PackRat's 2020 Daily Driving Diary

You have sure not started 2020 in great fashion. I agree with you companies need to hold drivers more accountable on trailer inspections. I got my hands on a brand new trailer 2 months ago and it hadn’t unhooked from my truck since. I’m keeping it as long as possible.

It will get better senior!!!

Thanks for the well wishes, PJ. Trucking ups and downs is all it is right now.

1 February 2020

Back at the terminal in West Memphis, AR overnight. I got up around 0330 and went in to check with the overnight dispatcher. The desk is manned at the terminal 24/7. He asks if I can go retrieve the trailer from yesterday, as the repairs were completed overnight. I depart bobtail back to Memphis, grab the trailer, then return. This was actually 46 miles round trip, but only pays for 20 "practical miles" (zip code to zip code). I believe it's called practical miles because it's the most practical for the company: they pay out less to the drivers this way. Sore subject with me...

After this, today there are actually loads to depart, so I get the paperwork for a high-dollar load of Kenworth parts that's destined for Ohio. This one is to be 581 paid miles, but isn't scheduled to unload until 2000 on Tuesday. I wonder if I can make it on time?!?!?

I depart and start heading east, driving until I reach Nashville. I head to the TA to see if there's parking available for a change, which I actually find. Even more surprised to get a fairly easy spot, near the building that's not marked "Reserved". Since the truck is within 2,000 miles of the next PM oil change, I walk to the shop and check out the waiting list. Only three trucks ahead of me, so I add my name. I message the shop on my plans, and I also tell dispatch. After about four hours, I'm complete with that maintenance for the next 25,000 miles.

For the day, I drove 240 miles in 5.0 hours, using 0.5 hours On Duty, totaling 5.5 hours.

The journey continues....

2 February 2020

Groundhog Day and Superbowl Sunday

I slept in until around 0600 this morning because no rush to the delivery in two days. Just to try, I called two of the phone numbers I have for the delivery, but no answer. I'll try these again on Monday morning to see if I can deliver earlier, or at least see if I can park there prior to the scheduled appointment time. If I get there by 1100, I can have a full clock after the unload. That is IF I have a follow-up dispatch tomorrow night. I hate not having a preplan prior to the delivery. This doesn't seem to happen for me with CFI.

After departing Nashville, it's mainly a drive northeast, passing through Louisville, then Cincinnati later. Cincinnati is another one of my "Least Favorites" to drive through. There's a major long downhill approaching the river, going either north or south. At the bottom of the hill, I-71 and I-75 split, so you have to be on guard for the cars that can't make lane changes until right at their exit. Cross the bridge from Kentucky into Ohio, then it's another long uphill grade to crawl up. Don't forget about the always present road construction to add even more fun and excitement to the drive.

I headed to a decent Pilot truck stop on I-71 in Lebanon, OH and parked in a great spot where nobody can park on my passenger side, the side with my TV antenna. Fortunately, I was able to get the network TV coverage of the Superbowl game tonight, so I parked early and stayed up late to watch the final game. Hail to the Chiefs!!! A good game, with a few good commercials. I thought the halftime show sucked, though.

So for today, I drove 300 miles in 5.0 hours, using 0.4 hours On Duty, totaling 5.4 hours.

14 days until The Daytona 500...

At least its a new month packrat. Here's to a better February than January.

Im actually taking my first 34 hr reset since i went solo 8 months ago. Had a 3600 mile week with tight delivery schedules with no room for my typical 8.5 hr days so now i sit at our Cartersville GA terminal bored out of my mind wide awake at 6am. What do people do on resets??? Ive already cleaned my truck.

Was a decent game. I was at a nice mom and pop truck stop with a sports bar. 15 various size tv’s. I was hoping the 49’ers would do it, but oh well. I agree the half time show was all hype and no delivery.

You could do your laundry at Cartersville, if need be. I would drop the trailer off, then head across the overpass to the TA and sit there. You'll have a restaurant at that truck stop, or across the street at the Pilot.

I catch up on sleep, do some reading, texting/phone calls, clean the truck, or sometimes hit a Walmart to get things restocked. It's also a really good time to check and adjust all the tire pressures, if needed. I clean the inside of the windshield on those days, too.

You could do your laundry at Cartersville, if need be. I would drop the trailer off, then head across the overpass to the TA and sit there. You'll have a restaurant at that truck stop, or across the street at the Pilot.

I catch up on sleep, do some reading, texting/phone calls, clean the truck, or sometimes hit a Walmart to get things restocked. It's also a really good time to check and adjust all the tire pressures, if needed. I clean the inside of the windshield on those days, too.

Laundry is goin right now sir!

That should knock out a few hours of your sitting time. Good time to binge watch some program on the TV.

Guess ill be a terminal rat for a few hours.

That should knock out a few hours of your sitting time. Good time to binge watch some program on the TV.