I usually do that while I'm getting loaded. You're already at the shipper, so all you need to do is throw the address where you're going in the GPS to get how far away it is. Then I grab my map and decide the best route to go. (I also use google maps in case I want to see the distance of any alternate routing) I figure out how long it will take me to get there, where I plan to stop each night, etc. Most times you have at least an hour between checking in and starting to secure, so I like to use that time to figure out what to expect on that load's journey. Take right now, for instance. I'm waiting to be loaded in Harvey IL going to Tacoma WA. I've already figured out the route I'll take, and am now working on estimating how far I will get each day, with each day's stopping location at least the minimum distance necessary to make it to Tacoma, 2100 miles away, by 0700 Friday morning.
Get a laptop or smart phone and get familiar with google maps.When shipper or consignee has no parking,look for a mall or shopping center nearby,look at map close,sometimes theyre tricky to get into even though plenty of parking.If signs say no overnight parking,clean up some and go talk to someone inside.Alot of times the no parking means no unattended vehicles.
As you see, there are many different ways to work your hours. You just have to find what works for you. Today worked out GREAT for me. I got up at 0445. Did my pre trip at 0515. Pulled out at 0530. I made it to the consignee at 1145. Got unloaded. Received my new load. Left at @1330. Arrived at shipper at 1530, for a 1615 appointment. Got loaded and left at 1800. Drove about 15 minutes to the nearest cat scale, and shower. Arrived at the Flying J at 1830. Stopped my clock. I will start tomorrow again at 0530. This is working very well for me.
Somebody please tell me why stupid truck drivers run their engines on a beautiful evening. Its about 60 degrees, with a good breeze. Im laying here in my bunk, the trucks on both sides of me are running their engines. What is up with that???
By doing this you are ensuring that you get an appointment in the afternoon for the shipper and a late morning one for the receiver? Just trying to understand Blind, is all. I think working this out like this would definitely work for me also but what happens on Friday when you want to go home? lol
I dont like to start my day crazy early. My body doesnt want to wake up that early. If I start too late, then I have to run late. Good luck finding somewhere to park then. So, I start around 5ish. Ends me at 7ish, with a full clock. But, since I didnt get a reset this past weekend, Im running on recap. As for appointments, well... I get to the consignee before appointment time. Send my empty macro. Get my next load, bounce to it and load up. I would like to go get a shower. This job has way too many "what ifs" in it. As for home time loads, really that all depends on how xlose you are to home. Last weekend I was in Jacksonville Fl on friday morning. I knew I wasnt gonna get home, no way. Like I said, too many variables. By the way I will be at the TQM class at the end of the month. Hope to see you there. And finally, where is Milskired.and.Buckeye medic??
Most places work on a first come/first served basis. At least with my company, they only give us appointment times to get us to a place as early as possible, so we can get another load early. But if we have to have to appointment backed up, its no big deal because they don't really have to change it with the receiver...in most cases at least. Sometimes you do have to go to a place at a certain time. After you do this a while, you'll start figuring out what places do fcfs or appointment; or you could always call
Well I am ready to get back at it. Update time......I am going to get a different freaking Doctor when I am in need again. TMC faxed paperwork over to my doctor to be filled out stating I can still do the job, you know that federal law crap. I have been in a tug of war with my FM and my Doctor. I am ready to get back at it and give all the wonderful advice a try but I am stuck at home waiting for my #### doctor to fill out a piece of paper and fax it back to TMC. What will only take a few minutes to do is now on day 3 of me calling TMC then calling my doc. My FM wanting me to go to my Doctor's office and cause a seen. Being a former Police Officer I told him I am not going and causing trouble like that. I am going crazy sitting at home. Not making any money at all. The next two weeks are going to tough with no pay. This thread has been wonderful and very helpful to me. I need to get back at it and put this to practice now. I have been praying that TMC doesn't "cut" it's loses with me in this situation which is out of my control at this point. Thanks for reading the rant guys. Be safe!
Well...... another fun filled week. Here I sit at the Pilot just south of Cincinnati. Do you think they dispatched me a load headed south, for home time?? I dont think so. I gotta go just north of Cincinatti, pick up a load of shingles, and carry them to Detroit. Thats right, another big friggin city. I sent some nasty gram messages to my fm about it. So, another week with no home time. Also, since I didnt have home time last weekend Ive been running recaps all week. I have 9 hours to log tomorrow. So, drive to shipper, load, drive to receiver, unload, find park spot all in 9 hours. I dont think so!!! I will probably end up sitting on this load over the weekend. Hey, at least then I will get a restart. As for schedule work load, I havent been able to because of the length of runs. I dont know why Ive been getting these sorry paying, hard loads. Im only gonna pay so much dues. They can through a good load in every now and then.