Steering away from Expediting

[kangar0085]

I'm more and more thinking about not going back to expediting. When I was in my van with Panther I made great money, but at least 2-3 times a week I would have to run into the night...sometimese until 6-8 in the morning. Right now I'm with US Xpress and 98 percent of the time I'm up at 8 and in bed by 10:30 which I'm absolutely loving. I'll be buying my own tractor in april and I love the fact that there's serious money in expediting but the night driving is discouraging me alot. Do you guys run into the night still or has it changed a bit, and how do you deal with night driving???

 

[cheri1122]

Most of my driving is at night, by choice, if I have one. I prefer the road less crowded for driving, and the truckstops & rest areas less crowded for sleeping in the morning. (I just wish the trucks wouldn't park in the fuel lanes at night, as they often do).
How I deal with long night drives is having several ways to pass the time: a network of other drivers to chat with, and audiobooks on CD to listen to, or music that I love. I usually deliver early in the morning, (delivered a load in SC this morning, in fact), so when I'm ready to get some sleep, the other trucks are moving out - works for me. But then I'm one of those wierdos who sleep better in the daytime.

 

[RLENT]

What cheri said - I've always been a nightowl.

The 3 AM to 6 AM period can sometimes be a little tough - generally I turn on the CB or the radio and listen to that and or or chat a bit at night, or call a friend, and make sure to keep my eyes moving - and avoid looking at anything for more than a couple of seconds. If I've get enough time before I have to deliver I'll stop and get a power nap.

Otherwise I just suck it up - it's amazing what necessity will allow one to do. Once I get past that 3 AM to 6 AM time period I'm generally good.

 

[RichM]

You must have very good and understanding friends to call them between 0300-0600. LOL

 

[kangar0085]

What I used to do was get some chips and Red bull and munch on stuff, but I was completely miserable most of the time....also nodding off 4-5 times which could have ended badly.

 

[cheri1122]

Rich, what we (my fellow chatters & I) do is send a text message, if it's after 11pm, asking "R U up?" because if they aren't, it generally won't wake them.

 

[nightcreacher]

take those chips,crumble them up,then put them in your shorts,you will never nod off again
happy new your to all

 

[nightcreacher]

wow 1000 posts later,finally got my 5th star,there is a GOD

 

[kangar0085]

LOl...how's business Steve?

 

[Falligator]

Hmmm....I usually get by listening to the Heavy Metal Station on Sirius...Channel 28. Or some of my cds will do. Not to mention an open window every now and then will refresh ya at 31 degrees.



ShawnF
Panther
11997
(hope it ain't snowing on the 401 tomorrow.)

 

[kangar0085]

Yeah I listen to that sometimes too. Most of the time I got 100, and 101 on.