PackRat's 2020 Daily Driving Diary

Back to the original topic, please?

Back to the original topic, please?

Were you able to deliver with no problems?

You'll need to tune in later tonight.

Back to the original topic, please?

Back to the originally scheduled programming, waiting with baited breath; as I'm a follower, not much of a poster.

Along THOSE lines, were you privy to the major announcements impending/impeding? (<< If so, please share!)

Hope CFI is still doing okay by you; even my husband hauling 'boxes in boxes' has been slow; go figure. How does Campbell's and Heinz not need packaging? And Chewy, et al? Did people stop eating soup, using ketchup, and feeding their doggos or cats? NO clue.

Always following, PackRat.

Annie

Back to the original topic, please?

Back to the originally scheduled programming, waiting with baited breath; as I'm a follower, not much of a poster.

Along THOSE lines, were you privy to the major announcements impending/impeding? (<< If so, please share!)

Hope CFI is still doing okay by you; even my husband hauling 'boxes in boxes' has been slow; go figure. How does Campbell's and Heinz not need packaging? And Chewy, et al? Did people stop eating soup, using ketchup, and feeding their doggos or cats? NO clue.

Always following, PackRat.

Annie

What major announcements?

Back to the original topic, please?

Back to the originally scheduled programming, waiting with baited breath; as I'm a follower, not much of a poster.

Along THOSE lines, were you privy to the major announcements impending/impeding? (<< If so, please share!)

Hope CFI is still doing okay by you; even my husband hauling 'boxes in boxes' has been slow; go figure. How does Campbell's and Heinz not need packaging? And Chewy, et al? Did people stop eating soup, using ketchup, and feeding their doggos or cats? NO clue.

Always following, PackRat.

Annie

What major announcements?

Was in a different thread; you called him out, waiting a week. Guess I missed the boat, haha! Carry on, sir.

As my Sergeant used to say "carry on men, I'll be in the Army all day."

Looking forward to Packrat's update. While I don't always comment, I read this thread religiously.

3 February 2020

After a good sleep last night in Lebanon, OH, I got up this morning after daylight! About 0730, I did my actual pre trip inspection, but did not start my clock. Remember the delivery is not scheduled until 2000 tonight. I called the consignee at 0810, leaving a message with the first number I had. I looked up a second number last night, so I dialed it and got a person in shipping/receiving. I asked about the delivery appointment and was told, "Come in anytime this morning. We've got plenty of docks. It's first come, first served." Music to my ears. Start the clock....Drivers Start Your Engines! I messaged my dispatcher on the change of time, too.

I arrived there, docked, and started the unload of 35,000 lbs of Paccar transmissions 9.5 hours ahead of schedule. After 25 minutes, I'm unloaded, checked out, and on the board for the next dispatch at 1050. After nothing for an hour, I start to pester my dispatcher: No long-term parking here....want me to go check in at a truck stop....my clock is running ......anybody there....?

At 1200, I get a message to load literally 75 feet away with more Paccar parts. These are heading north to Canada, but I will drop it for a relay 226 miles away at the Taylor, MI terminal. After driving back around the building, due to One-Way Traffic Only! signs, I dock. At 1255, I'm loaded, have all the paperwork, sealed, locked, messages sent, and rolling north on US-23. This road had lots of stop lights and traffic for the first 35 miles of the way from Chillicothe to Findlay, where I reached I-75. Not much fun at 70,000 lbs plus, making no time.

I did stop in northern Ohio to eat some food, then reached the terminal at 1810. Dropped the trailer, then went it for a chat with the night shift local dispatcher. I also got to see my orientation instructor, a loyal Chiefs fan! We text every Sunday of the season.

At 1915 I get a message for the next load for 1050 paid miles from Plymouth, MI to Oklahoma City. This one starts tomorrow morning, arrival anytime after 0600 to pick up a preloaded trailer at the shipper.

*NOTE* This morning I took the initiative to see if I could get the time moved up to benefit me. Sometimes it works, and sometimes not. The end result today was I delivered 9.5 hours early. Then I got another load for 226 miles. This one is dropped off at the relay point, and I'm dispatched on the next 1050 mile trip. This is all accomplished before the original appointment time. To be a success, take the initiative to get the ball rolling on your own behalf. Don't completely rely on dispatch to put more money in your pocket.

I had messaged dispatch starting on Saturday about having the appointment time moved up. I started researching phone numbers to call on Monday morning. I started planning how close I could get to the delivery before the delivery. If I'd been told that the delivery appointment time was set in stone, I already had two backup plans in place: #1 was to park early, seven miles away at a truck stop, conplete another 10 hour break before going to the delivery with nearly a full 11/14 hour clock. #2 was to see if I could park at the receiver either before, or after, the unloading.

Another highlight today was that I Finally Found Waldo on US-23 in Ohio! Who knew?

For the day, I drove 310 miles in 6.0 hours, and used 0.5 hours On Duty, totaling 6.5 hours.

More tomorrow, before The State of The Union address.....

Plans have suddenly changed overnight for me. I'm now heading back to Virginia because Grandma crossed over late last night.

Waiting on a relay drop to show up from Canada so I can run it to Statesville, NC.

Sorry for your loss Packrat