Yesterday I send a email to our local company thinking it was already Thursday, telling them I was available on Friday. Shortly after I sent the email, we got a call and had pretty much agreed to a trip before we realized we had agreed to move a truck on Thursday.

But in the course of the conversation we realized that dispatch had not been able contact the drop.

Later on a 2nd truck / bus was added to our day.

As of this AM dispatch still hadn't made contact with the drop but the shipper says the drop wants the truck ASAP. We agree to 11 AM and when I get to the office dispatch says they tried to call me twice to say that the original truck needs work and won't ship until Friday. And they still have not made contact with the drop.

As long as we are at the office we go ahead and pick up the bus. Round trip takes an hour. No issues. Two more buses at the shop that will need to be picked up once they are ready.

Today was the first time I had been in the office this year. Not much has changed other than we are not supposed to go through the office, go back out the same door you came in.

I did see a lot of shuttle drivers at the office and no drivers. Not sure what that was about.

We are now down to do the truck from today at 9 AM tomorrow.

This afternoon the long haul company held a 2nd phone meeting this week. Bigger group but same topics. Sounds like we have new shipper out of OH as well as other places so they are 'begging' people to work as much as they can.

Sorry, this is supposed to be the slow time of year. We took time off and will be back as soon as we can.

Finally contacted my Dr yesterday to get my BP adjusted. Soonest I could get was Monday. But BB has an appointment that day also so we are not going anywhere.

Covid. Major retail chains are now requiring masks nationwide. Lots of drivers aren't happy. That is why I am not in the shuttle, I find my own ride.

---

I get a call in the afternoon, they want to add another truck. It sounds good up front, moving a truck from IA to NE. Once we did the math it is going to be close ... as long as everything goes as planned. Which should have been my first red flag :)

The plan had been to pick up the paperwork at 9 AM. Now we have already picked up the paperwork tonight and need to be at the 1st shipper when they open at 7:30 in Bloomington. The trip to Buffalo is a one hour trip plus the inspections and paperwork so we will be lucky to be dropped and signed by 9 AM. Then it is a 4-1/2 hour trip to Ankeny IA so we should get there at 1:30. Truck won't be ready to go until 1 PM so no reason to get there much earlier. By now I will need my half hour DOT break so I will be leaving Ankeny around 2 PM. From there it is a 3 hour trip to Gretna NE, plus signing the paperwork and inspections. So I should arrive in Gretna around 5 pm and the customer closes at 5 PM.

BUT ... the final drop has agreed to meet me there back at the shop if I am running late ... good chance I will be.

So up and rolling early ... we aren't planning on making it home tomorrow night.

Load board

US - 146

IA - 4

MN - 6

WI - 6