How do I ETA like a missile?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Juniorjunior, Dec 8, 2019.

  1. Juniorjunior

    Juniorjunior Bobtail Member

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    Hi everyone,
    I'm currently thrown off by ETAs and expecting the inevitable of possibly being asked for one while rolling. Unfortunately, I left Werner in 2017 because of a horrible experience with a s*** trainer and was disgusted ever since. How do I become a master at it? If there's any successful information, it will help a lot and I'll pass it on. Thanks.
     
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  3. Ffx95

    Ffx95 Road Train Member

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    Depending if you’re like me that prefers to keep the driver door closed. If 500 miles or less divide by 50 and add 30 mins break and 1-2 hours of traffic and delays. So when asked for eta at 500 miles I would say 11.5-12.5 hours even though realistically I get there in about 9 maybe 10 hours. Always tell them longer than you expect to get there never tell them what time you expect to get there exactly stuff happens then they get peeved you missed the eta you said.
     
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  4. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Can you run consistent miles?

    The biggest hangup is getting loaded. Do not give an ETA until you are loaded. Once you are loaded, take the miles to the receiver and divide it by your daily consistent miles you run. The higher consistent miles you can run, the better you are. Most company planners plan for 500-550 miles per day. If you are a bad arse and everyone knows it, they will plan yours according to your average. They will also give you the more critical loads. I've said time and again that the top drivers of a company will make 1.5-2x average, running the same equipment on the same roads as everyone else.

    650 a day consistently, regardless of weather and traffic, you are a machine. They will secretly love you. Over 700 a day, consistent, you are supernatural. They shudder in fear and awe.

    "But Six, how does one become consistent with that many miles?"

    Habits. Most people pick up bad habits. Fueling in the middle of their day, becoming truck stop brand happy, goofing off on their 10 instead of recharging and checking their eyelids for leaks. I think that one of the big problems that many drivers have nowadays is this constant need of having their brain stimulated by their electronic devices. As soon as they become bored, their brain begins to shut down and they start to doze off.
     
  5. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    One other subject...

    The key to removing all of your current limitations is through self-discipline. You see all the time people talking about truckstop buffets making people fat. Was it the buffet or was it the shoveling 8 plates of food down the mouth that makes one fat? If I eat at a buffet, it's 1 plate. If I drink at a bar, its 2 drinks.

    If you have a problem with discipline, learn how to meditate. Meditation will help you get your mind in the game and program your mind to meet your goals.
     
  6. Juniorjunior

    Juniorjunior Bobtail Member

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    Nice! I had ran over 600+ at <=65mph on good runs that would take me to PST and MST time zones, but only when the HOS had hit a full 11hrs on-duty driving on the Qualcomm. 30min break was on the pull up after fueling. I would give macros for PTA at consignee's yard, and then deadhead to get the load at a shipper. My problem that I see is that when it comes to providing an ETA and calculating the actual time I would be arriving at future consignees location. I try to base it off 24hr clock but i get lost finding the exact hour of day. Am I supposed to follow a formula?
     
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  7. MBAngel

    MBAngel Medium Load Member

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    I have a 2nd trucker gps in my truck that shows an eta based on 55mph. Since I run 65 most of the time, and only stop for dot, fuel, and changing drivers, it's usually later than I actually get there. Yeah, it's hard when crossing time zones to do the math sometimes. 50 or 55 mph usually is a good estimate with traffic and stuff. You cant drive 11 hours, because as use you have to find a place to stop before the time is up, and that can get sketchy. So 10 hours drive time seems max to me.
     
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  8. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Well done.

    Take the total miles of the trip and divide it by your consistent miles and add half a day. Or if you're a machine, 3-4 hours. You will be dead on accurate.

    Mine is slightly different. I pull big loads. With big loads, I'd bank on it taking a day to load. Thus, my drive time wouldn't actually start until the following day. I call the receiver when I am loaded and one of the questions I will ask is if whether or not they have a place that I can drop the trailer. If not, I will have to plan on dealing with a metro curfew. So, instead of being able to be there the first thing, it will be around 10 am. That's usually okay, because the crane crew normally won't be set up until then anyway.
     
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  9. Juniorjunior

    Juniorjunior Bobtail Member

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    I actually got yelled at by my trainer who woke up to a call that I drove past 11hrs by 5minutes in York, PA. I couldnt find a spot to park since Curfew Policy was in place and 7pm is hard to find parking. I had to find out from another driver that I could have use Personal Conveyance for a proper excuse. lol
     
  10. MBAngel

    MBAngel Medium Load Member

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    Make sure you read the pc rules carefully before using that. My company has a no pc policy, but then, we do mostly teams, so theres no reason.
     
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  11. Juniorjunior

    Juniorjunior Bobtail Member

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    I yield to you oversize guys. Much respect in handling the chaos with those behemoths. When you said half a day, that's counting the off-duty? thank you for your patience.
     
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