IT LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So who's idea was it to get into this business? Oh wait, it was mine. Yes, I haven't posted on here since October. Yes, I'm still driving although I'm beginning to question why. The best reason I can come up with is that I'm too stubborn to give up.

I'm not going to go into all the gory details about what has gone on since October, so I'll just give a quick update.

Shoulder is fine, works like it used to. All the trucks are running with the exception of one Sprinter that is in the shop waiting for an engine swap. It had the torque convertor in the tranny replaced and only lasted for 2500 miles before the injection pump went out. In Sprinters when the pump goes, it takes the engine with it. Of course, it had to puke 700 miles from home. Had a spare engine waiting so it won't cost as much as a rebuild. It should be completed in a week or so, not that there's any freight for it to haul.

Freight wise, the first 4 months have been terrible. Wall Street and the banks did their job well screwing things up. Question: Does anyone know why those idiots on wall street stand up there clapping when that bell rings????? What's to clap about?? I think a well placed hand grenade would stop this insane practice.

Back to freight. Or, to be more precise, the lack of. I've compared April this year to April of last year and was sickened to see that we made more in one week last year than we did in the whole month this year. That's how slow it has been. The first 5 days of May have been better as all the trucks have loads today, but the revenue paid to the trucks on these loads is down by 35% when compared to similar loads from last year. I'm near Birmingham, AL and am going to western GA in the morning picking up a load going just across the line into SC. A whopping 161 paid miles. The only plus is that fuel prices dropped. If fuel was still above $4, this country would be at a standstill.

The expedite industry is changing and we have to change with it or get run over. The number of contractors that have gone under or just parked their trucks is staggering. The banks won't give out any money for operating expenses or equipment purchases either. They got our money from the government, so why should they care.

So, that's what's going on. If I sound bitter, I am. I don't mind busting my butt to get where I want to be, but I resent being painted into a corner because of someone else's greed. The one satisfaction I have is that I didn't waste my vote on obama. He has more than proven that he has no idea what he is doing, and no not capitalizing his name was not a mistake. It's my way of showing that I have no respect for him.

Rant over, carry on. Semper Fi.

OFF THE ROAD

Haven’t posted for sometime since I’ve been busy dealing with problem after problem.

Since the posts about the turbo failure on Sprinter #2, a lot has happened. On his next trip out, the driver of Sprinter #2 rear ended a semi trailer at a stop light. By his own admission, he wasn’t paying attention. The driver of the semi evidently didn’t feel the impact and simply drove off. The Sprinter couldn’t give chase as it was sitting there puking coolant from the ruptured radiator. The deer bumper was pushed back forcing the coolant fan assembly into the radiator. He was under load at the time about 100 miles from his drop. Since there was no other unit in the area to repower the load, Tri-State opted to tow the Sprinter to the drop. To the surprise of both Tri-State and myself, that 83 mile tow cost $877.00. That cost is under dispute, but it was still deducted from my settlements. We managed to seal the radiator enough to get the truck back home, and the driver bore the cost of the repairs. I couldn’t turn it in on my insurance since there was no police report, and the repairs were less than the deductible.

Next, the Idlebuster was installed on Sprinter #3 and it was butchered. It has amounted to over $2,000 out of pocket in lost revenue and repairs. Add to that the $600 Sprinter #3 needed in normal maintenance repairs. Of course I submitted invoices to Idlebuster to be reimbursed for my losses. Up until last Thursday, they ignored me. After complaints to the Attorney General and Better Business Bureau’s in Ohio and Florida were completed, I had their attention. I was contacted by one of the owners and I should have things finalized soon.

I found a good driver for the International (He’s a Jarhead too, so we get along) and after a fiasco in NJ, things are working out. His first good load took him to Newark, NJ and Tri-State tried to force him into NYC from there. One was an idiotic load deadheading 41 miles into Jamaica, Queens for a 21 mile load. They tried two other loads into NYC before I finally got in touch with the fleet coordinator and made it plain that none of my trucks are going into NYC. The catch of all this was it happened after 1700 and it took until 0900 the next morning to straighten it out and a load was lost since the driver was put on eight hour refusal status.

