Sleep Issues - Part 2

My first post on this topic (me and my hypersomnia) didn't generate much attention. But I'm trying to get a truly realistic view of the attentional and sleep-shifting demands of this career. I know how my brain reacts to various stressors so let me try this:

Can you help me picture what I am up against? It has been suggested that an 18-hour continuous car drive doesn't begin to stack up to two 11-hour days in a row. That doesn't seem like that big a deal. I've done that delivering pizza. I know every day is different but can you lay out a likely scenario for a week? Can you make one kinda typical and one like "a week from hell"? I'd like to hear that from everybody in the forum.

Hey there David, let me throw a couple things your way about sleep cycles out here on the road.

I'm 44 years old so sleep is one of my most coveted things in life. I'm the type of person that needs AT LEAST 8 hours sleep to be able to function the next day. Most of the time I get that out here but there are times it just doesn't happen. For example.

I picked up a load in Joplin MO and drove it 2 days 946 miles to Auburn, IN and delivered on the 8th at 1630. I had used most of my 14 hour clock that day so I headed to a truck stop to get my 10 hour break. I get my next load which picks up the 9th at 0430 which was 2 hours away in Indianapolis. I made a critical mistake in planning my trip here as the load delivered the same day 457 miles away in London, KY. It delivered at 1900 but when I looked at the delivery time for some reason I thought it was 900 PM (2100) so I planned to drive near delivery and sleep for 8 hours, wake up start my clock and deliver with plenty of hours. I didn't catch the actual delivery time until I made my pick up at 0430. Too late now.

I drove to the nearest truck stop near my delivery which was 2.8 miles away. Only got about an hour nap during the 6 hours I was at the truck stop. I tried to sleep but it was the middle of the afternoon and couldn't fall asleep. I tricked my Qualcomm and drove to my delivery without showing on duty time. I emptied at 2130. While I was at my delivery I got my 10 hour break on so I had fresh hours.

I then get my next load which was 2 hours away and picked up at 0400. Now I started my day at 0230 that day so I had been awake for over 18 hours with only an hour nap. I was way too freaking tired to drive over 2 hours in the middle of the night to my pick up. I messaged my dispatcher and explained what transpired over the last 24 hours and that I couldn't make that pick up window and that I needed to have at least an 8 hour sleep before I drove to pick up. He managed to get the pick up time moved to 1000. Giving me enough time to get my sleep. He didn't make me drive, although he wasn't happy with my planning mistake. Either way he understood I was making the call not to drive exhausted and moved things around.

Having odd hours between pick up and drive times really throws my body for a loop. Most of my trips are 2 to 4 day trips so I plan my trips as much as possible to wake up and go between 0300 -0500, just too make sure I get to a truck stop before 1700. Because after that parking becomes a real hassle. Most of the times it works out, but at least once a week, I'm forced to drive a shorter day than I want, sacrificing time and miles just so I can try and keep the hours of driving I like. But one thing I won't do is drive tired.

Lastly if I'm feeling tired I'll drink a 5 hour energy. It's the only energy drink I'll take cuz it doesn't make you crash when it wears off like red bull or the others. I only drink those sparingly because I don't want to get dependant on those things.

There's going to be times where you're going to have to drive and sleep odd hours. How you make yourself sleep is up to you. I can't tell you to take a sleep aid as they're as pretty big no no when driving a truck. In my experience those odd hours come along at least once a week. On average. Hope this odd the insight you're looking for.

Take a look at Month of trucking with Daniel B. Daniel goes in good detail on what days look like. I'll be making a thread my self on this topic in a few weeks.

David, Stuff just happens in this business that is completely out of your control - and often times there are delays or "hurry up and wait" situations that just throw everything off. It can't really be compared to long days delivering pizzas. For one thing the level of intensity and concentration required to maneuver an 18 wheeler in and out of the crazy places you are going to find yourself in at times is exhausting - it can't be compared to driving a personal vehicle for hours at a time.

Here's a scenario that I run up against often. I get a load that is going to require almost a complete full legal driving shift to get it there the next day at 7:00 a.m. So I take my ten hour break, show up at the shipper nice and fresh, rearing to go. The only problem is that the shipper has had a delay and tells me it's going to be another 6 or 7 hours before the load is ready - maybe a machine broke down at their plant, or two key employees called in sick that day, it can be anything! Well, now I'm going to have to drive it all night so I can meet the deadline. It doesn't change the deadline for the delivery - they still got it ready in time for a driver to make it, but that driver will need to drive all night to get it there. So, if for some reason I can't seem to get myself to sleep that day, then I have been awake all day and all night just to get this job done.

