There are those in expediting who enjoy the paid-tourist aspects of the trade. This is for them.
If you do not have shore power in your truck, think about adding it. Our new truck has it. Shore power is opening a whole new world to us on the road.
As I write this, Diane and I are in service, waiting for our next load. We're in a KOA campground in Twin Falls, Idaho. RV and tent campers are all around us. Vehicle idling and generator use are prohibited here. Thus, except for distant highway noise, it is quiet.
It is about 11:00 PM local time. The sun is down for the night. A cool evening breeze carries smells of grilled food in the air. We have the lift gate open and two feet off the ground. Tonight, the lift gate serves as our deck. We're sitting on it in lawn chairs. Diane is reading a book. I'm writing this.
Light to read by comes from the fluorescent lights in our reefer body. As people stroll by, some stop to ask about FedEx Custom Critical, the truck, and the work we do. I've passed out three copies of "Expedite NOW" and "Introduction to Expediting" articles so far. I
We delivered in Twin Falls late last night (Friday). Friday midnight in Idaho is not a good time and place to expect load offers. We're about 400 miles from Reno, which is a busy express center for our carrier. It is a virtual certainty that we'll get offers for loads picking up in Reno when a shipper there opens for business on Monday.
In the past, we would have driven to Reno over the weekend and probably hung out at the Petro truck stop here. With shore power, we have other options. Instead of driving to Reno and idling the truck there or running the generator if the truck was generator equipped, we'll spend some time in and around Twin Falls, using shore power to stay comfortable.
If freight bubbles up over the weekend, we'll roll on the load. If not, we'll show up in Reno sometime Monday.
This is the second time we've "camped" while waiting for freight. We haven't gotten the RV thing totally figured out yet, but we're leaning fast. The campground has a pool, showers, huge bowls of ice cream (the real stuff) for sale for a dollar, free Wi-Fi access and other amenities.
Amenities are nice but more than anything else, I am totally loving the fact that this weekend, the wear and tear on our truck that would otherwise come from idling or running the generator is zero. Zero wear and tear on the engine or generator and a quiet weekend too. Also, the sounds of children and birds are a welcome change from the sounds of shower announcements and trucks.
On the horizon, I can see the sign for the Flying J that sits on I-84 at exit 173. We could stay there for free or stay here for $29 a night. Here is better. Shore power makes it possible.
If you do not have shore power in your truck, think about adding it. Our new truck has it. Shore power is opening a whole new world to us on the road.
As I write this, Diane and I are in service, waiting for our next load. We're in a KOA campground in Twin Falls, Idaho. RV and tent campers are all around us. Vehicle idling and generator use are prohibited here. Thus, except for distant highway noise, it is quiet.
It is about 11:00 PM local time. The sun is down for the night. A cool evening breeze carries smells of grilled food in the air. We have the lift gate open and two feet off the ground. Tonight, the lift gate serves as our deck. We're sitting on it in lawn chairs. Diane is reading a book. I'm writing this.
Light to read by comes from the fluorescent lights in our reefer body. As people stroll by, some stop to ask about FedEx Custom Critical, the truck, and the work we do. I've passed out three copies of "Expedite NOW" and "Introduction to Expediting" articles so far. I
We delivered in Twin Falls late last night (Friday). Friday midnight in Idaho is not a good time and place to expect load offers. We're about 400 miles from Reno, which is a busy express center for our carrier. It is a virtual certainty that we'll get offers for loads picking up in Reno when a shipper there opens for business on Monday.
In the past, we would have driven to Reno over the weekend and probably hung out at the Petro truck stop here. With shore power, we have other options. Instead of driving to Reno and idling the truck there or running the generator if the truck was generator equipped, we'll spend some time in and around Twin Falls, using shore power to stay comfortable.
If freight bubbles up over the weekend, we'll roll on the load. If not, we'll show up in Reno sometime Monday.
This is the second time we've "camped" while waiting for freight. We haven't gotten the RV thing totally figured out yet, but we're leaning fast. The campground has a pool, showers, huge bowls of ice cream (the real stuff) for sale for a dollar, free Wi-Fi access and other amenities.
Amenities are nice but more than anything else, I am totally loving the fact that this weekend, the wear and tear on our truck that would otherwise come from idling or running the generator is zero. Zero wear and tear on the engine or generator and a quiet weekend too. Also, the sounds of children and birds are a welcome change from the sounds of shower announcements and trucks.
On the horizon, I can see the sign for the Flying J that sits on I-84 at exit 173. We could stay there for free or stay here for $29 a night. Here is better. Shore power makes it possible.
