The Irregular Sleep Cycle Of A Truck Driver

LOL! My personal favorite thus far is Zzyzx Road in California.

First, upload the photo to someplace like Photobucket. Get the link. Use the Photo link in the features list just above the Reply box.

Zzyzx Rd

My prize winner: Brown Material Rd

Well, first I'll have to start taking my own pictures in real time instead of stealing them off the web. LOL!

Apparently I have procedure right for the most part but for some reason the links didn't post up right away.

This is good stuff Errol, Thanks!

JJ

Errol V.,

Thank you very much. Receiving insight from seasoned drivers such as you gives clear perspective of the realities of the sleep cycle of a truck driver. No, unfortunately, I have not traveled to Europe or Asia. Although, I have known and met many frequent international travelers and know of their experiences with jet lag.

Good show on the trivia bit!

*Trivia for the day: bookkeeper: the only word on the English language with three consecutive double letters!

How did you come up with it?

Happy driving and god bless, my friends.

Another thing,

I’d also like to extend a very special thank you to all that make the time to respond and help a fellow community member. As of this writing they are:

• Dutch

• Errol V.

• Jim J

• Joseph D.

• Old School

• Robert B. (The Dragon) yes, I breathe fire and other sideshow tricks

• Steve L.

Again, receiving the insight of each of your personal experiences with managing sleep cycles is pure gold. Cheers!

Happy driving and god bless, my friends.

H-44 asks

How did you come up with it? (b-oo-kk-ee-per)

Long ago silly question. The one I read started with balloon (two pair) and asked if there were words with more doubles. I just never forgot the answer.

Now you, too, will always remember the three-pair factoid when you see the word bookkeeper!

It depends on what you mean by rest. Here's an example. I took a 12 hour break last night cause my shipper refused to take me early. Drove 200 miles.. sat at Blue beacon for an hour waiting for a washout... then checked in with my shipper who the told me to park and wait... for 3 hours. Then I got a door.... and guess what? Another three hours waiting for loading. So... then I get 2 more hours in my sleeper before I high tail it outta here for my 600 mile run. Because I did 8hrs in sleeper Im ahead of the game and can drive until I decide I truly need sleep.

And yeah... what another post said about making dispatchers lives easier does give you more miles. I was told by two other new drivers in my fleet that they are getting 1500 miles as new drivers... I'm getting an avg of 2400 ish per week.

One lease op asked me "how do you get to sleep when you want?" I didn't understand thus question lol. If my FM gives me a load at 4pm on a work day and expects me to drive 200 miles with 430 on my clock.... I tell him I'll do 8 in the sleeper and get there on time rather than fighting traffic. I just tell him when I'm going down lol never had an issue of sleeping when I want. I take a 2 hr nap during the morning rush hour. It works for me. And you need to find what works for you. I drive to thw shippers or nearest TS and get there a few hours early.. the. Sleep... then sleep more while loading.

44, to a large degree, your ability to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, will be determined by your company's resources, as well as their commitment and focus on making their drivers happy and content.

Once you have accomplished the goal of going to work for a quality company, who are willing to work with a driver who is willing to work, success can be as simple as calling your operations manager, and asking them to make the load planners aware of your preferences. One thing that can always make things swing your way, is for your strategies to be based on four factors, in this order.

1. Safety 2. DOT Regulations 3. Company Policy 4. Weekly Mileage

You see, if you never make your preferences known, and are willing to sleep and drive all over the clock, as well as park your rig anywhere and everywhere, the load planners will prefer that, because it makes their job much easier. However, violating company policy by parking in areas your company doesn't approve of, or failing to stay awake behind the wheel can certainly be problematic.

I had a conversation once with my terminal manager about this general situation you are asking about, and the reasons why I prefer to try to maintain a fairly consistent schedule. His reply, was that if I had in place a successful system, which satisfies everyone concerned, (Safety Dept., Log Dept., DOT, etc.) that the company will work with me to keep me productive. Having said that, I will always do what I can to be reasonably flexible, in making any load assignment work, as long as I can protect myself and my license.

Personally, I feel that a company's overall philosophy is the major factor here, and whether or not they cater to their drivers makes a HUGE difference in driver retention.

One small example I will give you is my company making internet access available at my home terminal. Right now, I am sitting in Marietta, GA. in my tractor outside the terminal, surfing the net, in a safe environment. They certainly don't have to furnish internet access, or have our terminal located in a safe part of the Atlanta metro area, however their commitment to our safety and happiness is a huge priority. You can bet, that when the time comes to have my tractor serviced, or have a trailer inspection performed, I will not hesitate to turn down the next load and head for the terminal, to make the company's priorities my priorities.

Sometimes it helps tremendously to have worked for a sub par company, in order to really appreciate a company that goes out of their way to retain their drivers. I was having a conversation the other day with another driver. I told him that if I got an offer from another company for a nickel more a mile, I would be afraid to take it. He asked me why? I replied that I would be afraid of what I would have to put up with, for that extra nickel.

Unfortunately, these issues are not really something you can discuss with most recruiters, because recruiters are sometimes guilty of telling people what they want to hear. Ditto on drivers who are guilty of the same thing, because they will pocket $1000 plus, when responsible for recruiting a new driver.

I would sum things up, by saying that once you have found a company that allows you to cover all your legal bases, while at the same time protecting your license and maintaining company policy, while consistently running productive miles, you have found yourself a home.

You must be working for Crete/Shaffer/Hunt carriers.....out

I have found that I am a morning person. Once I wake up I am up. But juggling the schedule isn't that hard. My company has given plenty of time to do my job. I sat this weekend taking a reset because I couldn't deliver early. I wish I could have but my girlfriend drove to meet me here so we could spend some time together. I try to get a minimum of 500 miles a day. I like driving early morning and shut down early afternoon. Gives me wind down time and in case there is a problem that needs to be repaired on the truck it can be while I am in the sleeper. Then I am good to go The next morning. Things are harder to see at night when I do my post trip inspection. But I do a good one. I don't want to break down if I can help it. That's all I got. Hope you find your happiness.