Picking operating hours (not HOS)

If you want to be top driver you get good at running the maximum possible
You will be given pickup and delivery times, some loads you can calculate you may be able to run during your preferred time of day, other loads have less transit time and you are supposed to run when legal regardless of time of day. If you get known as the driver who only drives between 8 am and 6 pm you will be given loads that go less average miles per day and your pay will suffer as a result.

After you've been out here a while you learn what areas of the country to run at what hours of the day in order to maximize your productivity. Maximizing your productivity translates to more money come payday as well as more home time when you get there. Use your time poorly and the opposite happens. There are scores of drivers that use their time poorly then wonder why they can only manage to squeeze $500 paychecks.

 

You can't dictate when you choose to drive it all depends when the load needs to be picked up and delivered .OTR is not consistent in miles and drive time.Companies hire drivers to drive so if you can't drive certain times I would suggest not entering this profession.

 

It depends on the company. At Bison a driver can chose not to run nights. I rarely run past midnight,and if I do it's by my choice. My paychecks don't suffer because of it. I've been there 12 years and make well over $1200 week.

 

Try tanker or flatbed
Usually deliveries are with in normal business hours

 

If I deliver at 8 am and not get a reloaded until 5 pm, I still would not drive past midnight. Sorry,no load is worth my life, or the lives of others on the road.

 

There is no clear cut answer. It really depends on the company. A lot of companies will push you and some companies will put safety 1st.