free time

Hours vary by each co. You may get there early and check with the dock people if they are able to unload you early and sometimes it worls and sometimes it doesnt. They set unloading schuedules according to what is needed and what is schueduled. Sometimes you only have enough time to get there on time for your unload/load appt. Your driving is up to you but you also need to make the best decision for schuedules so you can meet them. As for getting a load once empty can be right away, a day. It all depends on how good of a relationship you have with your dispatcher and how well you do your job. And sometimes they will call and wake you up during your sleep, it happens. Your at their discretion when you are in their truck. Also you might see on some of these responses as being snarky towards you but actually it's good advise. Dont like it? Suck it up cause thats how trucking sometimes works. Most of the answers come from expierience. Good luck.,.....

 

Son, the search button is up there. Load pick up and drop off can be any time of the day or night. And I do mean ANYTIME. Whether or not you can arrive early depends on the shipper/receiver. There's no average time. It can take from 10 minutes to 36 or more hours.

And, son, you are a big boy now. You are expected to get yourself up. The dispatcher is not your mother. Read some of the "day in the life" threads. Then maybe you'll actually start asking the smart questions.

What did you expect when you picked a forum name like dumba**?

 

To answer your quistion dumb u know , first i was a mile from the beach walking back from the beach, most states dont like vigrants in there town,and they thought i was , peddling goods to door too door, after i explain who i was and showed em my cdl, they were really nice people there, anyway what ever you do make sure you get permmission from your dispacther, he is your father now , and boss, from the time you leave after your reset or whatever, the monent you stick the key in the door and till the the time you get home 5 weeks latter, that time is your boss time, or as the dot rule books states , all on duty time should be called on duty time till your dispacther relives you of duty , i would for you go out too a truckstop and buy that little green book on the regulations , then pop over too the dmvr and get a free cdl manual, them too will clear up any dought , and whole lot better answers too, too really help you out , btw your swearing did not affect me, as a truckdriver you gotta have thick pork hide too deal with all the bs that thrown at you, and being the gentalman i am , for u dum *** and this for the ladys my sincerly appoligize for his rude behavior.

 

hey man if you like fishing get yourself up to island park , idaho. Its on US 20 north of idaho falls. I would drive that route every week and its got some excellent blue ribbon trout streams right along the highway. and lots of places to park a big rig if you wanted to. or just go for a vacation if you get the chance. well worth it if you love your fishing.

 

Okay this is coming from a local only driver and wanting to drive OTR Take it how you want and all but this is my view of the situation.

Your in a company truck basically wearing a company uniform while driving. You stop at sleazy places your throwing mud on the company name. There are people that buy at certain locations only because of who runs it or how the company is or how the company does on certain policies and procedures. They see you doing something wrong your company loses out on money and finds out why and goes back onto you.

Your company trusts you with an expensive truck and expensive loads. Yeah you can leave if you want if you got the time if they say your free for it. Ask and be sure then assume and be in trouble. But what will happen if you leave and your truck gets hit and the one that hit you drove off without trying to contact you? Now you didnt ask if you can leave you come back and your trucks damaged. Or your trailers been broken into and half your goods disappeared.

Most of what everyone here is answering is your question. Take it how you want but we are basically giving you our advise what we would do. Some from rookie drivers others from experienced drivers. Feel free to ask questions all you want. But honestly, when your getting the answers YOU DONT WANT. dont get mad at us. We are here to help. You want the answers you want Look in a mirror and ask.

 

Your truck isn't a prison, even as a company driver.

 

Honestly i dont think you could handle it out on the road for a month. Giving how security and load mangers and dock workers talk you would get fired for flipping off the handle over petty stuff. Try looking into a new career line. As far as Dragontamer talking about, son and big boy now are pointing out to you that you need to grow up and learn stuff on your own. Being from the south, alot of men call the females baby without noticing it but if you call someone baby at work it can be considered sexual harassment. Just how its said and stuff. I read every post here and honestly yours were the ones that come out as harsh and disrespectful. If your going to treat people that are trying to help you disrespectful how you think people will treat you out there that really dont want to mess with you? Disrespect a load manager and find out how long youll have to wait IF they really wanna receive your freight that day. Your the only one here that honestly started using vulgar language, which is honestly unneeded and frankly childish, and then started complaining about how we gave you different advice. Yes Sir some will be different because not everyone is the Same and not every company have the same policy.
I used to work for Budweiser, you know what would happen if i got caught drinking a Coors beer at a bar on my personal time? Would be enjoying it unemployed. If you cant take a little criticism dont ask questions that will bring varied results. If your worried about what you can do on your personal time and if you can visit adult business' and enjoy adult entertainment then best not to worry about driving a "big boy toy" cause little kids shouldnt be messing with these vehicles.

Too many times i seen on here people worried about can they do this and that while driving and the answer is always the same. Ask your dispatcher if your able to and only IF you have the time. And honestly, i could care less what you do on your own dime but when your in that huge vehicle and im in my personal truck riding around on my own time, your tail better be sober and paying attention. My town lays on a major highway that deals with a lot of 18 wheelers so not only will they be pissed off when your screwing up and causing an accident but im not going to be very happy if i live through it. Think about it. would you want to see a drive stagger out of the club and jump into his truck hauling tail through your town knowing you, your wife and kids are out there somewhere on that road?

now you can take my tone how ever you want it. and im pretty sure youll reply even after you said you wouldnt come back anymore and i know i didnt waste my breath. because if you didnt pay attention to it, someone else did that wanted to learn something insightful.

 

I too enjoy fishing but I believe each state requires you to buy a fishing license before you can legally drop a line in any fresh water pond, lake, or stream.

As for logging "off duty" you "can" leave the truck provided it is parked legally and it is locked. Should you decide to leave the truck for any amount of time back the trailer up to a pole or the side of a building so no one can get into the back of the trailer. We all need some time to get out of the truck, walk, eat, watch a movie, shower, use the restroom etc. Best advice any of us can give you has already been given; do not drink while assigned to the truck. Do not park your truck at a place that serves alcohol (eg strip clubs and bars). In this biz "perception is reality."

Of course you always run the risk of some one else siphoning fuel from your truck while it is unattended (buy anti siphon device for fuel filler neck to avoid this) or even hitting your truck.

 

This guy won't make it past orientation at Swift!

Welcome to the forum!