Bothered by company on "home time"?

This is the essence of success in this business IMHO. Extend that attitude to the way you drive and how you treat other drivers on the road and that should sum up the foundation of a trucker's philosophy.

Great idea! Nothing like walking a mile in another person's moccasins to get some perspective.

 

I was called on my vacation on Tuesday asking if I was ready to roll since that's when my reset at home would have ended. Check the vacation list next time Vicky, lol!

 

Simple! and works! A company only bothers you on home time if you let them. There is no recourse if you have been cleared for home time and they try to cut it short, too bad.

 

Some find a load and then look for a driver. That's where a communication breakdown happens when the load planner or whoever doesn't pay attention to the driver's status. They just see the truck in that area unless someone left notes.

I usually stayed out 7 weeks and my home time was mine. You actually think I'm going to answer that phone?

Many times I got road sick and went back out early. Some get home sick, I got road sick!

 

My ring tone for the work phone lines is " Driving my life away"

 

Mine is money by Pink Floyd...

 

The one company where I used to be at had emailed me a couple of times asking if I could fly back early for work.
I asked them if they were going to pay the ticket costs and upgrade for me to cut my home time off early.
Well they said no,but we could really use you.
I said email me again with stupid requests and I might take another month off.

 

My DM did it to me last week. I can't believe the nerve. Called me up in the dead of the afternoon on a Monday, my final scheduled day off, and asked if I would wander over to where I park my truck when I'm home, a full 10 minute drive up the road, and swap out trailers with a guy who had a load that couldn't deliver til Wednesday and they wanted to keep him moving. So instead of getting up the next morning at the crack of 10am and reporting for dispatch at noon, I had a load sitting on my trailer that I barely had to work to get, got a day of home time back "in the bank" because I technically came off of home time when I switched trailers, AND got a whole extra day off. The real kicker? My DM made sure I got a good load after delivering on Wednesday morning just for going through the extra trouble of taking another day off and earning back a day of home time for future use. Just goes to show you what happens when you answer the phone at home!

Really, the above situation gave me a lot of respect for my DM and the consideration for my home time, as well as convenience for both myself and for that other driver who really didn't want to sit around til Wednesday when they'd take the load. I was a little surprised that they called while I was at home but I'm glad I answered.

 

So now you have missed his call. All it was about was some paperwork issue on a previous load, they cant find it. Now you dont get paid for it come payday now your upset and short on bill money. Always answer the call if you dont want to take a load, all you have to say is" you should have called earlier I am already 5 deep in to a 12 pack"

 

Had a dot officer check the paperwork and notice that a transaction happened during the 34 hour restart. Was informed that this is considered on duty not driving and creates a false log.

I choose when I run and if I am not interested voice mail is fine.