Running with JCT, Part Deux

They released the updated one the other day that seems to work. You may need to uninstall and re-download or something.

 

Maybe so. I haven't tried that but did go into the application manager and delete the cache and the data. I'll try that. Thanks.

 

Odd, I just checked it again and it's now working after not working for the last 5 days. It's amazing how I come to rely on technology so much. I remember when I first drove truck way back in the year 2000, I didn't have a phone, let alone and app on a phone. Occasionally I had to use a payphone to get in touch with a customer when the directions I had were wrong or the customer moved. A PAY PHONE. I also didn't have google maps, or even a gps. I remember getting directions from Swift, writing them down in a notebook, and pulling it out when I got close to the cons. I DO NOT MISS THOSE DAYS!!!!

 

Picked up a pre-loaded trailer from there a few months back, it was missing one mud flap and fuel cap. The fuel cap can be blamed on anyone, our driver or one from another company or even the spotter although it was probably dropped there without. There are no curbs to be found there so I can only assume it was dropped without that missing mud flap. Had a spare fuel cap that fit,(found at a fuel island prior), but no spare flap. Planned on stopping at pilot on 84 to get flap and install which took literally 25 minutes to accomplish, but not before WA weigh station. Sure enough I was directed to park and bring in paper work. Officer asked if I knew I was missing flap and I told story with my intentions. We both laughed as he let me go after that.

 

I thought that last sentence was going to end differently.

 

Posted this in another chat. Maybe it'll help some newer drivers that lurk but don't post.

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Can you describe how you manage your fuel costs as a lease driver? I've only been a company driver and they told me where to fuel or just paid the bill wherever I fueled up. "getting fuel" always just mean filling the tanks.

I am wandering in circles trying to decide what to do next after being a company driver since 1994. I don't know should I go reefer with a company out West (Jim Palmer), go do flatbed so that someday I can be O-O at Mercer, use my savings and lease a truck through Schneider Finance and work on their load board, or just try and get happy at my current job working on the clock and home every night where I am bored after 18 years. Reading up on JCT seems like a good alternative between company driver and easing into Lease-Op and then Owner-Op.
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What I'm about to describe is my point of view. Some will agree others won't.

There are basically 3 different strategies when it comes to fueling.

1. Company Driver Mindset: This one I'd fairly easy to understand. When the little reef needle hits a certain point (1/4, 1/8, light comes on) buy fuel, regardless of where you're at or how much it costs. Guaranteed formula for failure.

The next 2 methods involve finding the cheapest fuel along your route.

2. Buy Fuel According To Trip: Just as it says. You buy enough fuel to complete that trip. Example...You are 200 miles from delivery but you need fuel cuz you're not gonna make it. Driver only buys enough fuel to do that last 200 miles (25-40 gallons).

Many drivers use this method, but I personally don't. I CANNOT advocate this method in any way. The logic drivers use for using this method is nothing more than shortsightedness of their business profits. Drivers want to spend as little as they can on that trip to bring home more money for that trip. This is basically throwing profits out the window. Let's say a drive does this and now they're on their way to the next load, but fuel is 20¢ a gallon more. Now you just bought higher priced fuel and cut your profit for that next load.

3. Buy As Much Cheap Fuel As You Can, Whether You Need It Or Not: This is what I do. FACT: You're going to burn diesel fuel no matter what you do (drive, idle, back into a door, run APU). The goal is to burn the CHEAPEST fuel possible. If I have 50 miles to go and a 1/2 tank of fuel left and it's the cheapest fuel around, I'm topping off.

"But Steel, wait. That might cause you to lose money on that trip." I don't care. I've bought the cheapest fuel I could. Depending on the length of the next trip, I may may not even need to fuel again (unless I come across more cheap fuel). What I've done is increase my fuel cost per mile on the 1st trip, but it's actually less per mile over several trips.

I don't ever worry about how much or how little I make each week. I look at a month and more. If I save just 5¢ per gallon average over the course of a year and assuming that I run 120,000 miles at 7 MPG, that's a savings of over $850.

Hope that helps

 

Your pants are on fire.

 

I personally like to pull up next to those big money makers and drop a hose into their fuel tanks!
No honestly I agree with option 3. I am running a business and the trick is not how much I make its what I keep. At the end of the month/year I am going to burn a certain amount of fuel, I need to do so at the lowest price possible. Being responsible for my IFTA at Landstar I do have to concern myself with road tax issues though.

 

I was also expecting a different outcome, but this was a non-uniformed DOT officer who was an older gentleman. Luckily for me he had a sense of humor and common sense.

 

Pulled into the Corning Truck Wash (Albuquerque, Nm) for a washout. I pull into the bay and go inside to pay. I'm in the office for about 10 min waiting for another driver to pay. I come back out and the guy says it's done. I look at the side of the trailer and see no water dripping from the drains. I say I want to check it. I open the door and the guy didn't even wash it out. This is why I always check to see if it was done. Wouldn't have been a good surprise once I got to Leprino in Roswell.