What's the worst thing about layovers?

jmcglone · Apr 25, 2010

Hi, all--

I'm working on a piece for EO about the non-fun that layovers can be, so I thought I'd put the question to you guys: What's the worst thing about layovers? Surely the waiting is the hardest part, but what else might be worse?

As usual, there's a fairly good chance I'll quote you and will link back to your post and give you credit in the piece.

Thanks, too, for all your insights; they're greatly helpful and I appreciate it more than I could possibly put into words.

Lawrence · Apr 25, 2010

longest-layover - Expedite Trucking Photo Gallery

nightcreacher · Apr 25, 2010

Is there really anything good about waiting for that next load that may or may not come?I've been in this business for over 26 years,and you just don't get use to laying over.For the H/W teams it might be easier.I guess the worst part is the unknown.Will I get loaded today or tomorrow,short or long,or even,will it pay enough.Or worst yet,what if there isn't a load?The waiting game has done many a newbie in.

ebsprintin · Apr 25, 2010

The worst thing about being layed-over is having to miss that million dollar run, because the vehicle is being used as a warehouse. Or having to live with eight boxes of lab mice. Technically the lab mice run wasn't a layover, but it's amazing how filthy freight can become when you have to sleep with it. I'm speaking of the vanner life here.

eb

bluejaybee · Apr 25, 2010

The worse thing for me is trying to juggle the sleep schedule. After having been off for 10 hours which included sleep time, I sit there thinking, "Do I need to sleep a little more in case I get a run tonight"? So I sleep several more hours and no run. Then it is night time and I am wide awake. Finally go to sleep at day break and then a load offer comes in. Now, I am tired from not enough sleep again. It is not like this every time, but, weighs on my mind if I am sitting and waiting. It does happen often though. Oh well, that's expediting I guess!

geo · Apr 25, 2010

i alway's looked at a layover as a business oppuntity
i sold laptop, pc, mason shoes, mary kay, heated mirrors, and heated windshield wipper blades, gensets, new and used truck and a few other items
that way you won't be bored

cheri1122 · Apr 25, 2010

The worst thing about layovers is that they rarely occur at a time when you have a lot to do, [ie: oil change, laundry, truck wash, shopping], or in a place where all those things are close at hand.

guido4475 · Apr 25, 2010

I look at a layover as an opportunity to get things caught up on.I actually welcomed not having a load after unloading on Saturday as it gave me timee to catch up on sleep,grocery shopping,laundry, pay bills, have the tires rotated and balanced,clean the inside and outside of the van, wax it, armor-all the tires, rain-x the windows, and just go over it and make sure everything is ok to go.Now when it gets in that 3-plus day wiat, then I start to get bored and get creative as to what to do with the van.I might put the air horns on tomarrow if no load appears.But no matter how long I wait, I only call dispatch once a day,not several, to see what is going on, never bashing them or anything like that.

greg334 · Apr 25, 2010

The worst thing?

Being noticed.

I mean after a couple days sitting waiting, you are noticed and can become a target of sorts. It isn't about being robbed but other things like being asked for money or what ever.

Safety is something we have to be a little more vigilant about. We are not "truckers" who can get loads easy but rather have to wait because of our limitations. When you are noticed, it sets you up.

When I was doing regional work, I moved between three truck stops miles apart because I felt being watched. I would layover every Tuesday night so I could pick up first thing in the morning, get my 5 drops done and then park at another one to be ready for my Thursday load. Before I rotated truck stops, I was approached by the same peopel who asked for the same thing all the time. Awaken by the same ****** at the same time every night.

Slo-Ride · Apr 26, 2010

Setting up camp to close to the bowling alleys and bars,,I never bring enought cash out with me..

ebsprintin · Apr 26, 2010

Should we define layover? I consider layover the time that I am dedicated to a load but can't be loaded or unloaded, so I have to wait for the shipper or consignee. Like detention, but measured in days. Or am I confusing paid layover with a common everyday layover?

eb

Slo-Ride · Apr 26, 2010

ebsprintin said:
Should we define layover? I consider layover the time that I am dedicated to a load but can't be loaded or unloaded, so I have to wait for the shipper or consignee. Like detention, but measured in days. Or am I confusing paid layover with a common everyday layover?

eb

You maybe right?? Only time I log it as a layover is when freight is in the truck or I am a day early for p-up or drop.

nightcreacher · Apr 26, 2010

There are different types of layovers;layover to unload,layover to pick up load a,but I thinkk the layover this author is talking about is layover waiting for freight,What I am doing myself now,and as stated earlier,you just never get use to it
Normally when I deliver Buffalo,I would just go home,but since I don't know the company very well yet,I'll stay here for a while,especially,since there are no other trucks here

ATeam · Apr 26, 2010

The worst thing about layovers is you are not making money hauling freight. Layover days are zero-revenue days.

The most difficult thing about layovers for Diane and me is, as nightcreacher also mentioned, not knowing what will happen next. If you are laid over and waiting for freight, you can't get too far from the truck or deep into anything because dispatch may call with an immediate pickup and you need to be ready to roll.

If you are laid over a weekend but are already dispatched to pick up freight on Monday, layovers become opportunities for tourist fun, project work, truck care, R&R, or whatever else you want to do.

Layovers are not all bad. They are part of what makes expediters free.

moose · Apr 26, 2010

jmcglone said:
Hi, all--

I'm working on a piece for EO about the

As usual, there's a fairly good chance I'll quote you and will link back to your post and give you credit in the piece.

Thanks, .

O.K , I'll ask ,
What dose it mean ?

jmcglone · Apr 27, 2010

moose said:
O.K , I'll ask ,
What dose it mean ?

I'm using the term "layover" to mean waiting for freight.

Thanks!

moose · Apr 27, 2010

O.K , I'll ask again ,
What is that Master Piece you working on ?
and where can we find it ?
seams like it's not your first one .

will it be a musical MasterPiece we can all enjoy ? , will you be invited to the white house ? , Nobel prize ? , will you throw in a garden party to all Expediter ? , would Detroit schools be teaching it from now on ? , will you be invited to speak of it at the Expo ? , will a simple Google search pop it up ?

being an experience Expediters and a long time trucker ,i had my share of layovers ,and unfortunately know way too well the definition of ones .