ATLANTA ALL DAY

Last night, after I delivered my load, I deadheaded 18 miles to Schneider's Atlanta operating center. It was midnight. Freight was scarce. We vigilantly kept an eye on our computer to watch for a new work assignment. It was late in the morning before we received any word of what would contribute to our next paycheck. It was a lousy load, yet we found it acceptable since it allowed me to reset my hours. After 34 hours in the sleeper and/or off duty, a driver's 70 hour allotment is reset. This has been the law since 2004 & we have enjoyed it very much. Since the freight has been so poor lately, my co-driver incidentally reset his hours, while mine dwindled to less than 20. Lopsided situation.

To pass the time, I finished a movie; watched television game shows; talked to friends; & explored the entire electrified perimeter of the operating center. It was John's turn to have the truck to himself. During extended parking situations, we try not to both be in the truck at the same time. Separation from each other allows the teaming experience to be much more palatable.

My co-driver called to inform me that our supervisor wanted me to call in. After just a few years on the job, a driver can generally be assured that this is code for "a random drug test." This is exactly what it turned out to be. I had to be at the occupational clinic within two hours, or face termination from my job. That's the law. Instead of taking & keeping the company car for an hour, an office worker drove me. Since so many drivers were needing transportation to/from various important places today, shuttling was the only practical solution. Getting picked up after my drug test was a lengthy ordeal, however. It took more than an hour to be picked up after I called in, asking for a ride. The extended waiting time wasn't an entire waste, though. A fellow driver & I became fast friends. Eric is an owner operator & was at the clinic to have his fractured hand examined.

It will be midnight, here soon. My co-driver has been driving for about an hour. We had to adjust our normal work shifts by a couple hours earlier than usual, to accommodate my reset & provide on-time service to our customer.

Hunter will begin second-grade tomorrow. He & his brother had to go to bed at 9. They were slightly less than pleased about this. School days are here. Forest will begin preschool on Thursday.