Got My Truck Today!

Finished my first delivery today. Buena Park, CA to Tolleson, AZ.

Everything started like it was another day. Started early because traffic in Los Angeles/Orange County is just craptastic. Fueled at the terminal. Less than 1/2, since I had a heavy load to pick up (Gatorade). Bobtailed almost an hour (traffic) to get an empty. Funky parking lot. But, got out without damaging anything. Get to shipper about an hour early. They call me 30 minutes after my appointment time. Not too bad, considering I got loaded before trucks that were waiting longer. Getting out of there was tight. Truck before me had to back up from a tight corner several times. I learned and went wide. Took an hour to get to a scale (traffic). Weights were good. Time to get the heck out of SoCal!

I live in Los Angeles and despise the traffic. Wife and I are moving to the east coast next year. Any way...

Along the way, have to stop to change my eta because I forgot to account for slow uphills due to a heavy load and slow downs because of accidents. But not a big deal. I had until 5PM today, to deliver.

So, I get to the receiver. Passed by it because the company name on the signs changed from what was on the dispatch. But I made it with 1/8 fuel and just needed to drive 7 miles to get to the terminal after. Was proud of myself for that one. More of a lucky guess.

Now, here is where things go downhill. I just couldn't back the trailer into it's spot. I had 38 minutes left on the clock and felt rushed. It took almost all that time to do an easy back...then, I forgot to open the doors and move the tandems all the way back. By the time I hook up to an empty, I'm out of time. So I have to use PC to get to the Swift Terminal a few miles away.

I really need to change my status as soon as I pull those knobs. That really f'd up my time

But, at least I got to the shipper and receiver early.

All in all, not bad. I expected to f up more. I expect plenty of mistakes to come for as long as I'm a steering wheel holder.

If it's showing a warning for low fuel now, best to shut it down and tell dispatch you need fuel ASAP. The engine racing is a passive engine parked regeneration, and is normal.

Why shut down? Two reasons:

1. Running it low picks up all the junk and contamination that settles to the bottom of the fuel tanks.

2. Since you are new to this particular truck, how do you know the fuel gauge is truly accurate? Many times these are not.

Thanks PackRat. I actually ended up going to dispatch and asked for an emergency fuel dispatch after that comment I made.