First load

there is a time when your 14 is out and you have not yet had a 10 break. Right now it has been 14 hours and 10 min since u started your day. Once ur 10 break is complete you will have hours.

As for finding customer, always look for local directions. If you need to, call customer and ask how to get there from the nearest highway. relying on GPS or qualcome 100% will get you in to trouble, and ultimately end your career.

 

You don't have to call when you have an appointment window. Just be there between those times. Also, once you've been off duty or in the sleeper for 10 hours your clock will reset your 14 and 11. Good job getting your load there incident free!

 

Going into unfamiliar locations in the dark is always an adventure. Things will look so much different in the light of day then you remembered them going in the night before. Most/many places will have signage directing truckers where to "check in" once you get inside the facility (at the correct entrance for truckers) if not, use your best gut judgement on where to go. Once you find someone who may be who you're looking for, be polite and apologetic if you're unsure you're at the right place. Tell them this is your first time here and they often take a more understanding tone right away. Never check in with shipping/receiving with any sort of "attitude" even if things get very frustrating, very fast.

Also, if your truck's Qualcomm is set up like most, you can move the truck a short distance, perhaps up to a 1/4 mile or more, slowly, and not have it automatically move the status to driving (leaving you in the sleeper) (if this is to your advantage and needed) in case they ask you to move to another area to unload/load before your 10 break is completed.

 

Congrats, Griz! As already said, when it's an appointment window, just get there anytime in that window. If you get a load assignment with a set time, it may be an appointment, but sometimes not, depending on the customer. Just call your fleet manager & he/she can tell you if it's a set time or not, or even if they take you early. Congrats again!

 

If you have a computer it is safer to go to maps.google.com and map where you are going. You can zoom in and see where the docks are, etc. Watch for railroad tracks, residential areas, etc. Sometimes you might even find the place is not on the map where it says it should be, even GPS will pick it up wrong. GPS is great but only if you have the real picture I think. Google maps is not truck safe though, so do not rely on it getting you into places like Chicago, Lexington, NY, etc without checking for low bridges in the area.

Findfuelstops.com is another good tool to use on the internet also for finding fuelstops along the way. Be sure to make a user account, click on stations and bring up another tab each time and it will also list other places in the area like Walmart, be sure to check first for parking at any of them though.

Good luck. Don't forget to take your 1/2 hr break also/\

 

My first solo run with Stevens Transport from Amarillo got screwed up when IBP (now Tyson) assigned two loads to the same trailer number. I took off with the wrong trailer. Had to swap in Lubbock.

 

Don't you just love the smell at that place lol