Well, that took longer than expected. But I got all my gear, checked it all out, added some stuff I figure I'll want for the road, repacked my bag and removed pants and shirts -- and hope I won't regret that but it's enough for 8 days - went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast, realized I had forgot to grab a pile of extra paperwork for trips, went back to work and then home - finally it really took several hours.
Oh, well I visited the manager too. I was not really happy to see the entire yard emptied of trucks besides mine and the other driver that is going - after being told everyone is sitting a few days ago. Well obviously not everyone is sitting, I now know Brownsville is up and running contrary to what he told me, I know because I saw one of the trailers heading to the chemical plant to get loaded. I don't know that he lied to me or that the information was accurate at the time of telling me that, but it was still a bit unsettling. I zipped my lips about that however.
He finally got a bit more info. Hauling CNG - it's cryogenics contrary to the initial info given us - but it's allegedly drop and hook. They are allegedly day cabs - thats a tractor with no sleeper so you have to spend the nights in hotels. The hotel was assigned and extended out for a week. I'm hopeful to be there a week, frankly, unless the working conditions are horrid, just to make up for what I've lost in 4 days off this week.
I did find out that I will get paid for the entire day tomorrow. That's going to be about 14 hours from start to ending up in a hotel room. I am assuming we will be working every day we're there - or however they work out local runs. Guaranteed minimum daily amount gives me confidence that whatever happens I''ll get paid somewhat comparable to my current pay and not wasting my time with going up and back.
Fairfield Inn - staying at a Marriott the entire time. That's very nice as well. Near a giant lake, tho I doubt there will be anytime to go sight seeing in that capacity. Rental car. We're set. I don't have to take truck bedding or pillow with me. Numerous restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. I get a separate room than the other driver - that would be a sticking point. Some companies try to get you to shack up with another driver, no thanks. I'm too old for that, too set in my personal habits and ways and I don't want to hear someone snoring all night long, it will keep me away - all night long. This company makes huge profits off of these cryogenics divisions, I have no problem with them paying for all of my expenses.
It was really relieving to hear we are doing daycabs and staying at the same hotel every night, that means however long the run is, it is doable in a day or perhaps several runs a day. We have zero specifics on that. I tried to look at satellite view of where the yard is - no cryo trucks or tractors anywhere to be seen in the entire area. It is a short hop away from the hotel at least, not a long drive in the perspective.
Day is coming to a close. I've kind of been writing this throughout the day as stuff is going on. Spent hours on the phone with Lowe's in Phoenix about the refrigerator for Caleb and Grace's new house. I wanted to make sure it was going to arrive for they are moving in starting tomorrow. They need a refrigerator lol, they were living in an apartment up until now with a supplied unit that comes with the apartment. Lowes found the order but couldn't find the refrigerator. That greatly worried me. Exactly why I called them. This literally went on all afternoon until I finally said enough of this nonsense, if you can't find it get a manager. The manager apparently told the lady that it was back there, it is scheduled for delivery, no worries.
Thank you!
My bags are packed. Enough for abour 8 days instead of 12 or 13. I'm not convinced of the 2 or 3 day time to be there, I am going prepared. They hand picked us for this job, they know we aren't slouchers, I'll do as much as anyone else is doing - excepting maybe the first trip. That's always a learning experience. Getting into the plant, loading? I assume, getting out of the plant - paperwork - going to where it's being delivered and alleged drop and hook. For one plant to have to have 45 trucks dedicated to it full time is amazing. I can't want to see this behemoth of a place. And also just getting back and forth - what routes to take, what routes to avoid. You don't just get that right off the bat, you have to drive it out and find that out through experience. It's how I perfected most of the runs I do now with regular job. The more you do a run, the better you figure out how to run it. You are going to get here night one, you are going to get there, night two, you are going to get back to the yard, day 3 - so one and so forth.
I'm sort of excited about all of this just because it's something different and it's definitely a different landscape with different scenery, new people, new everything. A challenge as well - things you haven't done before that you are thrust into, can you rise to the challenge and conquer it? I hold myself to far higher standards than most if not all of these trucking companies, I strive to excel not because they want me to, but because I don't like living a half assed life. Barely doing the minimum.
Kind of been a stressful few days. AC going out at Phoenix house, refrigerator at my sons's house and being on hold with a trip. The house is now loaded up with people. The kids are cranky. I think I'm going to go to bed early, if i wake up at 3: 00 am I'm fine with that, I have nothing but flying to do tomorrow.
