A Really Cool Run

[jackdixon_2000]

I must admit that after 6 1/2 years running team and the last 7 months running solo I yearn for those long runs to far off distant places again.

I recall getting caught up in that bogus adventure a few months ago and wishin it was me on that run from Seattle to Newfoundland. Just to be dissapointed to learn it was all just a fantasy

Well, anyway I am aware of a couple cool loads this week. One was from N Carolina to Elmandorf AFB, Alaska. But the one I would love is the one picking up tomorrow near Seattle and going to Masset, B.C
That is about a 1200 mile run to Prince Rupert, BC then a 6 hour ferry trip to the Queen Charlotte Islands and up to the little fishing village of Masset (population 976)

I was just wondering how many people would take this load even if the overall pay per mile worked out to a lil less then their normal expectations?

PS, I do have proof that these runs are real this time. If another fedex driver wants to PM me I will give you the run number

 

[tec1959]

Hi all I can say Is COOL.....An yes I'd take the run just to say I've been their and done that LOL.....

 

[RobA]

>I must admit that after 6 1/2 years running team and the
>last 7 months running solo I yearn for those long runs to
>far off distant places again.
>
>I But the
>one I would love is the one picking up tomorrow near Seattle
>and going to Masset, B.C
>That is about a 1200 mile run to Prince Rupert, BC then a 6
>hour ferry trip to the Queen Charlotte Islands and up to the
>little fishing village of Masset (population 976)
>



I'm always amazed that shippers would book a load like that.
The freight charges must be horrendus.
I'm sure there is a local carrier who hauls fish to Vancouver and back hauls stuff that needs to go into that area. It's probably a one man show thus rather hard to find.
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/ron_grieve/dec2002/dec30/rg150.jpg

Air freight might be cheaper.
Maybe it's a US Government run; they have lots of money to burn.

 

[jackdixon_2000]

I agree, but tne many stories that could be told of expedite loads that we have hauled, would be amazing to the outsiders. But shippers have their reasons. Whether it be hazardous material that can't go by air, extremely fragile, high value, security issues etc. thats what keeps us busy.

As someone who was in the airfreight trucking business for 8 years before comming to Roberts I was always amazed to see the disreguard freight handlers had in loading and unloading onto "pie plates" and LD 3's etc. and as far as shipping LTL we have all seen how beat up that freight looks, very often, by the time the customer receives it.

We sometimes even get loads where they send two trucks on the same shipment (usually reefer) in case one breaks down. I have even hauled a load from Los Angeles area to Sacramento of government brochures that had to be there the next morning. My load was a whole second load backup of 10 skids to be delivered if the primary truck broke down. After he delivered his shipmentt I had to return mine to L A to be shredded and recycled. (A late delivery would have jeopardized a new multimillion dollar contract


And, yes there is also plenty of waste, often the receivers had no idea a particular shipment was comming and also wonder why it was expedited.

Anyway, for the newbies or people curious about expediting maybe this is helpful information

 

[RichM]

Cool runs are nice but breakdowns in the boondocks can make you question your sanity. I knew a Roberts guy out of Cleveland who took a run to Alaska. On the way back the alternator went out. By the time he got a new one the overall cost was over $1100.
Best one I ever did was from Brooklyn NY to St John's Newfundland. Drove to Sidney Nova Scotia then an overnight ferry to Newfundland.
We has a shipment of the drug AZT that is used to treat people with Aids. Apparently the Canadians don't practice safe sex either. EH

 

[LDB]

I would take the Alaska run because I've always wanted to go there, provided it wasn't a money loser to go there and back. It wouldn't have to make as much profit as a typical run but would still have to make some. I know some will think that's not smart but that's my choice.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[davekc]

The Alaska trip which I have posted before, was our longest trip. It was a long engine part for Carnival Cruise lines. We took it from Miami to Anchorage. Waited a day, and took the damaged one back to Miami. It had fuel in part of it so it couldn't be flown.









Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[TJ959]

We're all in this to make money but you have to stop to smell the roses sometimes too. I think I'd take an Alaska run at a loss just to see the place and everything in between. That's only the first time though. I wouldn't have done it in my D truck but my Sprinter is cheaper to operate as long as it doesn't break.

 

[davekc]

I agree. We took numerous runs to certain locations because we wanted to go there, verses a revenue issue. I can't say I regret any of those runs. You have to have fun out there.









Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[TeamCaffee]

We would have also jumped on both of those runs just for the experience. Boy Dave you did have the ultimate with a return load!!

 

[ATeam]

Diane and I would take a long run to an unusual place for tourist fun, even if the run paid marginal money to go; but not until after our truck is paid for. First things first.

 

[davekc]

>We would have also jumped on both of those runs just for the
>experience. Boy Dave you did have the ultimate with a
>return load!!
====================================
They were great back in the day! Just the right place at the right time. Never has happened since... but you keep the memories.

Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[guest]

DaveKc sounds like you had some great ones too. RichM I did one to St. John's and few year's back, I thought it was Funnie when we got to North Sidney where you got on the ferry, there was a chicken shop Called (Lick a Chic) with a Guy/Manican on a Bike on top of the building. I got a great picture of it because I thought it was funnie.

Drive safe

Dave Mayfield
FEDExCC/Roberts Express O/O Since 3/1/1995
C1847,C2045,D3397,D5047

 

[Streakn1]

What ever happened with that "Really Cool Run" to Masset,BC? Never heard any updates as to how the ferry ride went our what the island was like. I'm sure many like myself are curious to hear how things went. Were there any problems along the way or did things go smoothly? It would be nice to know if the load ever comes up again. Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[jackdixon_2000]

Well, I really didn't want to talk about this but the cool run turned into a load from hell. Just briefly, the first truck that picked up the load had a border problem and another truck was dispatched to transfer the load at the border. That caused an 8 hour delay. Then after getting about 700 miles into British Columbia they were ordered to turn around and take the load back to the Vancouver area. I suspect that the ferry may have already been fully booked and they may have had to fly it out of Vancouver but I do not know that. The bright side is that the second truck did get 1500 loaded miles from Vancouver up and back

 

[Tennesseahawk]

That scenario would cause me to think a contract has been broken. You are given a BOL, which is signed, thus making a contract. You're contracted to do so many miles, and thus be paid for those miles. If they change their minds midway thru the load, shouldn't you be paid for what was agreed upon at the time you signed that BOL?

"If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." - Kansas