FRIDAY
10am
Our gray truck was supposed to undergo a quick PM (preventive maintenance) trip through the OC shop this morning. When my co-driver arrived on the property, this morning (7am), he noticed that our rig was still in the same place we left it in. He inquired about it with the maintenance technicians. They were unaware of our appointment, as someone had deleted us from the computer. The error was quickly realized & they got our truck on the floor with due haste.
I had a leisurely breakfast at the motel, while hearing about our situation, via Mr. H. over the phone. My next call was to my DBL (Driver Business Leader - our boss). He was glad that I called. We had 2 loads on our assignment list. One of then was a short run, picking up an hour away & relaying back at the OC. We had to be there at noon. Tick tock. Tick tock.
Bags packed & feeling lively, I took the hotel shuttle back to the OC, after a brief stop off at the airport. My first stop was the maintenance counter to ask how soon our tractor would be ready. The head mechanic read me a laundry list of the various things that had to be repaired or replaced, including something about the steering system. They were forecasting several more hours.
The only way we would be able to service our noon appointment on time would require us to take a different tractor. A loaner truck. It would be for just a few hours & it would be fun. After a series of phone calls & searching, we had ourselves a dilapidated Freightliner Century Class tractor to carry us to a new destination. Mr. H drove first. Now, it's my turn - just as soon as the forklift driver finishes loading us with peach Tazo iced tea. We are in Forest Grove, Oregon.
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