Stupid Opti

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Dr. Venture, Jul 4, 2008.

  1. Dr. Venture

    Dr. Venture Medium Load Member

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    Jun 29, 2008
    Ithaca, NY
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    I despise OptiStop directions. I could use 3 interstates to get from where I am in Alabama to Gary, Indiana but Opti has me running all kinds of state roads and US highways instead. They sacrifice time and safety for 30 saved miles. They won't really even save fuel because of all the towns I have to run through, not to mention it's the 4th and I don't really care to run through podunk on two lane roads for obvious reasons. I just sent a Q/C explaining this and now I get to sit and wait for a reply.
     
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  3. honor roll

    honor roll Road Train Member

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    Mar 7, 2008
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    Don't you just love the higher ups they need to get on the road to see it is not a good idea sometimes to go thru these podunk towns saving miles might not save time
     
  4. Truckerjo

    Truckerjo Road Train Member

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    I never ran with a company that I had to run their routes... Sure I ran with companies that sent you a rout over the qualcomm but if I didn't like it then I would not run it, but the companies had that policy... I feel ya, some of the rotes you may save 30 miles but noway would you save fuel because all of the little towns you had to go threw... On the 4th something you will have to watch out for today is parades in all those small Townes.. Happen to me and they make you sit and wait if there is no way around... I got out of the truck and ate a chilly dog and watched the parade talking to the local cop lol...
     
  5. Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    One route I ran a couple times was 900 miles and I forget the driving time. This is practical route.

    Short route was some thing like 50 or 75 miles less but 7 hrs longer. No way I was running that.
     
  6. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    I agree. But alot of the companies are considering the use of the practical route as out of route miles in their calculations.

    If they route me that way, I drive it. They are then not happy with the hours it takes, then pay accordingly.
     
  7. rockee

    rockee Road Train Member

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    Apr 17, 2007
    Pacific Northwest
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    Do you have to follow the route they give you?
     
  8. capnhector

    capnhector Light Load Member

    how much hell will you get if you dont use there route? its easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission
     
  9. Cerberus

    Cerberus Medium Load Member

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    Jun 6, 2008
    Jacksonville, Florida
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    some companies are charging drivers for extreme out of route miles.
     
  10. Lurchgs

    Lurchgs Road Train Member

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    Feb 13, 2008
    Denver, CO
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    I agree - I think I posted comments to this effect earlier... that PC Miler and the like came when distance was the important thing. Shorten the miles and you don't have to pay the driver as much.

    NOW, with fuel prices what they are - distance should not be the primary key. (from the point of view of the carrier, here). I had a load recently that routed us through the ozarks. As a driver, I loved it - beautiful, relaxing, etc. And full of steep hills and slow zones and the like. Sure, it saved 60 miles over the interstate, but did it save fuel? Did it even save time?

    I have no data, but I don't think so.

    It's reached the point where routing has to be made aware of not only distance, but the weight of the load, the characteristics of the truck, and the topography of available routes.
     
  11. Cerberus

    Cerberus Medium Load Member

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    Jun 6, 2008
    Jacksonville, Florida
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    my company routes us and i have to follow them closely as they tell us where to fuel at. i do make adjustments here and there as long as i fuel where they tell me.
     
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