Bad Endings

I just read a GREAT article by Becky P. about how some days are just to be forgotten. Good writing Becky. I enjoyed it and I have one of my own days to add to that.

I was in Tulare Ca getting and "A" service done on my truck. Normally you need an appointment but they got me in and out in 50 mins. Guess it pays to be nice to people. That was the only part that was good.

I got an assignment to pick up an Ikea load out of Lebec CA. Ok. 88 miles empty. Pick it up. Fuel and deliver to Lancaster Ca at 7:30am. The other half was to Oxnard CA at 2pm the same day. No problem. Left at 3am. Picked up the load, fueled in Bakersfield CA and headed for Lancaster. Got there with plenty of time and they unloaded me right away. So far so good. Ahead of schedule.

Took off to Oxnard CA. On the way dispatch calls me with a load that will take me home for a much needed rest. Send me the info and I will get on it. Turns out it is a drop and hook at Georgia Pacific in Chino Ca.. Whoo hoo. Easy peasy lemon squeezie. Another 100 miles empty and then on the way home. Asked if they would have it ready by 2pm and was told yes. It will me ready.

Got unloaded in Oxnard as soon as I got there with no waiting. So far things are looking great. Still way ahead and lots of time to get the load going home and would still have some time to get at least the 46 miles to Hesperia CA pilot to shut down with an easy drive to Reno the next day.

Head to Chino. Got to the shipper and here is where things go south real fast. I have 4:45 on my clock. Cool. Well maybe. Go the shipping office and let them know that I am there. They say your appointment is not until 2pm. I say I know but I am here and will wait for the pre-load. Bombshell time. NOT a pre-load. Live load at 2pm. I was told pre-load and ready between 2pm and 7pm. Nope. Get into the dock and we will load you.

It is 1:30pm and I am in the dock. They didn't start loading until 2:45pm and did not finish until 5:15pm. Bad news. Clock ran out at 4:45. Called dispatch and raised the roof. The only reaction I got is we have a yard 15 miles away just get there asap even though you are in violation.

I did get there without incident and left the next morning and went home. Needless to say I was fit to be tied that EVERYONE from marketing to dispatch and also the receiver KNEW this was a live load but LIED about it all along. I really get irritated when I am lied to. I am home for a few days now and that is probably the best place for me.

After eighteen months I am right at 200k miles with no tickets and no incidents. Yikes. Still having fun though even though there are some really weird and inexcusable things that happen.

Be safe and have fun! Life is too short to let all of the nonsense get to you.

You really do have to remain vigilant when it comes to keeping a great attitude and not letting the little things get to you. That's why so many veteran drivers are either pleasant as a monk or a bundle of frustration. Over time you either learn to focus on the positives and get better at enjoying each moment out there or you let the negatives pile up and you become miserable and frustrated all the time. I hope people understand that this really is a choice you make each moment of your life. It's not a personality trait you're born with and must live with.

So have fun out there and never stop appreciating how nice you have it. Because a quick swap of lives with almost anyone in the world would be a stunning revelation in how much of a paradise our lives our in this great country and these great times. We're rich, fat, and happy because of all of the struggles and sacrifices the generations that came before us made. Two world wars, a great depression, a holocaust, and a drought of biblical proportions just in the first half of the 20th century alone. And that's what awaited many people who just came off the boats from oversees, broke, unable to communicate, and clueless about how to make it in this land.

I think the better you understand History, even just American History, the more you'll appreciate how lucky we are. The odds of being born a healthy, happy human being in the United States in the 21st century are infinitely small. The opportunity should be enjoyed and appreciated immensely.

You really do have to remain vigilant when it comes to keeping a great attitude and not letting the little things get to you. That's why so many veteran drivers are either pleasant as a monk or a bundle of frustration. Over time you either learn to focus on the positives and get better at enjoying each moment out there or you let the negatives pile up and you become miserable and frustrated all the time. I hope people understand that this really is a choice you make each moment of your life. It's not a personality trait you're born with and must live with.

So have fun out there and never stop appreciating how nice you have it. Because a quick swap of lives with almost anyone in the world would be a stunning revelation in how much of a paradise our lives our in this great country and these great times. We're rich, fat, and happy because of all of the struggles and sacrifices the generations that came before us made. Two world wars, a great depression, a holocaust, and a drought of biblical proportions just in the first half of the 20th century alone. And that's what awaited many people who just came off the boats from oversees, broke, unable to communicate, and clueless about how to make it in this land.

I think the better you understand History, even just American History, the more you'll appreciate how lucky we are. The odds of being born a healthy, happy human being in the United States in the 21st century are infinitely small. The opportunity should be enjoyed and appreciated immensely.

Truer words have rarely been spoken!

And that is why we changed from box to skateboard....You seldom have that kind of problem pulling flatbed. The only real trigger to my redheaded temper is to be lied to, by anyone. They make two mistakes in doing so...they assume I won't find out the truth, and they think I'm stupid enough to believe them. Its a lack of respect that I can't tolerate....thus we sold our reefer and bought a flatbed...lol. I can honestly say that in all the years of flatbedding, I was never lied to, not by dispatch, shippers or receivers.....that must be some kinda record !!