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BrianR · 04-30-2009, 11:15 PM

Let's start at the end...recent means (to me) that I can remember more detail...

Last Saturday I was in Omaha, waiting for a load so I could take my brand new truck out for a spin. My boss called one in to me (my computer was down). I was to take a certain trailer loaded with dog food to a Purina plant an hour away. There was, however, one small problem... the trailer was damaged. He didn't know how badly. I was to inspect it and let him know if it was safe to roll.

I did so. The damage was caused by someone backing into the side and gouging a largish hole. Everything safety-related worked, it was just a hole so I upped the trailer and called the boss and told him the load was safe to go. He told me to hook it up and stand by for confirmation from the maintenance dept. OK.

So...

He calls back 03 minutes later and tells me to go ahead and take the load at 2130 to make a 2300 delivery. So far so good. At 2130 I arrive to take the load out. The guard stops me and tells me the trailer is still down. My boss has gone home for the day by then. Uh oh!

I call the on-duty dispatcher and get him to straighten this out so I can get going. All maintenance needs is his okay to deliver and then return the trailer for repairs. He emails the head of the trailer shop that this is what will happen. I wait.

At 2300 I call again to find out what the delay is and to get a new dock appt since the load is now late. I find out that the shop will not release the trailer because there is rain in the forecast and they don't want the load getting wet. WTF? I tell the shop foreman I can deliver the load safely and intact (dry) if I leave NOW. The rain isn't going to hit before sunrise.

No. I have to leave it there and cancel the load. This load is the last one leaving the area for the weekend and is my only chance to get going. Grrr.

It turns out that the rain didn't start until 1030 the next day. The trailer was left out and the load is now soaked and ruined. Not My Fault (NMF). I couldn't resist calling the weekend dispatcher and rubbing it in, I could have had the load delivered and the trailer returned long before the rain started.

The guy said, and I quote, "You are making too much sense...stop it!"

I just shook my head in wonder.

04-30-2009, 11:15 PM	#35
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	Let's start at the end...recent means (to me) that I can remember more detail... Last Saturday I was in Omaha, waiting for a load so I could take my brand new truck out for a spin. My boss called one in to me (my computer was down). I was to take a certain trailer loaded with dog food to a Purina plant an hour away. There was, however, one small problem... the trailer was damaged. He didn't know how badly. I was to inspect it and let him know if it was safe to roll. I did so. The damage was caused by someone backing into the side and gouging a largish hole. Everything safety-related worked, it was just a hole so I upped the trailer and called the boss and told him the load was safe to go. He told me to hook it up and stand by for confirmation from the maintenance dept. OK. So... He calls back 03 minutes later and tells me to go ahead and take the load at 2130 to make a 2300 delivery. So far so good. At 2130 I arrive to take the load out. The guard stops me and tells me the trailer is still down. My boss has gone home for the day by then. Uh oh! I call the on-duty dispatcher and get him to straighten this out so I can get going. All maintenance needs is his okay to deliver and then return the trailer for repairs. He emails the head of the trailer shop that this is what will happen. I wait. At 2300 I call again to find out what the delay is and to get a new dock appt since the load is now late. I find out that the shop will not release the trailer because there is rain in the forecast and they don't want the load getting wet. WTF? I tell the shop foreman I can deliver the load safely and intact (dry) if I leave NOW. The rain isn't going to hit before sunrise. No. I have to leave it there and cancel the load. This load is the last one leaving the area for the weekend and is my only chance to get going. Grrr. It turns out that the rain didn't start until 1030 the next day. The trailer was left out and the load is now soaked and ruined. Not My Fault (NMF). I couldn't resist calling the weekend dispatcher and rubbing it in, I could have had the load delivered and the trailer returned long before the rain started. The guy said, and I quote, "You are making too much sense...stop it!" I just shook my head in wonder. __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous