Thank you all for the invites.

Well, I'm all loaded up and got going around 4. Only made it maybe 50 miles and stopped at the Flying J in Ohio and will shut down for the night and get an early start. I only had breakfast around 3am today so I was feeling sick from not eating. Took care of that, ate myself into a coma.

I'm carrying a full load of steel shelves and the place I loaded has a scale. These are old Petsmart warehouse shelves that they sold. I think the load weighs around 8,000 and it sure feels like it. I start off in 3rd gear no problem and I should get pretty good fuel mileage on the way down to Texas. Looking forward to the warm weather again.

I'm thinking freight should be picking up soon as I see lots of commercials on TV about lawn care, riding mowers and spring stuff so it should give people the bug.

I think I have 1,000 miles to go and I'm hoping it's at least 65 most of the way. I'm going to see how I can do instead of taking it easy with stopping so much and taking a nap although if I am tired, a nap comes first.

I have a big huge smoked window in my sleeper at the foot of my bed. It's like 3'X4'. I have this curtain that's always snapped into place and I'm wondering if they make something that I can put on the glass so I can see out and people can't see in at night when I have the lights on? It's such as nice window and it looks like crap with that cover over it.

I wish I could see the inside of some women's trucks to get some ideas on how to make mine more home like. I need some pictures and nick knacks or something. The only thing I came up with was some Jose Quervo plastic Tequila bottles that light up.

The highlight of my day was updating the software in my GPS unit. If any of you have GPS you should check for updates on the web once in a while. Most manufactures like Garmin have nice software that makes it a no brainer. It detects when your unit is plugged in, figures out what needs to be updated and does it.

Looking forward to the warm weather in Texas....EAT YOUR HEART OUT TOOTIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't we all :lol: 8)

haha less than 30 minutes from there for me.

It's been REALLLLLLY nice lately. I got my Harley out, washed it and shined up the chrome and got in a good ride. Sure was nice!

Did you have an appoinment with that shipper Steve? If your appointment was 7 and they didn't get you loaded till 4, you should get 7 hours detention. 9 hours is absolutely ridiculous. Call the broker while you still have the load and tell him you are owed $50/hr after the first two hours. They might offer $35/hr. Tell them you want a T-check or Comcheck before you deliver. They may or may not agree to the comcheck but they may counter offer with a revised confirmation.

my $.02. You should, and will, get something for your time.

Thanks for offering all the good advise to Steve on these things Rank.
There are a few others learning from this thread and I for one appreciate your advise Rank.
Steve

My pleasure outta here.

I had a deal last week where we were stuck at the border for a day or two. Funny thing was I told the broker that the shipment wouldn't clear customs. I marked up the rate sheet to include $50/hr detention after 2. Sure enough, it didn't clear. So we pulled the pin and bobtailed home.

He gave me the ol' don't worry, we'll pay you after you deliver speech. YEAH RIGHT, I was born at night but not last nite so I called my lawyer. He says in his opinion I had a right to hold the shipment until I was paid for my storage fee. Had full intention of parking it in our warehouse until we got paid. Called the local police to make them aware of the situation.

Eventually the broker revised the rate sheet to add $750 for trailer detention & bobtail miles.

They will try to avoid paying and they may try to intimidate but as long as you have that shipment you have some leverage. Besides, when you're right you're right.

I got an extra $200 without asking. There was no set appointment time and come to find out these people work 3 to 11 and the broker didn't know that.

Going through Kentucky right now and stopped at 2 rest areas and they were so full people will have to move so others can get out. I just pulled into one rest area and 1 spot on the side. I parallel parked for the first time. I think it took me all 3 pullups to make it in. I waited for the band to play and to be presented with a super trucker award but nothing. :sad:

You're must be blessed.

It's not a broker who I'm hauling this for but a small trucking company. They kept apologizing left and right for the delay.

Just getting ready to cross over into Tennessee. I wonder if any truckers live in TN? :wink: I think I beat the snow that's going to be in Ohio.