Longgggg Hours

Today I had another really long day. We had 4 drivers too many so instead of teaming random people up on the long runs they sent the 4 newest guys out with trainers to ensure we are doing our jobs correctly, and we can address any questions or concerns we may have. The trainer I went out with seemed irritated by the whole thing, hardly talked all day and it made everything quite awkward. Because he knew he had another driver with him today he took a NASTY, but high paying route for us. We left des moines about 1am and delivered groceries to 2 stores in Omaha, then picked up 12 pallets of fresh flowers (for mothers day) to deliver to all 7 stores we have in Sioux Falls SD. Our grocery chain has flower warehouses in KC, Davenport, Omaha and Ankeny (des moines)where they then deliver using cargo vans. However with mothers day here we have been doing quite a few loads of all flowers. We were told they would have needed to send 11 vans to deliver the sioux falls flowers that's why we did it. We were sent in a sleeper and my co-driver was hoping to get a route for tomorrow if they were short drivers so he drove first so he wouldnt get screwed over tomorrow starting really late, and I jumped into the sleeper. We didnt get to Sioux Falls until nearly 11 and what a disaster. Between customers shopping or eating in the restaurants inside our stores we also had to deal with the vendors (beer, soda, chips etc.). We take priority over them but we still need to maneuver around them to get into the dock and many of those stores aren't truck friendly at all. Co-driver ran his 14 out just before we were about to head back home. I helped at the stores, and only had to drive the 4 1/2 hours back. I clocked out just before 9pm. 20 hour day made me $600. Thankfully I'm off the next 3 days unless I take a route.

Side note. My company is so amazing. Unfortunately I needed 2 days off (Easter and day after) for my wifes grandmothers funeral in Green Bay. I was told that if anybody in my mine or my wifes family passes away it counts as if it was my family and I get 24 hours of bereavement. I also didnt work this past Friday or Saturday due to needing to go to MY grandmother's funeral in Minneapolis. Again, they're paying me 24 hours of bereavement. What's most surprising? Bereavement and vacation is paid at a higher rate than normal hourly rate. They take my previous 13(?) paycheck average and divide by 40 hours. I work 4 days a week and on average get about 50 hours a week. That bumped my pay for bereavement hours to $37.49 an hour as opposed to $30. It was a very nice surprise to see that on my paycheck, I just hope I dont need the bereavement pay for a LONG time now.

Rob T. ....... so sorry for your losses, yet KUDOS on the pay. I love to read your writings, btw. I miss the old diary; was one of the best. Thanks for all you do.

A trucker's wife, Anne

Thank you Anne, I had thought about doing a diary of my current job but decided against it. It would be a very short entry as nothing really changes. The extent of the job is drive anywhere in iowa or 7 surrounding states and deliver to usually 1 or 2 grocery stores, possibly pickup a backhaul and come back. I still unload my truck but I just use an electric pallet jack to pull full pallets off. The only downside of my job is some of our stores have VERY crowded backrooms, and of course those stores have the coolers on other end of the store. IM LOOKING AT YOU CEDAR RAPIDS! I'll still take it over what I previously was doing

I usually make a post if anything that stands out happened. I feel getting started as an OTR driver will set a great foundation for drivers to be successful but I also want them to see other types of jobs out there that they feel may be a better fit. OTR isn't for everyone, I give credit to everyone doing it because it's no doubt hard on most families.