Question, can I just take a nap break anytime ?

If you're tired and need a nap absolutely stop and take a nap. If dispatch calls whining tell them you feel a case of the Rona coming on and you might need a 3 day nap.

 

Take a nap anytime you need to; feel sleepy, look for a safe place to park for 15 or 30 minutes.
Don't call your company and say you need a nap, just stop and take one.

 

I don’t make a habit of it, and I generally don’t do it if it’s gonna make me late for a delivery, but every once in a while I find myself needing to park it and grab a half hour nap. That usually gives me at least two hours of alert, refreshed driving.

 

Of course you can take a nap, you big silly! And, let me be the first to recommend doing it hanging upside down. VERY refreshing!

 

The Tale of Captain Slow

Got an oversized load offered one Wednesday afternoon, going from Lafayette LA to the port of Galveston. I figured I load up first thing Thursday morning and drop the load by noon.

Thursday morning, I am sitting at the gate. There are 3 trucks behind me. Captain Slow pulls up bobtail. Gate opens at 7. Cap flags and tags his OSOW and is out rolling by 0800. This ended up being some sort of oil rig move and so, they couldn’t make their minds up on who gets what. It’s 3pm when I roll out, too late to get delivered, but I trucked to Galveston and parked.

8am Friday, the port opens. I get unloaded and the others get unloaded. I decided to run to Laredo (freight used to pay really good out of there years ago before Obama screwed everything up).

My dispatcher calls me and asked if I saw Captain Slow on Friday. What do you mean??? He loaded Wednesday and left out early Thursday. He should have delivered the load by noon Thursday. “No Six, he stopped for the day noon Thursday…said he was tired.” Amazing! He has to be the slowest driver I have ever heard of!

I made it to Laredo, got a good paying OSOW that delivered Monday in Houston. Took my time, grilled food and drank beer. Saturday, I get up prepared to leave out and guess who shows up fresh from Galveston? Captain Slow!
“My dispatcher is running me ragged !”

600 miles, from Wednesday to Saturday. 4 days. 150 miles per day and you’re tired?