Tips/advice for drivers to increase total miles....

SHHHHHHH.. Don't give away all our secrets!!!

 

There is a reason those drivers are favored over others.

 

Some awesome tips in here. One big one I can think of. If you get frustrated, don't get mean with your FM. I know they are your first contact, but remember, they're answering to the planners and CS . Often it's not their fault. Express your concerns, but don't get mean and nasty. One you tarnish that relationship with your FM, you're going to struggle to get them to have your back.

 

Very good Idea! There are some very helpful tips being shared here! Thank You!

One very good tip is, "Don't Dawdle"! If you are paid by the mile you need to keep the wheels turning. Learn to manage your clocks down to the minute. As another driver mentioned, I too use my GPS to plan all my stops the night before. I also camp out at the cons when I have early appointments. I back in and stay in the sleeper while they unload. I change my status as soon as I can. With Drop and Hooks I use in the sleeper while unloading and only 3 min for a veh inspection then Im off and running. I also send a free form message right away asking for my next load assignment. and I alway's say THANK YOU , a little sugar goes along way!

 

Not always true, I had an fm, that I wasn't really happy with, I did everything asked. But then got a little nasty. But maybe it showed my desire. I was always on time, if not early, gave info if there were issues, even projected. I'd see what I had, if it was tight I'd say it was, there may be issues. That fm ended up being the best one I had at Roehl, even after I switched fleets and and she did too, so after nearly a year of her not even being my fm, I'd stop in to see her, and even said goodbye to her on my last week there.

 

i have not read this whole thread but my number uno advise........................ don't let weekend/night people dispatch you. They are worse than bad, they suck, I've been at Roehl for close to 6 years.
Make sure your Fm dispatches you through the weekends/holidays , etc. If your FM won't ppl you get a new one. I have a good one, Mellisa,out of Ellenwood.

 

^^^Yes, this. Short haul weekends are a mileage killer. Waste of time. There were times when I didn't mind if I had a good week, or been out awhile and favored a little extra time to do laundry, some house cleaning, but not every weekend when out.