As I copy and pasted the dimensions, I decided to buy it. I just came back out from home time a week ago and won't go back until Thanksgiving. Wal-Mart has them for $199.99 but their prices always show lower online, than in-store. The Wal-Mart 6 miles from me has it in stock. I guess I could buy some other things there at the same time. And it's open 24/7.

Ok. So I don't need a Swift facility near where I live? How do I get home? I know you can bobtail. What is the limit on how far I can drive? Where do I drop the empty?

This could be a game changer for where my wife and I decide to buy a house.

Sparks NV., Walmart Grocery DC.

Thanks. But too far from Vegas. Been looking at property in Henderson, NV.