Throw The Dog A Bone

A couple of weeks ago my first grandchild came into the world screaming and crying for something to eat. During a brief conversation with my dispatcher I happened to mention it. He asked me where my oldest daughter, the mother of this little grandson, lived. I told him Dayton, Ohio, and never thought about that conversation again.

About four days ago I was in Miami, Florida and my dispatcher called to see when I would be finished with my current load. I was at my final stop and told him when I'd be back to our dedicated customer's plant in Louisiana. He said he had a loaded trailer sitting there waiting on me. What? It will be two days before I'm back. We never have loads sitting around like that. When they load a trailer, they want it on the road. I asked him, "What are they going to say about that load sitting there for two days before we move it out?"

His response was, "That's my problem, not yours. I told them this load has your name all over it, and they are just going to have to wait until you can get here to get it on the road." I didn't even think to ask about the load, I just assumed it went up to the Northeast since I seem to be the only driver here who is willing to do those loads. To my surprise it was a load to Dayton, Ohio. My dispatcher told me to take a few days off up there and introduce myself to this new little guy. So... tomorrow morning I empty out in Dayton, and I'm spending a three day weekend with my oldest daughter, her husband, and their new little baby boy. Oh, and there's a bonus - my wife is there too - she has been there helping out the new Mom.

That's how you make this career rewarding and enjoyable. You keep the team that's dispatching you happy, and they'll keep you happy. At times they even surprise you with a tasty bone when you're least expecting it.

Congratulations on becoming a Grandpa

"That's how you make this career rewarding and enjoyable. You keep the team that's dispatching you happy, and they'll keep you happy. At times they even surprise you with a tasty bone when you're least expecting it.". - Unfortunately for too many people (like a certain Terminal Rat!), you might as well be speaking Chinese. I've come to accept certain Universal Truths, one being life is 10% what happens to you & 90% what you do about it.

Keep posting Old School so I can keep learning!

That's awesome to hear!

It really does elude many people their entire lives that the more you help others the more help you'll get in return. They really don't understand the concept of being a team player and paying it forward. Fortunately for you that's something you figured out long ago and now you're getting what you deserve - great treatment and special favors from the people who benefit from your hard work and great performance.

Wow are you gonna have a blast this weekend, eh? Good for you. What a great story.

Congratulations on the new family member!

You are obviously a good employee, they would not do this for just anyone

That's totally awesome, Old School. Congrats on the newest edition to your clan. And this Dayton trip is just a damn fine example of leading by example... Wait, can that written like that?

Bah! It's all very awesome! Hope you have a great time, brother!

Congratulations Grandpa. I feel I get special treatment at CFI. It may just be my imagination, but my paychecks think so too.

That is awesome OS. Being a grandpa is the best job I have ever had. The kids don’t think of it that way though. Your kids that is, not the grand babies.

That’s wonderful , Old School, I’m so happy you get to spend time with your family in Dayton. It’s also a great real-life example of how all the things you write about pay off handsomely for you in the end. Enjoy the time off!

Congratulations!