just rocked the boat

No sarcasm, just stating the way I feel about it. Of course none of us want to be pushed around, but again all the DM asked was to try and get it loaded. "Try" is not a word full of pressure, nor does it really constitute a qualcom message saying "no", in my opinion it would have been a different story had the DM's message been written in a way where it came off in a demanding way, but it doesn't sound to me like it did. There was nothing illegal about getting it loaded, he stated he had 2 hours left and an hours drive to get there, hence the fact that he could have "legally" loaded it...........

 

He'll learn.

 

I am fairly sure you did the right thing. Only you can see how much time you have left, traffic conditions between you and shipper, and the closest safe rest spot etc. That said, you may catch some crap loads for a week while the dispatcher "teaches the newbee who's boss".

I've had to do the same thing a couple of times. The one time I gave in and "tried to get loaded", I ended up in a logbook class over it. I took the offending logbook to the DM, showed him, told him of the hours lost making the appointed time for class, then told him "next time the answer is no". They tried 1 week later, got the "no" and the DM backed me 100%. A couple days of shorter, less desireable runs followed (grumpy dispatcher) and things quickly got bact to normal. Side note: I did send the DM a personal message about the dispatchers payback and it stopped the next day.

Swift is a big company. Some folks are jerks, but for the most part they are professionals. Just explain carefully and politely why you are saying no.

 

Good for you, I understand completely your position.
I have been forced to wait it out in many places not to my liking, like near the shoulder of the road, in a parking lot. Maybe not fun, but part of the job.
But if I knew I had 2 hours left, and was only an hour away, I would try to switch trailers, and get there ASAP. Then figure out my hours, and what to do.
I guess I just like to try to do what others do not want to try.

 

That'll work. Keep good communication, do what you were taught to do and keep an open mind on how to maximize things and keep everyone happy.

 

I hate it when that happens-- running low on hours and trying to scramble to shipper or receiver and hoping they'll let me stay there for my 10. The place I went to last night (276 miles and 5 hours to get there left on the clock) only allows dedicated drivers stay on the property. I had to inch my way out the gate very slowly about 300 yards and pull off the roadway for the 10.

I'm running off recap now, tomorrow I have to go about 561 miles and have 11.75 hours to do it, finally a little breathing room lol. But I will most likely have to do something like that again as far as staying on the property til midnight to get some more hours.

If I can get this load on time tomorrow I will be paid for 4128 miles in next week yay.

 

Like the last driver said, communication is the key. Keep your dm posted as to your hours way ahead of time as to avoid going over hours if possible. I wouldn't ignore them because it will cause more problems with dispatch ,etc. Just keep them posted as much in advance as you can.