Cannot get a new driving job because i was terminated from my last job!

How are you supposed to sleep when you are freezing cold in the winter, or in the summer when the temperature can hit over 120 degrees inside? If they won't let you idle the truck, they need to put APU's in their trucks. It always amazes me how these OTR outfits treat their drivers.

 

When I started driving in 1992 I bought a full size coleman sleeping bag rated for 32 degrees. I added a set of sheets and an extra blanket. During the winter I would only idle the truck if it was lower than 00 farenheit. My idle time was less than 3% all winter. I even received the top level of JB Hunt's "performance bonus." while there.

During the summer time I had window screens and fans mounted inside the truck and extra sheet sets. I usually drove during the day and shut down later in the evening so I could take advantage of the cooler temps during the night.

The fact is you can reduce idle time but many "drivers" are used to being a temperature controlled environment and would rather idle the truck for their comfort. An easy choice especially when you do not have to pay for the fuel.

Lets not forget we have men and women in uniform that have to rough it on a daily basis.

 

Well I personally sleep great in the winter when it is COOL outside as long as it above about 25-30 Degrees. If it gets colder than that i have a bunk heater. My problem is in the summertime especially when it is humid. I cannot sleep when I am hot. I will sleep with the windows cracked and vents open if it is below 75 degrees but if it gets hotter than that i'll idle my truck. My company has an idle policy such as this and i was warned twice about my idle time last summer. I told them that if i was hot i was going to idle. I don't idle my truck if i'm not in it like some and i don't abuse the equipment, i take pride in my ride.

I wouldn't consider 75 - 90 degrees at night cooler.

these are great ideas

Why should we not have the same comforts like air and heat at our job or "house" like any other human being that is employed by our company?

 

This "job" is not like an office job. It is more like a military deployment to the field. For those that desire heat and a/c they may look for office work or warehouse work.

There are many other jobs that do not have creature comforts either such as farmers, landscapers, home builders, road crews, and construction workers of every type. Lets not forget our predecessors did this job "without" these creature comforts either.

I stand by my stated position; "drivers can reduce their idle time significantly if they had the desire to."

If the drivers that actually complain about these restrictive COMPANY idling policies would put themselves in an ownership frame of mind, they might actually realize there are some "tricks" to reducing that idle time AND saving the company money.

Some of these tricks are;
Summer time:
Use of fans + window screens, placing large cups of ice in a Styrofoam cup in front of a fan. Sleep at night when the temps do drop. Buying a hammock and a mosquito net and hanging it beneath the trailer where you can take advantage of cross breezes and the shade of the trailer. Be sure to also carry clean sets of sheets, towels, and rotate your pillows because they will get wet from sweat.

Winter time:
Use a cold climate sleeping bag. Bunk warmers are okay but they will drain your batteries and may not have enough juice to restart the truck in the morning. Wear socks at night or some loose fitting sweat clothes as pajamas. Extra sheets and blankets will help you layer up in really cold temps.
WARNING!!!! DO NOT USE ANY KIND OF PROPANE SPACE HEATER INSIDE THE CAB OF A TRUCK!!!! This may cause asphyxiation during the night due to improper venting. One JB driver actually died trying this back in the mid nineties.

Lets not forget we are in a bad recession and carriers are failing almost every day due to business costs. These companies must find ways to save money and fuel is one of the largest expenses (second only to driver wages/benefits).

Many carriers cannot afford the 5 to 10 thousand dollar investment for an APU on each truck. It may take up to 2 years to recoup that initial investment cost.

If you can save your carrier money they may be able to withstand this recession and you will get to keep your job as well as get rewarded with raises in pay for your hard work when the company returns to profitability.

One thing JB Hunt did right was they gave the drivers an incentive bonus program for complying with the company policies. They had a 3 tier bonus program for a while and measured everyones idle time, variance, over speed, target fueling, as well as safety and no log book violations.

Top bonus was $225.00 per month
Second bonus level was $150.00 per month
Third Bonus level was $75.00 per month.

 

This is the thing i dont understand. Right now, i am in Neenah, WI. I just came from Alabama, where it was in the 90s with high humidity. In WI...it is morning, maybe 60 degrees, and i have two trucks on either side of me idling.

In the past, i have been thanked for having the lowest idle within our terminal, and one of the lowest in the company. Was told couple weeks ago how my idle for April/May was "..an impressive 12%." Then goes on to say that 6800 other drivers are at 8% or lower. Well first off, i know that most of that 6800 are team drivers, so the truck seldom sits for more than 4-6 hrs.

I then get a message last week saying i was one of the highest idlers for the week company wide. Well DUH.....i'm sitting in 90 degree weather with no wind and 80%+ humidity. And i need to be cool to get a good nights sleep. I cannot sleep when i'm hot, or cannot feel a breeze. And if i cannot get good rest, then i am unsafe on the roads the next day.

Oh...and not to mention that week i was 'one of the highest idlers', was a week i got really crappy miles. want me to have low idle time.....keep me rolling. pretty simple.

 

Hey bubba Guy78 talked to S&H and they are still hiring what name did you give so I can give her a heads up and did you go online and fill out an app on their site

 

Hey Bubba Guy78 I will talk to her on Monday. I was away for a minute but I will give her your name and let you know what she said either way I hope it works out. Did you go to their site and fill out the online app at S&H Express.

 

Hey Bubba Guy78 just a little more info I got check out Southern Cal Transport site they have some dedicated in Pa. Also check out indeed site they also would be able to help to find something in Pa. I will talk to S&H on Monday just passing along the info hope it works out God Bless.