Got a problem...with Sleep?

Sometimes its a bit rough , say for instance your in a dock getting unloaded . Those guy come into that trailer at about 50 mph ( ) its a little hard to sleep then ....

 

I was talking about the guys on the forklifts. 50 mph was an exaggeration . Lol

You can sleep while backed into a dock , just look at your bills and you can sort of judge about how long it will take for unload and break down of pallets. Sometimes I get about 2 to 3 hrs of sleep waiting for them to get done...

 

Sleep is a responsibility.

When you take a 10 you need to sleep. Watching movies, playing video games, or otherwise distracting yourself is not sleep. When I start a 10 I'm fed and in bed within an hour.

If I have a break longer than a 10, then I'll break out a movie or something.

 

good Thread.

It sounds like you need to figure out HOW TO SLEEP on command....is this right?

 

Yeah but sometimes we have stuff to take care of, paperwork/shower/food/call the family so 10 hours isn't enough. Not saying they should increase it but regular people work 8-10 hour days and have time to mow the grass and build a shed after work.

 

Yes learning how to sleep on command is sometimes part of it but it is also learning YOUR OWN fatigue cues. Do you have problems shifting,is it more difficult for your eyes to focus on the dash after looking out the windshield,do you have trouble remembering where you are after a few miles,are you yawning constantly? All these things are some signs of being tired and it being time to stop for sleep.Never let Dispatch tell you how to run,your the one who is ultimately responsible!

 

It's best to have a cue that will help you sleep. For me I just pop in the Barry Manilow CD and I'm lights out.

 

True but they have more then 10 hrs after work to do whatever.Companies ecspect drivers to be ready to roll not 1 minute later then after their 10 hr brk.You have a couple hrs to do whatever and an hr before you wake up.I agree its not long enough but what can you do..I personaly wish the 14 hr rule was cut down for local drivers that's required to carry a log book.Companies will work you every bit of your 14 and get paid for 8 or 9 hrs that pays by the load or by the mile.

 

Take Melatonin 5 mg.... it works... at least for me...