I had the worst day in my expediting career last Friday. Let me tell you about it, I need to vent. lol
Started Friday morning, arrived at receiver early but they weren't open. Was a 6 am delivery but they don't open until 6:30 am. Not a real problem because shipper was aware I was on site at 3 am already.
After delivery I went to Walmart in Carol Stream IL. There was some construction going on so I parked far from the building. Soon they were forklifts and people working all around me. So I moved. Next place I parked, after a short time, there's dump trucks lining up in front of me. Again I was in the wrong spot. Finally just moved over to KMart.
About 4:30 pm I get a call for a p/u right in Carol Stream where I'm sitting. Only problem is its a 20:00 p/u. So, checked GPS and found a Camping World only 20 miles away, had plenty of time and needed to get my roof vent installation materials. Started going there, never considered traffic. Took over 1 1/2 hours to travel the 20 miles. Another 1 1/2 hours to get back to shipper.
Arrived at shipper 20 minutes early, at 19:40. Went in and found the truck bringing the load from a different warehouse was running late. Finally got loaded at almost 22:00 almost a 2 hour delay. Then being an automotive load the skid didn't fit. So take off the top layer and put it back on when I get to the receiver in Romulus MI.
Now I start heading to MI and I notice that my alternator output is low and getting lower. Ran as few accessories as possible to conserve batteries. No a/c, no radio and lights only after dusk. Looking at milage to Romulus, figured if I could get within 100 miles from there that AAA would tow me there. Then I figured I'd use my Progressive insurance roadside assistance to get towed from receiver to repair facility. Truck stopped running 99 miles from receiver! Called for flatbed wrecker, loaded van and gave address that I wanted to be towed to. Then about 8 miles from receiver, the flatbed wrecker blows both right side rear tires! Forgot to mention that the van with the freight weighed about 9,500#. OOP's
So we get tires replaced and continue to receiver. Finally get there, jump start my van and back off wrecker and up the receivers ramp. Left truck running, unload freight, add back the top layer that was removed. About that time van stops running again, give it a push and roll down ramp and as far out of the way as possible.
I noticed right across the street a bunch of expedite trucks from Express 1, Panther and others. Walked over there and it's Interstate Truck Source. They agree to fix my van, sitting across the street, at about noon. Managed to get my windows open so I could nap while waiting.
They arrive at 11:44 with new alternator to install. Get old one off and new one almost back on, now the sky's are getting dark. Not quite done and it starts pouring rain, not enough power in my batteries to even close my windows! Quick hooked up jumper cables, got windows closed and waited. Rain stopped shortly and finished repairs. Went across the street and paid for the repairs.
By this time I'd had enough! Didn't even call dispatch, just started going home. Lucky me, got to Chicago right at 16:30 just in time for rush hour. Finally got home and besides putting a battery charger on, I'm not touching the van again until I get a call on Monday.
Got it handled but what a lousy day! Got home, took a shower, grabbed the wife and went out for a late fish fry. Went to a wedding on Saturday and doing nothing today. Things have been normal since getting home on Friday.. Thank God! Thanks for listening. Bill
Started Friday morning, arrived at receiver early but they weren't open. Was a 6 am delivery but they don't open until 6:30 am. Not a real problem because shipper was aware I was on site at 3 am already.
After delivery I went to Walmart in Carol Stream IL. There was some construction going on so I parked far from the building. Soon they were forklifts and people working all around me. So I moved. Next place I parked, after a short time, there's dump trucks lining up in front of me. Again I was in the wrong spot. Finally just moved over to KMart.
About 4:30 pm I get a call for a p/u right in Carol Stream where I'm sitting. Only problem is its a 20:00 p/u. So, checked GPS and found a Camping World only 20 miles away, had plenty of time and needed to get my roof vent installation materials. Started going there, never considered traffic. Took over 1 1/2 hours to travel the 20 miles. Another 1 1/2 hours to get back to shipper.
Arrived at shipper 20 minutes early, at 19:40. Went in and found the truck bringing the load from a different warehouse was running late. Finally got loaded at almost 22:00 almost a 2 hour delay. Then being an automotive load the skid didn't fit. So take off the top layer and put it back on when I get to the receiver in Romulus MI.
Now I start heading to MI and I notice that my alternator output is low and getting lower. Ran as few accessories as possible to conserve batteries. No a/c, no radio and lights only after dusk. Looking at milage to Romulus, figured if I could get within 100 miles from there that AAA would tow me there. Then I figured I'd use my Progressive insurance roadside assistance to get towed from receiver to repair facility. Truck stopped running 99 miles from receiver! Called for flatbed wrecker, loaded van and gave address that I wanted to be towed to. Then about 8 miles from receiver, the flatbed wrecker blows both right side rear tires! Forgot to mention that the van with the freight weighed about 9,500#. OOP's
So we get tires replaced and continue to receiver. Finally get there, jump start my van and back off wrecker and up the receivers ramp. Left truck running, unload freight, add back the top layer that was removed. About that time van stops running again, give it a push and roll down ramp and as far out of the way as possible.
I noticed right across the street a bunch of expedite trucks from Express 1, Panther and others. Walked over there and it's Interstate Truck Source. They agree to fix my van, sitting across the street, at about noon. Managed to get my windows open so I could nap while waiting.
They arrive at 11:44 with new alternator to install. Get old one off and new one almost back on, now the sky's are getting dark. Not quite done and it starts pouring rain, not enough power in my batteries to even close my windows! Quick hooked up jumper cables, got windows closed and waited. Rain stopped shortly and finished repairs. Went across the street and paid for the repairs.
By this time I'd had enough! Didn't even call dispatch, just started going home. Lucky me, got to Chicago right at 16:30 just in time for rush hour. Finally got home and besides putting a battery charger on, I'm not touching the van again until I get a call on Monday.
Got it handled but what a lousy day! Got home, took a shower, grabbed the wife and went out for a late fish fry. Went to a wedding on Saturday and doing nothing today. Things have been normal since getting home on Friday.. Thank God! Thanks for listening. Bill
