Managing sleep schedule?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by cwr327, Feb 24, 2015.

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  1. GenericUserName

    GenericUserName Road Train Member

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    Excellent way to build a good relationship with your dispatcher man.

    He can make your life hell bro. Be more diplomatic with him if you can. It will pay off.
     
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  3. cwr327

    cwr327 Light Load Member

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    0-1 years of experience. LOL.

    Go on. Tell me more... :biggrin_25523:
     
  4. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    Well to be honest if your sleep problems are causing you to be late then that is one big massive problem. I promise you will not last long in this industry if that keeps happening. Now I'm not saying you can't be a trucker or anything like that just that you have to get this under control. All driver be they van, flat, tanker, local or long haul all have one universal rule. Service is all we sell.
     
    rank Thanks this.
  5. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    that right there!
     
  6. cwr327

    cwr327 Light Load Member

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    There's been only one time where I missed an appointment because I decided to sleep-in. It was only by a couple of hours and nobody at the facility seemed to even notice since it was just a simple drop and hook. I've heard a variation of the "service is all we sell" quote, It goes something like "service is our only product." No offense, but it's a stupid quote. You either sell a service or a product, or a combination thereof. The company I work for provides a service. We'll deliver your product on time. I really don't give a flying fudge if they get their product on time if it means I have to sacrifice my safety and the safety of others on the road.

    [EDIT] I just want to be clear, the company I work for has not asked me to drive while fatigued or forced me the drive whiled tired or anything like that, I just know there are companies out there that will threaten you with your job if you don't get the load delivered on time.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2015
  7. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    That's the problem. I bet when you park the truck you are dog tired but then you watch some TV or what not and then you're not so tired anymore. Been there done that.

    Advice: Park the truck and sleep immediately. You can eat and shower in the morning. You don't have time for TV and beer.
     
    Lepton1 Thanks this.
  8. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    I don't think the quote was meant to be dissected down to the basics, the quote simply sums up a trucking companies position. It's not my quote but honestly if you think it's stupid then I don't think you will be a trucker for long, simply because buying into that is a must. Not giving a crap about being on time is perfectly acceptable if we were talking maintenance or road conditions. But many other drivers have probably had that same load and delivered it fine with no problems. The non sleeping issue is a you problem. Simple point if you can't sleep properly so you become a danger then you shouldn't be a trucker. Having the time to deliver and then saying you can't sleep and crying safety isn't how it really works and will hardly be an acceptable excuse for long. If you can't sleep you can't sleep but that's like a person who can't ride a horse trying to be a jockey and then claiming safety reasons are why he doesn't do the job.

    Also, I'm not ragging on you, I don't care if you're a trucker or not. I'm just saying what I feel here.
     
  9. cwr327

    cwr327 Light Load Member

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    Lack of sleep isn't a "me" problem, it's actually a pretty big problem in the trucking industry. People die because of this, it's not a joke.
     
  10. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    If you can't sleep well enough in 10 hrs to drive your shift then it most definitely is a you problem. Also, you are right many people have a hard time sleeping in a truck and most of them refer to themselves as former truck drivers. There is no shame in this and I in no way look down on them. But what would you have the industry do? If you can't sleep then how is it not your problem? I sleep just fine, so do most experienced truckers. Again, I don't look down on you for this but it is your problem and yours alone.
     
  11. Ebola Guy

    Ebola Guy Heavy Load Member

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    So what does years driving have to do with what he says? Generic has good advice there. What he said there has been my philosophy with my 19-20 yrs driving experience.
     
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