Stupid route from my night planner?

Several years before I retired the fleet my truck belonged to went through 4 or 5 managers. I was in Maryland and needed fuel, idiot FM wanted me to go almost 50 miles the other direction to get fuel. The problem is the fuel card companies make deals with the truck stops and the carriers use those deals. I got into a rather loud discussion over the phone and decided to stop right where I was. I spent close to 24 hours in that truck stop and refused to move until my bosses boss contacted me. I got the OK to go on into PA to buy fuel and noticed that idiot never again worked as my FM. I understand I don't own the truck and operated the truck generally the way the owner wanted it ran. However I was also mindful of my time and those precious HOS I had. There were 2 things I hated as an OTR driver. A carrier that tried to override my safety decisions and a carrier that had no regard for my time. Not that much I could do about that time thing because of crazy delivery times and detention. Safety however was different. If I said a truck was not moving that sucker did not move. I once had an intense argument with my bosses boss over this until I called safety. Drivers keep safety on speed dial!

 

Love my company. They don't care how you get it there just get it there on time.

I usaully stick o the main highway and off highway routes going to my delivery loaded.

On the way back unloaded I take my time with the back roads and kinda explore. Some times 20 miles off route but work doesn't seem to care.

I try not to idle when not necessary so I save them a ton of fuel there .

 

I had something similar happen. I was in Ft WayneIN heading to the Detroit area. Company wanted me to go to Gary to fuel in their terminal. Thing is, they don't pay you to go out of route to fuel.

I refused.

Dispatcher got mouthy, and I hung put the phone down. They call back with a new fuel plan.

 

My hometime load was typically a heavy Costco load (right at 80,000 with 1/2 tanks), so my tanks were typically 1/4 or so when I got off home time. I live and parked in Flint, MI. The closest majors are Saginaw 30 miles north, Lansing 60 miles west, Pilot (was new at the time) 60 miles east, and I dunno what is south.. Likely the Pilot at exit 5 on US23.
So instead of getting fuel at a smaller station, like Speedway, Beacon and Bridge, or Marathon they always sent me up to the J in Saginaw, then pickup in Marysville (South of Port Huron).
After the first time and not getting paid to go to Saginaw I simply started to go to the Pilot that I literally passed. I would do a fuel macro stating I was at 0/8 tank the computer would 100% of the time allow 100+ gallons there.
But back to topic, yea they didn't care it took almost 2 hours off my home time, unpaid just to go save them 1 cent on a gallon of fuel.

 

One message and I get a routing point added so I get paid for the miles.

I also get paid for following the fuel solution - 1 cpm, works out to $30 a week or so. If the fuel program results in 2 "extra" fuelings a week, and each one takes 30 minutes, that's $30 for the "extra" work. In practice I don't find it results in more fuelings over the course of time, it does however mean stopping at less than optimal times.

 

When I worked at Swift they did not. Went up the chain of management as far as was practicable, but when the head of the East Division in Memphis says no, it's kinda pointless to bring Phoenix in it.
Like I said, I just ignored their stupid routing and took a sensible route.

 

Staying off the Indy and OH turnpikes doesn't eat THAT much time, honestly. And avoiding those stretches of highway is pretty common.

Idiot routing to avoid the toll roads in Chicago or the NorthEast, on the other hand, is pointless and time consuming. Plus, it wastes the driver's productive time, puts unnecessary wear and tear on the truck, and burns more in fuel than the company saves by just running the toll roads.

Sounds to me like Roehl routing. And yes, Roehl routing is beyond stupid in many cases. During my all to brief (and still too long by half) period of employment by Roehl, I just ignored their routing (and most of their fuel stops, further stupidity). But, on the other hand, I was also fired. If you can't walk from one job to another after burning a bridge behind you (and possibly blowing it up and urinating on the remains while laughing manaically), I would recommend just playing their idiot games until you are in a position to leave amicably.

 

Blowing the bridge...

Maybe one of these.

This is how 'Ripley at the Bridge' became a Marine Corps legend

 

Them mega dispatchers just press buttons on their keyboard and whatever pops up thats what they send u, as long as u getting the load there safe and damage free and on time, imo u should take the best route that you feel is right..