Monday, December 07, 2009

United Parcel Servant

While on this UPS run, we don't have a lot of time to screw around. Just stopping for fuel can take anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes, so we do everything we can to make sure we maximize our stopping time. If we're stopping for fuel, we'll also fill the water tanks, mail our trip sheets or pop into the store to get anything we might have forgotten when shopping. Sometimes we're just in the mood for a snack we don't have in the truck or maybe instead of cooking, we decide to go to Wendy's or some other fast food joint. Whatever it is, it all has to be done at the same time.

UPS is very particular about their pick-up and delivery times. If they say your delivery time is 6:17 a.m., they mean 6:17 a.m. You have to call if you're going to be even fifteen minutes late. And each leg of the trip doesn't allow for a whole lot of dilly-dally time. F
or instance, the first leg of this last trip was 1,770 miles. They give us thirty-three hours to do that in. We do fifty-eight miles per hour. Do the math.

So other than stopping for fuel, the only thing that takes time are bathroom breaks. Now of course it's not a problem for the person not driving since we have a bathroom in the truck, and Ed, well he can go for an ungodly amount of time before he has to use the facilities. Me? I have to pee all the time, so when I'm driving, I have to time my stops.

The other night when I was driving, I heard a noise coming from the back of the sleeper; Ed was up and moving around, so I bellowed for him. He came up front and I asked if he would get me something to drink. He came back with a half-filled drink container of fruit punch flavored Crystal Light. I looked at him and said, "Uh, can you fill it up?"

He said, "Can't you just drink this?"

"No, I want a full container, because you're going to go back to sleep and then I'll have nothing." I said.


"Yeah, but then you're going to have to pee and we don't have time to stop." he said.

"Well, if you don't fill it, I'm going to have to stop anyway and do it myself, which is going to waste even more time. And, wait...what are you saying? You're denying me a beverage because I might have to pee??" I said.

He reluctantly filled the drink bottle and handed it back to me. Then I think I heard him mutter something under his breath.

I swear I heard him say, Vhat? You're thirsty? You vill get some vater vhen you get to your destination, fräulein. Now drive!!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO:
Whizzing Through Dallas
2 YEARS AGO:
Eddie With The Luscious Kisser Friday
3 YEARS AGO:
’Tis The Season To Be Tweety
4 YEARS AGO:
Cat Fiiiiiight!!!

4 comments:

Gil said...

I thought that the UPS run sounded like a good deal at first because you didn't have those long layovers waiting for the next load. The more I hear about it, the only good deal is you might get some bills paid. God bless you two and be careful!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Gil, This run doesn't require any strapping, chains, or tarping and it is consistent, but it makes up for all of that in the amount of miles we drive. Plus we like that we are playing "Santa" delivering presents all over the country. It is always good to know that what you are doing is making a difference one way or another.
-Ed

Anonymous said...

As always, really interesting stuff! I like the insider information...! Wish I had some really interesting paralegal tidbits for you. Alas... LOL
B in Dallas

Unknown said...

When I am taking a longish drive in the car, I just keep a water bottle nearby and sip once in a while. That way I only stop for gas when I have to and pee. Ed's dad keeps a coffee going continuously! To each his own!...
Ed's mom