My Prime Upgrade / First Month Solo Experience

05/17/22 wrap

This was a Shipper Load Driver Count job, so I verified the shipment count on the dock before it was loaded and watched the loading.

I’m hauling a UN1197, Extracts, Flavoring, Liquid, Class 3 Flammable, group III packaging.

It is liquid vanilla extract food flavoring. The dock foreman told me there are a lot of vanilla varieties that they make product out of.

I’m learning a few things the hard way. Such as to tape the placards in place. I had to use my spare placard when one blew off. Stopped to buy some clear Gorilla tape. Works good.

I had to ask the shipper for the Emergency Response Guide book because I didn’t have one on the truck. She gave it to me.

It is a light load at 10k lbs.

Typical driving day with beautiful scenery to go along with active work zones, traffic bottlenecks, strong gusty crosswinds, etc.

I ended up driving 464 miles today (116 miles to 01 + 348 miles towards 90). Drive time of 9h 16m (50 mph avg). On Duty time 9h 48m.

Stopped at welcome center rest area on I68W just into WV.

I’m working a split SB, so will see if it worked at 01:00 CDT. If it didn’t then my break ends at 04:00 CDT.

I’m 704 miles to my 90. I should arrive early on 5/19/22.

So proud of ya, man! You 'did' take that 'questionable' / HZ load, then.

Good on you, sir.

So many of usn's are 'reachable' at odd hours; even those that just share a home w/a real driver!

Best always, good sir. Miles sound great, too!

(Tom verified, haha!)

~ Anne ~

ps: Yeah, even with some of the 'best' placard holders, tape is a necessity!!

5/18/22 - Day 6 Solo

Summary: Miles = 529 Driving = 9h 34m On Duty = 9h 59m Avg Speed = 55.3 mph

I started driving at 04:00 CDT and stopped at 15:07 CDT.

I parked at same place in Beaver Dam, KY that I used on my eastbound trip.

I’m 181 miles from my 90 customer. They open at 06:00 CDT for deliveries. I’ll depart at 02:30 CDT to arrive about 06:00. Try to get unloaded as quickly as possible.

My appointment was changed to 17:00 on 5/19/22.

Turns out that the shipper gave me a Hazardous Materials Compliance Pocketbook, not the 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook.

I’ve been calling truck stops to find the ERG without luck. I downloaded an iOS app of the 2020 ERG to my phone, better than nothing.

Unlikely to get stopped now, but it could have happened or worse that I have an accident.

I’ll check with the Prime Permits desk when I’m back at the Terminal to see if they have it. Will keep on the truck just in case get another load like this one.

I’m having to watch my 70 clock close next 2 days. I have 15h 56m available for the 19th and 20th. Then I start getting recaps on the 21st forward of +/- 9 hrs a day.

5/18/22 - Day 6 Solo

Summary:

Miles = 529

Driving = 9h 34m

On Duty = 9h 59m

Avg Speed = 55.3 mph

I started driving at 04:00 CDT and stopped at 15:07 CDT.

I parked at same place in Beaver Dam, KY that I used on my eastbound trip.

I’m 181 miles from my 90 customer. They open at 06:00 CDT for deliveries. I’ll depart at 02:30 CDT to arrive about 06:00. Try to get unloaded as quickly as possible.

My appointment was changed to 17:00 on 5/19/22.

Turns out that the shipper gave me a Hazardous Materials Compliance Pocketbook, not the 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook.

I’ve been calling truck stops to find the ERG without luck. I downloaded an iOS app of the 2020 ERG to my phone, better than nothing.

Unlikely to get stopped now, but it could have happened or worse that I have an accident.

I’ll check with the Prime Permits desk when I’m back at the Terminal to see if they have it. Will keep on the truck just in case get another load like this one.

I’m having to watch my 70 clock close next 2 days. I have 15h 56m available for the 19th and 20th. Then I start getting recaps on the 21st forward of +/- 9 hrs a day.

Seems like you're doing awesome, our friend!

Re: the ERG... I bought the 2021 for Tom on Amazon (1 day delivery) and FAB reimbursed the $6.49 or such. I would almost bet dollars to donuts, Prime would provide you with one, however.

We don't even HAUL hazmat...but, having the HME endorsement, I'm pretty sure it's a requisite...or should be!

Seriously, I'm not sure; but I commensurate with your concerns.

Let me know; curious. I kinda thought it was a requirement for HZ haulers. (?!?)

Best always,

~ Anne ~ (oh yeah, and Tom!)

ps: email anytime. Be safe; you're awesome!

5/19/22 - Day 7 Solo

I followed my plan to start driving at 02:30 CDT. I arrived at 90 customer at 06:02 CDT. Total of 183 miles in 3.5h for 52.3 mph avg.

Checked in with Receiving at 06:05 CDT.

Told to wait in truck until they come tell me to dock. Have to work me in around other deliveries scheduled for this morning. This load was in their original plan for yesterday. Pay back time I guess.

I have my detention stamp ready to go on the bills. Keeping track of the time.

Just for fun I checked the total time required to complete the loaded portions of my two trips to date. I calculated out the estimate for Trip 2 on 5/16/22 to in form my FM of a realistic ETA. It worked out right on.

Love this. Keep up the good work. Hammer down!

5/19/22 wrap

I was docked at 07:52 CDT. Was unloaded with BOLs in hand at 08:45 CDT.

