01 September 2014
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| The HUGE distribution center for Wally World There were hundreds of trucks either waiting to be unloaded, being loaded, or trailers sitting empty or loaded and waiting to be picked up. |
So far
we've delivered 2 loads, 1 hazmat and 1 snack foods. We're now delivering a
load of onions from Hollister, CA to east L.A. at a Wally World distribution
center. Scout told me that it was a big place, I had NO idea just how big it
was. There were easily several hundred trucks/ trailers in the process of being
loaded or unloaded. I feel so enlightened about where our "stuff"
comes from and how it gets to us. This trip has really shed a light on just how
important a job being a truck driver is. Without them we wouldn't have food,
clothes, our new iPhones, tvs, cars, etc.
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| The row of Marten trailers at Wally World DC waiting to be picked up or unloaded. |
I am also
continually amazed at what the drivers are put through and have to put up with.
They typically don't get holidays off, in fact that is the busiest time of year
for them. Trying to get home for a loved one's birthday doesn't always happen.
Having a meal not from a fast food joint is rare. Showing up to a
client and then having them
be closed for the day... now THAT is a pain.
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| Traffic through L.A. on a Sunday. If only every day was like this! |
Today has
been one of those days that he was given the next couple of loads. Nothing big
until Tuesday morning and it is going to send us home from Oxnard. So we have a
lot of down time, or so we thought. After the delivery of Sunday's load we got
another load to pick up in the yard and deliver early Monday morning. Monday
was Labor Day... not all businesses are open on Labor Day. Guess which business
wasn't open when we showed up for our 6 am delivery appointment? We weren't the
only truck to show up with a delivery either, there were 3 others waiting there
with us. The one good thing that came out of it is that after waiting on the
customer for 1 hour, the drivers get what is called retention pay, an hourly
rate depending on the company they work for.
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| Downtown L.A. on one of the more clear days |
The day
wasn't a total loss as we were driving back to the yard we got another dispatch
for a delivery in East L.A. We dropped off one trailer and picked up another
and headed to the other side of town. When we arrived at the new customer, they
had no idea what we were there to deliver and weren't going to take the load
until someone at their home office called. As we sat and waited to hear from
dispatch as to what we are doing with this load, another guy came in to deliver
his load and we watched him try for about 35 minutes to back into the loading
dock. It was more painful watching him trying to back up that truck than
watching my mom try to back up the van and boat down at the boat ramp. Finally
Scout, being the nice guy that he is, got out and went over to help him. With
Scout's help he was backed into the loading dock in about minutes. I am not saying I could have done it
by any means, it is nice knowing that there are guys (and gals) out there too,
that are nice and willing to help out a new driver. The customer finally got
the ok to accept the load and we were finally in the loading dock and had an
empty trailer to take back to the yard.
All the
running around from different customers, not knowing that one would be closed,
the lack of communication would be very frustrating. I can see how easy it
would be to burn out in this job. There is just so much that goes into the
planning of one's time. I know it sounds like a long break, 10 hours, but in
that time you have to sleep, call family/ loved ones, eat, possibly do laundry,
and just get some peace and quiet. I know that I've been exhausted half the
time and I am not even driving. I have been trying to be good and stay awake, I
find it only fair that if Scout has to keep the crazy hours and lack of steady
sleep schedule that I can do it too. I am not always so successful though! One
thing is for sure, it is not so easy sleeping in the bed while the truck is
rolling down the road. It is REALLY bouncy! Good thing I have gotten proficient
in sleeping in the passenger chair :)
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| A little difficult to see, but this is a feedlot with thousands of cows. Kind of a sad sight to see and very stinky. |
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| Our second trip passing Six Flags and Scout STILL wouldn't drop me off! |
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| Random mammoth on the side of the freeway |
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