Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Osseo

Well, all I can say is that I have been running just over a month with my new job here at Johnsrud Transport and I have been rather busy and getting used to the places where there is computer access and having time when I am at those places. It has been a challenge. The largest challenge was the fact that they put me into a truck that had a slob in it before. They tried to act all dumb and say that the guy that had the truck before was a good guy and good driver and that they are just "shocked" that there would be a problem.

That was when I got the Human Resources Director to sit in the bunk of my truck and I shut the door for good measure. He agreed that something had to be done and dispatched my manager at Fargo, Don Depee to tend to the problem by setting up a detailing. This he did and the first time the truck got done it was also wet...too wet to even sit in. So, Don had me take the Yard truck on a Chicago run while he dried the truck out. The yard truck, a 1999 Freightliner, had the AC go out 50 friggin miles into the trip. I toughed it out until I got to Tac in Summit, IL and got my load dropped in the yard and got her parked with some wind coming probably from a toxic waste site as it all smelled like refinery and was hot and muggy as hell. I sat there for 4 hours until a cool breeze came in and then I could retreat to the bunk.

The next day I went up to Milan, WI and could not friggin wait to get this hot air blowing piece of shit back to the Fargo yard so that I could at least get a shower and grab a blanket and pillow and sleep in this truck of mine that I knew would have AC. When I got there, the damn truck was not there and I was pissed. During this whole time, whether I was in the stinky truck or the truck blowing hot air, I was not getting any sleep as it was either hot or stinky. Anyway, I am back in the stinky truck and it still stinks but not as bad as before. We even put inside an odor bomb that would handle odors up to 10,000 square feet. It smelled like bubble gum for a day and then went back to the smell of ass.

The interesting thing is that I was approached by a mechanic and a driver on separate occasions where they told me that my truck was for a period of time occupied by a homeless person. I guess the security was so lack at one point that a homeless dude was able to get hold of a key and sleep in the truck. One of the guys insists that the company is not being forthright about the situation and that maybe I should go to the Labor board. That really would not do me or anyone much good unless I start growing a tail from this odor.

That having been said however, at this point, I have really no complaints. I am running a sorta regional run...I either go to Summit, Il or Des Moines, IA. I grab a back haul when there is one available. I am making pretty good pay for what I do...It compares nicely with Jim Palmer, who, by the way, declared bankruptcy recently. I do not regret leaving that company. They have changed and not for the better. It really has little to do with Jim Palmer himself...it is all the sycophantic losers he has representing his name. They are butt snufflers and have no vision or any ability to survive. They are the company and yet they are the biggest problem. I feel sorry for them.

Anyway, it is so far so good. Hopefully I can keep you updated with my adventures or lack their of. Dedication :)

No comments: