Are we allowed to skip fuel stops

Swift company drivers don't normally fill up at Pilot/Flying J's. Maybe the Love's in Nashville, TN.

 

I take it they changed then? Back when I was with them (admittedly over 4 years ago) Pilot / Flying J was the go-to stops, with TA/Petro next, then Loves.

 

Nice to have a company fuel card and to be told to stop for fuel when you need it. I had to deal with that fuel solution crap in my Trans Am days and got sick to.death of being told to get 87 gallons hear and stop and.fill up 200 miles down the road.

 

A couple years back some Pilot/Flying J people withheld funds from Swift drivers. It was a big deal.
Swift basically stopped using them because they could not get a reasonable settlement.
If I am in Montana, or someplace like that that doesn't have TA/Petro or Loves they will use one of the Pilot or FJ places, but not otherwise.

And on the fuel stop question.
I skip fuel stops all the time if I don't like the place or the routing, and if I have enough to get me somewhere else.
It really is no big deal. They (a DM) punches it in to the computer and you get a new fuel route.
If someone is giving you a hard time about it just tell them that you need fuel where you are at, or you will be calling on-road when you finally run out. Try to be at a Love's, Petro or TA when you call.

My current trip will be mostly out of route, so I will have to call for a new fuel route at some point.
I will be avoiding a couple snow storms on I-84 and be going over them on I-90/94 thru Montana. That will require fueling at Pilot or Flying J.
I'm good with that since we still get 10x points at those places.

But it also won't be a problem with whomever I call. If they ask why I didn't follow the fuel route I will tell them. Period, end of story.


I have been with Swift for 6 years. Don't let them intimidate you because you may be new.
Do your trips as you see fit. I have always done so, and they have not fired me yet.

 

We get suggested fuel stops too. But I get fuel when convenient for me. Usually when I stop for the day or start in the morning. I hardly ever stop in the middle of my day for fuel. I just make sure I get it at a pilot or flying j because that's where they want us to fuel. Nobody has ever said a word to me about it. Guess I work for a company that wants the work done and not sitting in the fuel island all the time lol. I don't sit anywhere for long anyway unless I'm at the house lol

 

Your company tries to save money so I suggest you go by their rules and not yours unless youre an owner op.They give you fuel solutions start stopping at their trkstops or be prepared for an asschewing back at the term.

 

I'd despise working for a company that told me when and where to take a leak. Because that's essentially what's going on here. They are telling you how to operate the truck.

You are the captain of the ship. If you are operating it well, they should be leaving you alone. Getting good mpgs, not driving into things and never going to the shop for odd reasons? You should only ever hear from them when it comes to getting dispatch info for your next load.

They should give you a list of places to fill up, and trust that you as a professional driver have the skills to properly plan a trip and never run out of fuel.

 

Ask your dispatcher what the delay pay is for waiting. Actually the company puts zero value on your time, but a .01 savings is something they do, even if it takes you an extra hour.

 

Companies base their fuel stops on the prices they get from suppliers. If the J gives them 1.89 per gallon and Love's gives them 2.00 per gallon, they go with Love's.