Trip Planning / Time Management..

I almost always have to leave early because I live a long distance from the truck by choice and it depends on when, what and where. I always try to be a bit early because I hate being late and in a rush, I would rather burn a bit of time than hurry because every time I get in a hurry mistakes can be made.

 

Plus all the work that I have to do around the ol house, I need a rest.

 

there were times I HAD to leave (the house) early, i had some miles to travel, to get to the job (terminal).

as far as "arranging drive time"..??

uh no, when my time was up, i was hitting the bricks..what do YOU not understand..???

YOU make it sound like your perfect, and obey all the rules, laws, each and every day..i am as sure as all heck, you TOO left earlier than normal.

so get off your high horse.

this thread is about someone who is scared of driving at night, not me, not you...

 

that's like my current job situation now. i arrive early every night, as i do my pre-trip, if there is a problem, i have to unhook, and take the truck to Penske, many times, switching out and getting another truck. if i do not do this, i will be , behind in my route.

 

No way am I perfect, I drove at night mostly because I could make more miles that way, most of the weigh stations were closed and inspections were done during daylight hours which took some worries off plus sometimes the loads were a bit over weight. I was mostly in the same truck always and they were older trucks without all that computer junk in them and I do know how to turn a wrench. I did get a few tickets and have a few problems with them weigh stations that opened in the middle of the night. All that really got me nothing because you can bust your butt for years and it is forgotten quickly because seats can be filled by new blood quickly. I made my money, saved and invested well enough but all that really only gave me bad health which I have been working on.

 

Just so that I'm clear - you plan with your dispatch to arrrive at work at 0800 Monday morning. Dispatche calls you at 1830 Sunday night and says "we have a load, you have hours , get to the truck asap" - do you drop what you're doing and head in?

And why wouldn't I plan my day around my own needs? As long as I meet the needs of the customer why wouldn't I run when I can be most efficient? Just because a driver CAN run on his ten, doesn't mean he needs to or even should. One of my usual loads coming out of the house delivers into Lansing MI. Can't deliver until after midnight, must deliver by 1000. I could time things to deliver at 0005, but I know my company doesn't have freight to pick up in that market until 0800. So why drive overnight if that means I sitting? I can get right next door to delivery the night before and be able to run the same miles the next day. It is not about driving hard, its driving smart. I make decisions based on 1) the health and happiness of my family, 2) my financial well being, and 3) the company's best interest. Usualy #2 and #3 coincide, and sometimes you take one for the team, but at the end of the day I know my company is going to put their interests first, so I do the same.

 

i prefer nights as well, due to lesser traffic, stations closed, easier times stopping for a coffee, and leaves my days wide open for appointments for myself.

and that IS a problem with the so-called drivers these days. too many that want, want, want, what they think they are entitled to, and not work to earn it.

 

YES I HAVE, why sit on my butt not making money..???

as long as my time was up, regarding the 8 hour breaks (of years ago) or the 10 hour break, or the 34 hours....why not..???

that's an extra run, extra money in my pocket...

 

Problem was is people like me is why they made all these rules, they said go, we went, we knew the ways and times of the weigh stations and got by. Then they came up with eld,s because of our log books mostly got by,(always) but the knew because some will rat you out.

 

Then if I come out on the road again I will be in a position I do not have to run like that, it will take some relearning of what I was taught for decades. No need to make more money, will be going because I enjoy the road and this country.