Switched from day to night driving: observations

When I first started out I worked for a construction company. Normal hours but only about 40/45 a week. Had a great social life and could watch games and what not after work. Those hours were great but with the family I have now it wouldn't be enough. We need that OT. Hauled gas for a few years after that starting at the end of that graveyard shift-1-3 am. You kinda get used to that but you kinda don't. It's hard on the family bc dad has to go to bed at 5 or 6 pm. Had a stint in asphalt oil... That was very hard on me and especially the family. Going in a 7-9 pm and driving 500 miles all night long. I'm just not cut out for that kind of trucking. That's tough too bc you've gotta sleep during the day so the wife had to leave the house with our baby so I could rest. I got moved to the bulk division. I'm doing the 'bartender' shift going in at 1/130 pm and doing 12-14 hours a night. That's pretty easy to get used to. 4 or 5 stops a night just under 200 miles. I spend more time out of the truck than driving. I like nights- no traffic after the first 2 loads and pretty quiet and mellow. See some shady things though. Overall, I'd take nights over days bc it's just less stress all around in a big rig dealing with the general public on the road. I'm driving around San Francisco at night so it works out great. If your in a major city, nights are the way to go without question.

 

The hardest part about nights is reminding everyone that you're sleep from 9am - 6pm. My nights are consistent, start at 730pm and get done around 630am.

Walmart dedicated so it's their trailers with their ####, get there asap and they'll unload ya before anyone, quickly too. We do two runs a night with 2-3 stops each then head back to the DC. Only touch 3 states and get paid for everything we do, way easier and better compensation than true OTR.

With night driving, no traffic/accidents EVER is undefeated.

 

I have a fair bit of experience with different sources of caffeine, and I can tell you, they work. Caffeine stops working when you get so fatigued that your body just doesn't respond to it anymore. That's when you know it's time to stop and get some sleep. Driving that tired is incredibly unsafe.

 

2am to 2pm
Best otr hours to run.

 

My only issue with red bull and their kin is the sugar crash afterwards. so I switched to sugar free red bull. no crash, nice smooth energy all night. I munch a lot of veggies, almonds, and meats while I'm driving (bratwurst minus the bun is my favorite) and unless I've just flipped my clock for some reason I'm always bright eyed and bushy tailed.

But I swear I will cut the next MFer who comes at me with his high beams on.

 

No warning on coffee except for ladies coming out of McDonald.
Caution hot contents

 

I keep my eyes and mind wide open with black coffee(no sugar or milk) and roasted, lightly salted (can not find raw in Chicago stores..) sunflower seeds. I also prefer to drive in the night, that way I talk to my family in Europe

 

You might want to try 5 Hour Energy. It is just vitamins without the ginseng that a lot of other energy drinks have. They have 2 strengths now and several flavors. It is just a very small bottle though.