For a brief moment there, all four trucks were running and the hope was we would stop bleeding money. I scheduled the surgery on my shoulder since it’s been in bad shape the last few weeks. Enter another problem with the Idlebuster. A fuel line pops off and stops the truck in its tracks. Repair was quick and the shop didn’t even charge anything for it, but another load was lost and another tow bill was incurred.

Think it’s over? Nope. Driver on Sprinter #3 quit the day after the fuel line popped off. So, I’m back to three trucks running and one is sitting in my driveway waiting until I find another driver. I can’t postpone the shoulder surgery since mine is the last surgery that the doc is doing until late November. Surgery is Tuesday, so I won’t be posting much if at all since I won’t have use of my right arm for about two months.

So, the ship took a couple of torpedoes but I’ve got the patches in place and the pumps are running. She’ll right herself in a few weeks. I’ll find a driver and get this shoulder fixed and be back on track.

I sure am going to enjoy those drugs tomorrow.

I'm STILL Here

Haven't had much chance to update here, so I'll bring things up to date.

Sprinter #2 gave us a few more problems after we replaced the turbo. It had a turbo lag that was just too excessive to ignore. A lot of oil got dumped into the exhaust and at first we considered that to be the problem. We pulled the Oxygen sensor expecting it to be oil fouled, but it wasn't. Computer readouts were in the normal range, but she wouldn't go over 13MPG and that wasn't acceptable.

We finally found that the turbo actuator module was failing during acceleration from a standing start. It was too fast for the computer to pick up. Changed it out and she runs like new. For an engine with almost 300,000 miles on it, that's a testament for the value of proper maintenance.

Sprinter #3 is down on the south side of Columbus having it's Idlebuster generator installed and should be completed by this afternoon.

The busy freight season has been slow to start, but is picking up. My shoulder has been an ongoing problem since it has no rhyme or reason to when it decides to flare up. I have tried to get out of here several times only to have it start up. Last week, it was quiet the entire week. I decided to test it last Sunday and went over to the truck and pulled the mattress out of the upper bunk and installed a couple of cabinets I had picked up. Got that done with no problems and came home and waited. Several hours later I had no pain and no swelling. I thought I finally would be able to take off Monday. Didn't happen.

I was loading up the Ram Monday morning when Idlebuster called to confirm the Sprinter installation and informed me that I had to be present when they finished it today to sign the final papers. When the mail showed up, I found out that I had to go to Tri-State to recertify on my TSA credentials. Just what I needed to hear.

Took off to Toledo Tuesday morning and I wasn't halfway there when the shoulder fired up. Bothered me the rest of the day. I told Tri-State to locate a same household team to put in the International since I'm tired of dealing with the shoulder.

When I drove the 20 miles down to the south side yesterday morning, it fired up again. After I dropped my driver off at the motel, I stopped at a CVS on a whim. I found a support brace that is usually used for tennis elbow but since I had gotten relief when I used an elbow brace, I figured I'd give this a try.

I put the brace on in the center of my bicep above the elbow. For some insane reason, it supports the tendon and I'm able to move the arm better. The real test will come this morning when I drive back to the south side.

If I can drive the International until Tri-State locates a team, I'll step out and have the surgery done after I'm comfortable with whomever is driving the truck. I'll probably limit my range to a 300 to 350 mile radius so I can get home if the pain gets too bad. We'll see how things go.

Sprinter #1
WESTERVILLE/ OH DUBLIN/ VA 8/20/2008
DOVER/ NJ WHITEHALL/ MI 8/17/2008
BENSALEM/ PA ALTON/ VA 8/15/2008
CINCINNATI/ OH GRAYSON/ KY 8/14/2008
CINCINNATI/ OH UTICA/ OH 8/14/2008
NEWCOMERSTOWN/ OHNEWARK/ DE 8/14/2008
MONROE/ MI FRANKLIN/ OH 8/13/2008
FAIRFIELD/ OH DAYTON/ OH 8/13/2008
MARYSVILLE/ OH LAKE ORION/ MI 8/11/2008

