3rd shift driving hours

In addition to the other pro's listed, the other truckers on the road are more casual, courteous, and respectful.

Mornings and evenings have more fog than during the day due to the changing of temperature. But for me overall driving overnight is just an all around better experience. Fewer cars on the road, closed weigh stations, courteous truckers.

It's a peaceful time to be on the road.

 

Night driving and sleep can get dangerous. Don't push it too far. Know your limits.

Getting good rest helps for staying awake at night. Not just rest. But good rest. There is a difference.
If constantly driving at night. Set that as your schedule. I did it just when working 3rd shift. It helps a ton.

 

There are two constants on Truckers Report Forums - Xheavy writing a novel and BuddyD changing his profile picture to some other girl every other day.

 

I freaking love it. No traffic, no waiting for other trucks at docks, parking everywhere...best time to work.

 

Buddy has his priorities correct.

 

To be fair..@.X1heavy can do short posts. Just his idea of short is what most of us think of as a novel. I kid I kid, an X1Heavy knows it I'm sure. An if he didn't, he does now.



Seriously...I've seen him do short ones. I print them out an frame them. Someday I'll make a collage an send it to him.

Back to the topic...

Buddy hit on a big problem with overnights...it can be difficult for some to adjust. Making sure your sleeping area is dark, keep a good temp when you do go to bed. Nothing worse then being so tired your lids are closing on their own but you can't sleep cause it's to hot.

Your body can adjust to it, it just takes repetition. Like I said above though...some folks just can't adjust to working nights and sleeping days. I also recommend some kind of noise block...music, tv, white noise etc. You think it's tough sleeping next to a reefer at night, day time can have far more noise, commotion, etc. depending on your stop point.

Another bright side..the lizards hide during the day, so their well rested for their uh...night job. I also have to agree about the folks seem more respectful and less stressed driving at night. A lot of the idiots on the road whether in a truck or four wheeler are asleep.

Also got watch out for those idiots who like to drink an drive. I would also recommend you stay away from energy drinks of any kind. Don't want it to wear off at the wrong time.

Good luck if you do decide to run the graveyard schedule.

Sirscrapntruckalot - The way my luck is running, if I was a politician, I'd be honest! - Rodney Dangerfield

 

Pros- Little traffic-Easier to breathe, Less Cops to bother you for inspections- Better chance to get a good conversation going on the Radio, Better Drivers at Night (Real truckers)

Cons- Many Customers aren't open at night to live load/unload

 

For all those that say less traffic at night, I beg to differ here in Central PA.

I've been running at night the last 8 years. And sometimes the traffic on 81 and 78 is just as bad at night as during the day. The difference? Less cars, more trucks at night. One would think that's good, right? Well, not anymore.

 

just making sure you guys are paying attention to the "little details"...........

 

regarding the cutstomers..

when i did line haul (nights), it was terminal to terminal

when i did dedicated, it was either all drop and hook at one employer

or, at my former employer, we had the keys and alarm codes to the buildings

long before i got into full on night driving, i always called ahead and asked a customer for permission to park on the property, and if granted, where EXACTLY they wanted me to park.

some would say, out in the yard

some would say at the docks, leave your doors closed and locked

some would say door # 2. or 3 etc, and leave your door open

one place i use to go to was Viskon Aire in (i think) Delaware, that said back up to a door and leave your trailer open.

my appointments were always for 7 AM

i'd get there by like about 5 AM, and take a nap.

6:30, they were unloading me,,,7:30 i was done

whole load was "foam" of some sort, for air filters of some sort, for the home HVAC systems?

then dead head down to Richmond, VA.