Today is turning out be one of those hurry-up-and-wait days.
After the company began unloading the trailer (1,053 fiberglass bags), the owner informed me that I was supposed to assist (Funny, I wasn't told that). After looking at the bill-of-laden more closely the words "driver tailgate" were written which assumingly meant I was supposed to help. No biggie--now I know what that obtrusive phrase means. After half of the trailer was unloaded into two small trucks and then another trailer, I back the rig back near the building until I couldn't go any further (Although last evening's rain/snow storm was fairly intense, it left just a trace of snow and about a 1/4 inch of ice on the ground in spots. Maneuvering a big rig in slippery conditions can be challenging as the traction isn't the greatest. In fact, the trailer which we unloaded to was up on a hill. I had to get a running start just to make sure I wouldn't get stuck half way up and then start sliding down into brush on either side.)
After the unloading was finished, I headed down the road a ways and then pulled into a small gas/diesel/fast food establishment and waited for my next load instructions. And waited. And waited. As of this paragraph, I've been here two and one-half hours. Oh great. A double-tanker truck full of gasoline for the station just pulled in next to me blocking my way out should I get my load instructions in the next minute or so. But I'm not too worried since I doubt if my new load information will arrive any time soon.
I let my fleet manager know that I won't be accepting any more loads that deliver into Canada unless I have a preplan for the next load. Otherwise, I will probably be waiting again. And when a long-distance trucker waits, he usually does not get paid for waiting (and if he/she is compensated for waiting, it's a far cry from if he/she was driving over the same amount of time that he/she had to wait).
Any minute now, I'm waiting to hear from the management team where I'm parked that I need to move on. After all I'm only taking up about 9-10 valuable parking spots for automobiles. Oh well, at least I'd be moving again (although not getting paid for it).
Hey--my preplan instructions just came in. What do you know. I will have to wait for the petrol truck to finish. I'm picking up 163 miles away and heading to Texas. Where it's warm! Better buy a Speedo for a dip in the pool! (Believe me--you do not want to see me in a Speedo!) Well, better acknowledge the preplan before my fleet manager assigns it someone else.
miles driven = 162
12:45:11 PM
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