From Dunn, NC to Johnson City , TN 321
#11
03-18-2007, 03:04 AM
Re: This is the 2nd half of the nightmare.
Originally Posted by Red Clay Rambler
Originally Posted by henboy1
I asked if they had a hydraulic jack for me and she said yes.I am thinking it might be easy and I was wondering why the damn agent never told me.They actually showed me how to use one of those forklifts with the long handle and buttons.I had to stand on this lift and operate the long steerring handle.It was quite fun, then the lady started to instruct me.She was picky in where everything was and she had me separate all the oils on different skids.This required lifting.After lifting about 30 cases of motor oil I was feeling the pain.I finally finished and they gave me my paper work.
Such facilities are famous for delaying trucks and drivers for hours, even if you make your appointment time. If you're late, you'll be lucky to unload that same day at all. Maybe the recent trend toward the payment of detention time has helped, I don't know since I stay away from such places as much as possible. We wish you well, henboy, I'm sorry to hear of some of your struggles. With a little more time, you will be doing OK. If you have any questions about routes/loads/delivery points, post them here, maybe even before you accept the load if you have time before you have to decide. Chances are someone here has been there and can help you. Good luck!
__________________
Give me the Sea or the Open Road
#12
03-18-2007, 09:07 AM
When i was with Werner i dropped of a load of beer in Hazard(yes HAZARD) KY once. Name of the city should conclude this response but looking at it on a map i took HYW 52 short route and ended up on a two lane road with the width of my truck for 30 miles with nothing but ,,S'' type of curves with 80-90 degree sharp turns. This was my first load after training and the worst expirience in this buisiness since then.
Longest drive of my life in my 2004 Classic XL...
#13
03-18-2007, 09:30 AM
Sort of OT, but since I'm Canadian, I cannot unload past the end of my trailer in the states. Some consignees want me to unload, "no can do". If they have a problem with it, they can deal with immigration!
I'm not going to go to somebody else's country and steal their jobs!
#14
10-07-2007, 01:02 AM
Sorry guys but I had to re-live this thread
Dejanh, I went to your part of your nightmare in Lebannon ,KY.
Microsoft streets and trips took me through SR -84 (about 50 miles) backroads.Every farm owner and homeowner had to wave at me because they raely see big trucks come through that narrow road.I picked up a load from Savannah (Ocean terminal) to Lebannon , KY.I wasn't too far from Hazard , KY that you had visited.All the agent said was to take 68 and make some turns but she was getting those directions from the shipper which she wasn't sure.She also didn't seem to want to give me the shippers phone #.I then routed this on my MS streets and trips only to be put on some narrow back roads right off I-65.I usually do my own routing after I see soo many turns on my print-out from MS trips and streets.But this time I forgot to do so.My trailer wheels was some times leaning towards the edge of the cliff driving on the backroad, never again.Randy McNally's map would never have street names for such small towns. Anyway, I just recieved this MAGELLAN ROADMATE 300 GPS as a A gift.I have never used a GPS and I started reading the manual which I downloaded a pdf file from www.magellan.com The damn thing never came with the manual or a preloaded SD CARD.The cd I need is the Magellan RoadMate Manager Application which will enable me to download all the point of interest and regional mapping info via USB to the GPS device.Does anyone on here have this CD that they can burn?I can get a preloaded SD card but what if I get to a region that the preload does not cover?This is a $500 equipment but I hate to dump it for not having an installation software.Magellan wants me to buy another unit to get the CD.I am tired of reading off my MS streets and trips while driving.Can I get help?
#15
10-07-2007, 01:14 AM
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Most of the manuals for a GPS unit are on the unit itself. Plug the GPS into your laptop then it should show up as a disk with different folders. One should be documentation and you can print or read it online.
I know what you mean about waving. I tend to go places that most people don't out into the middle of nowhere. I have to wave at everyone on the side of the road plus the people in cars!!!
#16
10-07-2007, 01:25 AM
I have the manual in acrobat reader form.
I already have the manual which indicated that I needed that Magellan RoadMate Manager Application to install all the updates.I think you are talking about the drivers for the GPS.My XP already found the drivers and automatically installed it which became an F drive in "my computer".That CD is not only a driver CD but rather a median that lets you update the GPS by regiosn of the US and POI(point of interest).
Ouch! I hate Magellan.My last hope is to get a preloaded SD card but hoping that I stay within that loaded region.
#17
10-07-2007, 01:44 AM
henboy, good to hear from you, I was wondering how you have been doing with flats. Do you like it better?
Also, what don't you like about Microsoft Streets and Trips?
#18
10-07-2007, 06:55 AM
Well I am doing much better than the damn van.
I am happy for what I am doing although I shed more sweat than when I was pulling vans.LOL!I was new at this and I have learned a lot in securing cargo.I have a Landstar stepdeck and which they charge $170 a week for leasing.I am still trying to find me a stepdeck at a decent price or finance for one only 2 years.Another Landstar BCO taught me all about securing cargo and that Landstar class mostly taught us about fmcsa/DOT regualtions.I have pulled about 16 platform loads so far in the past 2 months.I have also noticed that 80% of the loads that I call for, will either take a step or flat.But when they only request a step the rates are more than a flat's rate.There are very few stepdeck loads on the landstar boards but if I get them they put your ass to work than even a flatbed load.I pulled a BOOM (39 feet long),the hoist and all the other stuff that goes with it.I had to use about 6 chains and 10 straps for the whole load.It took me an 1hr and half to secure thisl but it paid very well at $1.70 TTT.Not a bad rate to be leased on to a company.Another good paying load was a caterpillar engine/generator from atlanta to Jacksonville ,fl at 2.98cpm gross=$2.30 TTT.I consider that a short run but the rate is not that bad.Then I had one of those Dave Mathews shows which they only needed a step and these where custom metal pieces looking like a boom which paid well.The agest for platform freight seem more desperate when I call and more appreciative than the Van agents.They also seem to lie less.I got my first lie, well not.This agent wanted me to haul a 9.9 ft tall and 8.6 wide elavator/escalator(legal) to an auction but he never told me I would have to operate their forklift/dozer to unload.I wish I had that experience.I had to cancel that good paying load until I know how to operate those machines.
MS streets and trips is good and at times it can put you through some dangerous back roads.I am just getting tired of reading all the turns from my printouts and I would prefer a Magellan that has voice activated prompts and you also have the option of picking "more/less freweways".
#19
10-07-2007, 08:12 AM
Originally Posted by coastie
I 26 unless something changed in the last few years was not legal for ALL trucks.
Anyway, it's got some steep hills in both directions, and lots of pulls and heavy crosswinds and other mountainy goodness, but it's a pretty good, modern road. BIG improvement over 19-23. |
