Question For The Reefer Pullers

You have seemed to luck out with 10+ hrs every time. Typical is 2 to 5 hrs. Can be more. Could be less. I prefer my down time as well but totally get where your coming from being stuck that long. I cant "settle" in when its unknown how long I will be somewhere. I just cant relax. I can however nap for about 1 or 2. I dont cook my own food so id be starving if no one delivered. Reefer isnt for everyone. Some ppl have no patience and like to keep moving. Dry van would be excellent for you if thats the case. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH HOW YOU FEEL! We all have our personal preferences. Yep flatbedders "sweat it out" outside but guess what thats a personal choice. Maybe reefer isnt for you.

That's the truth. With reefer it will be "hurry up to your next destination AND WAIT, WAIT, and WAIT some more. I am probably too high strung for reefer.

Dave

Wow I don't what to add as Daniel guy and gator have already hit it all. I chose reefer for the down time, I love my naps. And I've also learned the shipping / receiving clerks and lumpers will yank your chain. I've seen drivers cuss and fuss in the office about how long it takes or how little time they have on there clocks. I also see the looks they get from the folks doing the paperwork. Invariable these drivers ALWAYS take forever to get unloaded. They told me one time it would be 4 hours to get unloaded. I smiled said Kewl I can grab a nap. They had me out in right at an hour. I try my best to manage my time efficiently. For instance if I can drive to the shipper or receiver the night before and park on site? All the better. If not I try to park within 2 miles. It saves my I I from being eaten up. If I'm at S/R for more than 4 hours I consider making if 8 and either drive out my clock or slip into a split sleeper berth run. More often though it seems that if ... When I get hung up it's like for 3-4 hours which is just enough to jack up my schedule as it eats my 3 hours off the 14 and puts me into my drive time. Worst is when I've delivered my load and DISPATCH takes hours to get me rolling. That is what wrinkles my feathers. At the end of the day, It really is the nature of the beast. Roll with it. Enjoy it. Like the time I had to wait for a ship to arrive at the port in Galveston Texas. 12 hours completely hacked up my schedule. But I spent the day on the gulf, found. Nice local steak house to feast upon and generally enjoyed the scenery. It was a sldc so I couldn't nap during loading. So I did the math to figure when I would hit any major cities along the way took into account rush hours and realized I had time for a 3 hour nap before rolling out tired and off schedule I love running reefer. I love my naps. Speaking if which. Night night.

I am new to the Fridge Game, but I learned a few things that I am applying now... I have learned from getting burned that if there is Question about a receiving schedule or time, BE THERE AT 2-4am! Twice, I had a Receiver lay me over for another night as they no longer take loads late & they start receiving between 2 & 7 am. 2: Count your Pallets. I have a little Click Counter, like one used to count laps or people in attendance. Wear a Hoody or a Jacket with a Reflective vest, & watch what they load at the dock. Because Refer loads to a large degree are not going to be "SLC" loads. So if there is shortage, guess who is Paying? Always Count your Pallets. 3: just roll with it & be respectful. If your "Cool" in their Refrigerated Dock, the lumpers & staff will be willing to work with you. Compliment them & thank them; they are doing a job in a inhospitable condition, for long hours... a little extra respect can actually carry you a long way.

Every brand of trucking is going to draw a specific brand of Trucker. Refer loads require "Cool Cats". Just be patient & life will go better. If your a Hot head, don't have a long fuse, or are unwilling to adapt, "Your gunna have a Bad Time". But remain positive, & you will not have to break a sweat while on the Clock.

Tyler B wrote:

If your a Hot head, don't have a long fuse, or are unwilling to adapt, "Your gunna have a Bad Time". But remain positive, & you will not have to break a sweat while on the Clock.

Tyler I think this applies to every aspect of trucking...