Sprinter #2
RAYMOND/ OH HEBRON/ OH 8/20/2008
HEBRON/ OH SALEM/ VA 8/20/2008
COLUMBUS/ OH CUSTAR/ OH 8/18/2008
ST MARYS/ OH ATHENS/ OH 8/18/2008
LOUISVILLE/ KY FRANKLIN/ OH 8/15/2008
FAIRBURY/ IL DANVILLE/ KY 8/14/2008
E PEORIA/ IL PEORIA/ IL 8/13/2008
E PEORIA/ IL AURORA/ IL 8/13/2008
COLUMBUS/ OH BARTONVILLE/ IL 8/11/2008

Sprinter #3
E PEORIA/ IL MEDINA/ OH 8/18/2008
QUINCY/ IL WASHINGTON/ MO 8/12/2008

When It Pukes Oil, Houston We Have a Problem

I'm starting to think that I'm not going to get out of Columbus. Monday, no loads were available from here. Tuesday showed promise but had to deal with a breakdown on Sprinter #2.

He was on his way to Cambridge, OH from Roanoke, VA when the engine started to belch black smoke and puke oil out the exhaust. He said that he heard a loud bang, and the truck wouldn't go over 20MPH and the oil light came on. I immediately figured it was the turbo but you never know for sure until you can check it. Since I have a complete engine sitting here just for this purpose, I told the driver to call Tri-State to arrange a tow back to Columbus. T/S totally dropped the ball on this and the driver found a local tow company that would do the job. They did manage to tear the rear bumper facia off when hooking it up though.

Went over to the shop this morning and removed the ducting to the turbo. Sure enough the shaft bearings had let go. Pulled the turbo off the replacement engine, swapped the turbos out, changed the oil and filter, test drove it about 100 miles and Sprinter #2 is going back in service tomorrow after we re-synch the turbo to the engine. I'll take the turbo over and have it rebuilt ready for future use. Shoulder is singing, but the truck is fixed. I was able to reattach the rear facia using bolts and silicone. So, was having the truck towed back here the best move. I'll put the numbers here and you be the judge.

Dealer Cost/Actual Cost

Turbo $1,767.93/$300.00 (Rebuild)
Labor 320.00/160.00
Rear Facia 122.00/0
Labor 40.00/0
Oil Change 200.00/119.00
Tow 564.00

Total $2,449.93/$1,143.00

Savings $1,306.93

Sprinter #1
Montgomery, AL/Fountain Inn, NC
TAH

Sprinter #2
MT VERNON/ OH SPOUT SPRING/ VA
Bonus to Cambridge, OH
Broke down in Ripley, WV

Sprinter #3
PONTOON BEACH/ IL GRAND RAPIDS/ MI

FedEx

Freight out of here still hasn't picked up, so I'm still at home.

FedEx recruiter called Tuesday and made this offer to move the International and one of the Sprinters from T/S to FCC.

$1000 sign on bonus for each truck. Free sign removal Free sign installation Total value of the offer came to $3,140. International qualifies for White Glove after 6 months. He went on about how FCC pays more than T/S both on the linehaul and deadhead miles, how FCC is better because they have a larger customer base and how the FedEx name is a better draw to customers, etc. Told him I'd get back to him.

Did the research.

Advantages:
The sign on bonus is attractive. Half paid at orientation, half after the 25th load is completed. Deadhead miles do pay better with FCC. They pay the FSC on all dispatched miles in addition to the deadhead pay. Customer base is larger, and the FedEx name is a good draw. Qualcomm rental is the same as T/S so that's a wash. Bobtail insurance is cheaper since they have a large fleet. 1400 trucks of all types.

Disadvantages:

Escrow is $1500 for the International, $1000 for the Sprinter. Three times what T/S escrow is. They have a new dispatch system that is totally computerized. Load offers come over the QC only they make no phone calls. You have 10 minutes to respond by QC or phone. Problem if you're sleeping and don't hear the QC beep. They list the revenue average for the International at $1.87 per mile loaded, $1.00 for all miles based on a 56% load acceptance rate. Sprinter is $1.45 loaded, $.72 all miles based on a 67% load acceptance. T/S pays by the mile. Catch is that FCC pays by percentage and since most C unit loads are B unit size freight, the International would be paid the B unit rate for most loads. The projected yearly average for the Sprinter is about 20k less than what I project it to make with T/S. White Glove prefers teams and there is a waiting list. Drivers HAVE to have Hazmat endorsements and Canada FAST cards.

