Can i always have hours to run?

When I say go to the Northwest, Im not neccesarily saying go join the Western Division (do we still have a Western Division?)

Im saying most Prime loads in the Northwest are going East or Southeast and they've got some good miles.

Someone around here was saying they were told that solos never get sent up there... I say BS. Apples and pears are one of the few produce loads that dont require a team... Potatoes and Onions too.

I technically live up there, however, with my brother stationed in Germany I havent taken any hometime up there in 2 years... Last year I was sent there more than I did the Northeast.

 

You guys work too hard. 3200 miles a week?

...actually I remember praying for 'em. Not any more. More money, less miles - life is good!

 

I'm not taking 8 days to use 70 hours when I can use them in 7 days and fit in a 34 hr restart too. The 8th day is the first day of a new week. I'm here to make money. Each week has the potential to be a 4000 mile week. But only if you have 70 hours available. If I don't use all of my available hours in any given week, I still get in a 34. Next week could be the 4000 mile week. If I have the hours.

I always try to have the hours. Of course there are exceptions, due to various reasons, its the nature of the business. But they are rare. If I get off track and don't get in my restart, I get cranky! But I also get back on track as soon as possible. The way most of this stuff is planned its pretty easy. On a lot of loads I have the option of trying to deliver early or get in a restart.

Walmart is about 50/50 on early deliveries. For me anyway. At one point I was batting about .750, but I've had a string of no's recently that has brought my average down. Maybe I'm in a slump and maybe I need to work on my approach. Whatever. The key to Walmart obviously is getting there early enough to make the previous days window. If they only unload produce from 0300 to 0900 then you must get there in that window a day early. You can't show up at 10:00 the day before your appointment and have any chance.

Everyone needs to do whats best for themselves. But if you are a company driver and want the miles and the money, its out there. You'll have trouble getting either though working only 8.75 hrs per day.

 

Obviously you don't drive for Prime.

 

Well, not 56 mph, or whatever its supposed to be, but yes sir, I drive for Prime. Just gave out my 500th Prime hat the other day.

 

planning your trips is important. FOR INSTANCE if you have a tyson load that has an appt window of 1500 to 2000 but a DDT of 0100 most drivers will show up at 1400 and have issues. when I am solo I plan on being there 1 hr before DDT. but call to see if load is ready. U2 is right on both sides for many instances. But remember company is all about miles. LO is all about revenue. Personally my FM and I are on the same page so my (I am LO) FM works things out for me so I can ge as close to 8.75. In reality and honestly when solo I run 9 to 9.5 which means I may not always have a full clock but I always have something. the big issue is LO vs CO. As an LO waiting for a bettter load can work for me. as a CO you got to keep moving