Surprise misadventure
Emp/tailcone kit showed up today right on schedule. Actually, it was quite a bit ahead of schedule, as I had requested Van?s to hold shipment until mid-Sep to give me some get ready time. Eh?it happens. No biggie.
What WAS a biggie though, was that the shipper ? which herein shall remain nameless ? appears to have used my precious in a loading dock forklift hockey match. When the big white truck with the purple and red logos dispensed my prize, I found one long side of the crate was fairly well stove in, half the top was popped off, only held in place by the steel straps, one end was busted clear across, and one of the bottom skids was torn completely away, gone. Gee, fellas?nice work.
So all my planned opening activities, to be accomplished in a serene and orderly manner at a slightly later date, were flung into the maelstrom and I spent the day in panic mode trying to get a tally on the carnage for the claim to be filed. Did I mention it was 100 degrees in Chino today? Not much joy.
Anti-climax. In spite of all gross indications to the contrary, there was no damage. Zip.
Previously in this thread, Dvalcik mentioned the DVDs showing how to build an RV-12. I have those and have watched them more than once. This is not an endorsement, but in fact one unexpected benefit I gained from them was that as I was checking though the kit for damage, I already knew what parts were what because I?d seen them all before. Familiarity made the task much easier and quicker.
I sure hope Van?s finishes putting their new web site up soon. I?d like to see the faces and know the names of the folks who pack and ship the kits. I give them all the credit for the safe arrival today, despite the outer crate having suffered a withering volley of slings and arrows and forklifts (Oh, MY!). They?ve got good stuff ? heroes. Thank you.