It was 09:40 before I had the trailer closed up and all of my paperwork done for this trip and setting my next assignment.

I spent from 09:41 to 10:48 getting the trailer reefer filled and a washout.

Then I drove to my 01 customer in Dexter, MO arriving at 11:27 CDT to do a D&H. I was asked to dock the empty trailer in a tight corner. Got it in slowly but surely.

Then bobtail a couple miles to another lot where my loaded trailer was waiting. Got it hooked up and everything cleared with Dispatch live load call.

I started driving at 13:20 towards Olathe, KS. I stopped at 16:05 CDT to fuel reefer and park for the night at a Love’s on I-55 at Bloomsdale, MO.

It would be my luck the the showers are out of service! Then a major severe thunderstorm struck just as I was getting back into the truck!

Summary Stats: Miles = 370 Driving = 7h 32m (7.53h) On Duty = 8h 14m Avg MPH = 49.1*

*Includes a 30 min RT detour to find a safe turnaround after missing turn into the Love’s. I have got to stop doing this!

I have 7h 42m available on 70 clock for tomorrow.

I’m 308 miles away, which I’m figuring will take about 6h 12m total time (5h 42m driving + 30m Off Duty break). If I’m running behind I can skip the break.

My appointment window is until 11:59 CDT. I will plan to arrive by 11:00 CDT, so depart in morning by 04:45 CDT.

I’ll start getting recaps back on 5/21:

5/21 = 9h 17m 5/22 = 9h 00m 5/23 = 8h 48m 5/24 = 7h 07m 5/25 = 9h 48m 5/26 = 9h 59m 5/27 = 8h 14m

Total miles in last 7 days = 3,077

5/13 = 477 5/14 = 449 5/15 = 463 5/16 = 325 5/17 = 464 5/18 = 529 5/19 = 370

Unfortunately they will cross between paychecks.

My first week was only 5 days driving with one completed trip of 1,863 miles.

My second paycheck week is off to a good start.

Trip 1: 1,121 miles, start 5/16 - end 5/19 Trip 2: 407 miles dispatched, start 5/19

Time to dig out the Dude Wipes!

PS. I should mention that not all of the 3,077 miles will be payable, the way Prime calculates “dispatched miles”. I had a few short detours from missed turns and today had to go 16 miles out of my way to find a trailer washout.

I was required to washout the trailer following the HAZMAT load in part because it will be loaded by Tyson with poultry meat. You don’t want your chicken tasting like vanilla!

5/20/22 - Day 8 Solo

I executed my plan for today except I decided to get up an hour earlier at 03:00 CDT and started driving at 03:39 CDT. I arrived at my 90 customer at 09:34 CDT (my appt window ended at 11:59 CDT). The trip included a 26 mins stop for reefer fuel and personal necessities. Distance was 308 miles.

I was dropping my loaded trailer and the release arm was jammed. To get it loose I set the trailer brake and reserve pushed against it to relax the pressure of the locking jaws against the king pin. This did the trick.

I went to look for a Prime empty. None on-site. I notified my FM for advice. At the time I only had 2h 4m of On Duty time available on my 70 clock.

FM checked with Sales and returned message that I could bobtail to my next 01 shipper in Edwardsville, KS (~20 miles) to pick up my loaded trailer without dropping an empty. The appointment window ended at 23:59 CDT 5/20/22.

I bobtailed to a Walmart in Shawnee, OK about 6 miles from my 01 to park for my 10h break. Got a little shopping done.

The drive took 30 minutes, leaving me with 1h 34m of available On Duty time. I had 9h 17m recap coming back at midnight for 5/21/22.

My 10h break ended at 21:24 CDT. Started driving at 22:18 CDT to arrive at my 01 loc at 22:42. Checked in with Shipping/Receiving to get my Bills and trailer number. Went on another trailer hunt finally asking the yard dog where to find it.

After hooking and inspection of this trailer, I went to raise the landing gear. Couldn’t get it to budge. To take some stress off of the landing gear I gently rocked the truck back and forth. This did the trick.

I was on my way out to security gate when midnight struck. I still had 54m of available time to go with my recap of 9h 17m for total of 10h 11m available now for 5/21/22.

I started driving to my 90 loc in Ardmore, OK at 00:02 CDT on 5/21/22.

Summary Stats: Miles = 338 Driving = 6h 23m On Duty = 6h 48m Avg MPH = 53

5/21/22 - Day 9 Solo

I drove from 00:02 until 08:59 CDT when I arrived at the Flying J on I-35, Ext 33 after 442 miles near Ardmore, OK. I’m 19 miles to my 90 loc customer to deliver on 5/22/22 at 05:00-07:00 CDT. I have 2h of available On Duty time remaining today. My recap tonight will be 9h, giving me 11h on 5/22/22.

The drive included a 30 min fuel stop, a second 30 min break and one short 10 min bio stop.

Summary Stats: Miles = 442 Driving = 7h 53m On Duty = 8h 11m Avg MPH = 56.1 (easy I-35 driving at night)

I’m planning to depart by 04:30 CDT on 5/22/22 to my customer. I believe this will be a live unload of meat.

I should have plenty of time to get onto my next trip assignment when I receive it tomorrow morning. My dispatch has been good about pre-plans so far.

I used the long 19 hours break here today to do the usual shower, laundry and eat a sit down meal. I finally took time to buy a GPS and other items to set up electronics in the truck. Still need a CB radio (next) and a dash cam.

You are doing great!