Something to do while sitting...

Tennesseahawk · Jan 11, 2007

It's that time of year again, folks. I don't care who you are, you'll end up sitting days between loads for a couple months. I know of a few ppl who go nuts while they're sitting more than a day or two. In the end, most of this balances out and April will start us all moving regularly again. Until then, we have to sit...

I found the best way, for me, to sit numerous days without a load. I buy strategic computer games that takes days to finish, and you can play over and over. Right now it's Civilization 3. Talk about wasting time! If strategy isn't your gig, you could try something like The Sims, sports games like Madden, construction games like Stronghold (which turns into strategy) Dungeon Siege; the list is endless. In the end, I play hundreds, maybe thousands of hours on games that cost anywhere from $10 to $50. I bet your blood pressure will tell you it's worth it. Just remember to pull yourself away long enough to get some sleep.

"If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." - Kansas

ATeam · Jan 11, 2007

>It's that time of year again, folks. I don't care who you
>are, you'll end up sitting days between loads for a couple
>months. I know of a few ppl who go nuts while they're
>sitting more than a day or two. In the end, most of this
>balances out and April will start us all moving regularly
>again. Until then, we have to sit...

I don't mean to be disrespectful or argumentative. Please understand that. While it may be true that many expediters will end up sitting days between loads this time of year, not all of them will. I think it is important for expediter wannabees to know that.

The FedEx White Glove drivers Diane and I have been talking to by telephone are as busy as they want to be these days. We are out of service at the moment because we need a night off to rest. FedEx has been running us hard and the loads have been at least good enough to accept. Some have been better.

Beyond FedEx, I can think of two or three regular posters in the Open Forum that claim they can keep their drivers running as much as they want to. My guess is that there are a number of Panther, Landstar and other-carrier drivers that are looking forward to good numbers in January.

There is no question that this is an industry-wide slow time of the year. Indeed, FedEx publishes that fact in its contractor literature and encourages contractors to take time off this time of year, when things are slow. But it is also the case that as greater numbers of contractors and drivers take time off, there are less trucks to haul what freight is out there to haul. Thus, there is freight to haul.

In our case, we notice a pickup in loads of paint and ink this time of year. While it can be shipped in the summer on most any truck. Some of it goes on reefer trucks in the winter because it can't be allowed to freeze.

Expediting is a business with many variables. Even within the same carrier, business conditions that may be seen by one driver may be entirely different for another.

Tennesseahawk · Jan 11, 2007

I'm sorry, Phil, I didn't make it more clear. This thread is for us poor slobs who don't have a Gadgetmobile. MOST of us do sit for an extended period of time once in awhile. For those who dont... I guess this thread isn't for them. Nuff said.

"If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." - Kansas

panther_art · Jan 11, 2007

I have always had respect for ateams post but somtimes I wonder what arm he drives with and what arm he uses to pat his back.
Sorry Phil but when the winters are warm like this year and last not as many shut down and its harder to get loads as when the winters are cold and with heavy snow.

Pantherart

x06col · Jan 11, 2007

Yea man. Being"stuck in a Truck" is not good. If you are not stuck at home. Bout like Chet, runn'in 25-2600 miles a week and whining about setting. I guess I don't understand either the whining or, the setting. Good advice ATEAM, take your time off when you should. Not, when you want to. It amazes me, the OOS numbers when freight is moving real good, then, folks spend themselves broke late in the year and are looking out their windshields at a truckstop in January wondering where the freight is. And this is happening to people whom have some time in this business. Don't understand it myself.

Tennesseahawk · Jan 11, 2007

Ya know... sometimes I ask myself: "Self? Why are we sitting here stuck in a truck, looking out the window at the truckstop, while we could be sitting cozy at home?" Then Self reminds me... "Silly Larry! You don't have a company to crap you freight when you want it. And dagnabbit, I won't take a load for .85/mi to get me home when I'm not ready to go."

Then I ask myself: "Self? Why are we broke at the end of the year?" Self tells me: "Larry, we aren't. When we're moving, we aren't stuck in the truck. Only happens a couple times a year. Then you start thinking about the company crapping freight for you. And I have to hit you in the head so you'll go back to staring out the window at the truck stop again."

And then I ask myself: "Self? Why does this window taste so good that I'm staring through?" And then Self tells me: "Larry, that window doesn't taste that great... Now put your hockey helmet back on."

