More News From The Open Road.

Brett, I was in your neck of the woods a few weeks ago. I started to get on top of my truck and yell out to see if you could hear, but couldn't find a ladder tall enough.

I had a drop at the Rite Aid in Liverpool. I overnighted at the Pilot on 7th street. Not the best place I have ever stayed. But not the worst either. But it sure could use some improvements.

Anyway. I finally got my full time DM's. I have two of them. They work what is called a 2/3 3/2 schedule. I am still learning how it works. I keep forgetting which one is on duty which days. It changes from week to week, so it is a rotating schedule. I can't keep up with the days of the week myself so when I try and figure out what DM is on, I am lost right off the bat.

I had a very long talk with each one and they both liked the way I want to drive. The only problem is. All my talking was for naught. I am so fed up with this "window" scheduling I can't see straight.

But what is worse, I have said it before and I will say it again. I really think the system here at Celadon is broke. For example. I was on home time last week. I called my DM on Friday and told her I would be in my truck Saturday morning by 0630.

0615 a load popped up on my Qualcomm. I answered and said I could do it. It was a little long so it took me just over a day to do it. The first night I sent in an updated ETA/PTA with my arrival time.

The next morning I sent one again to make sure they would know when I would be open for another load. I arrived about half an hour early. Sent a message I was there. Then I sent a message that I had an empty and needed a load. Nothing. I waited for 30 minutes and sent another message. Still nothing so I called.

I was told by my DM that the load planners couldn't find anything but they were looking. I told her I was going for breakfast.

I got done eating and sent another message. I got a message back that there was nothing. Maybe something would come in later. About 15 minutes went by and the computer sent me a message for a load. To be picked up 3 days later. My DM got that removed.

I dropped my load at 0830. At about 1400 I finally got a load. Pickup time was for midnight the night before to 1630 that day. And they just got done telling me that there was not anything available.

They can't tell me that load just came in when it had the time of midnight the night before.

And that happens all the time. And not just to me. Other drivers have the same problem.

Anyway.

I did accept that trip. Over 1700 miles. Virginia to Denver CO. Got to Denver with no problems. Dropped my trailer and already had another load. From Denver to Las Vegas. Well, best laid plans and all that.

I got to my pickup. The landing gear was stuck so I had to have a yard dog pick it up so I could get the legs working. That done, I hooked to the trailer and did my pre trip. Half the lights wouldn't work. When it rains it pours.

I went to the local shop. When they got one light working, another one would go out. It took them over 4 hours to finally get it working. By then I was out of the window of delivery. So it had to be rescheduled. The next open drop was 3 days away. So they took the load away from me.

Now here comes another "no load situation". I was almost out of hours so I put my PTA to 0500 the next morning.

The next morning arrives and again I am told there are no loads. Finally at 11am I am sent a load that was suppose to be picked up the day before. No loads, yeah right.

From Golden CO to Amarillo TX. The load was suppose to be dropped this morning. I was in line to make my drop, and steam/smoke starts coming out from under my hood. I shut the truck down. There are no flames and very little heat so I know there is no fire. I open the hood and there is steam coming from the area of a hose.

Well I get towed to a shop. They think the A/C compressor blew. They can't get me into the shop till maybe Monday evening.

So, my first time in Amarillo TX and I am going to be here for at least 3 days.

Oh, and the subject of backing. I am getting much better but I still have more off days than on days. But I keep remembering what one of my instructors said, and I have heard other people say the same thing.

Some days you will back between two posts and have less that an inch to spare. The next day you can't back between two goal posts on a football field.

I still HATE backing at a truck stop. You always have at least 2 or 3 super truckers that never make a mistake and could back a tug boat down a 10 foot wide ally. The minute I hit a truck stop now days, my CB is turned off the first thing.

Keep it safe out here, the life you save might be your own. Joe S.

There are a lot worse places than Amarillo. At least they have a cowboy museum and a couple of other things to see. Go to the big Texan and git ya a 72 ounce steak.......

There are a lot worse places than Amarillo. At least they have a cowboy museum and a couple of other things to see. Go to the big Texan and git ya a 72 ounce steak.......

While I would love to have a good steak, I am fat enough as it is. I don't need a 72 oz steak.

Keep it safe out here, the life you save might be your own. Joe S.

I still HATE backing at a truck stop. You always have at least 2 or 3 super truckers that never make a mistake and could back a tug boat down a 10 foot wide ally. The minute I hit a truck stop now days, my CB is turned off the first thing.

Good idea turning off the CB, and ignore them in general. I still get out and look a LOT in truck stops....and I haven't hit anybody. I really don't care what the peanut gallery thinks as long as I don't have to call safety with sad news.

Keep it safe out here, the life you save might be your own. Joe S.

I'll take it one further....the life you save out there might be mine!