Here's another thing that just happened to me this week. I start my day at 4 a.m. to get my first stop unloaded and drive for the better part of the day to get to my final stop. Then as soon as I send in my empty call I get a phone call telling me they need me to go pick up a critical load at a place that stops loading at 3:30 - I can't make it because of the distance, but I think I can make it by 5:00. I make some calls and they agree to wait on me. I actually get there at 4:30 - I'm thinking I'm doing good, but I get a royal cussing from the guy who was forced to wait by the boss. He won't shut up about how I'm dragging my ass all day and making him be late for his date tonight. I probably started my day long before he ever even got out of bed, and I'm thinking I would love to have just a few minutes with the woman I love.

You just never can tell how your day may go in this business - it is totally unpredictable, but you have got to be the professional and somehow make it all work out right. It's a never ending challenge, that will test most people to the very limit.

Hey there David, let me throw a couple things your way about sleep cycles out here on the road.

I'm 44 years old so sleep is one of my most coveted things in life. I'm the type of person that needs AT LEAST 8 hours sleep to be able to function the next day. Most of the time I get that out here but there are times it just doesn't happen. For example.

I picked up a load in Joplin MO and drove it 2 days 946 miles to Auburn, IN and delivered on the 8th at 1630. I had used most of my 14 hour clock that day so I headed to a truck stop to get my 10 hour break. I get my next load which picks up the 9th at 0430 which was 2 hours away in Indianapolis. I made a critical mistake in planning my trip here as the load delivered the same day 457 miles away in London, KY. It delivered at 1900 but when I looked at the delivery time for some reason I thought it was 900 PM (2100) so I planned to drive near delivery and sleep for 8 hours, wake up start my clock and deliver with plenty of hours. I didn't catch the actual delivery time until I made my pick up at 0430. Too late now.

I drove to the nearest truck stop near my delivery which was 2.8 miles away. Only got about an hour nap during the 6 hours I was at the truck stop. I tried to sleep but it was the middle of the afternoon and couldn't fall asleep. I tricked my Qualcomm and drove to my delivery without showing on duty time. I emptied at 2130. While I was at my delivery I got my 10 hour break on so I had fresh hours.

I then get my next load which was 2 hours away and picked up at 0400. Now I started my day at 0230 that day so I had been awake for over 18 hours with only an hour nap. I was way too freaking tired to drive over 2 hours in the middle of the night to my pick up. I messaged my dispatcher and explained what transpired over the last 24 hours and that I couldn't make that pick up window and that I needed to have at least an 8 hour sleep before I drove to pick up. He managed to get the pick up time moved to 1000. Giving me enough time to get my sleep. He didn't make me drive, although he wasn't happy with my planning mistake. Either way he understood I was making the call not to drive exhausted and moved things around.

Having odd hours between pick up and drive times really throws my body for a loop. Most of my trips are 2 to 4 day trips so I plan my trips as much as possible to wake up and go between 0300 -0500, just too make sure I get to a truck stop before 1700. Because after that parking becomes a real hassle. Most of the times it works out, but at least once a week, I'm forced to drive a shorter day than I want, sacrificing time and miles just so I can try and keep the hours of driving I like. But one thing I won't do is drive tired.

Lastly if I'm feeling tired I'll drink a 5 hour energy. It's the only energy drink I'll take cuz it doesn't make you crash when it wears off like red bull or the others. I only drink those sparingly because I don't want to get dependant on those things.

There's going to be times where you're going to have to drive and sleep odd hours. How you make yourself sleep is up to you. I can't tell you to take a sleep aid as they're as pretty big no no when driving a truck. In my experience those odd hours come along at least once a week. On average. Hope this odd the insight you're looking for.

Terry- I'm trying to follow your story and having a hard time. Why didn't you have time to nap (drive Indy->truckstop - 457mi 5a-2p - nap 2p-6p -> drive 2.8mi 6-7pm)? It doesn't really matter because I can see that trip planning and log book maintainance are something I have to learn. Thanks for the illustration.

Hey there David, let me throw a couple things your way about sleep cycles out here on the road.

