Switched from day to night driving: observations

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Driver0000, Aug 19, 2016.

  1. Brettj3876

    Brettj3876 Road Train Member

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    Im still young (23) pretty much a kid still. Im on call 24-7 running cement in the oilfield but it seems we mostly work nights for whatever reason. I like nights, i've never been much of a sleeper. I've gone on 4-5 hours of sleep a day for last 7-8 years. I drive mostly 2 lane country roads and at night feel safer on blind corners cuz you see headlights coming at night. Don't ever go into "mega" truck stops. I go to an old school stop with 4 pumps, they still let you get fuel without pre paying 1st and they still have real homemade food. Can't remember the last coop i went threw and my customers treat me like another human being lol
     
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  3. Brettj3876

    Brettj3876 Road Train Member

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    Land of local
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    Im probably like the only guy in his early 20s who doesn't drink any of that crap. 2 cups of coffee at the beginning of a shift and water or Gatorade the rest of the day
     
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  4. GetRid70hr8dayRules

    GetRid70hr8dayRules Light Load Member

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    You have a cb? Horrors. I have enough crap wanting to ruin my day. Not going to let others tell me how to drive. Too bad, its nice to know your lights went out in rain...

    People Net? Horrors. I watched it fail to credit one day on recap if you dont do a 34 reset. Parked with ignition off. Still on drive line. 5 min left on clock? Pray it lets you change duty status if it decides to do something else.

    Qualcom much better.
     
  5. #1don

    #1don Medium Load Member

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    somewhere down south
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    I run team we do 2 To 2 shifts. I'm on 14:00- 02:00 shift on a dedicated route. Love it. DC to stores and back (no not WM).

    One cup of coffee start of shift. 2nd cup about 4 hours in. Water rest of the night, with a very light meal or snack No traffic, breeze through construction (most of the time). I will drive my full 11 non-stop except 30 minute break and a quick stop on a ramp to squirt the dirt. Usually 670-700 miles a shift depending on what store we are going to. Love night driving, though it took a lil while to get adjusted to it.

    BTW try this.... thought the old man was crazy when he told me 'bout it.
    But he was right (at least for me it worked).
    Large cup of joe ., 20 oz. Bottle of coke or Mt. Dew (your choice) alternate between drinks (don't have to be precise). By time you drink both you will be dancing and tappin' your toes to music that's not even playing.... WOW WHAT A RUSH !!!
     
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  6. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    My routine is a POWERFUL cup of cold brewed coffee, a 30 oz cup (about the size of my coffee press). Once that cup starts warming up I thin it with some cold water from the fridge.

    Snack wise I try to stay hungry when I drive. An apple, a banana, some nuts, and maybe an orange will get me through the shift. Apples are a great choice, they keep me alert.

    Water is also important. If you get dehydrated it affects your reaction time almost the same as if you are drunk.

    When I stop for the day is when I eat a big meal. It helps put me to sleep and when I wake up I am not hungry, other than the hunger to start my pretrip and get to work.
     
  7. m16ty

    m16ty Road Train Member

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    If I drank that much coffee or Coke, I'd have to install a catheter or stop every exit to pee.
     
  8. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    That's pretty much how I roll.

    I need a cup of java in the afternoon though for my 100-some mile ride back to the yard.
     
  9. I am medicineman

    I am medicineman Medium Load Member

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    Kemper County, Mississippi
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    By running at night you avoid the solar powered "7 to 3" wheelholders and you get into the realm of TRUCKERS.

    YES, it is more relaxing to get rid of:
    traffic
    commuters
    half the scalehouses or more
    heat (in summer)

    And you get more miles out of your 10 hours driving since the roads are clearer.

    Most of my deer strikes have been in daylight, and I drive almost exclusively at night.
     
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  10. #1don

    #1don Medium Load Member

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    I know this is a old thread, but my codriver and I decided to try swapping shifts every month. Anyone have experience with that. Not to crazy about it myself, but seems to be the only way we can get our miles more evened out. Got tired of making his paycheck for him. I prefer my night shift.
     
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  11. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    Questions:

    1. Why are you concerned about evening out your miles? Most teams get a 50/50 split. Are you running into uneven hours left on your 70 because of daytime deliveries?

    2. You said you like to run nights. If this is an issue with both of you wanting to run nights, then split the difference. Run 12 to 12 shifts. That way each of you has roughly equal amounts of day versus night driving. That's what I did running team with my brother. Worked like a charm.
     
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