No..it's just the new age trucking thing--- Driver Manager at Shaffer told me the same thing, the last year I was there-- before they fired him and consolidated the two terminals- York & New Kingstown there in Lincoln.

I can understand part of their 'justification' for this-- driver's can be 'pushy'
and ill-tempered and 'badger' consignees about getting unloaded ahead of schedule. Which gets back to the real customers( the shippers that are paying the freight charges) about using a different carrier( because that Driver for Company X did ...) .

Still, 15 years in this business, and it isn't until just last 1 year and a half- that I'm hearing this new "policy"--- which disturbs me as well. Years ago, before satellite communication & cell phones, back when trucking companies wanted to max the Mile and productivity of every piece of equipment- they wanted drivers who were 'go er done' types, they wanted
the drivers to push loads in as early and quickly as possible.

Today, that's all changed-- the Company doesn't make it's revenue based on Miles, but actually makes better revenue on the Short Haul-- then they just cut their expenses( control their cost per mile) I.e. stuff like Layover pay. Stretch out certain trips, so the truck will be where they need it-- WHEN they need it there.


Today was payday-- and Heartland has made their first "error" on my payroll-- today, should have been re-imbursed for those 2 nights motel during the Accident- $285.00 worth.
I was told the computer labeled those receipts as Bills of Lading-- hence they didn't get processed as receipts--- despite the fact they say say receipt on them-- they have P.O. numbers on them-- the header reads Hampton Inn.

Today, I finish up this 2 stop K-Mart store delivery in Mississippi and he(F.M.) says he's working on getting me home as planned for this weekend.

 

how you figure that.....almost illegal?

arrived at Shipper- Orange, Tx 11am Friday Morning

left Orange, Tx 8:30 am Saturday Morning
stopped in Hammond, La for fuel at 12:15 then parked across the highway
at Sears(Mall) and went to IHOP-- had a hankering for something rootie-tootie-fresh-en-fruitie -- spent 1.25 hours off duty-
drove 2 more hours( in the rain) stopped for 15 minute break at rest area just west of Mobile- at 3:45-- resumed driving at 4pm- Log book caught up to last change of duty- accident at 4:26pm( time of 911 call). Logged 3.5 hours on-duty not driving at scene of accident.

 

Week#11 Final Numbers:

2115 miles - 3 trips/ 7 days

passed up Son's 20th Birthday to "make-up" for lost miles $$$$ during the accident week... what a waste.

The first trip had too much time on it-- I needed a little extra time to get my new truck squared away-- but didn't need that much extra time on my hands-

They say Idle hands are the devil's play things... and look where I ended up..... photographed at a Porn Store.... OK, admittedly-- I read the sign and that just urged me on..... there I was, I had just pulled up across the over-pass looking for that t/s listed in my 2006 truck stop directory and saw the Blue Light Police car there-- then read the sign-- and they ran out there and started taking pictures-- before I ever even had a chance to turn right instead of left.

Oh well, heading toward home tomorrow morning-- with a load of Sugar bound for Springfield, Mo for Tuesday morning. If all goes well should be home tomorrow evening 'bout dinner time.

 

BOY........leave me alone...... BOY !!!


I thought (in my mind anyway) that you got to Orange at 11PM!!!!


So sorry...sooooo sooo sorry!

 

Boy!...Boy!.... thought i was just Hillbilly... make up your mind...


Just kidding.... I'm down here, in Mississippi-- that's were I's be ...

Take care...

 

LOL....You gonna wait fer Gus to make an appearance???

 

well, week what-ever ending tomorrow night mid-night.

1821 miles so far as of dropping this load North Liberty tomorrow--

that's with 58 hours home time- from 2pm Saturday- Labor Day Midnight-

not counting 4.75 hrs Tuesday Morning( left out at 4:45 am to deliver in Springfield Tuesday Morning.


Today, got my rear chewed out by FM-- for taking it upon myself to climb out and ask a Heartland O/O parked next to me for a Jump start( if he had cables) without calling road service ( breakdown) first.

The batteries are so bad-- they wouldn't hold enough charge either from him or later by the road service wrecker-- ended up pull starting the rig.

A new first in 15years of doing this-- pull starting a 18wheeler. Most companies would just put new batteries in..... of course, they'd also be thinking I must have left all the lights on + headlights to run the batteries down that low.......wrong..... 6 hours in the cool Minnesota Mornings( saving their fuel) with only my 12 volt cooler running.

Hey, I got a very nice 60 day review letter in mail-- stating I have a very low idle time and thanks for the professional work. Guess 3 years at Crete/Shaffer with their opti-idle rubbed off on me-- I now find I have to get up myself and shut off/ crank over the engine manually every 3-4 hours. Strange the work/ living conditions one gets "used to".

Anyway, I now find myself driving a Intertrashtional needing at the moment-- 5 new tires, at least 2 new batteries, brakes on the left side( pulls hard to right when brakes are applied)--- and so far, 2 shops have been without the "parts" to do this work.. O'fallon-- was waiting for their "parts" trailer to come in. Tomorrow, I'll try to get all this fixed at the "Whitehouse".

 

Did the O/O call and complain about you asking for a jump?

Jeesh what an outfit......

 

This seems bad in so many ways. :?


Are you ready for some football?

 

SD Chargers 2009 Super Bowl Champs. :wink: