appointment times at end of 11 hour driving limit?

Depends on who you're running for. If it's happening where you can't stay on site at receiver, or it's happening almost daily where you can't get to showers, food, etc., you need to have a long chat with your DM/Dispatcher. Don't let them treat you like a robot- if you don't put a stop to it now it will only get worse.
Good luck and stay safe.

 

Sometimes better trip planning and time management can alleviate some of these scenarios. But if you've done all you can to make delivery on time then let the appropriate people know and go from there.

If they have enough service failures that are due to THEIR poor calculations and management, eventually they will fix it or have to settle for crap freight due to their poor reputation.

But drivers HAVE to do their job right, too.

 

This is so true, I would not accept the load if you feel the appointment time is too tight. Most loads can be rescheduled to a very early appointment the following day and then you can get your break and start off fresh. I had a dispatcher do this to me over and over until I explained my position. Then he would often call the company prior to sending me the load, but again I had a good relationship with dispatch and the load planners and would always do my part to make sure things went smooth (time management). At the mega carriers they could care less, they just want the truck moving.

 

On the one hand, be glad your dispatch is giving you loads that maximize use of your time. Plenty of drivers complain about getting short hauls with too much time.

Regarding trip planning, if I were in your shoes I would contact the receiver as soon as you are under load to let them know you are going to be at the limit of your hours at delivery and ask if you can take a 10 on site or if there is parking available just off site. You can log on duty past 14 hours, you just can't log drive time past 14 hours. If you are on e-logs most companies set up their EOBR's to allow you to move the truck a short distance at slow speed before it kicks to drive time.

On the other hand, if you are in a situation where dispatch and your customers are pushing you at or beyond the limits of HOS, remind them that as of this year there are substantial financial penalties associated with coercing a driver to violate HOS. If you feel you are being coerced to violate HOS, be sure to get it in writing if at all possible (like communication on your EOBR) and get names, dates and times, and even record conversations with the permission of whoever you talk to. Document everything and let them know you are being pushed to violate HOS. If you do all that and are any way threatened with retribution for staying legal, then you have a slam dunk case.

 

It could be a bad planner who has a calculator. Lets see, 11 X 70mph average. Yep, that will work.

 

During my driving career I only got these loads from hell after getting it from another driver. This is one reason I hated repowers. Thankfully most of the time I got a load with plenty of time to get to final and get out.

 

Happens all the time for me. I trip plan and run hard and legal to get the load delivered. I make it happen!

 

It can be common.What you do ahead of time is tell dispatch then he will find another driver to relieve you on that load.Don't tell him at the last minute you're out of hours.

 

Yep some use stupid and unrealistic figures. I have all my drivers use 47 mph no matter how much time they have. this seems to be the true average of miles travelled and allows for hiccups.

I recommend it for anyone who is learning how to manage time.