What does running hard mean to you?

It doesn't mean to run illegal, first and foremost. To me it means never over-sleeping and missing an appointment. it means not demanding to be home every Friday at 4:30 PM. It means running (driving) 10 hours a day 6 days a week if the freight and miles is there, otherwise it means making the best of what you're dealt and getting the short ones delivered in time, and the long ones. In time, you're reliability rating will go up and you will be offered longer runs that may require "no wasted time". Those that like to spend 2-3 hours a day "hanging out and relaxing" at truck stops (outside of their mandatory 10 hour break period) are an example of NOT 'running hard". And they know who they are and often are the same ones griping they're not making any money.

But in reality, "running hard" means different things, at different companies, for different driving styles. I know that doesn't answer your question but in short it means having a goal of driving (wheels turning) 60-70 hours in any 8 rolling day period, given the freight and average length of haul is there to allow you to maximize your legal hours.

 

It means run hard,not hang out at T/S or Terminal past your ten BSing with your buddies.Get everything you need done during your ten and then get your ### moving.OH,and what he said ^^^^^.posted it at the same time.Great Texas minds in sync.

 

I would class "running hard" as getting in the maximum miles in the shortest legal time possible. Not sitting waiting for a load or waiting excessive times to load/unload. My company can basically keep me moving 11 hours a shift until I need a reset. If I want to I can "run hard" until I have had enough then go home for a few days off. I dont see a reset as days off.

 

I used to leave the house Sunday night, and get home Friday. Now, in that time, I'd run anywhere from 1900 to 4700 miles (once). Lol. The hardest I felt comfortable running in those 5 days was about 4200- to 4500. And you have to get a little creative (tongue in cheek) to make that happen. I'd skip a shower or two in those weeks in favor of another precious hour of sleep. I like the hours of service (save for the lack of split sleeper berth). I think 11 hours is plenty for one stretch, and if you're doing more than that, I'd say you're running, son.

 

For me I usually run 8-9 hours of driving a day and 12-14 hours off.

So running hard for me is running about 10 hours of driving and only stopping when i have to and only taking 10 hours off for my break.

 

where I drive, the avg length of haul is about 1700 miles and about half drop/hook which is fantastic and time/distance between loads is minimal. But not many have this to work with. But with this freight, I run 10-11 hours day, break for 10-11 hours and on and on until the 70 hour gets to be a limiting factor, and about that time I'm usually in a "preferred location" near my delivery and 36 hours ahead of my appointment to get a room for 1 or 2 nights, get a restart and enjoy myself.

 

The term running hard means different things to different people. If the company is using the term it is meaning they want you to run all the miles possible in the shortest time possible. They want you to use multiple log books and run as illegal as you possible can. They just don't want you to get caught and if you do you are on your own.

 

Running hard is the trip I did from Chelsea, MI to New Caney, TX with stops in Mt. Juliet, TN and Houston, TX. Running hard after picking up in Chelsea, getting as close to the first stop as possible, dropping at Aldi in Mt. Juliet, TN at 6AM and running hard to get as close to Houston as possible for a 6:30AM appointment at Kroger in Houston the next morning. What sucked was the final stop in New Caney was a 3PM the same day as Houston.