I was wondering if you can take your home in 2 different locations (not at the same time, of course)? My girlfriend and my family live in different states. How do you guys manage to see your loved ones if that isn't possible? I know it probably depends on the company, but I'm really not sure. Thanks everybody!
As far as I am concerned, you can take your home time wherever you wish to. Probably want to keep your dispatcher updated as much as possible which location you want to go to so they dont plan for you to be in place A and you two days before your time off, you decide you want to be in place B. Also, dont expect them to be constantly asking you where to go...always be proactive with them, it will get you a long way with them
My home terminal is Otay Mesa, CA. I've only been there, maybe, 6 times in nearly 4 years. My home times are in Denver, CO to see my girls and Inver Grove Heights, MN to see other family. Every other month I am either in CO or MN. On occasion I have also taken a home time in CA. A 'home time' request is simply a 'time off' request. You don't have to take it at any given place, you can take it wherever you want - as long as there are loads in and out near enough to that place. And, as long as you have a safe, legal and secure place to park your truck. Our Macro for requesting a home time requires 3 things. Driver code Location (ZIP code of my request) Start Date Some companies might be different, but I don't know why they would be.
Here's the trick Pandemic. You need a good dispatcher / load planner to start with. If you get a crappy one, tough it out and go over their head and ask for a change when the time is right. Next, you have to work WITH them. Lots of drivers assume the dispatcher is out to get them every time they get a crappy load or have to wait, etc.... You have to roll with the punches in this business. You have to give your support staff the benefit of the doubt and you have to be patient. You get a good dispatch and get a good relationship where they know they can count on you I think you will find they will do a lot for you within reason. However, you go in there demanding to be home one weekend and at the other place two weeks later, etc.... and/or whining about loads, being late, etc... it may not work out too well for you. know what I mean ?
Some companies yes, some no. You'll find with a lot of BIG companies they'll want to work on the truck when you take home time. Therefore saying ya want home time in Miami might not work. Just ask.
I worked with a driver that lives in Memphis, but told his dispatcher he wanted his hometime in California because family lives there. He didn't really need home time in Memphis because he was through there constantly anyway. Actually, he has no family in California, he just did that so he could get regular West Coast runs and it worked.
Depends on many factors as stated above. Company, DM, planner, freight lanes ect ect ect with my previous company I could take home time anywhere within their operating area and did from time to time to visit friends/family. It was a home weekly company and I'd tell them Monday when I went out where I wanted to take my weekend if not at home and they always made it happen. With my my current company it would be harder as I am based out of a specific DC on a private fleet but probably could be done if I wanted to take my weekend in an area where we have a DC I just haven't asked
The company wont care, freight answer that, give them lead time to get you loads they probably wont care.
