Fed Ex = aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggghhh!

I have noticed something. People are either really uptight or they are non-responsive. A middle ground would be nice. Here's the story:

I get to the delivery point in Hagerstown, MD. It's a saturday drop and hook which makes me wonder if there will be someone to sign off on my paperwork. But it's fed Ex and they should have their crap together right?

I pull up to this nice new facility. It's got a new gate and everything else. Except a security guard. Hmmm. I use the call box and it just rings over and over. I peak in the guard shack. Inside is a jacket, some food, and the looks of being occupied at some time recently. In the parking lot is one lonely car which I am assuming is the guard's car. I honk my city horn thinking maybe he is in the bathroom. Nothing. Meanwhile a fed ex driver pulls up to his gate and his badge doesn't work. Now he is looking for this "guard". But he gets someone on his call box and they open the gate for him but I was told to wait for the security "guard". So I wait. Finally I am annoyed and call the number on my paperwork.

Frazzled lady - What.

me - Yeah I am trying to do a drop an..

lady - Where's the security guard? Are you delivering? There is no one here. No one is here to unload you. Are you an outside company? where's the guard? I can't leave the building. There is no one here, Are you dropping. You probably shouldn't be here until monday anyways. Where's the guard? Who are you?

Me - Ma'am please calm down a second. If there is supposed to be a security guard I can't find him. I am not mad. I am just trying to deliver this trailer and I have never been here before.

Gate opens and I think that maybe now security sees me so I push the call box. The annoyed frazzled lady answers. Apparently this box and my number are the same phone.

lady - Are you dropping? I hope so because no one will be here until sunday to unload you.

me - Yes I am dropping, where do.....

lady - just drop it on the lot. Ok that's all I can do. Find the security guard he can sign your bills. I can't there is no one else here.

me - uhm ok thanks.

I pull through the gate. Still no sign of the "guard". I guestemate where I need to drop my trailer. Drop it. I find one empty but I get another load while dealing with this mess. It's a paper load that needs a trailer that is newer then ten years. Uh oh. sure enough my empty was made in may of 1999. I find another trailer but it's in a dock. I bobtail to the guard shack to see if this "guard" has returned form outer space and sure enough he is in there. I knock.

Surprised "guard" - Can I help you?

me - I need an empty. If I find one at a door can I grab it.

"guard"- Who are you?

me - I am from.....

"guard" - how did you get in here? did you make a delivery? What do you need? Oh a trailer yeah just make sure it's empty. Who let you in?

me - This lady I am not sure....

"guard" who else is here? who let you in?

me - uhm...this lady let me in. Another driver is the only person I have seen.

"guard" - Yeah I know. he told me you were here.

me - Uhm.. ok well I will be right back.

During this stimulating conversation the fed ex driver pulls up and tells the guard his badge doesn't work. The "guard" yells - look I can only handle one issue at a time!

I drive off and come back with the old trailer. the one I needed was still loaded. I hand the "guard" my bills.

"guard"- I hope you remember your seal number. You need to fill this form out.

me - No problem I have it all written down.

I fill out the form, hand it to him. He checks the back of my trailer.

"guard" - Thanks have a nice day!

me - uhm.. I need a copy of the bills signed and given to me.

"guard" oh.. wow I have never seen this kind before. That lady who let you in is probably gonna have my butt in a slinger. I am gonna get in trouble.

me - Sorry. Just trying to do my job.

He makes a copy, signs it and I am off. Since my trailer is too old I get rewarded with a weekend stay at the local pilot here in Maryland. Oh well. I hope I can get the game on tv.