"If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." - Kansas

LDB · Jan 12, 2007

We now rejoin our regular programming already in progress...

I enjoy amateur radio. I am testing for a license upgrade soon. With amateur radio you can talk to people all over the world as well as focus on locals many of the places you'll go. It's a great hobby and one of the bonuses is you can enjoy it while waiting as well as while rolling. Another bonus is it's a self policing group that doesn't tolerate the obscenities and stupidity that overwhelms cb.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

lanier1 · Jan 12, 2007

ATeam,

As I have said before, teams, and even more so, white glove teams, have absolutely no clue, I AM GOING TO SAY IT AGAIN, NO FREAKING CLUE what it is like to be a solo driver in an Express truck. We are all thrilled that the white glove elitists are too busy to get any rest. The rest of us, the red headed step children of the expedite industry, sometimes have to sit for a day or two or, God forbid, deadhead somewhere on our own nickel.

Geez... I honestly am glad you are all busy. I don't hold any animosity that you are but for heaven sakes don't criticize someone about something you know absolutely nothing about. While your expediting expertise may be extensive in your particular experience, I assure you you don't know what we go through as solo's. Personally I have been running very well and have no real complaints. However, my "very well" would be totally unacceptable by your standards and rightfully so. Thats my point, you CAN'T know what its like for us so don't criticize us or tell us we are doing something wrong when the freight isn't moving for us.

Larry,

Civ III is great isn't it. I am having trouble keeping it running though and I have a brand new Dell with more than what they say I need to run it. I haven't had time to fix it but will.

chetjester · Jan 12, 2007

Let's get back on subject. I want some more suggestions for things I can do while sitting. I usually am afraid to do anything because what if I'm called and I have to roll and I'm just not ready?????

Sorry. That was the OCD in me talking.

So how about some ideas, people? I need something else to do besides listening to talk radio.

Thanks.

Dog_House2691 · Jan 12, 2007

Hope no one is watching,I'm sitting at a truck stop in Laredo,TX. been here one day,and the weather was 74 degrees today more of the same tommorrow.I remember when I had a "Real Job" I used to Dream about vacationing in the South in the Winter...and her I am,I love my "Job"

lanier1 · Jan 12, 2007

Sorry for going off...

I have to admit I am an online poker junkie. I play small stakes usually and tournaments. I put $25 in last August and have been playing on that since. I do win quite often so it would not last long if you didn't obviously.

As Larry said Civilization is a great game. He's got Civ III. I have Civ IV. They are both great time wasters.

I have vowed to spend more time excercising this year. Either walking or doing something.

I also read a good bit. If you can get hold of one thats hard for you to put down its a great way to pass time as well.

TeamCaffee · Jan 12, 2007

We also have down time and often end up with the weekend off. Both of us like a clean truck and if the weather is good Bob will be polishing the outside and I will be cleaning the inside. I like to sew also, work on the computer and read. Bob has several Sudoko books and now he has an electronic game that he likes to play. We also pick up movies on DVD when they are on sale. We buy the CD case holders as that saves lots of room on storing the CD's. Being happy out here is the key and you will have down time and you just need to be able to handle it. We also love it when parked near other expediters and can make new friends.

ATeam · Jan 12, 2007

>Geez... I honestly am glad you are all busy. I don't hold
>any animosity that you are but for heaven sakes don't
>criticize someone about something you know absolutely
>nothing about.

There was absolutely no criticism intended or expressed in what I posted, and I have never once claimed to know what solo drivers go through. The best I can do in that regard is rely on what solo drivers say about their own experience.

While your expediting expertise may be
>extensive in your particular experience, I assure you you
>don't know what we go through as solo's. Personally I have
>been running very well and have no real complaints. However,
>my "very well" would be totally unacceptable by your
>standards and rightfully so. Thats my point, you CAN'T know
>what its like for us so don't criticize us or tell us we are
>doing something wrong when the freight isn't moving for us.

Telling "us" we are doing something wrong? You are not being fair. I said nothing at all about right or wrong. No distinction was made between solo and team drivers. As you said yourself, you "have been running very well" this time of year. I don't have to be a solo driver myself to know that some are running more than others.

You seem to be contrasting "poor slob" solo drivers with "White Glove elitists." That's unfortunate. I do no such thing. I do not regard solo drivers as "poor slobs" or "redheaded stepchildren." It is incorrect to suggest or imply that I do.

