I decided that, just to err on the side of caution, I would scale the load before leaving Montreal. Pulled up to the scale, picked up the phone and was told to pull on the scale and wait for the green light... so I did just that... and waited... and waited...
I decided that, after 2 minutes, I must have either missed the light or the bulb must have blown, so I pulled off and went around to get my ticket. They hadn't done it. They hadn't pressed the button to print the ticket because the store was busy. Now I am a great believer in providing as good a service as I can, and I would, were it me in the store, serve one customer at a time.. This is, however, the Flying J, and it is in Montreal.. Nuff said.
Finally pulled out of there and headed south. Eventually, after playing the usual game of dodgems in Toronto, arrived in the J in London. Thought I best fill up with Fuel as the route I was using was a dry route. Pulled in, filled up and pulled forwards then went in for my coffees to go. I walked back to the truck and this man suddenly started shouting and charging at me. "Go!!" he was shouting. "you must go!! I need to get out!!"
Now, had I been in and used the washrooms, showered, eaten supper or taken a while, maybe I would have been apologetic... MAYBE... But none of the above were the case. What was very much the case was that this driver still had the nozzle in his tank!! While I am much more placid here than I ever was in the UK, I am not going to take this from some foolish little turd, so we got into a little game of pushy/shovey, and I offered him a flask of coffee and he stalked off. It was, to say the least, surreal.
So down to the border, through without queuing or trouble (in Detroit!!!) and onwards toward the drop.
Monday
Finally got empty at lunchtime. No real issue, just busy people and lots of stuff to check off. My reload details were for a 2 pick on Tuesday, so I trundled to the Pilot for a scrub up and supper. I called the shipper and was given the appointment times. 11am and 3pm. No rush at all.
Tuesday
Got to the first collection in Goshen, IN. Walked in and told them what I was there for. You ever get that feeling things are going wrong? They were just starting to load the load.... on another truck!! The brokers had given the load away!!! Now I am pissed. This is not how it is supposed to be at all.
Fair play to Dispatch. They knew I had a situation at home that required attention. I hadn't even found a place to park and I had a new offer. Single collection out of Chicago! Coowel!
Got there at 1:30pm. A load of Portaloos for Edmonton. Took them 5 hours to load it. Finally, I am headed north. I have never seen a sunset such as this one though. Check the pics!! Up to Black River for fuel and caffeine and it is onwards and upwards.
Wednesday
I figured I would just call the Customs Broker. It was the best of the Brokers so I was sure there would be no issue, but it is always smart just to be sure. Yep, a problem.. Now this is the difference between a good broker and a bad one. The charming lady told me exactly what she needed and I called the shipper. OK, they are going to sort it out. Half an hour later, the broker calls me to say she hasn't got the info yet. She asked for the shippers number then called them, sorted that out and had the entire thing in and cleared within 3 hours, then called me to tell me it was done. That is really good service..
Up to the border, through no sweat, over the scale at Emerson and home.
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