Short trip, got that over with.
I no more than got back to the yard and left for home when I got a text from yet the newest version of a dispatcher: You're going to Brownsville tomorrow.
Yayyy!  I think.
Okay, it's my favorite run, I've just gotten used to at least a day off between runs.  But hey, I have most of today off so it's not that bad.

Meanwhile, yesterday when I was getting the trailer loaded at the chemical plant.  Another driver pulls in behind me.  Most of us drivers have this text group going where we text if everything is going smoothly - or not.  This dude is a transplant from another division. Actually he's only supposed to be a temporary driver, but I know all too well that he's around probably permanently.  He was gloating the other day that he will never have to learn how to unload the trailers.

Thusly, he will never get any of the crappy runs.  I bit my tongue on that one.  There's nothing I can say or do that will change anything, no sense in starting needless trouble.

But, this dude also refused to participate in the group text - even tho he's in it and takes advantage of the information that is given.  So, I texted the group, saying: "3rd load done, 4th load driver who does not participate in reports is pulling in".

He had a freaking cow, lmao.  Exactly what is that supposed to mean???

Elaborate for me!!!

I politely wrote back that it means that if you get to the plant and something is wrong and they aren't loading for whatever reason, it would be courteous to let other drivers know of the delay.  Or at least contact your manager so they can let others behind you know.

This is the driver that was sitting at the plant on first load a while back that wasn't getting loaded because the plant's pump wouldn't turn on.  He was in the group, he didn't bother to text anyone and he didn't bother to contact the manager at the very least and tell him what is going on.  I lost several hours of on duty time waiting there.

Anyway, he complained to both my manager and his manager. He is still under his manager in Louisiana even tho he's working out of our yard.  So when I get to the yard today, my manager calls me into his office and - nicely - asked me to please not call out other drivers. Some of them are easily offended babies, he explained and you know what people like that do: they complain to everyone.  I had an idea that this driver was going to complain after seeing his reaction on text messaging.

I didn't actually say his name on the group text, hence no one else knew who it was - until he texted that is with his faux outrage.  My manager - the new guy - said he would be working to get everyone to at least contact him whenever there is a hold up.  Fair enough, but that's what everyone should be doing instinctively anyway if they aren't going to text all of us.  They all know if the plant isn't working, everyone coming in after them is going to be delayed.

I just said look, when I'm at the plant I'm focused on getting in and getting out of there as fast as possible. I have a schedule for every run.  I can tell you where I will stop on longer runs and approximate time I will arrive at destination.  Many of us rely on getting in and out of the plant in a timely manner.  For me, the biggest thing is not turning a two day run into a 3 day run, or 3 into 4, etc.

He did throw me a compliment: I have to call more than half the drivers in this division to tell them I need their trailer back the next day,  please get it back here.  You, however, I don't ever have to ask anything.  I give you the run, you get it done without any need to call or bother you.  You're one of the few I don't have to worry about.

That was a nice thing to say, I thought.  If I do experience any delays on the road, he's the first one I text.
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Tuesday morning.  Off to Brownsville wonderland - in the rain.