I'm 44 years old so sleep is one of my most coveted things in life. I'm the type of person that needs AT LEAST 8 hours sleep to be able to function the next day. Most of the time I get that out here but there are times it just doesn't happen. For example.

I picked up a load in Joplin MO and drove it 2 days 946 miles to Auburn, IN and delivered on the 8th at 1630. I had used most of my 14 hour clock that day so I headed to a truck stop to get my 10 hour break. I get my next load which picks up the 9th at 0430 which was 2 hours away in Indianapolis. I made a critical mistake in planning my trip here as the load delivered the same day 457 miles away in London, KY. It delivered at 1900 but when I looked at the delivery time for some reason I thought it was 900 PM (2100) so I planned to drive near delivery and sleep for 8 hours, wake up start my clock and deliver with plenty of hours. I didn't catch the actual delivery time until I made my pick up at 0430. Too late now.

I drove to the nearest truck stop near my delivery which was 2.8 miles away. Only got about an hour nap during the 6 hours I was at the truck stop. I tried to sleep but it was the middle of the afternoon and couldn't fall asleep. I tricked my Qualcomm and drove to my delivery without showing on duty time. I emptied at 2130. While I was at my delivery I got my 10 hour break on so I had fresh hours.

I then get my next load which was 2 hours away and picked up at 0400. Now I started my day at 0230 that day so I had been awake for over 18 hours with only an hour nap. I was way too freaking tired to drive over 2 hours in the middle of the night to my pick up. I messaged my dispatcher and explained what transpired over the last 24 hours and that I couldn't make that pick up window and that I needed to have at least an 8 hour sleep before I drove to pick up. He managed to get the pick up time moved to 1000. Giving me enough time to get my sleep. He didn't make me drive, although he wasn't happy with my planning mistake. Either way he understood I was making the call not to drive exhausted and moved things around.

Having odd hours between pick up and drive times really throws my body for a loop. Most of my trips are 2 to 4 day trips so I plan my trips as much as possible to wake up and go between 0300 -0500, just too make sure I get to a truck stop before 1700. Because after that parking becomes a real hassle. Most of the times it works out, but at least once a week, I'm forced to drive a shorter day than I want, sacrificing time and miles just so I can try and keep the hours of driving I like. But one thing I won't do is drive tired.

Lastly if I'm feeling tired I'll drink a 5 hour energy. It's the only energy drink I'll take cuz it doesn't make you crash when it wears off like red bull or the others. I only drink those sparingly because I don't want to get dependant on those things.

There's going to be times where you're going to have to drive and sleep odd hours. How you make yourself sleep is up to you. I can't tell you to take a sleep aid as they're as pretty big no no when driving a truck. In my experience those odd hours come along at least once a week. On average. Hope this odd the insight you're looking for.

Terry- I'm trying to follow your story and having a hard time. Why didn't you have time to nap (drive Indy->truckstop - 457mi 5a-2p - nap 2p-6p -> drive 2.8mi 6-7pm)? It doesn't really matter because I can see that trip planning and log book maintainance are something I have to learn. Thanks for the illustration.

Another thing I actually have going for my. It is a rare occasion that I cannot sleep if I want to. With 12 hours awake, that nap at the truck stop would not have been a problem for me. Thanks again.

Terry? Is that old School's name? How about that . . . David, try real hard not to over think this whole thing . . . as you can see from the replies you got, this job is wildly unpredictable and you are not going to be able to "prepare" for specific things too much as every day is different and the variables are infinite . . . the one thing you can plan on is that you have to be a PROBLEM SOLVER and be diplomatic in your dealings with people even if they are rude to you (i.e. "Terry's" grumbling employee) . . . if you have to have things just so, you will be totally frustrated all of the time . . . if you are flexible and know how to "figure it out" on the fly, you'll prosper . . . your ability to sleep at a moments notice is something I share and - believe me - it has been quite an advantage so far . . . I just THINK of my warm, snuggly bed (I sleep "upstairs" - unlike most who prefer the bottom bunk) makes me ready to go to never-never land . . . they can rock that trailer all they want with their fork lifts and I just snooze away . . .

Jopa

Terry- I'm trying to follow your story and having a hard time. Why didn't you have time to nap (drive Indy->truckstop - 457mi 5a-2p - nap 2p-6p -> drive 2.8mi 6-7pm)? It doesn't really matter because I can see that trip planning and log book maintainance are something I have to learn. Thanks for the illustration.

