pickup/delivery times

[donnieking]

Hello all,

I'm thinking of getting into the business and have a question I haven't seen addressed. It may not be of concern to most drivers but would be to me if I get into the business. I have driven over the road as an independent contractor delivering travel trailer and other towables for more than four years. I understand the ups and downs of being on the road for long periods of time and have no problems with the lifestyle.

My question concerns the pickup/delivery times for vans/straight turcks with a solo driver. I'm aware that a solo driver would not get a lot of long distance frieght but would be more likely offered frieght that could be deliverd in one or two days. If this is correct the question is;

Is a majority of the freight offered to solo drivers picked up late in the day for an early morning delivery? If this is true this means solos spend most of their driving time at night which is something I have not desire to do.

Thanks for any and all replies.

 

[Dispatched]

If night driving is an issue ? forgetaboutit

Not all solo work will be overnight, but is possible and highly likely.
If you indeed have night-time driving limitations ? A day job locally's gonna be yer best bet.

 

[redytrk]

I second that. Majority of loads are PU in the afternoon for del in the AM. The good news, is that many of them have you arriving at the dock at early morning (midnight to 02:30) then you can get some snooze time before they open.

As far as solo runs beyond what HOS rules allow.They are rare and usually only happen over the weekend. This way you can take a 10 hr break and still meet that early Mon del.

 

[terryandrene]

Most of the expedite carriers follow some form of the former Roberts Express business model which provided for a pickup within 90 minutes if the shipper was located with 25 miles of an ExpressCenter. Delivery times were determined by programming trucks average speed at 45 miles per hour, plus a half hour at the pickup location. Therefore if a shipper called in an order at 1030, he would be promised a truck would arrive at his location at noon, depart for a 450 mile run at 1230 and arrive at the consignee by 2230. If the consignee was not scheduled to be open at 2230, delivery was specified at 0700.

My experience has been that most expedite runs are dispatched for pickup in the afternoon, often after the customer has received last minute orders for emergency parts, or has missed the daily LTL o freight carrier scheduled pickup times. Most of my runs, over the years, have involved night driving. Expedite freight is most often straight thru and rarely at the one or two days type advertised by the USPS.

 

[Broompilot]

Yes to your question.

As a Solo driver I averaged 70% night work, and loved it....

Now ask the question or look it up Leo asked a few months ago how to stay awake? Very tough at first now I can shift back and forth with little difficulty.

First load comming back into service after a weeks break, now thats the hardest one of all.

 

[Dreamer]

I always preferred driving at night. Now, sure, about 4 or 5 am the eyes get heavy, but you can get thru it once you get used to it. It was easier for me, because I've always been a night owl.

Sure you see scenery better in the daytime.. but it's much easier to go into Chicago, New York, or any big city during the night. Rush hour sucks.. no matter WHAT size truck you're in.



Dreamer
Forums Administrator


[font size="1"]Have a Sprinter van? Check out the forums at [A href="http://www.mysprintervan.com"]MySprinterVan.com[/A]

OTR? Check out [A href="http://www.truckme.com"]Truckme.com [/A]



"Ability can take you to the top, but it takes Character to keep you there."

- Zig Ziglar

[/font]