Starting A New Chapter With Wilson Logistics
Topic 29485 | Page 2
Well today was a mess all around Got up at 0800 to be on the road by 0900 to deliver outside Cincinnati at 1100, the the earliest they'd take it.
Got details for our next dispatch, couldn't pick up until 2230, and only 6 miles from our Cincinnati stop. So, to conserve clock, we waited until 12ish to head out.
Got to our stop and waited over 2 hours just to get through the gate. No communication from the guard, just handed me a bay number.
Backed it in and waited
And waited
And waited
Seven hours later, now well after our appointment time, and getting close to our next pickup time, we call dispatch, they call the receiver. Turns out they wanted us to drop and hook.
So we do and head to our pick up. We get there and I can't back up to save my life. My trainer thinks I was just tired, I don't know maybe, but it was ridiculously bad. So bad he had to take over.
Hopefully it was just a bad day, I knew there be days like this: plans changing, delays, miscommunication, ect.
Now to get some sleep and hope tomorrow goes much smoother....
Drop And Hook:
Drop and hook means the driver will drop one trailer and hook to another one.
In order to speed up the pickup and delivery process a driver may be instructed to drop their empty trailer and hook to one that is already loaded, or drop their loaded trailer and hook to one that is already empty. That way the driver will not have to wait for a trailer to be loaded or unloaded.
Don't beat yourself up too badly Paul. To be honest it just sounds like a typical day in the life of a truck driver. Hurry up and wait, miscommunications, and why can't I get in this dock, are common occurrences that happen at the strangest times for us. It's no big deal. Tomorrow will be better, but if it's not then next day will. Don't sweat it - you'll get it. Slow and steady wins this race.
Last couple days have went much better, still with there own challenges, but better. Got that load to WI, took 9 or so hours, after getting stuck in traffic twice and some nasty weather in Chicago. I ran out of hours and we were cutting it close as far as time, so my trainer drove the last 90 minutes or so. It was -1° when we got there. I'm not sure I've ever been that cold before...
Got some sleep at a TA not far and picked up a load set for OK mid-day today. Only drove about 200 miles, so we can get some sleep and get back on a daytime schedule tomorrow.
Got to stop at the Iowa 80. It is huge. I didn't have time to look around at everything but I will definitely have to stop back by next chance I get.
Back at it tomorrow morning for a full day of driving. After we drop off this load, I'll be heading back to MO to get ready for my test.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
Last couple days have went much better, still with there own challenges, but better. Got that load to WI, took 9 or so hours, after getting stuck in traffic twice and some nasty weather in Chicago. I ran out of hours and we were cutting it close as far as time, so my trainer drove the last 90 minutes or so. It was -1° when we got there. I'm not sure I've ever been that cold before...
Got some sleep at a TA not far and picked up a load set for OK mid-day today. Only drove about 200 miles, so we can get some sleep and get back on a daytime schedule tomorrow.
Got to stop at the Iowa 80. It is huge. I didn't have time to look around at everything but I will definitely have to stop back by next chance I get.
Back at it tomorrow morning for a full day of driving. After we drop off this load, I'll be heading back to MO to get ready for my test.
Wishing you the BEST .. with the TEST, good sir! Waiting to hear, for sure~!!!!!
~ Anne ~
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
Yesterday was test day...... First time pass!!!!
Next step is to head home to get my physical CDL , then on the road team driving with my trainer for 30k miles.
He had to get some work done on the truck, so it's in the shop, but we should be heading out tomorrow morning towards home.
I am grateful for the wonderful training team here at Springfield. They have, and continue to, provide me with the tools and guidance to make this journey possible.
It has been a journey, and it's far from over, but I'm convinced I made an excellent choice in careers as well as the company to help get me there
And thank you all for all your encouragement and for following me along as I take this journey
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Congrats Paul!
Great work!
Great job!
Are you staying with the same trainer?
Yesterday was test day...... First time pass!!!!
Next step is to head home to get my physical CDL , then on the road team driving with my trainer for 30k miles.
He had to get some work done on the truck, so it's in the shop, but we should be heading out tomorrow morning towards home.
I am grateful for the wonderful training team here at Springfield. They have, and continue to, provide me with the tools and guidance to make this journey possible.
It has been a journey, and it's far from over, but I'm convinced I made an excellent choice in careers as well as the company to help get me there
And thank you all for all your encouragement and for following me along as I take this journey
Congrats on passing~!! You sound pleased, yourself. That's awesome.
~ Anne ~
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
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Quick update We made our drop in FL, then deadheaded to GA for a load to KY, picked up a load there to go back to GA. My trainer ran out out hours and we had to hand it off to another driver. We picked up another load in KY the next day, this one headed for OH. Now we're waiting at a pilot, to drop off later and pick up another tonight headed for WI.
Deadhead:
To drive with an empty trailer. After delivering your load you will deadhead to a shipper to pick up your next load.