Good evening from Burns Harbor, Indiana, at the Pilot off of 94 West. It has been a long night and a long day after going to bed last night at 6 PM in Canada so I could leave at 1 AM. I drove until I couldn’t legally drive anymore and was tickled pink that I get to sleep in and deliver this load two hours later than I had expected! I can get up at 4 AM, back to my normal operating hours and drop this load at 7 AM.
Good news…….maybe! I might be getting a new truck. I was given a message to contact the fleet manager (weekend) and was told that I would be heading to a terminal for a new truck as this one has been sold. I have picked up a load since then and haven’t heard a word so I will take it like I do the great pay. Need I say more?
My last two paychecks have either been missing loads or reimbursements and I personally spent roughly $100 of my own money to cover costs to cross the border, scales, and to top it off, $110 non moving violation ticket in Canada for being on a toll road without a transponder. Yuppers, I am still on vacation because I am paying to be here! You would think the company would supply you with the required paperwork so you can travel legally and safely and if not, educate you so it would be your responsibility if you screwed up. Nope, they just take the 5th. It is our job to learn all there is to know about permits, tolls, restrictions, and more for a mere .26 per mile while on the road and not having a damn clue what you are doing except driving.
On a good note, the plant that I picked up materials from yesterday was great! Rich, the floor manager, let me park in the lot for the night, allowed me to shower and gave me a tour of the 100 year old building and what they do. They produce the disks that fit all those plows you see in the farmer’s fields. There is a crew of about 90 that work 24/7, 11 months out of the year. They are union paid and seemed to be a happy crew. I wish I could have showed you the robotic arms that did some amazing things but you will have to use your imagination and see the product before and after!
Enjoy your evening and see you all at 4 AM…..maybe! I am thinking about kicking a few of you out of the sleeper and into the streets. It is too dang quite, send me a note and let me know you are out there!
In the beginning....rolls of steel
Look up!
After the cutting............
After the shaving..........
After the 1600 degree furnace, shaped, cut, and painted
The 100 year old building............
1 comment:
Hey Reia I met you in St Cloud.MN last week. Sounds like you have had some bad luck lately. Sorry to hear that. I haven't been cut of in any bars lately! LOL I'm in Durham,NC sitting at a Flying J drinking beer and eating 2 for $5 pizza. Hope to run across your path again soon. Good luck with your purchase of a new truck!
Post a Comment