Papa Pigs Zainy Rookie Solo Adventures

Shew, its 2320 central time and just got done unloading. Got to the store at 2100 and jokingly asked if they would take me tonight, but if. It what was the earliest they would break the seal in the morning. (I should have kept my big mouth shut!!!) but hey, if you can get tomorrow’s stop off tonight , that could be the difference between a warm meal/ hot shower or spaghettis and babywipes. Started the day with my truck having some issues , got them figured out. The did my sweep on the way back to the dc. 3 stores. First store was a sight side back in the parking lot. But the concrete landscape on both sides made it difficult .pic below

Second store was a blindside in the parking lot. Had to get out and look a few times and ask a lady to move. She knows fly obliged, by the time I got back in the truck and started to back, someone else zoomed in the spot. It’s on the corner right where my tandems needed to be to back successfully. Got that worked out then the fedex truck parked right behind me. We had some words and I got it in the hole. As you can see it’s tight for a 53 footer to maneuver in

Last store was a pull through , but was a very narrow road with a drop off on one side and a gargage dumpster sticking out where I needed to round the curve. Had to back up and jackknife a bit to move my trailer over so I could clear it. The pic doesn’t do it justice.

Got to the dc, picked up my tomorrows load, and here I am, one stop of 3 down. Gonna be babywipes tonight but good to know I can get the rest of this beast unloaded before the real heat starts tomorrow. Get cleaned up, rinse /wash/repeat. There have been some things with this new job that have worried me but tbh I’m pretty content. I love a good challenge and the ablility yo problem solve. My company leaves me alone. Let’s me idle the truck when I want, feeds me loads, a let’s me do my thing. There goal is 4 loads a week. Some do 3. With the sweep this morning that counted as 5 loads on my last week and this is my 2nd week. Not one to pay myself on the back but I’m pretty darn proud of that. Stay tuned!

In addition to a full time job, I work a part time job at Domino's in Temple, TX(Divorce lawyers ain't cheap) and I have delivered a bunch to drivers in their rigs at Walmart and HEB.

I start training with Millis in August so, hopefully in a few months, I'll be having pizza delivered to me somewhere in parts unknown.

Nice thread.

I have the same thought about going solo. Even though I don't feel like I'm learning that much from my trainer, there is still the fear that I will be out there in my own soon.

By the way I had never thought about ordering a pizza to be delivered to my truck at a truck stop.

member avatar Mike D. Considering A Career Posts: 11 3 hours, 24 minutes ago In addition to a full time job, I work a part time job at Domino's in Temple, TX(Divorce lawyers ain't cheap) and I have delivered a bunch to drivers in their rigs at Walmart and HEB.

I start training with Millis in August so, hopefully in a few months, I'll be having pizza delivered to me somewhere in parts unknown.

I heard that man. I spent some time in hood so have been to temple a time or two. Good luck at Millis. I’m currently checking all the places in my little regional route to see where the best places to stop with a truck and eat is. I just know there is a whataburger i can get The truck close too. Plus numerous bbq joints. McDonald’s and subway gets old for sure.

Shew, Lordy Lordy. My friend and mentor told me their would be days on this account that would make me want to quit (fleetingly, I’m just griping)and last night/this morning was close.

All was well, finished up my Tennessee run and got my pre assign. Semi local load to the dc not many miles. It’s been a trend to get one of those a week but I don’t usually mind. My mindset is to take whatever load they give me and execute it to the best of my ability. Don’t say anything, grab my bills and get on down the road. I did some planning and figured I had time for fuel, food, and a nice hot shower (I was salty from all the sweating I had done) and figured I would get back to the dc with 3.5 hrs on my clock. Plenty of time to drop n hook and get the 48 miles to the store. I pick up my BOL and see that it is a mandatory 6 am appointment, the store has a restriction for a 48 foot trailer, and the trailer I am to be assigned is a 45 foot. Special instructions are to not use the piggly wiggly across the street to pull into /straighten out to get in the loading area. So I figured this was gonna be tight. Anyways, I go to find the trailer, I looks where the 45 footers normally are, and it’s not there, I go down the loading docks not there. Looking around for an hour and finally ask a yard dog about it (this is after normal office hours ) and he sees the number and says that’s a 53 foot dude. Sure enough he was right. I had a choice to make, roll with the wrong trailer description but right number /load / and go into a tight area with wrong size trailer? I decided that I couldn’t risk it and called after hours , ran out of time waiting, had to send in late for appointment macro.went off duty. Got an answer back and was told to roll with it in the morning, and if I got to the store and didn’t feel safe to call safety and see what could be done. So, I show up and hour n 15 past my original appointment time. It is tight but doable. Backing is starting to click for me. Sight side off the road. Few obstacles The load was horrible. The dc didn’t care how they packed it. I found a wall of boxes in place of rolltainers about half way back, not going into specifics but it was the worst load I have seen, and I have shrugged off some crappy loads. I break my self imposed no complaint rule and call my fm. Apprised him of the situation and he said to take pictures of the load so they could show the warehouse managers. And try to get me a little extra compensation for my time. That made me feel a bit better that he at least listened and sent it up the chain. Took me 4 hours to unload that mess. Totally killed my routine and clock.

