Complete Newbie

[Cruzer63]

Yesterday a.m. I picked up my first load EVER after sitting 5 days....It was, to say the least, a disaster. I got to my location of pickup the load was to big to fit in my van, orders say "do not stack" so I call to find out what to do, an hour and a half passes before someone calls back to say "Just stack it". So they break it down and stack it and I am off. I knew that I would not have enough fuel (or money) to go the distance but my concerns were subsided with " oh don't worry about that, just call in for an advance and we will get that right to you on your card"....NOPE!! I was at the truck stop with a card that didn't work from 4pm until 12 am! Finally get back on the road and it starts POURING rain, It was so bad that I had to "feel" myself of the next exit. I thought to myself "is God trying to tell me something?" This morning at 7 I was load free.... I wanted to quit yesterday but I am going to stick it out and hopefully it will get better from here on out, or maybe I am just not cut out for this, Only time will tell.

 

[Moot]

If you need an advance just to put fuel in a van, I don't think it will get better.

 

[scottm4211]

Very depressing.

 

[Dakota]

Best of luck to you, but if you don't have money for fuel or food, it's gonna be a tough one!!!

 

[cheri1122]

Cruzer: the guys are right: it won't get better, unless you can stick it out long enough to make some money [and save some for those, um, rainy days.]
My question would be how your carrier handled the problems: both the mismatched freight and the nonworking fuel card were caused by someone else dropping the ball. If you feel the carrier did what they could to fix the problems, without throwing you under the bus for the delays, then they're a carrier you can stick with.
Starting out without enough money to run the first load was a blunder - now you're probably stuck until you manage to earn enough to go home, if that's what you choose to do. I'm not blaming you, [circumstances can leave almost anyone flat broke], just pointing out that it's not going to leave you a choice.
The good news is that the errors you couldn't help are not frequent occurrences - the next load will almost definitely be better.
PS Save money!!!

 

[jjoerger]

He did say he sat for 5 days waiting for the first load. I would bet that's where his fuel money went and he would have had enough for fuel had he not been left sitting.

 

[Ragman]

. . . It was so bad that I had to "feel" myself of the next exit.

I know you are a newbie (welcome by the way),
But you might want to re-phrase that.

 

[Dakota]

Hahaha I missed that good catch

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App

 

[paullud]

It was so bad that I had to "feel" myself

I agree with Ragman always take a quick look at what you write but you did say it so.......

You shouldn't be feeling yourself while driving, at least not when it is raining.

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App

 

[Cruzer63]

So true, so true....Note to self....do not feel self while driving....well when its raining at least

I officially feel welcomed

 

[Dakota]

I agree with Ragman always take a quick look at what you write but you did say it so.......

You shouldn't be feeling yourself while driving, at least not when it is raining.

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App

What does the rain have to do with it

 

[crashcart]

We're just noobs to expediting, several years of experience OTR but certainly looking forward to this new opportunity!

 

[Monty]

A tip .... when I load, I ALWAYS get the advance on my card. (At the time of loading)

I can certainly manage without it, but I choose to operate on THEIR money, (yes, it would have been mine next settlement), I use the advance money for all road expenses. That way settlement checks are not destined to pay off a credit card statement.

Trust me, some days yer the bug, somedays yer the windshield!

 

[ntimevan]

I know back in 2003 when i was a real NEWBIE , i learned quickly that after i delivered a load the first THING i did was fill up with FUEL and then found a place to sleep AND then when I got a LOAD call I could leave QUICKLY after going to bathroom . This way i didn't have to worry about waiting for gas money released to me . And i know thats my plan when i reenter the expediting world in 2 weeks .