Got started earlier and fueled up at the truckstop just across the freeway from where I stayed. I arrived at the shipper's location just as the dawn was breaking. Although I didn't see any deer, buzzards, or vultures, I almost missed the entrance to the company. I went by a small sign that mentioned what I thought was the company name. Sure enough, I saw duel elevens (truck tire skid marks) at a driveway entrance shortly thereafter. The entrance turned out to be a narrow gravel road and a cattle gate. No wonder truckers slammed on the brakes trying to find this company. About one-quarter mile up the road was a small factory.
Once there, I had a nice chat with another driver who was waiting for a load bound for Houston. A bit later, a driver from my company pulled up for a load bound for Minneapolis. We had a good chat about the trucking industry and life in general. I am really impressed with the drivers that my company hires. Very professional and friendly.
I found out that my load won't be ready until the afternoon. I spoke with the manager there and he said he's puzzled as to why our company drivers always seem to arrive so early to pick loads since most of them aren't ready until the afternoon. Hmm, I think the load planners and fleet managers should get their act together and tell drivers to call the this company the day before to see exactly when their load will be ready. I'd still be at the truckstop if I knew I'd be sitting for 4+ hours in the middle of nowhere. I really can't complain much. After 4-hours of sitting at shipping/receiving, I begin to get paid ($7.00/hour) for sitting (and not driving). Come to think of it, if the industry paid $15/hour after one hour of sitting, there would be a lot more happy drivers around! In addition, I still should have enough time to arrive on time at my destination.
Later on in the afternoon after taking two wonderful naps, I awoke to find my truck covered in fine powder. The company takes rocks from the area and pulverized them to make various items such as kitty litter. The pulverization process takes place just upwind from where drivers park their trucks to get loaded. So, looking from my truck, I see clouds of rock dust debris floating off into the distance. Oh well, the truck needed washing anyway!
Finally, I was loaded on my way an hour before the sun set. I decided to pull into the same truck stop I've been at for the past two nights and hit hard in the morning.
Oh I almost forgot: I asked the guy who was loading my truck at the company what my load consisted of. He replied "Dust--that's all it is." Isn't that a hoot! I'm getting paid to haul dust from Texas to Wisconsin! I'm sure it's a "special" kind of dust, but then again, dust is...well...dust. Too funny!
miles driven =
10:19:04 AM
back to top |
