Picking operating hours (not HOS)

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by finsternis, Jul 30, 2017.

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  1. Jul 30, 2017 #1
    finsternis

    finsternis Bobtail Member

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    Jul 8, 2017
    Arizona, USA
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    I have asked this question to several drivers, including former trainers, and got vague answers/am still confused about it.

    How much is a company driver free to choose what time of day they drive? I really don't function as well 3rd shift, no matter how well rested I am. It's not night driving itself, it's my body clock. I'm significantly less alert from midnight to dawn, no matter how much sleep I've gotten. And so, I would prefer to drive during the day as much as possible. How is your day-to-day schedule determined, as far as dispatch and whatnot?

    -Thanks
     
    finsternis, Jul 30, 2017
    finsternis, Jul 30, 2017
    #1
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  3. Jul 30, 2017 #2
    gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    If you want to be top driver you get good at running the maximum possible
    You will be given pickup and delivery times, some loads you can calculate you may be able to run during your preferred time of day, other loads have less transit time and you are supposed to run when legal regardless of time of day. If you get known as the driver who only drives between 8 am and 6 pm you will be given loads that go less average miles per day and your pay will suffer as a result.

    After you've been out here a while you learn what areas of the country to run at what hours of the day in order to maximize your productivity. Maximizing your productivity translates to more money come payday as well as more home time when you get there. Use your time poorly and the opposite happens. There are scores of drivers that use their time poorly then wonder why they can only manage to squeeze $500 paychecks.
     
    gokiddogo, Jul 30, 2017
    gokiddogo, Jul 30, 2017
    #2
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  4. Jul 30, 2017 #3
    pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    You can't dictate when you choose to drive it all depends when the load needs to be picked up and delivered .OTR is not consistent in miles and drive time.Companies hire drivers to drive so if you can't drive certain times I would suggest not entering this profession.
     
    pattyj, Jul 30, 2017
    pattyj, Jul 30, 2017
    #3
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  5. Jul 30, 2017 #4
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    You are free to drive whatever hrs you deem fit........as long as you make pick-up/delivery times. A BIG problem in this industry is driver gets empty at 8 am then sits all day and gets dispatched at 5 pm for a 500 mi next morning delivery. Now you must drive all night after being up all day.
     
    Allow Me., Jul 30, 2017
    Allow Me., Jul 30, 2017
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  7. Jul 30, 2017 #5
    peterd

    peterd Medium Load Member

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    Jan 7, 2012
    St.Catharines ON
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    It depends on the company. At Bison a driver can chose not to run nights. I rarely run past midnight,and if I do it's by my choice. My paychecks don't suffer because of it. I've been there 12 years and make well over $1200 week.
     
    peterd, Jul 30, 2017
    peterd, Jul 30, 2017
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  8. Jul 30, 2017 #6
    slim shady

    slim shady Road Train Member

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    Try tanker or flatbed
    Usually deliveries are with in normal business hours
     
    slim shady, Jul 30, 2017
    slim shady, Jul 30, 2017
    #6
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  9. Jul 30, 2017 #7
    finsternis

    finsternis Bobtail Member

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    Jul 8, 2017
    Arizona, USA
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    So it's really just a matter of being wise about time management?

    "I would suggest not entering this profession." Would you? Pretty rude response imo. I've worked 18 hour days in the oilfields of North Dakota before I was a driver, so don't think I can't "hang". I asked a simple question about a preference. I'm new to this, and I feel like no question is off the table.
     
    finsternis, Jul 30, 2017
    finsternis, Jul 30, 2017
    #7
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  10. Jul 30, 2017 #8
    finsternis

    finsternis Bobtail Member

    20
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    Jul 8, 2017
    Arizona, USA
    0
    So what is the trick to avoiding that issue? Just better planning?
     
    finsternis, Jul 30, 2017
    finsternis, Jul 30, 2017
    #8
  11. Jul 30, 2017 #9
    peterd

    peterd Medium Load Member

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    St.Catharines ON
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    If I deliver at 8 am and not get a reloaded until 5 pm, I still would not drive past midnight. Sorry,no load is worth my life, or the lives of others on the road.
     
    peterd, Jul 30, 2017
    peterd, Jul 30, 2017
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  12. Jul 30, 2017 #10
    peterd

    peterd Medium Load Member

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    Jan 7, 2012
    St.Catharines ON
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    There is no clear cut answer. It really depends on the company. A lot of companies will push you and some companies will put safety 1st.
     
    peterd, Jul 30, 2017
    peterd, Jul 30, 2017
    #10
    finsternis Thanks this.
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