Managing fatigue as a linehaul driver

My barn created a position called "Longpool" which you actually bid on. It's just another way of calling the #1 spot on the "flex board", which I bid on as you get priority on covering the longer runs when old timers take days off.

Usually I get a text at 7 pm to come in at 9 or 10 but sometimes I get shuffled around on earlier starting times depending on who's off that day. I run every day as there are 31 linehaul drivers including teams that have anywhere from 3 and 4 weeks of vacation plus the occasional personal day off. Sometimes it's hard as I have to "flip my schedule" to run day linehaul for a couple of days and then come back on the night shift the next day. But I love it, doing a different run every day makes my week go way faster. It's not that hard thanks to the Hours of Service as most runs or collection of multiple runs rarely add up more than 9 or 10 hours.

I try to eat light as eating a big meal will knock me out pretty good, calling people on my headset also helps to keep me awake. Also blasting the AC very cold seems to help lol

 

More than likely an LTL driver isnt going to be sleeping in a truckstop

 

There is no replacement for sleep. With 14 hour days the norm, it leaves little time for anything else.

 

Looks like i might be going Linehaul w/ NEMF outta Newburgh,NY.I prefer to drive at nught and wont miss the city or the people daytime if this goes thru.Ive always driven at night and about the best thing you can do is get a good nights sleep and pull over for a quick 15 or 30 if you need it,ive done that a few times.

 

How is this any different than just calling the board? Are you just saying give me the longest run every night?

 

I have this problem. I start at night , run all night until almost noon. I hate this schedule so much man. What do I do? Sleep while waiting at the dock. Sleep at my turnaround point. When I am desperate I get my load and then crash in the parking lot for a couple hours before I call my dispatcher and give him the load info. If desperate I will just log a "delay" like traffic or something. Otherwise it's radio on full blast window down and ac on, hitting the e cig and combining nasal decongestants with energy drinks (jk)

 

I ran the road for 2 years. Towards the end i had a set bid. But before that I was always switching around.

id normally make my breakfast aka my protein energy drink. It was normally a nice light way to start the day. I'd also pack my own food to save money and not eat greased truck stop food. This way I wouldn't over ear and get tired. I also have a hands free ( recommend blue parrot) and I'd talk to friends who were night owls, my gf, or just BS with other drivers who I was good friends with on the night shift. One of the guys had this thing to add 15 of us on his line.

i run line haul on Saturdays usually every other weekend. Normally it's during the day. I'm a city driver now though. As much as I liked the road, working nights took it's toll

 

I prefer to drive at night and during sunset. Not a driver yet, and not sure what LTL means, but watching what you eat can help. Eating and drinking things high in sugar could make you sleepy. Try watching your sugar carbs and ease off the energy drinks. Energy drinks could also cause bad sleep, making you feel "unrefreshed" when you wake up.

When I get tired I always open the window or, if it's a hot day, turn the AC on high for a few minutes.

 

Lets say there are 5 extra runs tonight. The longest goes to me, or i get a couple shorter ones that make up more miles. I usually run at least 450-500 miles. Other extra guys work the dock, i rarely ever do.

 

Driving at night won't hurt you. Sleeping during the day will mess you up severely especially if you have kids.