The Day Of Changed Plans

My phone rang at 0745 and the dispatcher on the other end says "I have a Hubbard meet for you, 1030 gate". That works. Plenty of time to get ready and it's not a bad run at 598 miles.

At 0850 my phone rings again and it's dispatch. "Change of plans, Hubbard got cancelled you're going to the meet pad and your gate time is in an hour". At this time, I'm prepping my lunch and my wife's lunch and the chicken is cooking. I get it all done and shoot to work cutting through the back roads the tourist don't know about because they do 25 in a 45. Ain't nobody got time for that.

I make my gate and start heading towards the drop pad. At 1230 my phone is ringing and it says "Central Dispatch". O boy.... I answer and he says "hey, change of plans. We don't have any freight for you at the drop pad, take those trailers to Youngstown because they have freight that needs to go out today". Not a problem.

I arrive at Youngstown at about 1500, drop my trailers and hook my new set in about 25 minutes because I already have my assignment and I'm a mother flippin professional. I go into road dispatch to get my paperwork and the lady is on the phone and she says "something something something Pocono". At that point I know they're talking about me.

She finally hangs up and says "change of plans, drop your tail and take the lead and dolly to Hubbard and there's a trailer the that has to get to Pocono today. I ask for the weight of the trailer and it's heavier than the trailer I'm currently hooked to which means a full swap.

I drive about 30 miles to Hubbard and no trailer. I call Central and they insist it's there. They call the driver that dropped it there. He's describing where he left it and at that point I realize I'm in the wrong place. The trailer is at the drop pad. The same drop pad that didn't have freight for me 4 hours ago. I tell Central I can't do it. I have 5 hours and 30 minutes of drive time available and I can't backtrack 30 miles. They say "we need you to do this, pick it up get as far as you can and we'll get you a rescue". That took half an hour to sort out.

At this point I'm pretty annoyed with all of this because it's simple logistical errors that shouldn't be happening and I hate getting a rescue because those guys are hourly and they take their sweet time getting to you. I can refuse, but I do it. It's a PITA, but not the end of the world.

I get to the drop pad and hook my set in about 15 minutes and take off with exactly 5 hours of drive time available and 324 miles to go. I had to get rescued 15 miles from my building.

The day ended with a grand total of 687 miles, 4 drops, 3 hooks, 1 tractor only, 1 fuel and an hour of delay pay (30 minutes sorting facts in Hubbard and 30 minutes waiting for a rescue). I used up 10 hours and 56 minutes of drive time and my entire 14 hour clock. I probably got closer to 15, with the yard moves at the end because I fueled the tractor and plugged the doors.

It was not a fun day, but it was a profitable one.

My phone rang at 0745 and the dispatcher on the other end says "I have a Hubbard meet for you, 1030 gate". That works. Plenty of time to get ready and it's not a bad run at 598 miles.

At 0850 my phone rings again and it's dispatch. "Change of plans, Hubbard got cancelled you're going to the meet pad and your gate time is in an hour". At this time, I'm prepping my lunch and my wife's lunch and the chicken is cooking. I get it all done and shoot to work cutting through the back roads the tourist don't know about because they do 25 in a 45. Ain't nobody got time for that.

I make my gate and start heading towards the drop pad. At 1230 my phone is ringing and it says "Central Dispatch". O boy.... I answer and he says "hey, change of plans. We don't have any freight for you at the drop pad, take those trailers to Youngstown because they have freight that needs to go out today". Not a problem.

I arrive at Youngstown at about 1500, drop my trailers and hook my new set in about 25 minutes because I already have my assignment and I'm a mother flippin professional. I go into road dispatch to get my paperwork and the lady is on the phone and she says "something something something Pocono". At that point I know they're talking about me.

She finally hangs up and says "change of plans, drop your tail and take the lead and dolly to Hubbard and there's a trailer the that has to get to Pocono today. I ask for the weight of the trailer and it's heavier than the trailer I'm currently hooked to which means a full swap.

