Quit Worrying

Published on April 23, 2007 By MasonM In Blogging

As planned, I was at my delivery point in Johnstown, CO waiting for them to arrive at 6:30 am local time. As It was 7:30 am to me I had plenty of time to get up, have some coffee, wake up, and ease on in there. I had the chains off and the trailer detached when they arrived for work.

The only minor hitch I had with them was the guy wanted me to drive the panel van off the trailer. Sorry bud, no can do. Not my van to drive and my driving it isn't covered on our insurance. The truth is, it would be covered but as the ass end drug a bit on the trailer during loading I didn't want the liability if there was any damage during unloading. I did set some blocks so that it wouldn't drag (as much) but I wasn't going to be the one to tear off the mud flaps.

He finally conceded and sent one of his guys out to drive it off, acting the whole time like it was some big fat hairy deal. Screw you buddy, it's too damn early for this crap.

When I climbed back into my rig I saw that I had missed a call on my cell phone. I checked and it was dispatch. Now what? I called in to let them know I was empty and to find out what they wanted. "D" had called to find out if I was unloaded yet and that I was on schedule for the pick up in Denver. Geez dude, the pick up in Denver isn't until noon local time and my delivery point was only 45 minutes out from there. Relax already!

"D" is a good guy but he's a tad high strung and worries too damn much. The guy is gonna wind up dropping dead from a heart attack or stroke before he's 50. He said he was worried because a) the pick up is for our #1 customer, and

he knew I was having problems with my truck. I told him to just relax and that I had everything under control.

When I left the place my truck decided that since it was Monday it didn't feel like working properly. The stupid speedometer wasn't working all of a sudden. What now? I pulled off to the shoulder of the road and shut the rig down and then cycled the key off and on several times to reset the computer. That helped and the speedo was working once again. But the cruise control wasn't. Oh come on! I didn't pull over again but cycled the key a few times while I was rolling. The cruise finally decided to show up for work today.

Damn trucks.

So now I'm killing time about 30 minutes North of Denver at the same place I spent last night. I plan to give the shipper a call around 9:00 am local time to see if there is any chance they'll be ready to load earlier than noon. I would like to get the tanker truck picked up and be rolling with it as early as possible.

But it's Monday so I'm not holding my breath.

Comments

Dr Guy

on Apr 23, 2007

The reason he is a dispatcher is because he is anal! I think that is written into the job descriptions of all dispatchers - right above "and other duties as assigned".

Shovelheat

on Apr 23, 2007

The stupid speedometer wasn't working all of a sudden. What now? I pulled off to the shoulder of the road and shut the rig down and then cycled the key off and on several times to reset the computer. That helped and the speedo was working once again. But the cruise control wasn't. Oh come on! I didn't pull over again but cycled the key a few times while I was rolling. The cruise finally decided to show up for work today.

I didn't know that, is it a truck thing? I know on a car or a poickup you can disconnect the + battery and reset the computer.

MasonM

on Apr 23, 2007

The reason he is a dispatcher is because he is anal! I think that is written into the job descriptions of all dispatchers - right above "and other duties as assigned".

No doubt

Shovelheat

on Apr 23, 2007

poickup

I meant pick up. I ain't from New Joisey!

MasonM

on Apr 23, 2007

I didn't know that, is it a truck thing? I know on a car or a poickup you can disconnect the + battery and reset the computer.

Yeah I'm pretty sure it's a truck thing. I don't know if it works in cars or not, but I kinda doubt it as the computer systems are very different. Every time you turn on the key in a modern truck the computer runs a diagnostic of all systems and if you cycle the key on and off several times in a row the computer resets and reinitializes everything. The computers used in cars are very basic compared to the systems used in trucks these days.

The system in a truck has to interconnect the engine system, fuel system, cruise control, and engine brake in such a way as they work together. When both the cruise control and engine brake are turned on they work together to maintain speed. When going down a hill if the speed goes 3mph above what the cruise is set for the engine brake starts automatically to begin slowing down the rig and will step up it's power if it doesn't start slowing down. It can also automatically downshift the transmission one gear if needed to help slow the rig. Saves me a bit of work.

MasonM

on Apr 23, 2007

poickup

I meant pick up. I ain't from New Joisey!

foreverserenity

on Apr 23, 2007

Ouch! It's always something isn't it?!

He's a worry wart uh, kinda like me! I'm learning to destress and let go!

MasonM

on Apr 23, 2007

Ouch! It's always something isn't it?!

He's a worry wart uh, kinda like me! I'm learning to destress and let go!

I gave up worrying about stuff years ago. It's made life so much easier. I just adopted the "f*ck it" attitude and it's worked wonders for me.

dynamaso

on Apr 24, 2007

I believe if you're going to worry, make sure it is about the important things like world poverty, war and famine because then you'll realise there is not a whole lot you can do and you'll stop worrying and get on with living.

In other words: f#%k it

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