Going Solo In A Couple Days. Overwhelmed, I Need To Understand Next Time Available.

How can you know next time available for a load when there are so many variables? I was with my TE and some days we were running out of hours and had been siting on a relay that was supposed to deliver the day before. when we arrive we are told we have to wait till they can fit us in we sat for 3 hours before a dock opened to start to unload. My question is with so many variables how do you know when your Next Available Time will be? I will need to know so i can have another load lined up when this happens to me.

At Swift we get this info in the load assignment messages. I used to change it to try to keep it accurate and realistic. I soon learned that the system can't handle the truth. So now I just put down what the assignment says. It shouldn't work but it does and it keeps my DM happy. I don't know if this will work at non-Swift systems. Hope it helps you.

This is my second day solo and I just had to send in an eta/pta macro because I'm going to be a day early on the delivery. So on the plan time available I put like 4 hours after my estimated time of arrival just incase they unload me really slow or something happens.

Thank You Rob S. Yes that helps i appreciate it.

Thank You Nathan N. for the. I will use the 4 hour on my NAT. I appreciate it.

I neglected to mention an important point. When I have these questions I can ask my DM. She's a great resource. She knows I'm new at this so she fields my questions with a lot of patience.

Oh thats great to hear Rob S., hopefully my DM will be as good as yours, we had class canceled today for snow. i was there but the instructors could not make it so they sent us home. 3 more days and i should be solo.

Kris,

Rob did the Swift Way, which is what I do. Here's some more pointers, and you'll see the times you provide only need to be in the ballpark.

Copy the ETA right from your dispatch. No brain cells needed.

For a trailer drop/ pick up, add 30 minutes to the ETA to get your PTA. For a live load/unload, add 2 hours. Maybe you use eight brain cells here.

That's it!

If you get dispatched to include stopping by your house for two days, include those two days when you make your PTA. You might get a warning on the QC, buy your DM already knows what's going on.

Your ETA time is the time you report that you've "ARRIVED AT SHIPPER" or the Final Destination. Once you are at the destination, any extra waiting just is. At Swift, they send a message after two hours of waiting, and you just reply with what's up - dock scheduling, waiting for a dock, whatever.

The PTA you sent in just gives your DM and planners an idea when you'll be ready for your next assignment, nothing more.

Oh! One more thing that someone mentioned on TT a while ago. Be close to accurate with these times. Don't over estimate, then arrive early just so you'll look good. You won't. The times you give help the planning people to get all the work out in a timely manner.

Thanks Errol V. that helps alot i appreciate it.

How can you know next time available for a load when there are so many variables? I was with my TE and some days we were running out of hours and had been siting on a relay that was supposed to deliver the day before. when we arrive we are told we have to wait till they can fit us in we sat for 3 hours before a dock opened to start to unload. My question is with so many variables how do you know when your Next Available Time will be? I will need to know so i can have another load lined up when this happens to me.

If you're with Schneider you'll go over NAT in your final week. Remember; YOU control this. AND you're not gonna set your NAT until you've established an ETA and you're not gonna set the ETA until you're loaded.

As you gain experience it'll get easier.

Also, if you're with Schneider, pm me. I'll give you my phone number and help any way I can.

I operate from Lebanon, TN OC, been driving a little over and average 10,000 miles per month. If I can't help you I'll tell you.

Good luck and I hope this helps.