How Many Hours Are "Required" To Work

Companies main concern is getting loads picked up and delivered on time.They don't care when you stop and take your 10 hr brk just don't be late delivering that load.They may let a few loads slide if your're late ,just don't make it a habit,then you will get fired for too many late loads.If you trip plan accordingly you shouldn't have trouble getting the sleep you need to be a productive driver.

 

There may be times you'll need to drive more then you would like because you stopped too early the day before.If your sleeping becomes a problem in this industry,your company may want you to resign because then can't have that day after day.The main thing is be ontime with loads and COMMUNICATION with your dispatcher.

 

The guy who is willing to work 11-14 hours/day will obviously do better with the company than the guy who wont work more than 8 & takes frequent breaks.

 

The big thing is you have to be self motivated. If you are already asking how much you have to work you might want to think twice before getting into trucking. Alot of people think this industry is for the lazy its not. You do have lazy people but they don't last long. I am not trying to be rude but it's the truth. Their are so many days I wake up and don't want to do anything but have to drive 10 hours to get the load their on time. No one telling me to do it I just know that's what it takes to get the load their on time. Cause at the end of the day that is one of two things that matter. Picking up and delivering on time and don't hit anything. But I am a rookie so it's just how I see things take it for what it is.

 

You may be a rookie but all of what you said is right on the money.

 

My company doesn't care how many hours I drive as long as my load gets there on time.

 

I went local. Best decision ive ever made.

 

He meant to say he went loco ..plum loco...lol

 

No.

In fact at Swift orientation and training they emphasized trying to use about 8-9 hours of total drive AND on duty time each day, noting that some days will require more and some days will require less. This is for those that drive solo. By managing your time this way you can be available and continue to drive for weeks at a time without having to do a reset (34 hour break).

If you are driving team then there is the pressure to keep the wheels turning for days at a time on cross country runs. I'm currently working on a team for a dedicated account, which requires running coast to coast every week. In this case we try to split the day in 12 hour shifts between drivers, and maximize as close to 11 hours drive time within that 12 hour window. Typically we are getting 10 1/2 to 11 hours driving per shift. Once we finish a coast to coast run we will typically take a 34 in order to reset our 70. Our account requires fast coast to coast runs to meet their schedule, so teaming on an operation like this does require being able to drive long hours AND being serious about getting your sleep in a moving truck.

Strategically when I was running solo I would like to run about 8-9 hours per day. It was quite restful, as I could often take extended 30 minute breaks, stretching them out to an hour or more if I needed a nap, and take regular "leg shaker" breaks. It's not the same as running long hauls with a team, or running a multi day solo load that requires running maximum per day. Solo drivers normally get the shorter hauls, in the 300 to 1500 mile range.

That's some kind of philosophical Zen poetry right there...