Flipping daylight running to night runs and back agian

Discussion in 'USA Truck' started by NYDUTCHMAN, Dec 21, 2013.

  1. DGStrong71

    DGStrong71 Road Train Member

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    Feb 22, 2013
    70° west
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    I've been with USA for just about 6 years now and I usually hit about 3800 miles every week. My bunk time does change quite a bit though since I'm usually running the longer haul stuff. I personally prefer to run at night but that's not always possible when you're running the longer losds or when shippers/receivers hours of operation are 9-5.
     
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  3. pete1

    pete1 Heavy Load Member

    The first night of flipping sucks but I have to do it all the time. I run flatbed in the northeast, and it sucks because I drive through NYC all the time.
    The trick is to stay away from coffee and soda and eat protein and fiber; you'll sleep better and faster.
    go for a walk and park far away as possible from any building in a stop- any exercise you can get will help you sleep.
    It also helps to have any sort of trigger that will help you get drowsy whether it's talking to your family or reading or watching TV even if it's on one of those stupid 12v DVD players.
     
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  4. NYDUTCHMAN

    NYDUTCHMAN Bobtail Member

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    Nov 26, 2009
    Oswego NY
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    I talked to fellow flatbedders who prefer to run at night mostly because of dealing with the northeast traffic. NYC sucks 24/7 I-95 from N. Haven CT. all the way to Fredrickburg Va. is a pain day or night. For me traffic is just a nuisance I have to deal with but I prefer not to have the added bother of misaligned headlights ,drunk drivers and deer. But back to my original reason for the posting. I wanted to know how USA Trucking is about working with a driver to maximize the drivers preferred work routine. I know it a lot to ask that most FM'S give a #### about whats in the best interest of the driver hence the company the shipper and the reciever.Oh and we cant forget the general public as well! Fatigued driving is the elephant in room everybody sees it but nobody wants to admitt to it. Green drivers are afraid to stand up to thier dispatchers . To many older drivers are in denile about how it affects us.I think any of us who have been OTR drivers for more than acouple of yrs know if you dont do as your told frieght all of a sudden gets slow. That said I must aslo say that is not a 100% true I have worked with some great Dispatchers and Brokers over the years but they are the exception not the rule. Sleep deprivation is a major cause of trucks in ditches. I seem to remember reading a study somewhere they compared the cumulative loss of sleep as little as 3hrs over a short period of days is equal to driving drunk when comparing your impaired ablities like reaction time cognitive thinking and judgment.
    Okay enough of my rantings I am sure now I have stirred up strong opinions both for and against. So express yourself I am truly interested in intelligent conversation.
     
  5. jta1978

    jta1978 Light Load Member

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    Apr 14, 2013
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    Wether you run at night or during the day is going to be up to you as a driver. Its simple. If you get stuck on a night time schedule wait for a run that has a little time on it and take you a break during the night time hours. Maybe just 2 or 3 hours or whatever the run allows. You will slowly return to a day time schedule. Or just simply ask your FM to get you some appt times that get you back on a daytime schedule.
     
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  6. J_FROG

    J_FROG Road Train Member

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    Sep 4, 2011
    49 states and Canada
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    As "Captain of the ship" it is up to you to make wise decisions on how to SAFELY plan your trips. If you have trouble getting to a destination because you are tired, then you must decide to stop and take a break. There's no reason to be driving tired and running off the road and into ditches. USA does take no for an answer. But don't drive all the miles out of a load and then decide you can't deliver. The end result will most likely be you sit on the load until it can be rescheduled when you aren't so tired. If you can't make it safely and legally, then just say no and something else will be planned for you. That is why you must confirm the preplan. Not all loads are always going to run in the daytime or nighttime. Plan on being flexible and smart with your time and planning.
     
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  7. NYDUTCHMAN

    NYDUTCHMAN Bobtail Member

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    Nov 26, 2009
    Oswego NY
    0
    Thanx for your input J_FROG. I agree with you there is no excuse for driving tired. Time management is just one the keys to running safely. Driving Fatigued is a pet peeve of mine for many reasons. Basically I was just trying to get a feel for USA's dispatch style before coming over, Drivers are a better truer source of company attitudes than recuiters ,once you have read acouple hundred posts.
     
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