ATXJEHU Just Checking IN

Hi All,

Well, my fourth week as solo is history and getting psyched up now to start rolling again at 4:30 in the morning heading for Laredo, TX. I did have a couple of things happen this past week that were out of the ordinary (for me, anyway). First, after doing a live unload in Houston and arriving at my next dispatch also in Houston, some water was in the front of my Van and the Shipper refused to load it. After locating another trailer, it also was refused due to moisture in the floor boards (it had rained hard all the way from Baton Rouge to Houston the night before). Dispatch couldn't find anything else for me that late in the day, so ended up spending the night at the Shipper letting the 2nd trailer dry out which it did. The Shipper accepted it the next morning, loaded it and off I hauled full of beans (coffee beans, that is!). Basically, I lost a day's work due to a leaky trailer. There's a bit more to the story that included me pulling the leaky trailer to a repair shop and picking up the 2nd trailer where the company requires the doors to be left open when empty which, of course, creates a problem when it rains.

The second thing that happened was later when I picked up a pre-loaded trailer, I could not get the trailer tandems to move up. At first, I assumed the sliders were stuck and hammered on them and kept moving back and forth trying to loosen them up (I've also since then invested in a big can of WD 40!). Then, I noticed that the trailer wheels were actually turning instead of staying locked up by the trailer brakes. A couple of helpful drivers stopped to give assistance. Finally, (skipping a few details), we got all of our wheel chocks out and chocked the trailer tires which gave enough resistance to finally move the tandems up where they needed to be for travel. Apparently, the trailer brakes were out of adjustment to the extent they would not hold against the pressure of sliding tandems. Afterwards, Maintenance told me how to adjust the brakes which I did. The big problem produced by the almost hour delay was that it chewed into my 14 hour clock and created a bit of havoc with my drive time. But, things worked out ok (barely) and I was able to still reach my destination as planned.

It seems that almost everyday in the trucking biz, something new or unexpected happens, but that's what keeps it interesting, right? lol

Great update. The unexpected & that damn 14hr clock - those "just barely" days sure allow you to sleep well!

Yup...thats truckin'.... Great update, and glad to hear that your out there havin' fun.... Stay safe and sane....even if its one at a time....

That was indeed an awesome update!

It seems that almost everyday in the trucking biz, something new or unexpected happens, but that's what keeps it interesting, right? lol

Exactly why I loved it so much. You never knew what was coming around the next bend. I loved the adventure and the challenge of it all. I loved that every day was different.

I've seen people get out of over the road trucking for a million different reasons but I've never heard anyone say they got out because it was boring.

Awesome thanks for sharing and keep us updated!

FROM HELL TO HEAVEN IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS! LOL

Back home now for another Reset, but last Wed. & Thur. slapped me from pillar to post; moved me from a pit of miry clay to basking in the sunlight of good fortune. After being told to drop my current delivery in a yard for Relay, I was dispatched to get a pre-loaded trailer going from Ft. Worth to Houston. It was scheduled for a 4:00 AM delivery the next day, but my hours were running out and had to stop for a 10 hour break. I told Dispatch it would be there by 10:00 AM. They said, Okay, we will re-schedule the time. Arrived at Consignee about 9:45 AM and when checking in, the Clerk asked, "How are you going to pay the $100.00 fee for being late for your appointment?" When Dispatch was informed of this, was told, "No", we are not paying it. Wait, wait and wait some more (omitting some details). Clerk called me at 1:00 PM saying check-in closes at 1:30 PM and does not re-open until 9:00 PM. Informed Dispatch about this. At 2:00 PM Dispatch calls and says, "Okay, we will pay the $100.00 and they will now unload you." I say, "No they won't because the Check-in Gate closed at 1:30 PM and there is no one there to let me into their Yard." Furthermore, when they re-open at 9:00 PM, my 14 hour clock will be expired and I will have to wait another 10 hours before the truck can move. "Oh, wow, sorry about that," was the response from Dispatch. Then, I recalled that if you stay in the Sleeper Berth for 8 consecutive hours, it "Pauses" the 14 hour clock. So, I went to SB at 2:30 PM (I know, in retrospect, should have gone to SB right after the delay developed, live and learn). Check-in Gate re-opened at 9:00 PM. I had to wait until 10:30 PM to drive to my assigned dock (leaving out details) which I bumped at 11:20 PM. Lumpers were hired for $300.00 (my first experience getting a Comdata Check approved, funded and written!) and at 3:25 AM, they finished unloading me. Meanwhile, my 10 hour break had passed so my 11 and 14 hour clocks were restored. Drove back to the Check-in Yard and got to bed at 4:00 AM. At 5:15 AM a Security Guard pounded on my door wanting to see my Visitor Pass which I produced and he went away (without any apology, I might add). Woke up wide awake at 7:30 AM, and found a new Dispatch waiting.

This is when my fortunes began to change for the better, fortunately, because I had found myself seriously considering a different line of work after that last fiasco. The new Dispatch was to live load at 9:00 AM at a soft drink mfg just 2 miles away. Arrived early, checked in, everyone I met were super nice and friendly; they had me loaded and on my way to San Antonio in less then an hour. Scaled the load at a Flying J about 30 miles down the road and all axles were legal (no tandems to slide, yay!). Ate a good breakfast at Dennys. Easy 198 mile drive, all kinds of hours available. Scheduled to unload next morning. Stopped at a Petro mid-afternoon for the night. Easy to find a parking spot. Ate at their humongous buffet; later stayed in the shower so long was thinking someone would be knocking on the door to check up on me, lol. Arrived at Consignee next AM, first truck in line, dock was easy backing, again, everyone was super nice and friendly. Unloaded and on my way in an hour! Next Dispatch to a Shipper 8 miles away, but not scheduled until 1:00 PM. Called them up asked if I could arrive early; lady said, "Well, your freight is all ready for loading, so come early if you want." Definitely, I want! I had been there about 3 wks earlier and knew right where to go. Bumped the dock by 9:30 AM, loaded and on my way by 11:15 AM; scaled the load and the trailer tandems were overweight. So, slid the tandems back (only minorly stuck this time) about 2 feet; re-weigh had me legal so, headed home under load for a 34 hour reset. Arrived home with no problems and earlier than anticipated.

So, okay, there are some very bad days as a trucker (and when they're bad, they are very, very bad!), but some days are very good and, a few come close to being perfect. Well, guess I'll stay in trucking for a while longer, lol!

Glad your bad day turned into a good next day....sometimes, when the bad is all in one day, its the best part of the week.