Steve, you might want to be mum on your cargo when hauling government loads. With some, it doesn't make a difference, other times it could. You don't want to make yourself a target. If I haul a sensitive government load, I never tell anyone what I have on the truck, where I picked up or am delivering. When the Gulf War started, I hauled some cargo from very sensitive base. We always had to tarp because the military didn't want to take a chance of the enemy seeing that we were hauling anything related to the war effort.

By the way, some government loads have tracking devices in the shipment so that they can know where you are at all times. Some require a cell phone, GPS on the truck or qualcomm. Some may even require you to notify them any time you stop. You want to get the load on and off as quickly as possible.

I know you're probably asleep so I'll post here instead of calling you.

Loading in Columbus, OH on Monday.

TL of fenceposts going to Richmond, VA. No tarps. Offering $900 on 480 their miles. Call Ely (740)927-3995

TL boom lift going to Knoxville. 33'-6" L x 8'-2"W x 8'-5" H x 27,000lbs. No tarp. Offered at the low rate of $748/357 their miles. Shannon. (888)488-0961

P/U in Cleveland on Monday between 7-3.
Del Washington DC Air Force Base on Tuesday.
requires 48' or 53' x 102" flat.
5 rolls of razor wire + a fork lift.
I told them you need at least $2 they said ok. $750 on their 373 PCMiler miles. They might do more to help you with deadhead from Washington Courthouse.
no tarp
Jessie (800)879-4505

There is a zillion loads coming out of the Columbus area but unfortnately it costs $1 if I want to look at the name and telephone number so I'm only posting the ones that call me.

What site are you using?

Made it to the Navy Yard by 4am yesterday with no problems. Parked in the truck inspection area and waited until 6 when they said they would be there. Tried to take a little snooze but I couldn't get to sleep. They came and got me and escorted my truck in. I asked what was in the beat up container. He said it was pig mats or something like that. I asked what those were and he said to soak up oil. I said you gotta be sh%$ me. 500 pounds of rags? He just smiled. He asked for my name and number and said once I get setup properly with the government to give him a call and he'll start using me directly.

Rank and others, I'll post the information on how to get your government authorization as I go through the process. One thing though, you have to put up a $100,000 bond if you want to handle all 48 states. I think he said it was $10,000 per state up to a max of $100,000. Not sure. This guy told me they would rather hook up with someone they have met and deal with them directly instead of off there load boards. He said in many cases they are willing to pay for you to dead head to come get something.

So anyways, I drop off my load then head for a rest area. I'm dead. I've been up since 1am and didn't sleep well. The phone starts ringing around 8am and I don't even argue in price. I say not enough and no thanks. I drive for 50 miles on 64 and no place to rest. Finally I type in Walmart into the GPS and turn off in 1/2 mile. I park in the lot, eat at Pancake house then come back to truck for a nap. Phone rings, my 5th call on a load of lumber going to Washington Ohio. This time I haggle and get $1.65. Has to be picked up by 3. So much for the nap, have some coffee then back the same way I just came 50 miles.

I have directions and get off the highway and I'm in the ghetto of Virginia in a pretty big city. This BlOWS. Thousands of cars, construction and 2" to spare on either side of my truck. I really, no lie, can't believe I made it without taking out someone. This was hairy for sure!!!!!!!!!!! Oh yea, holding my mace in one hand and shifting with the other.

Make it to the port and get inspected once again. Guard is really nice and the people in the office. They tell me where to go and see a Mr. French or something like that. I find him and he's a complete A-Hole. I'm taking to another driver and says not to turn around where he tells me, nails and board everywhere. Mr Dickhead tells me to turn around and I say no, lot is filled with boards and nails. He gives me crap I tell him I'll do the driving and turn around here. He says you can't make it. You can, tons of room even for me. At this point if he even looks at me funny I was going to rip up the paper work, shove it in his chest and tell him to stick it. Anyone who wants to be called Mr. anything these days is on a power trip. He walks away mumbling.

The young guy before me had a bug up his butt about all the black people loading him. Never says thank you for anything and generally talks down to the fork lift operators and they know it.

My turn comes and I make sure I treat them with respect and that pays off. Lots of laughs. The other driver is now giving me the cold shoulder. Screw him!

I load at 2 and finish tarping at 5. My best job yet because it's a square load. I can't move at this point. I ask the fork lift drivers if I can shut down. They go out and talk to the guards and get me permission. I'm parked right next to the guard shack and pretty much died last night in bed. Day 2 without a shower by the way. Hello Mr. Coffee, hot water and washing my Phyllis Diller hair!!! For all you old timers!!!

I will never come to this place again. This is the rat hole of Virginia for sure. I'm leaving in a bit and if there's anyone around a stop light, I'm going through it.

I don't have to deliver until Monday morning at Lowes so this is good. I need some time. I'm sure Rank and Gman will be laughing. You lightweight Steve. Yup, I need to toughen up. Gonna take a while.

I had both the windows down in the truck yesterday and it was awesome. The weather was perfect. There was real heavy rain on the way there early in the morning and all the salt is gone from my truck and trailer.

I'm heading into a pretty good freight area on Monday so I should have no problem getting out. I'm already setup with Pittsburgh Logistics and they handle a lot out of the area. I've already sent them email to get me a load so I should be all set. They called me yesterday after I already accepted this load and said they had over 20 loads in my area. I told them I looked on your load board but only saw 2 and I didn't like them. He said they hold onto stuff for people already in there system....My bad!!!

Got a call from Rank yesterday and he had a load for me. Same one I have right now...lol...I have a strange feeling I could have got a lot more if I put out the word I wanted $2.00 and just waited. I think this is a new Lowes they are outfitting. 2 other trucks were here loading up for the same destination.

Well, that's about it for now. Ibuprofen time, more coffee then a nice easy ride to Ohio over the next few days. Going to be time to clean and wash windows.

Was it Phyllis Diller hair or Carol Burnett hair.... I'm not an old guy like you, but love the 70's. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

No, it was Phyllis. Carol was the exact opposite. She was always perfect in every way as far as her personal looks. On a side note, Carol had a special talent that not many people know. She has a memory better than and elephant. She met someone over 25 years ago and use to take questions from the audience. A person stood up and said they had met her once. Carol blurted out her full name and where they had met!!!

Did not know that !!! I used to watch the Carol Burnett Show with my folks. Didn't understand the humor at the time, but now I howl !!!

Well, didn't make it too far. Still on Rt 64 and saw a sign for a Pilot. Not in the truckstop directory so I figured I would pull in. It's brand new so that's why. Small place in the country, pretty nice.

I'm having something to eat as I didn't eat diner yesterday. I'm going to tighten the load, wash windows, fill air pressure and a bunch of other stuff. I may stay here a while and just dick around it's so nice outside.

I forgot to mention before, that kid loading up before me wanted to spend the night also. When I got to the parking area at the guard shack, he wasn't there!!!

Gonna be a nice day for sure around here. I'm going to miss leaving. I'm sure I'll be headed back to the cold in Ohio.

Enjoy the warm weather steve....cause it is colder than a witches tit up here in Toledo!! :evil:

I HATE being cold....I am ready for Spring 8)

tootie