In fact, I admire and respect the difference between solo and team drivers. Solo drivers have to work a lot harder to haul the same freight teams do. They have to plan their time, manage their sleep, and be careful about deadhead time than teams do. That's because when a team driver runs out of hours, the codriver is there to take over.

Something as simple as a fuel and shower stop is easier and faster for a team that works together. While one fuels the truck, the other can be doing run paperwork and going inside to get the showers. Solo drivers cannot do both things at once. The time saved by a team effort on a fuel stop can be used as free time later in the day. Solo drivers don't have that luxury.

When on layover, one team member can spend an hour tending to the truck while in the same hour the other team member can be doing business paperwork. Solo drivers, because they are solo, don't have that luxury. If there is two hours of work to do, they cannot complete it in one hour like a team can.

When driving, teams have an easier time finding addresses and delivery sites. That's because one team member can look at building numbers and maps while the other drives. Solo drivers are totally on their own.

Regarding life on the road, team drivers have each other for company. While they may wait for freight, they never do so alone. I have never spend more than a few hours alone in a truck. I'm not sure that I would want to. Being out on the road alone is a whole different ball game than being out there with someone you love.

I could go on about the differences between solo and team drivers. My point is solo drivers work harder for their money than team drivers do (at least the teams that love each other and can live and work well together in a truck).

I respect the hard work solo drivers do and the challenges they face. It is incorrect to suggest that I don't.

Broompilot · Jan 12, 2007

I have a Date with a Windshield this weekend, a 99 Dyna Low Rider, Harley. 75 Sunny Charlotte, NC.

kangar0085 · Jan 12, 2007

OH my god there is nothing worse for me then sitting. I deadhead home this time of year, sitting is pure hell for me no matter what video games or movies I have

simon says · Jan 12, 2007

Seems to me that those who sit for days, either work for FECC or no name outfits who rely only on NLM runs. I never sit that long, but what I do experience now is shorter runs under 300 miles, then sit until the next day. If I can make $350 a day, guess I shouldn't complain. The only long runs I get are over a weekend.

What to do, if you sit? Get your tax prep. done. If you haven't entered all your data, get to it! I use Peachtree Pro, and I'm finally starting to get decent at it.
If you get down south, get that bike out. Get Rhapsody or Yahoo music and load that MP3 player. Pick up a good book!

LDB · Jan 12, 2007

I like the sudoku puzzles as well but for me ham radio is my favorite way to pass the time. Pretty much anywhere you stop there are repeaters running and you can find friendly and intelligent conversation. It costs $14 for a license good for 10 years. A used dual band mobile radio and antenna can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less. That would give a 30-50 mile radius depending on terrain. There are interesting digital modes as well. Additionally there's IRLP, internet radio linking project, that can connect you to the world.

From there you would upgrade to a general class license. A decent mobile setup would run a few hundred dollars up to however much you want to spend. That would give you radio access to the entire world. Lots of hams spend some of their time building kits. That could be done in a non-moving truck as well.

Some hams like what's referred to as QRP. That is low power radio. There are radios that fit inside an Altoids tin that guys build to run QRP. That, a code keyer, a couple of 9v batteries, and a length of wire and you're on the air. It can almost be carried in a pocket.

Sitting isn't profitable financially but it can be very profitable mentally. One just has to remember there would be just as much off time at home, if not more. Granted we aren't home with the recliner, big screen, backyard etc. but we have our time available to use however we choose and there are plenty of ways to use it. On the net www.eham.net and www.qrz.com are good independent websites and www.arrl.org is the official website of the American Radio Relay League.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

kangar0085 · Jan 12, 2007

Howard Stern on Sirius satellite radio always keeps me entertained.

cheri1122 · Jan 12, 2007

Since my recent discovery that I can burn CDs on my laptop, a filesharing site like LimeWire, a box of blank CDs, and Wifi if I'm looking to download new stuff, and I can keep busy all day. Plus, if I should get a load, I can toss all the CDs into my backpack & switch to Streets & Trips for route planning.
The first thing I do, though, is make sure I'm ready for the next load: paperwork done for the last load, old msgs on the QC deleted, fuel tank filled, windows cleaned, a couple sandwiches ready in the cooler, pretrip done.
Like ATeam said: running solo means doing twice the work, in the same amount of time!