Get my preassign at my last store. Mississippi 218 miles away from dc. I had 5 hours to get 48 miles to dc, bills, drop/hook/ pretrip/weigh. Made it to the store with 18 min on my clock. The day worked out but it sure started like crap.

Here is a pic of the first store. Notice all the concrete dividers and landscaping

I’m parked up tonight, I got a full belly and smell like babywipes and body spray but I made it through another day without killing anyone or doing any property damage so I will take it as a win!

The load was horrible. The dc didn’t care how they packed it. I found a wall of boxes in place of rolltainers about half way back, not going into specifics but it was the worst load I have seen, and I have shrugged off some crappy loads.

Another reason to drive flatbed. I secure my own loads.

Very true Rob, I want to try flatbed eventually. But gotta stick it out here for at least a year , preferably 2. I generally don’t mind the loads but it was just one of THOSE days.

Nothing much new to report today. Except that Mississippi is very hot and VERY muggy! It was so bad that when I was trying to stack boxes in the back of the trailer , they were coming apart in my hands and collapsing . I felt gross afterwards. Definitely made time for a shower as soon as my last stores was done.

learning more and more each day. Besides for the hiccup with the wrong trailer everything has been going smooth. Werner has came through with everything I was promised on the account. But I have had to work for it for sure. The money is good but I can see how some ppl don’t make it. Def have to hussle and be willing to sacrifice a little bit. It’s performance based and you are thrown in “sink or swim” so far I’m treading water and hope to stay afloat.

Don’t tell the wife but I think I sleep better in the sleeper with the nene purring me to sleep than I do in my own bed 😂

There are always days like that. Thank god they are the exception rather than the rule. Sounds like you handled it real well. As far as the wrong trailer type you did exactly what you should have done. You read the notes and identified the problem and let someone higher up the food chain make that call. Had you just rolled with it, then you accepted all responsibility. If you would have got there and not been able to get in, your fault. The way you did it relieves you of that responsibility.

Always read any/all notes or special instructions. Alot of time they are outdated or just wrong, but we as drivers seldom know if that is the case. Until you go back subsequent times to that customer.

I have a load monday going to NY. They have had issues with drivers having large heels left in the trailer. They sent me up there to evaluate the site. It is miserable from start to finish, however doable and you can get all the product off. Just alot of extra work. The notes in the system say all the wrong things to do. I reminded them of that fact and will do it my way. The dispatcher told me that is why I’m sending you, I don’t end up with issues afterward.

Keep the faith and good work ethic.

Thanks PJ.

Yesterday was really hot, and I had some severe liftgate issues that ate up my time. Also the roads in southern Tennessee around savannah Tn. are not my favorite. So I wasn’t able to get back to the dc last night. Parked about 70 miles away , showered, and laid in bed with leg cramps. I was so tired I think I would have stopped even if I did t have hours. The week of heat had me hit the wall.

Woke up this morning and an additional problem with the trailer surfaced. Top marker light in the rear.

Made it back to the dc and red tagged the trailer. I wish more drivers world report their issues. It literally takes no time to do. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Got a sweet drop and hook load to another dc en route home. No manual labor and all miles paid. So I will take it

I didn’t break the liftgate. It looked fine on the pretrip, when I slammed it open on my first stop it just popped off. It also stuck at the second stop and lost power under load it was a pain.

Make sure you stay hydrated in the heat. I carry water and plenty of gatorade. Leg cramps are a sure sign of dehydration.

Trailer issues are abound. Too many lazy drivers or ones that just don’t care, not sure which. I seldom get a trailer there is nothing wrong with. Ironic part is our trailers are shop inspected every 90 days. I have literally picked them up at the shop and found issues, and not small ones. It happens, but do your job the right way so nothing comes back to you. It does get frustrating.

Good deal getting an easy one on the way home.

Make sure you stay hydrated in the heat. I carry water and plenty of gatorade. Leg cramps are a sure sign of dehydration

Low potassium can cause cramps as well, try to eat bananas and surprisingly, Yoo Hoo’s have a lot of potassium if your not a banana fan like me. Also, Body Armor sports drinks are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals