Is it common or rare that you are late for a load?

The company I work for now, will schedule a window; say 10:00-14:00. It's 10::00 at the time of dispatch, and they know it will take me 3:00 hours to arrive at a shipper in PA, not including load time. The receiver is 800 miles away and they schedule a live delivery for 11:30 the following day.

At first it stressed me out, so I went out of my way to let them know, "respectfully, it could be an issue". The lack of concern for the situation in conjunction with habitual scheduling of this type; Creates the situation where I as the driver just calls the receiver. I completely bypass my office, due what I view as incompetence. In their defense, I do not know what is happening that day, and/or if they are short handed, or any other issues impacting the events.

We didn't even discuss the poor fuel solutions they do that causes more grief. Do what you can, and move on. I document everything, in case questions are asked later. It doesn't seem to matter to the people I work for. I refrain to complain, as that the reprocussions could be far worse. This scenario is somewhat common for my company. All companies have their ups and downs, so I take the good over the bad and roll on.

 

What?
I was on elogs at Werner.
Yes, I was out there to work.
I shut it down 2x.
Once in Indiana on 70 when a nasty rain storm kicked up and the wind was so strong it pushed me clear off the road. The first truck stop I found I was parked.
The second time was when I was on dollar account.
No one was showing up for work with weather.
I live in the northeast. I was emergency response wrecker driver and plow driver.
When others shut it down, I went out into the storms. Blizzards, 100 year rain/ flood storms, ice storms, hurricanes. You name it, I've wheeled a truck in it.
As for the whole being out there so I need to run miles. You bet your ### I do. There was no point to being out there and being parked . unless it was my 10.
I did take a vacation in Vegas. I also spent 2 days in sunny Otay Mesa.
No brown nose here. There are men who rise when needed. I have always been one of those.
I was hired at my new job because of my experience and work record.
Guess a bunch of guys flaked out in the snow and cold the last few years. Accidents and not wanting to work with 110" of snow on the ground.
Delivering fuel oil is not easy. Especially in the greater Boston area.
I was given a nice raise and my pick of truck to show up and do the job. And I don't finish my day until every customer on my route has their oil. Even if it takes 16 hours to get it done because I have to walk through all that snow to get to the fills .
Suppose I am a super trucker. Or perhaps I am one of the last people in my age group who was raised to do my job.
Cause I tell you these 18-28 year old kids today.. Ain't worth $8.00 / hr with their work ethic.

 

I shut down if I don't feel safe, be it weather or just really sleepy(happens to us all on a rare occasion). I've never gotten in trouble for running late as long as I let dispatch know in advance.
I'm actually "the driver that called wolf" about being late. If I know the run is going to be close I'll notify dispatch when I'm finished loading, and update during my 30 and when I shut down. Always send the message via the computer, if you call in you don't have any proof that you notified them in advance.
I've ran for a few megas, and they normally only dispatch at around 45mph. If they need it there faster, the customer is likely already paying an expedite/team premium.

 

Got nothing to do with miles, in his business it's about working.

 

Give me a load that can be delivered on time and it will be, give me one that can't and it won't simple as that. Greatest sign ever, "a lack of planning on your part doesn't constitute an emergency on mine"

 

Awesome! We're from a different mindset than the average bear.

 

A ld. can be late for various reasons
I just don't want my wife to "be late" or my paycheck lol

 

What company are you working for?

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

 

Precisely. At Werner a ton of times the ball was already dropped by the time you got it. The idea was to do your best to get it there asap minimizing more damage.
That we part of my point.

 

Ya but when you have things go wrong some dispatchers ecspect drivers to make up for it by giving them unreasonable times with following loads and if they don't make it to their destination on time drivers get penalized for it.You can't tell me that doesn't happen in trucking because I know it does.Some things in this industry never changes.There's a lot of excellent drivers that's very dedicated to their job but its never good enough.You either get every load delivered or else.As I see it there isn't much respect for drivers unless they bust ### and not think about the safety part.I'm not driving anymore for health reasons and I tell you what I don't miss it one bit not at all.I use to be one of those drivers that hauled ### and for what peanuts. Its not worth it.