Swift Drivers if you do not work for Swift do not respond

Well...you got it right...you went over the governed limit.

0.02 isn't bad...you got on top of the situation in good time!

You might here from your DM...hopefully just a "Hey, I saw you let her get away from you for a bit. Watch your speed at all times." Don't get stressed over it, just keep on top of the speed going down the grades.

Remember...as you crest the top, get out of the accelerator...just coast over the top and watch the speedo.....listen to the sounds at the regular speed, and keep that sound in mind. That truck will "sing" to you...so listen to her!

 

If you find yourself riding the brakes to maintain a speed going down a grade, you are in too high a gear. Don't pay attention to what that CRE driver or the Schneider are doing. Downgrades, Oregon and California are the only places they can pass you in that Swift truck. If other drivers want to float down the hill, that's their problem. Most independents are not governed and will fly past you going down. Again, don't pay attention to them except to make sure you don't jump out in front of them. That creates a whole different set of problems.

You might hear drivers saying, "C'mon, Swift! Turn it loose!" But I will caution you, it's not their license, not their job and they are not driving your truck. Swift is becoming more strict about overspeeds. Do everything possible to not get them. Their position on it is, if you are getting overspeeds, you are not in control of your vehicle. My take on it is, if you are going down the hill over your governed speed, you have given an important tool away: acceleration. You have nothing left of your gas-on-it pedal, which can come in mighty handy sometimes. At Swift, you will lose your job for too many overspeeds.

My truck is governed at 68. People fly past me going down hills all the time and I couldn't care less. I just ride the jake down the hill. They can burn their brakes up all they want.

Regarding the log book. The response you will likely get from the office is, "Plan your trip better." Which you probably did try to do, but you're still new. You're learning where the problem areas are. Chicago can have traffic backups at 0400. It's Chicago. If you're within two hours of going over on your book and you have Chicago in front of you, shut down before Chicago and hit it when you have fresh hours. The CSR might have the *** with you over it if it's a tight load, but again, he or she is not driving the truck. Just send a QC message to your DM (DL, now) and tell him or her you don't think you'll be able to clear Chicago before your hours run out...and there isn't any place to park in town. Just make sure the reason your hours are close is not because you stopped for coffee several times during the day.

 

Otherhalf and Injun are right on the money!

I don't know if you are aware, but there is a truckstop in the Chigaco area. The truckstop is on I-55, Exit 267. It is just east of Interstate 55. It will cost you $10 to stay there overnight - a small price to pay in order to avoid log violations or fines! There are also a couple of state weigh stations on I-55 that are usually closed overnight. Trucks regularly park in there as well (I don't recommend this option unless you have no other choice).