Whenever you have the opportunity always drive to your consignee as early as possible and get a 34 hour reset. Even when you don't think you need it, you never know what is going to happen in the upcomming week.

 

I always get to the customer as early as possible. In fact, at 2am I will hit my 34hr mark and get a fresh 70. :wink: After I pick up the second part of my load tomorrow, I have until Thursday to deliver in Grawn, MI but will be there Wednesday

 

When I was Long Haul, freqqently, they would give me too much time to deliver. I alway called and told them so. Sometimes they could change it and other times not. Even so, I tell the shipper I'm there waiting to be unloaded.

 

[quote="terrylamar"

When I was Long Haul, freqqently, they would give me too much time to deliver. I alway called and told them so. Sometimes they could change it and other times not. Even so, I tell the shipper I'm there waiting to be unloaded.[/quote]

knock on wood, but so far every customer has been willing to unload me regardless of what day I arrive (early). Not sure if it's a flatbed thing, but it seems like everyone is always "wanting" what you got right now and are more than happy to receive it early.

 

[quote=devildice]Actually, they are a few out there that want it next week, not today. I recently was loaded and secured when the call came in that the load couldn't leave the yard, the consignee didn't want it for about 5 days.

 

08/20-21-22-23/07
I haven’t had a chance to update in a few days because I have been busy putting the miles behind me.

I made my pick up at the plant in Belle Fourche first thing Monday morning. It had rained the night before and the ground was a huge mud pit. Even with my differentials locked, I still had a heck of a time getting enough traction to move, especially after I was fully loaded. That mud also stuck to my boots……well, like mud and got all over my nice clean interior.

I kept the left door closed, the pedal to the floor and by Tuesday evening I was at my customers front door in Grawn, MI. First thing in the morning they unloaded me and I called in my empty status.

About an hour later, I got a load that picks up in Chicago, IL going to Tacoma, WA. Not a bad little run. I leave Grawn, and start heading towards Chicago, I stop at the TA on I-94 exit 12 in Michigan for fuel and decided that I would take a hot shower and do a load of laundry as I try to time my arrival into Chicago after the rush hour (although Chicago seems to be rush hour 24/7).

I get into the Chicago area and start following the direction to the customer. First off, I have to say I hate Chicago!!! I hated it when I was stationed up here and I still hate it now. The roads/highways go in all freaking directions, then add in the construction that seems to be never ending, the rude arrogant 4wheels, and then throw into the mix that you are driving an 18 wheeler. To top matters off even more for me last night, add in the darkness of the night and a freaking rain storm. The wipers could not go fast enough to keep the windshield clear. Needless to say I am tense and struggling to find my exit. Ok, there it is……..oops, ramp closed for construction!! Ok, no problem, I studied the atlas earlier and I have a good idea of an alternate route.

Opps, that ramp is closed to for construction too!! Long story short, 30 minutes later, I manage to get my self turned around and heading down the right street. Well if you’ve ever been to Chicago, you’ll know that the streets are NOT truck friendly. Some very serious right hand turns that if you’re not careful, you’re taking out a light or fire hydrant. I finally made it to the customer and shut it down. After relaxing for about 15 minutes, I realized how tense I was as my neck and shoulders were in knots. Between the tension and the thunder storm, I did not sleep well at all.

My appointment was for 8am and at 6am when they opened, I checked in. Well 20 minutes later they were calling me in to load. I feel I am getting more and more proficient with my securement as it is taking me less and less time to get the job done. I currently have a little over 45,000lbs on deck and I hit the “Lottery” so to speak as this is a NO TARP load!!!

Anyways, after getting loaded, I started to make my way out of this god forsaken place. Unfortunately, I got on the interstate right at the height of rush hour traffic. I only manage to put about 400 miles or so behind me before I felt the need to shut it down for the day. I am currently hooked up to IdleAir at the TA truck stop in Albert Lea, MN. Tomorrow I will do the usual and keep the left door shut and burn up some miles.

 

finally an update...shesh you need to quit being like me and actully keep up on this man

you cant be serious you got loaded that fast, especially if you were where i think you were... a tube joint

get ready for some sitting in tacoma...ive been here since tuesday morning and finally load out in the am
be sure to check into the new tacoma field office..get me yer email addy and ill send ya the pics....or maybe i could do it here...brb...im gonna try


well i hoped it worked, and as you can see there were 3 of us sitting here

keep burning up the miles man

[img][/img]


u can even get yer mail.....lol

[img][/img]

 

DD,

Are you delivering on Monday? If so, that will give about 3500+ miles for 7 days(Belle Fourche to Grawn to Chicago to Tacoma)? That won't be so bad!!! Now, you have about 1600 miles to cover in 3 days, so are you going to pace yourself or highball it to CDA and GFIW's cookies?!? :lol:

BTW, Friday night is my last night at my present job! Next week it packing up my apartment and putting my stuff in storage. I am getting just a mailbox, park my Jeep at my friend's, and head to CDA in my pickup for school for 2 weeks starting Sept 11. This will give me a week before I report to Missoula on Oct 1.

Reading bronc's response about Tacoma is not too encouraging(The mailbox and tin can is funny, thou). Hopefully, freight will be better when you get there next week.

Hey, you are due to head south next week aren't you?

Take care

 

Honest to god, I got loaded fast. I was at Wheatland.



And that is way too funny :lol: :lol: :lol: wait, no it isn't!!!!!!! :evil: I am scheduled to be home by the end of next week

 

According to Davis, I have until Tuesday to deliver. But of course I am shooting for Monday.

I have the feeling that Davis has been "testing" or "getting a feel" for how I run. My 1st load was an easy one to p/u and deliver to and was only a little less than 1500 miles. The 2nd load was longer at just under 1600 miles but again an easy place to p/u and deliver. the 3rd was easy p/u and deliver, but had 3 drops with just under 1700 miles total. And now this load is just under 2400 miles and was a difficult place to p/u. I have delivered all the loads early so far.

Congrats on finishing up your present job and getting ready to embark on a new (well sort of new seeing as you've done this before a while back) journey. Be sure to keep us all updated on your progress, feel free to post it on this thread if you would like.

You all take care and be safe, it's 4am and time to roll!!!!!!!!!!