Importance of Freight

[NoProblem]

Not sure how much experience you have, but I am guessing by your post than you are relatively new to this business.

No one likes to wait 6 hours at a dock – but because it happens regularly and because you committed to the load, driving while you are tired is something that drivers – all drivers, in some way, shape or form, adapt to. I said tired, not falling dead asleep while behind the wheel.

Granted, you should have gotten an extra 6 hours added to your delivery time – assuming you were not 6 hours early for that pick-up.

You did not mention how long the run was – how long was the run?

A handy thing to have on the road is an alarm clock - “Screaming Meanie†works extremely well and you won’t need to depend on the penny loafers to wake you – only to get you your next load. Get 2 or 3 hours ahead of schedule, take a one hour nap, keep on going. You’ll get it – just takes time.

Once you gain enough experience, you might better understand that when you signed on as an expediter, that your life revolves around - and is dependant on - the availability of freight.

Sometimes that availability gets delayed at shippers for hours, sometimes the freight is completely unavailable for days. But you will learn to be ready when IT is…….. and then expedite IT wherever IT needs to go, and get it there on time to boot.

We had a driver 300 miles into a 1500 mile run when he got a call that his house was on fire. He never even said a word until he was almost to his drop. He delivered that load and waited for a 1500 mile return load. Sound extreme? Well, welcome to expediting.

This penny loafer’s going back to loading trucks now.

 

[LDB]

I don't know your age so I don't know if you are more "sage" than I am or not. There could be a number of situations. If it's an ongoing thing with any specific driver that's a different situation. I'm just pointing out one possibility to the situations described.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[arkjarhead]

I do you figure I don't get much freight? I very rarely sit. I don't know who you are or how you think you know me but you don't.

 

[Moot]

Steve, excellent point about the alarm clock. I can't believe a person could get by without one. I have two. A 12 volt digital and a battery analog. In this business an alarm clock is as basic as headlights.

 

[redytrk]

That Qualcom "Beep" wont wake me up. It takes the "Screeming Meamie" to do the job,along with a regular alarm as a backup.

 

[outwardbound 2]

no excuses that is what i learned growing up.
When we're in the truck we are a part of it, the computer that makes it go down the road.
if you take a load you run it, on time and with the cargo in good shape. The bottom line is it's not the customer, the shipper, the company, nor dispatch it is the driver and his job is to keep the wheels turning.
Sleep managment(great pharse) and HOS are something we all learn to deal with in our own way. Next time your at the truck stop really take a look at the drivers and how many zombies staring blankly into space.
Personally i have been out for the last 2 1/2 months and been in the truck every day, just made it back to the home base for some needed maintances and told my owner that i need time out of the truck and was taking the week off. No fire, no one died, no pet thing, no emergency, no excuses, Just need the time away from my but holder. Wheels not turning so not making money instead spending money i have made.

 

[dhalltoyo]

The carrier to whom I am leased has never pushed me to go beyond safe operating parameters. When I find myself driving into inclement weather I simply keep them update on the conditions. The same holds true for changing traffic conditions. They will even give me an opportunity to decide on an offer if the weight is marginally close to my limitations or when the shipper can not honestly verify the actual weight. They understand that a damaged unit due to overloading limits their ability to service the customer.

I have turned down offers when I have already scheduled my van for service. They understand that I am driving a diesel powered unit which limits my choice of authorized service centers. They have told me, "I'd rather you do the maintenance that keeps you operating instead of trying to figure out how to switch a load if you are broke down."

I really appreciate working with a group of professionals that have their priorities in order.

 

[jaminjim]

how bout uttery udder fast.

 

[Dreamer]

This type of situation is where 'power naps' come in. I read a study once that said if you can't devote MORE than 2 hours to sleep, you should only nap about 20 minutes. That study said we cycle up and down thru the sleep stages (REM to Deep Sleep) about every 20 minutes while you're asleep. So, 20 minutes will give you once complete cycle and your body will recover enough to go on for a while. One of my things I always did was to figure if I averaged at least 60 mph (speed limit permitting, interstate running,) I gained about 10 minutes or so per hour I could nap somewhere, stop for a restroom break, etc.(routed at 45) On long runs, when the eyes feels like sand, you be amazed what a quick 20 minute 'power nap' will do to refresh you. Much better, and much SAFER than drinking gallons of caffiene!

I took many of these in those predawn hours when it's so hard to keep awake.

Dreamer
Forums Administrator


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Ability is what you're capable of doing...
Motivation determines what you do...
Attitude determines how well you do it. (Lou Holtz)
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[guest]

I can Understand where the young man is coming from, but I would never sit at a Dock for 6 hrs when I have a sleeper I can go rest in. When the freight is ready you would be too. If a shipper will not let you go sleep in your truck then Shame on them. I Don't yell or fight with them. I just tell them that I have to call FedEX and let FedEx deal with it. If your running single, you can always tell the shipper that if I sit here on the dock it takes away from my driving time that the DOT gives me. For most part Shippers Don't want to fight with the DOT. I know that SAFETY SHOULD ALWAYS COME 1ST. I Don't Care Who your Driving for.

I will say that if your company wants you to drive when your sleepy, Then you need to LOOK for a new Company to Drive for. In my 11 plus years with FedEX I know this Don't happen. If you call an agent at FedEx and tell them that your Sleepy or Sick they will do a load transfer. But for the most part you wouldn't need to anyways because FedEx Custom Critical will bump the time on the run based on 45 mile and hour from the time you leave the shipper.

I will say that At FedEx Custom Critical "Safety takes Priority" no matter what. They won't Even give a single driver a load that is over 550 total deadhead and loaded miles. I also know that they will tell the shipper that you need your rest, and will tell them if your going to be waiting for some time on the freight that they would like you to wait in your truck.

This shouldn't be about if you can stay awake for 20 hrs. It's all about doing the run Safely and on time. Most people Don't plan to Fail, they Fail to plan.


I have to agree with Dreamer, Power Naps are Great.

Have a great and safe Hoilday everyone.

Drive safe

Dave Mayfield
FEDExCC/Roberts Express O/O Since 3/1/1995
C1847,C2045,D3397,D5047

 

[SHADY]

I have a 5 year rule. If I've got a real problem, I go to the Rule. What will they remember in 5 years, that I was late or that I had an accident?
The real solution is a team, in all expedite trucks, except the B unit. A B can run fast enough to go coast to coast, get pleanty of sleep, and arrive early. If it is dispached at the same speed as the larger trucks.
Most often when I sit at a dock like that I'm not loading Expedited freight. Yah, I work in this industry but an E unit sometimes gets a load of water to a grocery store. As long as it is at the rate, who cares. But if I arrive on time and an Exp. load is still being manufactured, then it is NOT my problem. I dislike the hours of service, but they are what we have.

 

[hedgehog]

It's our own greed and dishonesty that makes us tired.

How many drivers except loads when they are really too tired....or...worse...will run out of legal hours sometime during the delivery.

If you are tired, have extenuating circumstances, should be home during emergencies...about to become abducted by aliens...REFUSE THE LOAD AND REST.

Don't worry about customer, there's lots of other drivers sitting at rest stops or truck stops waiting for work.

Be safe and responsible for you own actions.