Pressed For Time

This week's theme is Pressed for time. Every run after the first one was tight.

Sunday started with a casual stroll to Waco, TX. I had an open window monday appointment time. So I could leave at 3:30 am Monday and drive it all in one shot or start Sunday afternoon drive 200 miles and be in Waco in good time. I drove to Muskogee and shut down for the night. It was a good thing I was leaving Oklahoma because they were expecting a big tornado outbreak the next day.

Monday I got to Waco and on the way I got my next load assignment. Deadhead was 140 miles to Schulenburg, TX. I bumped dock in Waco and noticed some confused individuals were running the joint. So after I docked I had to make a friendly reminder I was there. They needed to have me unloaded by 12:30 pm if I was gonna make it to the shipper by 3:30. I got there just in time. While backing into the spot one of my trailer doors became unhooked and thanks to the wind it swung and but barely missed the orange truck in the dock next to me. Later I would learn that Jesus saved the orange truck from being hit. During a conversation the orange truck driver gave me a pamphlet. I was loaded just in time for me to find parking in the town. I would have to start a 3am and it was gonna be tight.

Tuesday - This load was going to St. Louis, MO. I drove all day and made good time. I should be at the consignee one hour early wednesday. I shut down at The Hungry House Cafe in Missouri on I44 and my day would start at 3am again tomorrow.

Wednesday - Got to the receiver an hour early like I planned and headed 7 miles to my next load. St. Louis to Aurora, MO. Not very many miles so i thought I had the rest of the day in the bag. After an easy loading I strolled down I44 with a long break in Pacific to shower and eat. This is where my week becomes annoying. About an hour from Springfield I am told to drop my load at the yard and pick up another load that goes to Shreveport, LA. It had to be delivered by 10 am the next day. Due to my hours I didn't think I was gonna get my ten hour break in and make there in time. To top it off it was 45,000 lbs and routing takes me straight down US 65. Not a fun combo when you are in a hurry. I hauled butt from the yard to Harrison, AR where I shut down with only 10 minutes to spare on my clock.

Thursday started at 4am as well which was nice because I avoided a lot of traffic hold ups that occur on 65 and then little Rock, AR rush hour. This load was due at 10:40 am. I called the customer for directions and was told where to go. It dawned on me that I had been here a long time ago. By some miracle, luck, and non stop driving I pulled up to the guard shack at exactly 10:39am. As I was feeling all fuzzy inside I am given directions to the new warehouse where I was supposed to go. ARRRGGHHHH! To add insult to injury the place was ten miles closer so if I had the right info I would have been early. Communication people. I get to the right place where I was third in line for a one dock operation. To top it off it was a scrap paper load that I was gonna have to sweep out my trailer. It's a good thing I did a good job. My next load picked up 7 miles away and it was glass and they usually want the trailer spotless. But now I am pressed for time. I had to be at the shipper by 1pm. I pulled up at exactly 1:04. Jeez this was getting old. This place was a nice brand new building with plenty of room. that is rare in these parts. My load was going to Lawrence, KS and again I was pressed for time. I shut down in the Sulpher Springs, TX where I lucked out with the last parking spot and exactly 00:00 left on my clock. Too close.

Friday started out at 4am again and I made it to Lawrence with an hour to spare. Only stopping once to pee and fix a ruptured windshield wiper. I was nervous because I am supposed to be home this weekend for my daughter's graduation. I waited for an hour after being unloaded and my next load wasn't assigned yet. Next I am told to head toward KC. I get parked at the Quick trip and I am finally given my next load. It was a preloaded trailer sitting in Olathe, KS and I could pick it up in the morning. It goes to Louisiana but I am taking it to the yard.

Saturday I started at 6am. Got my trailer, changed my wiper blade and headed home.

Now I like running early in the morning and shutting down early BUT I like to have 2 hours of BS room for my appointment times. Barely making it to each delivery or shutdown time can be stressful if one does it all the time. Let's see what next week brings.