idle percentage

If they can be broken (and they can) I ain't placing myself at risk. Sleep, food and being clean make a driver safer. Cmon, you've had to have been at some sketchy truckstops.
If they want me to empty my truck for hometime, so be it. I don't run the truck to run it. Lots do. Swift likes to keep their drivers going short when hours are short. Long time parked with short time runnin makes high idle.

 

A couple years ago I was written up for my idle time.
What's happened since?
I idle the same, and I seldom hear about it any more. I don't think it has even been mentioned in the past year.

I'm doing a 34 right now, and in the NM desert I am idling the truck to stay cool.

I've been with Swift for 3.5 years, and it seems my idle time is always too high.
I don't worry about it any more. I idle as I need to.
If they want to fire me over it I'll just go someplace else that has APU's. With my time here and my safety record I'd not have a problem doing so, and they probably realize that.
I'm 99+% on time, my fuel mileage is right where they want it, I run decent miles, my safety score is very high and get along with my DM's. Those things are far more important than an idle time %.

 

Ive never had any trouble and im am only a 150 pound guy. No one has attacked me through my screenslol

 

When I was doing regional around Texas a few years ago, we had a hot early spring, well into the high 80s and 90s in April. My DM called me in and said that she had to write me up for my high ildle in April, it was in the mid 40%. I read it, looked at her and said,

" You need to put in there that my idle will up in May, June, July, August, September, and possibly October as well. I drive in Texas where it is hot 24/7 during the spring, summer and fall. I will not try to sleep in a pool of sweat. When you add those months to the written, I will sign it."

You know, another word was never said to me about my high idle.

Stay comfortable, rest well. be safe!

 

And that's the thing.
You HAVE to stand up for yourself. You can't let them dictate to you.

They have to realize that they have more to lose than do we.

Swift HAS to maintain a high CSA rating, as does any company.
That means they really need the longer term drivers to stay aboard.

Relying on newbies can't do it for them, because it is the new drivers that have the most accidents and are late more often.
They also tear up equipment, which costs them big time in the long run.


You know, I never actually saw the write up. I never signed it.
I was just told about it during one month's report.
I seldom get to my home terminal. I've only been there maybe 4 or 5 times in all these years.

I need to get there in the next month or so, so my DM can meet my next oldest daughter. She's coming on the truck with me in a couple weeks, and I really want my DM to meet her.
He had the chance to meet Luana, my eldest little one, a couple years ago. She was going into her sophomore year in high school, and he took the time to explain what 'sophomore' actually meant.
'The Wise Fool'...
We all got a good laugh.

 

The APU does work wonders.

 

I am just gonna be honest with you. No offense intended by this. In all honesty, your DM doesn't care about who they meet. Seriously, all they care about you being safe, and delivering that freight on time. Sad as that may seem. It's actually true.

 

I have the Breezeway screens for my Volvo. I love them. I sleep soundly with them in my windows.

Yes, someone can smash in the screens. They can just as easily smash the door window. Either one will make enough noise to wake me from a sound sleep.

 

If some has a big enough set , you waking up isn't really gonna bother them a whole lot.
It might even turn robbery into assault.


Locks on door really will only keep a half honest person out , a real thief is gonna get in regardless.
Just sayin....

 

That's my point. There's not a whole lot of difference in security between having the windows closed, and having the screens in place.