I drive about 30 miles to Hubbard and no trailer. I call Central and they insist it's there. They call the driver that dropped it there. He's describing where he left it and at that point I realize I'm in the wrong place. The trailer is at the drop pad. The same drop pad that didn't have freight for me 4 hours ago. I tell Central I can't do it. I have 5 hours and 30 minutes of drive time available and I can't backtrack 30 miles. They say "we need you to do this, pick it up get as far as you can and we'll get you a rescue". That took half an hour to sort out.

At this point I'm pretty annoyed with all of this because it's simple logistical errors that shouldn't be happening and I hate getting a rescue because those guys are hourly and they take their sweet time getting to you. I can refuse, but I do it. It's a PITA, but not the end of the world.

I get to the drop pad and hook my set in about 15 minutes and take off with exactly 5 hours of drive time available and 324 miles to go. I had to get rescued 15 miles from my building.

The day ended with a grand total of 687 miles, 4 drops, 3 hooks, 1 tractor only, 1 fuel and an hour of delay pay (30 minutes sorting facts in Hubbard and 30 minutes waiting for a rescue). I used up 10 hours and 56 minutes of drive time and my entire 14 hour clock. I probably got closer to 15, with the yard moves at the end because I fueled the tractor and plugged the doors.

It was not a fun day, but it was a profitable one.

WOW!

There’s that “bat and ball” comparison…

Some days you’re the bat, some days you’re the ball.

You’re a pro now Banks. A real pro!

I assume this "pad" is a drop lot?

I've driven around and around in circles in a yard looking for trailers that had either been assigned to someone else or were mispulled. Always a good time.

Always seems like when something like this happens you have to do a full swap the weights never are in your favor lol

At least you had a good payday and didn't wait too long for a pickup. Just fun day on the job

There’s that “bat and ball” comparison…

Some days you’re the bat, some days you’re the ball.

You’re a pro now Banks. A real pro!

Thanks G!

I assume this "pad" is a drop lot?

It is

I've driven around and around in circles in a yard looking for trailers that had either been assigned to someone else or were mispulled. Always a good time.

Been there. Dispatch does a good job of getting the hostlers on the radio to help look for it. It makes it less of a hassle.

Always seems like when something like this happens you have to do a full swap the weights never are in your favor lol

Fortunately because of the time I was the only one there, which made it easier. I dropped my dolly and pulled the trailer around and lined the trailer and dolly up. I dropped the trailer and rolled the dolly back making the hook more efficient and easier.

At least you had a good payday and didn't wait too long for a pickup. Just fun day on the job

I was just under 700 on the day. I called them 30 minutes before I arrived and told them I was already there. I still had to wait 30 minutes and I was 20 minutes away.

My phone rang at 0745 and the dispatcher on the other end says "I have a Hubbard meet for you, 1030 gate". That works. Plenty of time to get ready and it's not a bad run at 598 miles.

At 0850 my phone rings again and it's dispatch. "Change of plans, Hubbard got cancelled you're going to the meet pad and your gate time is in an hour". At this time, I'm prepping my lunch and my wife's lunch and the chicken is cooking. I get it all done and shoot to work cutting through the back roads the tourist don't know about because they do 25 in a 45. Ain't nobody got time for that.

I make my gate and start heading towards the drop pad. At 1230 my phone is ringing and it says "Central Dispatch". O boy.... I answer and he says "hey, change of plans. We don't have any freight for you at the drop pad, take those trailers to Youngstown because they have freight that needs to go out today". Not a problem.

I arrive at Youngstown at about 1500, drop my trailers and hook my new set in about 25 minutes because I already have my assignment and I'm a mother flippin professional. I go into road dispatch to get my paperwork and the lady is on the phone and she says "something something something Pocono". At that point I know they're talking about me.

She finally hangs up and says "change of plans, drop your tail and take the lead and dolly to Hubbard and there's a trailer the that has to get to Pocono today. I ask for the weight of the trailer and it's heavier than the trailer I'm currently hooked to which means a full swap.

I drive about 30 miles to Hubbard and no trailer. I call Central and they insist it's there. They call the driver that dropped it there. He's describing where he left it and at that point I realize I'm in the wrong place. The trailer is at the drop pad. The same drop pad that didn't have freight for me 4 hours ago. I tell Central I can't do it. I have 5 hours and 30 minutes of drive time available and I can't backtrack 30 miles. They say "we need you to do this, pick it up get as far as you can and we'll get you a rescue". That took half an hour to sort out.

