Take Your Time, And Then Wait Some More

Published on August 16, 2006 By MasonM In Blogging

I arrived at my final stop in Walterboro, SC about 30 minutes early this morning just to be sure I could find the place. It was a bit tricky getting to it, but I did find it. I wasn't too surprised that the electrical crew wasn't there yet, I was 30 minutes early.

At 8:00am they still hadn't made an appearance and that's when I began to wonder if there had been some miscommunication or if I was even at the correct location. I made a call to the electrical contracting company and spoke with my contact there. She said she'd call the guys to find out where they were. They finally arrived around 8:30.

It was a very narrow street so there really wasn't any way for me to get my rig into the driveway so I just pulled the trailer across the drive so that the lull could get at the generator to unload it. While I was pulling the chains off the generator some idiot in a black pickup pulls up behind me and starts blowing his horn.

I ignored him the first time and continued working. When he blew the horn a second time I slammed down the chain binder and walked over to the pickup's driver window with my best "I'm really annoyed right now" look on my face. When he rolled down the window I politely asked him what the f*ck his problem is. He said he needed to get into the driveway so he could go to work and he wanted me to move my rig.

I ever so politely informed him that I would move the rig once we finished getting the generator off the trailer, I couldn't move it now that the chains were loose as it would fall over, and if he didn't like it he could just drive across the grass. I also told him if he blew that damned horn again I'd shove it up his ass.

It took all of another three or four minutes to unload the generator and for me to pull up past the driveway so he could get in. I packed up my equipment, got the man to sign the paperwork, and got ready to leave. That's when he asked me if I knew who the guy was in the pickup. "Nope" I replied, "don't really care".

He informed me that the guy was the boss at the place and he was the one who had ordered the generator in the first place. I expressed my opinion of the guy, in a polite manner of course, and went about my business. I really couldn't care less who he was, I just know he's an ass.

Once I got to the truckstop I called in. As I suspected, they didn't yet have a load for me. The one they had set up had cancelled and they were looking. The new woman in dispatch asked me about one going to Ft. Wayne, but when I asked what it paid it was way too low to even think about and I told her so. I also reminded her to check with Dennis on anything before offering it up as he'll get pretty pissed if she books something that cheap.

I'm trying to help her out. She's already in the dog house for booking a load on a driver that only paid $200 to go from NJ to WI. The boss was very pissed about that one. She'll learn. We don't do cheap freight and she just isn't used to that yet.

I took a nap this afternoon and finally around 4:00 I got a call from Dennis. He has a load for me out of Caterpiller in NC going back to WI. I just have to stop and buy a few more chain binders as I only have 18 and the load will require 24. Sounds like it's gonna be a lot of work tomorrow, but I know those loads pay well. And at least it won't need a tarp.

I'll be reimbursed for the binders, but I still hate shelling out a couple of hundred bucks like that. It's not like it's a new hat or anything.

Comments

Dr Guy

on Aug 16, 2006

Not a new Hat?

Glad you got a load. And the black PU boss? I am sure your debonair style was shining through the whole time.

MasonM

on Aug 16, 2006

#1 by Dr. Guy
Wed, August 16, 2006 9:02 PM

[Dr. Guy]

Not a new Hat?

Glad you got a load. And the black PU boss? I am sure your debonair style was shining through the whole time.

foreverserenity

on Aug 16, 2006

His being the boss and knowing what's going on, he should have been more patient. Good thing you handled it in your debonair way!

MasonM

on Aug 17, 2006

#3 by foreverserenity
Wed, August 16, 2006 11:14 PM

His being the boss and knowing what's going on, he should have been more patient. Good thing you handled it in your debonair way!

Ah well, sometimes we just do what we have to do.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!