Hell Week!

Ok, so the first week was very interesting on the new job. Let's start with picking up the truck on Sunday. My other half and I drove to Raleigh, NC to pick up the truck that would be mine to drive until they replaced it with a new one. Upon arriving, we noticed it was in fact a 2005 Volvo and looked very nice. And that is where it ended. The inside was not wiped down in any way and the mattress was dank and nasty. I went ahead and took it to our home town to load it with my things. I called my dispatcher on Monday first thing and requested to be taken through a service center to replace the mattress with a new one. I got a load to Chattanooga, TN. Not a bad first trip! I went through Knoxville, TN to go to the service center to replace the mattress and the guys there were really nice. I then asked them if they would install my inverter, (a device that has 4 electric sockets to use for things like a microwave, phone chargers, computer...etc). They did and I was all kinds of happy. That is until I realized my phone charger was left at home. So I had to find the Walmart and purchase another one.

That was just the first 24hrs. Then after delivering to my destination, I received a load assignment to pick up at 6PM. I was delivered and ready at 9AM. So I took my truck to the service center in Chatt. and they proceeded to do a mild PM, (preventive maintenance) and switch out some bad tires which turns out that I had one steel wheel and the rest aluminum. By the time they were finished, it was 4:30:PM and I hadn't gotten to rest at all. I then had to pick up the load and by the time I did that, it was now 6:30PM and the load delivered at 7AM the next morning 500 miles away. With no sleep, I called the dispatch and told them and they told me to drop it so they can get someone on it that has the hours and the rest. I did and stayed the night at Chatt. The next morning they gave me a load to Richmond, VA and Chantilly, VA. I was on the way to get them picked up and stopped at 2 more service centers to find a shower. There were no women's showers. So I went in and said something to someone, and was told I could use the men's shower in the men's room, jut to put a chair in front of the door. Yeah, like that would work! I went in and told the HR person that it was sad that today, with so many women drivers, a company as large as this one and as well known, wouldn't have the accommodations for women.

After that, I was directed to a service center with a woman's shower and promptly left my blue tooth on the door after I left and was too far to go back and get it. So I called them and they are going to send it to me.

I made my pick up and got to my first destination on time, then made my second then was told to drop my trailer. My dispatcher was very kind and understanding and tried everything to help me. He then sent me home for the weekend for some much needed rest.

Just a side note: Driving through Washington, DC on the beltway is not a good idea around 5PM. It took me 3 1/2 hrs to get from Washington DC through Richmond, VA. That is only 100 miles.

The highlight of my whole week was coming home to my other half and enjoying time at home! Monday, I'll do it again.

On the Road again!

Got through orientation. I believe I will like this company! They have very good benefits and really nice equipment to drive. I will be driving a 2005 Volvo 6600 series. I go to pick it up today.

Met a lot of nice people in orientation. Super Dave was super nice and we clicked so now I know I have another friend. He lives in Mississippi and has a wonderful girlfriend he spoke very highly of. He was like the little brother I never had. There was Roderick, Charles, Robert, Kerry, just to name a few. They were all very nice and we all laughed a lot!

At the hotel, there was a Sports Bar that served food and we met there in the evenings to eat dinner. Then we talked the owner into fireing up the kareokee machine and the fun started. I sang a few songs and did some duets. It was a nice way to wind down the day.

Now I am getting ready to start my week with the new company and am looking forward to getting back to what I do best, drive! So be careful out there on the highways because you never know when a red volvo will be watching!

PS: Don't forget to use your turn signal!

Starting a New Chapter

So today I started with my new company. As in the last blog, I mentioned that I had moved to NC and the company I was with, unfortunately, could not guarentee me home every weekend. So I had to say good bye to one of the best dispatchers I have ever had to start with another comany. I arrived here late due to my plane being late and the good part was that I got a room by myself. WOO HOO!!! I started today, Monday with my DOT physical, then off to a Hazmat class then off to lunch. Following lunch, to a wellness class where I learned some important information about living healthy on the road. Then off to my driving test. So far so good, I am still here and looks like I passed everything. At the end of the day we got our uniforms. Yes, I said it, uniforms! I haven't ever HAD to wear uniforms so this is rather new for me in the 15 years of driving. I must say, I make them look good! (LOL!) I finally got back to my hotel room at 7:30CST after begining my day at 5:00AM! Now I am off to bed and looking forward to tomorrow's events!

All in starting a new chapter in my driving career! I think I will like this company!

Be safe out there!