Swift home time question

I usually take 3-4 days off, depending on how you want to calculate the time.
I don't count the day I get in or the day I get out, because I worked those days.
If I come in on a Friday then I take Saturday through Monday, then come back around noon on Tuesday.
I consider that 3 days.

If you calculate it from the hour in to the hour out, it would be considered ~4 days.

But I only consider the days that show 00:00 hours worked for that day as a home time day.
That is how my first DM did it, and I have stuck to it.


Those terminals that want to penalize drivers by making them turn in their truck after 2 days should be abandoned by all the drivers working there.
After all, it's not that difficult to change your home terminal.
It's not fair.
They say it is because they can't let a truck sit for so long. But if the drivers at those terminals would take home times every 2 weeks with 2 days off, how would the truck be sitting any longer with drivers taking 4 days after 4 weeks?
???

And that is another way to fight back.
If they only allow 2 days, then take 2 days every 2 weeks.
That would throw a wrench into the works because it would tie up the planners time trying to get everyone home that often. They'd go nuts!
There are ways to fight back, if only enough would do it to make a difference.

 

I don't know either.
From what I have gathered it means that they will try to route you closer to home earlier, to make it easier to get you there on time.

But I am just getting in to some home time after 5 weeks out.
No planner had anything to do with it, since I was working a Target account. But they got me here right on time.

I delivered my home time load at 1930 today on the 19th, and my PTA was set (by someone) for the 22nd at 0800, just before I delivered. (The planners expect... LOL)
To me, that's 2 days off and back very early. (And I have to arrange a ride back to the terminal, so early might not be possible.)
And I didn't have the hours to get home tonight. It will have to wait until tomorrow.

So when I did my mt call I set my PTA for tonight at 2357, which should keep me off the grid until I can call my DM on Monday to set it when I want.
The truck is going into the shop tomorrow anyway. I need some deer suicide damage fixed, and they are closed on Sunday.

I just kind of laugh when they set my PTA for such a short time.
My DM never has a problem with when I want to return. Maybe because I usually short myself at least a day that is DUE me.

But trying to 'grant' me 2 days after 5 weeks out is just insulting.
They should have set it for 5 days out, and waited for me to complain that I only want 3!
Because I was planning to come back on the 23rd.

But now, just to spite them and because I have lots of cash on hand, I might just push it way out until the 24th.

 

My understanding about the change in home time policy is that it has more to do with how the automated system flags your home time request to make it easier for planners to focus on making sure you are within range of getting home on the day you requested. I'm not aware of any changes in home time policy itself.

As others have noted I think how many days you take for home time will depend on your relationship with your DM. I live right about 50 miles from my home terminal. First time I took home time I had to leave the truck at the terminal, and that was a pain as my wife had to come pick me up and then drop me off. After that I got permission to bobtail home. Also, once they understand that I'm about running hard out on the road they never said anything about turning in the truck when I requested 3-4 days off. I do keep in touch with my DM and Driver Development during my home time and make sure they know my PTA. Home time for me is a time for recharging and getting ready to take a new trainee out for a month or so.

 

they aren't penalising you

that truck makes the company a grand total of $0 per day wit it parked at home and they have bills to pay and they have bills that truck needs to pay

they can give it to somebody who will make them money because odds are their vehicle is down for whatever reason making no money

 

See there is a big issue I have right there.

I understand that a truck in my driveway is making zero dollars but how about the people they let sit for a few days in a truck stop because planners have there head up their butts ? Still making zero dollars but yet isnt asked to be handed in ?

Now if its loaded thats a bit different . A few weeks ago for what ever reason they gave me like almost 4 1/2 days for a 900 mile load that was a drop on the end . I asked and asked to get something to cover the weekend and got NO response . So I busted my ### got it there way early and left it sit empty with no load on it all . Did it make any difference ? Probably no , but I wasnt asked to turn it in either .

They only want the truck turned back in when it conveniences them....

 

you answered your own question, its only if it conviences them

I don't believe that a planner will INTENTIONALLY allow a driver to sit at a truck stop, if there is no load in the convient area then there is no load in the convienient area, if the only thing close to you is a Team load and you are solo then you are NOT getting it. if the closest load to you is going to somebody else because its their load home then he's getting it. You would hate it if your load going home was given to somebody else

it you have 4 and a half days to get there then you have 4 and a half days to get there, its scheduled to be there then, showing up 2 days early is inconvient, many places refuse loads that early, especially if its a live unload

and if you just so happen to get a free 34 while on the road then get excited, I do. I love 8 to 10 hour detentions because I get my break out of the way and I am good on hours and usually rested!

i'm sorry but I feel as though you're throwing a fit over stuff you can't control and stuff you don't want to deal with it

 

If I get a 900 mile load with 4 days before delivery and it's an appointment for a live unload, the first thing I do is look at what terminals are along the route. Then I get on the Qualcomm and ask my DM if they want it t-called in Albuquerque or Oklahoma City? Usually I end up getting the load t-called somewhere along the way and immediately get another dispatch from that terminal.

The point is to get proactive on those kind of loads. It's a rare situation where I'll need to sit on a load for a couple of days. When that happens, I treat it like Jabber says, I find a good location to take a 34. I like to play poker, but only if I have time to sit down for a while at a table. 10 hour breaks don't cut it. On a 34 hour break I can relax, go make some money at the table, have a nice dinner, and have a fresh 70 when I'm back under way. What's wrong with that? Last time that happened to me I more than made up for any lost miles with stacks of bills at the cashier in the poker room.

 

Let me tell you something. That trucks turning an average of 3000 a week 5 weeks at a clip. And that's not because the planners like me all over the country...it's because I maximize my time, run hard and generally deliver early if there's a window. I make sure that truck is earning every penny it can while it's on the road.

Theres been many many a time that if left to planners that truck would be sitting somewhere 2 days a week while they try and figure out what to do next. My staying proactive keeps me ahead of their incompetence. So if I want to take a measly 4 days off without giving the truck up I will and won't be PENALISED for it.

Ever notice how many G-line trucks are sitting at every terminal waiting for people competent enough to keep them running?

 

If a truck runs 2 weeks and takes 2 days off it sits the same % of time as a truck that runs 5 weeks and takes 5 days off. It is nothing more than a tactic to get drivers to spend more time on the road and less time off.

They know it would be difficult for a company driver to make enough money running two weeks at a time so they set the max hometime days for 2 days and the average driver will stay out for at least 3 weeks, therefore increasing run time and decreasing downtime.