Double the Business -- But only Half as Much Time!

I know it's going to get better, but I feel like a one-armed paperhanger. It is a relief to get in the truck and just go drive somewhere - like Montgomery, AL where I am tonite preparing to deliver some pipe to a sign company.

It took a bit longer last week to get everything in order for my new driver. There were some minor complications with his truck and repairs were needed to get the DOT inspection. That happened Friday. He is pulling my old trailer and that also had some issues that took until Friday to fix. That and about $400! And that doesn't include the new tires it needs. But it is in service for the moment and making money.

We got Mike a load Thursday evening going up to Minnesota. WAY up in Minnesota. He was about 90 miles south of Canada. And his first load required tarps. I gave him mine. In fact I went with him to load and showed him some things.

Mike has no Over-The-Road driving experience but he was in the construction biz for 20+ years and has lots of experience towing gooseneck trailers with equiptment. But best of all, he has the right attitude. And that's worth a ton. So we spent alot of time going over log books and DOT scales and expectations and an assortment of other stuff. He is on information overload at this point but I am a phone call away so, no worries. I added him to my "A-List" so we now talk for free.

He finally got on the road Sunday and made the delivery Monday morning. I hooked him up with a Jeep that moved him back south to Madison, WI and then three skids out of the Chicago area brought him thru STL tonight. He will deliver those skids in the morning and then we need to address those tires.

I had a local trip Monday and then loaded this pipe this morning. I will deliver this first thing tomorrow and then go 90 miles back north to Birmingham where I load more pipe with a stops in Indianapolis and St. Louis.

I was also busy last week soliciting new shippers. I had contact with five different companies and have actually done business ALREADY with two of them. I am VERY excited about this part of our growth. I hope to get enough activity directly with shippers (no brokers) to keep 4-5 drivers working getting OUT of STL and then use the load boards to get them back home.

But right now it's beddy-by time. I have another early day and 600 miles to go tomorrow!