Getting Ready to Hit the Road with Magnum

Yeah, he's tough to get in touch with sometimes. I always tried to call him around 10am central time and had good luck. I guess the best thing is to just keep trying.

E-logs are fine with me. It makes you think and do better trip planning. Plus, it gives you one less thing for the DOT to scrutinize. I will say that you better have your game on when it comes to planning your shut down... especially if you use specific fuel stops. But I am getting good miles using them. If you read my last post, it is pretty much proof positive.

It's real simple.... this is a job. People that enjoy stopping at every truck stop and take several breaks during the day would not and will not like e-logs. In a "normal" work environment, you get a couple breaks during the day, you get a lunch break, and you typically leave 8-9 hours after you start your day. I incorporate that same philosophy in my "day".

Generally, I get up an hour before my 10 hour break is up, I get a cup of coffee, take a shower, get another cup of coffee, go to the truck, drink my second cup while I double check my plan for the day and "get psyched". Then, when my 10 hour clock is up, I log OnDuty, do my PreTrip, and take off. Two hours later, I find a place to take a 10 minute break, get rid of the coffee (eheheheh), and jump back in the seat. Then I generally run 3-4 hours, stop and grab lunch, back in the seat, and run until my clock runs out (which is usually 4-5 hours). A TruckStop directory is definately my best friend. Sometimes I run out the whole 11 hours, sometimes I only run 9. It just depends on the run and where the truck stops are.

As far as fueling goes, I usually combine my fueling with either a break or a shutdown. Remember, everytime you get off the highway, you are losing precious minutes. If you use paper logs, you have a little more flexibility, but you are still prolonging your day.

Bottom line... if you use E-Logs, you have to have a good Plan A and an even better Plan B. But you can still get decent miles, and there are other advantages to using them.... Personally, I like the fact that I can look at the screen and know instantly how much time I have left during the day.

It also comes in handy when you arrive at a shipper or receiver and you are delayed in checking in. If they say you are late, and you can show them that you were on time, but delayed getting through the guardhouse or whatever, it really leaves them no way to argue with you.

Good luck getting in touch with Leith. Just keep trying....

 

Yeah, it always helps when you're doing something you love. I too will take short hops when it is necessary.... and will do it without complaining. The way I see it, if the wheels are turning, I'm making money. And if you do wait around for "the big one", you are going to lose money on the days you are sitting.

Have a good'un!

 

Got mine this afternoon too. Picking up in Raeford, NC tomorrow am # 8 and running up to Fargo for a Thursday night drop. Then picking up Friday am running back to Florence, SC for a Mon morning delivery. Total miles should be around 3200-3300 miles for the week. Hoping for a strong finish for the month. Not sure I'll get 10,000 this month, but I should be close.

 

Good deal! Congratulations.

Let 'em know that Mark from North Carolina sent ya..... hehehehehehe

Hope to see ya up there!

 

Hey there.... been sorta busy.....

THen the worst thing happened. Sitting in the Flying J in Beloit and some IDIOT turns the corner in front of my parked truck and proceeds to drive up over the right side with his trailer. (and yes, I was parked well within the lines) I was actually laying in the back when it happened and I swear, I thought two elephants were getting it on in my trailer.

It was dark and raining at a pretty good click when it happened. I got up, jumped out and couldnt believe what I was seeing. Then this clown steps out of his truck and says "Sorry.... accidents happen", to which I replied, "YOU KILLED MY TRUCK". We talked for a few seconds, and he explained that he was shooting for a spot across from mine and he cut it short and couldn't see in his mirror because there was water all over it (the amount of restraint I had to summon was immeasurable)

Called the cops, got all the info, took a bunch of pictures and then had someone come out the next morning to cut away the bumoper and check it out for road-worthiness. THen I headed to Fargo to get a replacement. Total damage was the bumper, inner bumper, headlight assembly, grill, fender, hood, and the bug-eye mirror. But no one got hurt, which was a good thing (but don't think it didnt cross my mind)

SO I leave Beloit and run into a real nasty snow storm in Wisconsin which lasted about 90 miles. Tater did just fine through it all. Amazing part was that there were several weigh stations between point A and point B and ALL of them were closed. Lucky me.

So now I am in 2003 temporarily. Cat 12, Super 10, 377HP. Slow as all get up and cantancerous as it gets. I call him "Lurch".

Anyway, here is a couple pictures of "the scene". Granted, it doesn't look too bad, but it sure tore my heart out.