?

At this point I'm pretty annoyed with all of this because it's simple logistical errors that shouldn't be happening and I hate getting a rescue because those guys are hourly and they take their sweet time getting to you. I can refuse, but I do it. It's a PITA, but not the end of the world.

I get to the drop pad and hook my set in about 15 minutes and take off with exactly 5 hours of drive time available and 324 miles to go. I had to get rescued 15 miles from my building.

The day ended with a grand total of 687 miles, 4 drops, 3 hooks, 1 tractor only, 1 fuel and an hour of delay pay (30 minutes sorting facts in Hubbard and 30 minutes waiting for a rescue). I used up 10 hours and 56 minutes of drive time and my entire 14 hour clock. I probably got closer to 15, with the yard moves at the end because I fueled the tractor and plugged the doors.

It was not a fun day, but it was a profitable one.

Wow, and MORE WOW! I just had my other half read this (read it to/with him) and.. 1st words... "Are you sure you wanna get me into LTL'ing, Ma?" (That's his 'pet' name for me, hahaha!!)

Remember, 10 years ago, the FX/LH he ran, were straight swaps to Cali. Sheesh, on that; Banks!

Back to the drawing board, for me! Just kidding... always love to know more... Great miles and run, overall. Sometimes, less fun equals more pay. I do get that part. STILL investigating Pitt Ohio; and a few others.

Thanks for sharing; ... again ... WOW!

~ Anne & Tom ~

Not a normal day at all, Anne. I don't know how Pitt works, but I could've refused to pick up the trailer. Company policy says there's no corrective action for refusing an assignment due to lack of hours. They can't force me to do something knowing I have no chance of making it back to domicile. It was a team player moment and also a selfish decision. I had a 4 day work week and I'm losing money on the holiday, so I figured playing ball would make up the lost income. One of the great things about FedEx is that I get paid for everything. There is no sitting around for free or a discounted rate. I get my full hourly rate for waiting

As for the mistakes they made, I think it was new hires. When I called Central there was a lot of putting me on hold while they looked into it. Normally, it's a 2 minute call that takes of everything. Things usually go a lot smoother.

Banks, that is one heck of a convoluted day. I just delivered to a Purina facility in Denver. There was a little confusion about where they wanted me to go with my load, but nothing like what you describe. In the end, one of their yard drivers pulled up and told me to drop the trailer right there in the middle of the parking lot and he would take it to where it needed to go. Bless his heart, I’ll take that solution any day.

Banks, that is one heck of a convoluted day. I just delivered to a Purina facility in Denver. There was a little confusion about where they wanted me to go with my load, but nothing like what you describe. In the end, one of their yard drivers pulled up and told me to drop the trailer right there in the middle of the parking lot and he would take it to where it needed to go. Bless his heart, I’ll take that solution any day.

It's important to build relationships with employees of buildings you to to frequently. They're the ones that'll help you out when you're in a jam. If they don't like you or they don't know you (so they don't care), it can make things more frustrating.

Not a normal day at all, Anne. I don't know how Pitt works, but I could've refused to pick up the trailer. Company policy says there's no corrective action for refusing an assignment due to lack of hours. They can't force me to do something knowing I have no chance of making it back to domicile. It was a team player moment and also a selfish decision. I had a 4 day work week and I'm losing money on the holiday, so I figured playing ball would make up the lost income. One of the great things about FedEx is that I get paid for everything. There is no sitting around for free or a discounted rate. I get my full hourly rate for waiting

As for the mistakes they made, I think it was new hires. When I called Central there was a lot of putting me on hold while they looked into it. Normally, it's a 2 minute call that takes of everything. Things usually go a lot smoother.

Banks, that in itself in 100% need to hear. The 'TRUCK ONE' joke . . . is just that. You've shared much, re: all/any LTL as a whole. Still gonna be a 'newbie,' if he goes that route w/PittOhio ... , yet sure appreciate ya...and WILL barrage w/ more questions... Tom's on the 'thank you' horn.. of course.

Central? Not Central Transport, I'd hope!<< His yammers.

Thanks always, man. So much to process, here on the homefront. You're huge in helping.

~ Anne & Tom ~