Schneider IC

I saw a Schneider management type comment in Landline? about how one of their OOs kept the speed at 60 and was able to go home an additional 40 days a year for the same pay. I saw Volvo advertise a lower rpm which they claim could be a 3% fuel savings. I'm exploring a lot before I take the trucking plunge mysedl myself.

 

#1 rule in choice: NEVER GO TO C&S WHOLESALE IN YORK PA

Me personally:
*I like to drive at 60MPH (most of the time, lol)
*Light loads, light LOADS LIGHT LOADS!!
*FL can be tricky to get out of with a decent paying load, TX seems to be that way as well.
*I baby my truck, keep it very clean, try my best to stay out of the salt and PM 4x as often as some other drivers that I've talked to (one driver did PMs once every 60k... this made me cringe, but to each his own!) -- People may laugh at this but its the way I always have and always will be about my vehicles - I'd much rather spend a little more in advance they spend a WHOLE lot and not be making any money sitting in the shop with major repairs.
*I work on the truck myself whenever possible, save a TON of money that way

Yeah... fuel is the big one, honestly how you drive will affect your paycheck more than anything. Unless you're lucky enough to be able to find constant runs that let you burn your 70 to the ground only stopping for 10hour breaks, you'll have plenty of time to slow down to 60MPH instead of running 75MPH, and still get the loads there on time. If you could constantly stay moving without ever having any kind of a layover, then yeah I'm sure there is a point at which it would make sense to drive faster and get more miles compared to driving slower and getting less. But in reality, if I show up at the truck stop at 8pm for a 9am delivery the next day, what advantage does the driver headed to the same place, with the same appointmet time, who drove 75MPH and got to the truck stop at 6:30PM have over me? Ok yeah yeah he got a better parking spot.

 

What's the zip code shown on the board for C&S so I can avoid them?

 

I don't know the zip, but when I made the mistake going there. I took some pallets up to Hazleton, Pa. If you see something from York to Hazleton, its mostly C&S. You can also call your DBL, before you book a load. Another tip is when you picking up an relay, always call your dbl and see what time its going to be drop at the yard. Relays can be tricky, so call first. You can tell if its a relay, if you see 5 pre loaded trls around and OC, its mostly relays.

 

Get your truck from a dealer...Most people fail in there lease...my opinion is leasing isn't a smart move

 

Personally, 2 things that I focus on is time management and picking the loads.

1. I don't do 34's while out running (typically). It has happened where I've done a 34 because loads/scheduled got so messed up I ended up sitting over a weekend or something like that. But for the most part I run the truck everyday 8-9 hrs a day 6 days a week and at least 1, 3-6hr day. This way you can keep your clock rolling and be more productive and more relaxed. Running 11 hrs a day means you will have to pick your loads tight and run like a mad man! Some do it that way and it is fine but I like 8-9 hr days.

2. Pick as many high paying loads as possible! Over $1.50

 

I hear ya! My wife thinks I'm too picky as well. However picking the loads I believe is very important. I try don't not to be on a cheap and/or heavy load for very long. I will dead head as far as necessary if it pays more per mile to run it than the loads near me.