I went in to sleep aids a little bit because of what happened. When I arrived at the truck stop near my delivery I did have time to nap and tried. I only managed about an hour of sleep. Then I tossed and turned for another couple of hours not really sleeping. My problem is stress and the way I deal with it. I was so stressed about messing up my trip plan that my mind was racing not allowing me to take a nap during the hours I had at the truck stop. Another thing is unlike yourself and Jopa, I cannot sleep on the drop of a hat. I'm a habitual sleeper and my body/mind does not slow down and relax until It's my normal "bed time." So taking naps for me is very difficult. Man I wish I could sleep at a shipper receiver during loading/unloading but I don't want to sleep through the phone call telling me I"m empty/loaded. Or miss the call on the CB telling me I"m done. That little tid bit drives me insane, having to listen to my CB for my door/name to be called.

When I first started driving in the 90's I was in my twenties and sleeping was a bit easier for me. Not only that but there were no elogs and I used to keep 2 log books so I could drive 14-16 hours a day. So I'd drive to the point of exhaustion. It burned me out so much I had to quit driving after 6 years. I only came back into trucking again because its so highly regulated I knew I wouldn't be pushed so hard. I'm here to admit that the OTR driving lifestyle is NOT for me. It's a means to an end for a year until I can get enough "recent" experience to get a local job near my home and I live in a not so good location for trucking jobs. They are few and far inbetween.

I'm not trying to imply that you're going to have as hard of a time as I do. I do want to point out (as Jopa and Old School did better than I it seems =) ) that OTR driving is highly unpredictable and is going to mess up your natural body sleep cycle. There's no way around it. I hate to see anyone struggle as hard as I do to maintain this lifestyle.

Terry- I'm trying to follow your story and having a hard time. Why didn't you have time to nap (drive Indy->truckstop - 457mi 5a-2p - nap 2p-6p -> drive 2.8mi 6-7pm)? It doesn't really matter because I can see that trip planning and log book maintainance are something I have to learn. Thanks for the illustration.

I went in to sleep aids a little bit because of what happened. When I arrived at the truck stop near my delivery I did have time to nap and tried. I only managed about an hour of sleep. Then I tossed and turned for another couple of hours not really sleeping. My problem is stress and the way I deal with it. I was so stressed about messing up my trip plan that my mind was racing not allowing me to take a nap during the hours I had at the truck stop. Another thing is unlike yourself and Jopa, I cannot sleep on the drop of a hat. I'm a habitual sleeper and my body/mind does not slow down and relax until It's my normal "bed time." So taking naps for me is very difficult. Man I wish I could sleep at a shipper receiver during loading/unloading but I don't want to sleep through the phone call telling me I"m empty/loaded. Or miss the call on the CB telling me I"m done. That little tid bit drives me insane, having to listen to my CB for my door/name to be called.

When I first started driving in the 90's I was in my twenties and sleeping was a bit easier for me. Not only that but there were no elogs and I used to keep 2 log books so I could drive 14-16 hours a day. So I'd drive to the point of exhaustion. It burned me out so much I had to quit driving after 6 years. I only came back into trucking again because its so highly regulated I knew I wouldn't be pushed so hard. I'm here to admit that the OTR driving lifestyle is NOT for me. It's a means to an end for a year until I can get enough "recent" experience to get a local job near my home and I live in a not so good location for trucking jobs. They are few and far inbetween.

I'm not trying to imply that you're going to have as hard of a time as I do. I do want to point out (as Jopa and Old School did better than I it seems =) ) that OTR driving is highly unpredictable and is going to mess up your natural body sleep cycle. There's no way around it. I hate to see anyone struggle as hard as I do to maintain this lifestyle.

That last line really gets to my concern and thank you for your frankness. I can handle a challenge but I don't want a day-to-day struggle against my basic instincts and drives. I'm beginning to think I'll just go drive a local route delivery truck. Schwan's is looking better.

Don't let me scare you too bad David. I would not try to talk you out of trying a career in truck driving. At most I would just be careful on how you go about getting your cdl. You can get out basically for free at a major carrier, however, most that I know require at least a year commitment with them or you'll have to pay for the training which is $3,000 or more. That's alot off money to have to pay if things don't pan out. I'm not sure what your geographical location is but local jobs are available just harder to find than otr. Cdl schools usually have job placement assistance to some of these companies as well.