I'll be staying with T/S

Sprinter #1
DECATUR/ IL LAFAYETTE/ IN
SO BEND/ IN E PEORIA/ IL
CHAMPAIGN/ IL GRIFFIN/ GA
DAWSONVILLE/ GA FT VALLEY/ GA

Sprinter #2
TAH

Sprinter #3
WAYCROSS/ GA CINCINNATI/ OH Transferred at Nashville
Bonused to Louisville
LOUISVILLE/ KY SELMER/ TN

Expo

Went to the Expedite Expo Friday in Wilmington. We were a bit disappointed with it, but I accomplished most of what I wanted to.

Disappointments:

Chrome Shop Mafia wasn't there. I assumed they would make an appearance at some point, but no times were posted. Truck they had on display was cool though.

Tri-State's booth. No handouts, and very little information available that I could see. They were a major sponsor of the event so I expected more from them. They didn't talk to us very long, and didn't treat us like I thought they should treat a fleet owner either. That will factor into a decision I will be making.

Freightliner of Knoxville. This dealer is where I bought the International. Found out that Jon Mosier, a major player in the expedite truck sales game, no longer works for them. The guy that was there was less than thrilled to be there and showed it.

If there was food there, we couldn't find it and the music outside was so loud you couldn't hear anyone talk even if they were standing right next to you.

Accomplishments:

Met the former head of recruiting at T/S. I had talked to him at length during my research of the expedite business. He had left T/S shortly before I went to orientation. He's now with RJR Transportation.

Talked with the company that built the sleeper and generator on the International. The owner had not arrived yet, but I got my point across that I was very unhappy with their generator. The rep that was there said he would have the owner call me to see what could be done to correct the situation, but I am not holding my breath.

Met with the owner and sales manager of Idlebuster. Had a productive discussion with them and was very impressed with their APU design. They apologized for not having the engine yet for Sprinter #3's unit and promised to hurry it up as much as possible.

FedEx. Talked with one of their recruiters and was impressed with his presentation and what they offer. He said they absolutely needed the International (it qualifies for White Glove)and could also use one of the Sprinters for a dedicated account that is coming online shortly. They pay quite a bit more per mile than T/S have a structured FSC. The biggest things for me was that they pay the FSC for all dispatched miles including deadhead, and they no longer charge $500. for sign installation. The only drawback is that they require Hazmat and Canada even if you have no intention of doing either.

Overall, the expo was a good experience and we will attend next year. We stopped at the Flying J in Jeffersonville on the way home to grab a bite to eat. Wife said she wanted to see a truck stop close up, so I went along. Got home around 1630.

Shoulder feels decent and I still plan on heading out Monday if the creeks don't rise and no dogfights develop.

Sprinter #1
Layover in Decatur, IL

Sprinter #2
NO KINGSVILLE/ OH FOUNTAIN INN/ SC
Bonused to Lexington, KY
Deadhead home for TAH

Sprinter #3
Bonused to Lexington, KY
Transfer load to Griffin, GA
Layover in Albany, GA

BORED!!!!!!!!!

Another boring day in the neighborhood. Shoulder improving to the point I'm starting to move it so it won't stiffen up. I found the "rubber bands" I had from the therapy on the left shoulder, and I started to use them to keep the strength up in the right. They are different tension bands that you anchor to a fixed object and then you pull on them. I'll take them with me in the truck to keep exercising.

Freight still slow but showing signs of picking up. Caterpillar is the main source for the Sprinters right now.

Sprinter #1
BUCYRUS/ OH AURORA/ IL

Sprinter #2
SARVER/ PA ITHACA/ NY
Bonused to Pittsburgh and then to Cleveland

Sprinter #3
ST JOHNS/ MI ELK GROVE VILLAGE/ IL
WOODRIDGE/ IL CHAMPAIGN/ IL