STRUGGLE FOR JUST A LITTLE T.A.H.

Whenever I talk to new Choice contractors, I always warn them that it's risky to plan more than two loads in advance. Frustrating things often happen that derail the best-intended itineraries. 

     Well, I didn't take my own advice. While I was on my 34-hour-restart, near Dallas, I spent part of my leisure time planning new loads & calculating the details of each hour of the next 4 days. I knew that my brain-labor might be a futile task, but I was alright with that. It's fun. The things I do for money provide me great pleasure. 

   My first load went smoothly & profitably. When I got to Aurora Colorado, that's where my troubles began. My shipper was having their own challenges that day & took 6 hours to load my trailer. My trip plan only allowed for 3 hours. The next load would be in jeopardy. I really wanted that next load because it would bring me through home. So, I got out my notebook and scribbled out a plan to run at night. Doing so would mitigate my delay at the shipper, saving the next load. 

   It wasn't easy to flip my schedule so suddenly. I had to take several nap breaks along the way. Safety is not just a slogan; I truly mean it. 

  Delivery to my customer, in Excelsior Springs, went like most others, except that they didn't have an empty trailer to trade for my loaded one. Having one hour on my 14-hour clock, I hoped like crazy that Schneider box planners would locate an empty trailer for me wishing a reasonable distance. My next shipper was also in Excelsior Springs & I had a plan to sleep there, after they got me loaded. Bad news: the box planners sent  me to Kansas City to find an empty trailer. I communicated that following  their instructions would cause me to miss my 7am - 11am appointment, but I could show up that evening. I would have to take a 10-hour break at the Schneider yard in Kansas City. The shipper was alright with my plan; they kept me on the load. 

   All went according to the new plan. My shipper got me loaded quickly. The next few hours of driving went fast. I was happy to arrive home, although it was much later than hoped for.

     Inebriated drivers were plentiful in Springfield Missouri tonight. A car almost ran into me & later, I saw the cleanup from a significant crash. It was midnight when I pulled up to my favorite parking spot. Everyone was in bed. Regina woke just enough to greet me. I took a much-needed shower immediately. Now that I've scribbled out a little punctuated graffiti, I'm ready to go to bed. No edits or proofreading. Goodnight.