I saw a quote recently from someone saying that there are few pleasant surprises in expediting. That got me to thinking and I'm not so sure that is true. If you maintain a mindset that is open to receiving them, there are quite a few pleasant surprises in this business.
Last Sunday, we were laid over in Seattle expecting no load offers until Monday at the earliest. We had delivered Friday. It was a pleasant surprise to receive an offer for an immediate pick up around Sunday noon and roll on a good-paying load.
It was a pleasant surprise to receive that offer from an agent who had never done business with us before. He happened to need a truck. We happened to be available. He found us on the board.
The trip was to Las Vegas. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that the significant amount of high-altitude driving we would do would be in good weather and on dry roads.
The route took us south on US-93 in Nevada. While I have driven that stretch several times before, it was a pleasant surprise to see the landscape lit up by the rising sun, creating some spectacular sights.
When we arrived at the martialling yard on this trade-show load, it was a pleasant surprise to be told that we were expected and had been slotted to go straight to the convention center where people would be waiting for us. We were also told that we would not have to return to the martialling yard after delivery (often a requirement on such runs).
When we got to the convention center, it was a pleasant surprise to be met by someone who said a forklift would unload us on the street instead of us having to maneuver into and wait for an indoor, second-story dock.
When we went to the TA to fuel and wait for our next load, it was a pleasant surprise to meet and visit with another expediter couple who we had met once before.
None of these pleasant surprises were expected or deserved. I guess that's why they call them surprises. This business is full of pleasant surprises if you are open to seeing and appreciating them.
What pleasant surprises have you had in the last 48 hours?
Last Sunday, we were laid over in Seattle expecting no load offers until Monday at the earliest. We had delivered Friday. It was a pleasant surprise to receive an offer for an immediate pick up around Sunday noon and roll on a good-paying load.
It was a pleasant surprise to receive that offer from an agent who had never done business with us before. He happened to need a truck. We happened to be available. He found us on the board.
The trip was to Las Vegas. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that the significant amount of high-altitude driving we would do would be in good weather and on dry roads.
The route took us south on US-93 in Nevada. While I have driven that stretch several times before, it was a pleasant surprise to see the landscape lit up by the rising sun, creating some spectacular sights.
When we arrived at the martialling yard on this trade-show load, it was a pleasant surprise to be told that we were expected and had been slotted to go straight to the convention center where people would be waiting for us. We were also told that we would not have to return to the martialling yard after delivery (often a requirement on such runs).
When we got to the convention center, it was a pleasant surprise to be met by someone who said a forklift would unload us on the street instead of us having to maneuver into and wait for an indoor, second-story dock.
When we went to the TA to fuel and wait for our next load, it was a pleasant surprise to meet and visit with another expediter couple who we had met once before.
None of these pleasant surprises were expected or deserved. I guess that's why they call them surprises. This business is full of pleasant surprises if you are open to seeing and appreciating them.
What pleasant surprises have you had in the last 48 hours?
