CB Radio Comments

The question was...Why would someone pay for a truck that they weren't allowed to run the way they see fit?

They have to save every dime, Runnin' for what Prime pays them.

If you drive the thing right, And if it is set up right, You can still get good fuel economy and run at the speed limit!
The problem is that most of the ones foolish enough to fall for the Fleece Operator scam aren't smart enough to do it right in the first place!

The brainwashing is complete!

 

My Main Squeeze is with Prime and on the road with his Trainer at this point in time and has asked me to pose this thoughts:

What do you think?

 

I think Jeff has been listening to the words that we have been saying for years!

Now does Jeff have an idea how to get idiots to listen? Cause I ran all out of ideas 7 years ago!

 

Unless Jeff wants to lease a truck from Prime, he better get used to the idea of running around 55... If he cant meet 6.75MPG... Jeff will be out of a job at Prime.

Too many variables to explain why Jeff wont make anymore money running faster. He would just be racing for a place in line for his next load... and that place in line can get him a 300 mile load just as easy as a 1k load.

Dont get me started on appointments... that will slow him down too. He will just be racing to take his next break. The best thing he can do is try to deliver early... I try to, but more often then not, the customer wont let you... and I drive 55.

Tell him to do his best on fuel and take the extra money they pay him to do so... It was an extra $2500 dollars in my pocket last year.

I have never felt driving 55 is a danger. Stay in the right lane, and let them pass on the left.

They dont pay us to take the Smith System class to ignore what we learned there.

Inattention and lazy drivers cause accidents and it doesnt matter what speed they are driving. You are not going to outrun them. Why would you try to run with them?

 

You can't keep your job at Prime jamming the throttle, and if you're leasing, you won't have a paycheck. Fuel is the largest controllable expense in any trucking operation, and it will just become more acute as the economy starts to heat up again.

There's only a couple of ways to keep the fuel bill down. The first is to spec your truck properly. The second is to slow down. There are times you can pull off an early delivery, but if you have to run at 65 to do it, any advantage you gained in the early delivery will be lost in the fuel cost. If that fuel cost results in cooling your heels at the truckstop because a receiver won't take you early, then its a double loss.

 

I just want to know which lanes all these "slow" trucks are running in 70+ mph states? Better yet, which lanes are they in when they're running in northeast?? I got nothing against trying to save/make $$$ but if they're endangering others around them by "squatting" in the center lane,than that's not so cool.
Case in point: I-95N from NJ -NY- CT- MA where majority of the traffics are running "slightly" above the speed limits and a slow vehicle decides to run the center lane. Trucks are restricted from the far left lane which essentially makes the center lane the passing lane for truck (some states are ticketing for passing on the right) but it's "blocked" and there's a long line of vehicles behind the slow vehicle holding up the traffic. There's no traffic in front of that vehicle or its "wide open" to any vehicles ahead. In more congested metropolitan areas where road exits/on ramps are more prevalent and indeed more occupied, vehicles (53" trailer + cab length) are practically forced into a long line of slow procession or try to pass to the right. Some tries several times to pass, only to back it down for vehicles entering / exiting the roadway. Who is more dangerous? The lone vehicle in the center lane or everyone around him/her?

I'm totally against left lane truck restrictions which cause these bottle necks and unsafe options but how safe is it to have such speed variation from the "normal" flow of traffics no matter what the posted sign states? Road rage anyone? Just my thoughts.

 

I kinda have to take issue with the poster who made negative comments about running the cruise. I find that the cruise is a valuable tool in maintaining a steady speed, as well as reducing fatigue. One of my pet peeves is to start rolling past someone and have them speed up to try and "drag race" you.

Yes, cruise is not substitute for paying attention and doing your job, but I think it's a valuable tool.

 

How often do you get to your shiper/receiver early and have to wait? How often are you continuously running?

Your statements are only valid if you run max miles everyday and do it consistantly, otherwise, you are wasting money.

I've seen many trucks at a shipper that passed me yesterday at a shipper I arrived at today. I get unloaded and they're still waiting on their appointment. Sounds like they lost that money thru the exhaust.

No, I don't work for Prime.

 

CB comments heard today:

Trucker 1: I usually run it 64, 65.

Trucker 2: What kinda mileage do you get?

Trucker 1: Oh, it's good. Usually about 6, 6.1.

Prime: I'd be fired for that.