Seasonal Slow-down

I guess it just hit me. Up till now I've pretty much always had a new pre-plan waiting for me to accept before I even finished delivering my current job. Not today. Made my last delivery on a multi-stop trip and now I'm parked at az Pilot waiting to get a job.

The only thing I don't like about a situation like this is I don't know if I should try napping, or staying awake. With my luck I'd stay up and the get a job just as I'm starting to get sleepy.

Any suggestions on what to do with your time when you have an unknown time-table?

I guess it just hit me. Up till now I've pretty much always had a new pre-plan waiting for me to accept before I even finished delivering my current job. Not today. Made my last delivery on a multi-stop trip and now I'm parked at az Pilot waiting to get a job.

The only thing I don't like about a situation like this is I don't know if I should try napping, or staying awake. With my luck I'd stay up and the get a job just as I'm starting to get sleepy.

Any suggestions on what to do with your time when you have an unknown time-table?

For me, it comes down to how much time I got left on my 11 and 14. If there are only a few hrs left on my clock, I'd send my DM a message just letting them know I have , we'll say 3hrs on 11 and 5hrs on 14 and in 2 hrs im shutting down for the my 10hr break. Most of the time I get either planned right after or a message saying take a break and check back when I get up.

Now if you have just started your time, and have 8hrs on 11 and 9.5hrs on 14 then I'd send a message in every hour checking in for load and also keeping dispatched updated with my hours.

Example:

Hey name, Just wanted to see if there are any pre plans available for me, i've got 8hrs on my 11 and 9.5 on 14. Thanks, David

If they responded something like:

David, nothing available yet. -Name

I'd send back:

Copy, will check back in an hour, thanks, David

it keeps a line of communication open, and shows them you are still wanting to work. Sometimes it works, other times it doesnt and you get stuck sitting for that 9 hrs before they plan you, at which point your so tired from waiting, and all you need is another hr for 10hr reset. I've had it happen. Its one of those roll with the punches type of deal.

if I have to sit for more then 3-4 hrs I will at times send a message saying "since nothing is available, im going to take a 10hr reset" and if i had a macro to send for an updated PTA (projected time of availability) I'd send one of those so the planners/dm know when I'll be ready.

Gotcha. I hadn't used upuch time at all doing my drops. So after about an hour I messaged dispatch. By then the night shift people had taken over and my normal DM had already gone home. He replied that he would reset my PTA for tomorrow morning and get on the planners. Bel (my normal DM) would have gotten me something, but oh well. At least I don't have to worry about staying up waiting.

Gotcha. I hadn't used upuch time at all doing my drops. So after about an hour I messaged dispatch. By then the night shift people had taken over and my normal DM had already gone home. He replied that he would reset my PTA for tomorrow morning and get on the planners. Bel (my normal DM) would have gotten me something, but oh well. At least I don't have to worry about staying up waiting.

Yea thats the downside to night and some weekend DMs. They really aren't meant for much but answering the phone. Most planners leave when the day DMs do. They may have 1 or 2 at your HQ terminal. At least thats how GTI is. Everything after 1900 CST goes to Washington which has 3 night DMs and 2 planners tell 6am CST, almost 12hrs between night and day shift... kind of weird in a way.