Lake City, FL

I delivered beer to Tampa a day early, and am now sitting at a rest area in Lake City waiting for a back-haul (load back to Ohio). I had a couple shots at nice runs, but the blood-mad pirahnnas beat me to them.

My laptop kept disconnectine my aircard. Thanks to download accellerator, in only about nine or ten attempts, I was able to download new software for it and save it this time. I re-installed and it works fine.

I got a flat down there, and while getting it fixed I ran into another old hardass O/O. I always keep a smile on my face and an open ear to these guys, because the best opportunities are NOT on the internet.

And this guy told me that his small company is still going strong and paying an average of 1.08/mile plus a .40 cent surcharge as of last week.

I told him I had DAC issues (look bad on paper), and he said they could work with me. Non-forced dispatch, and a wide range of loads, including long ones. And they haul a lot of A.F.-something-something freight, which is military base and other government stuff.

He got me a number and I called--they say just roll in and apply. They have a terminal in Dayton, which is less than 30 miles from Jamestown. After I drop my trailer, I'll bobtail on over there and take a shot.

This guy has four trucks running for them. He said they have guys getting 4400 miles/week.

And this guy, I believe. After a few sentences, I know a spinner, and this guy wasn't. 1.08/mile was his own average calculated off a percentage--which I didn't bother to ask about. And when he said 4400/week, this told me something more than just the numbers.

I'm probably stuck here overnight, although I'll check in with the night shift to remind them that I'm here. Wayne surprised me by mentioning several loads they were working on--very unusual for Florida.

Whatever I get, should have a decent net for this week, and with my back-pay, some re-built savings. I've survived these hard times, and am looking foreward to coming back strong, if these guys will take me on.

Basicly, when my current company lost a key contractor and I had to start fishiing for my own loads, I took a 60%-plus pay-cut. The loads I'm able to get don't pay like the ones they were getting me, and no matter how far ahead I look, I get aced out of the best loads and end up idle too often, too long.

In a healthier environment, picking my own loads would be great, but right now I'd be happy to just tell dispatchers my 'druthers and let them do the heavy lifting.

1.08/mile plus surcharge, and easily over 3k miles/week--this is probably the most money I've made yet as a trucker.

This other company has several terminals, from Dayton east. Dayton is the newest, and has only a few drivers so far. My location favors me. I sense that they're like my present company, and just want drivers who will adapt and overcome and get it done--early.

If this is their priority, then my DAC (which we're trying to repair and clean up), won't prevent them from leasing me on.

I just remember that I didn't ask him if they charged for trailer rental and how much--and other potential costs. So I might not actually make the most money yet--but certainly more than I did with USA or any other company prior to my current one.

And actually, even when I ran strong with this company, I was stuck waiting for loads a lot. I mean, you can gross 1400 on a 2-day trip, but then if you're stuck for a day, and then have to deadhead 300 miles for a return trip which will pay for hardly more than your fuel, you're not really making that much.

I'd rather gross 1200, deadhead 130 miles, and have another load paying about the same money within 24 hours. even if there are hidden costs.

Well I'm overdue for some pokerokbye

Beat Down In Dallas

First the APU went, and I'm supposed to go someplace around here to get it fixed today.

Then I bashed my head. Then my secondary tank starved my primary and I ran out of fuel. 240 bucks. Then I got TWO flat tires and had to replace them. 420 bucks. 240 bucks for a PM (you just can't skip these). I've found no viable loads out of here (where I delivered 24 hrs early anyway).

My primary laptop spazzed out. I'll try to drop the trailer on a street here and go to a repair place I know. This laptop keeps unplugging itself, and has it's own glitches. Hell, I just spent 240 bucks on both of these--new power cords!

Here I am at the dock, constantly re-checking my email trying to beat the pihrannas to a load out--on the seventh, to make sure I can take care of all the rest of this crap...

Last night, I thought about USA. I might still be getting flats and busted laptops, but at least I wouldn't have to be struggling for low-paying loads. Freight might be slow there and I might only get 2200 miles/week or whatever, but I'd make more than I'm making now, and could let the company find my loads.

I could go anywhere-there are terminals all over the place, and a number of big accounts.

I enjoyed cooling my heels at the cheap motel (which I could use as a driver's license address), and having free lunch with my dispatcher. Could wash my clothes for free sometimes. Could save money fueling at various terminals. The trailers were pretty well-maintained, and there were usually enough of them.

I didn't have to call dispatch. They were pickier on logs and I had to send qualcom updates and stuff, but compared to having to keep calling dispatch, my pay getting bogged down and misdirected, having to eat tolls, and now spending days looking for loads, that's nothing.

So I'm trying to get back there. I emailed both of my old dispatchers and got some news from them. I can use them as references.

Sounds like I'll need it. Sounds like I still might not get back there. Freight is slow. I'm real good--but that might not matter if they've already got too many of us.

Well, I'll keep trying for a load out of here, and wait for the personnel people to get back to me.

If I can get re-leased, then I have to get back to Jamestown OH to give back my qualcom and plates. When I get to Van Buren I'll need a new driver's license (with a Hazmat endorsement, I think) because my current company is my address now, and that won't work.

Then I'll have to get a new mailing address, and change all my accounts over all over again.

At least near Van Buren there's a great laptop repair place.

Yeah, they have a lot of drivers and not much freight, but I am Mr. always-early account-protector zero refusals with strong references. I'll give it a shot.

...and get my APU and laptop fixed (I hope) and get out of here...jeez I miss just driving.