Layed Over...

By putting in several short comments?

No contest here for that.

All seriousness aside, here's some general "rules of thumb" for PTA numbers:
* drop the trailer, hook up a loaded one: 30 minutes
* live unload or live load: 2 hours
* once you are familiar with some stops, and you know there's a terrible wait to get in, you might add several hours just for that.
* 30 minute break, 10 hour break, 34 hour reset: goes without saying. But add in some time for going from the receiver to a truck stop, as needed.
* fuel stop (mostly happens with an ETA since you are on the road) round to the next 1/4 hour. It takes about 15-20 minutes to refuel & clean the windshield & potty break. (Note: restroom time should be marked on your log as OFF DUTY. Make your own joke.)

Do you get a "suggested" plan? Read that for information - required breaks, fuel stops. You do not need to stick with those times, though. "Drive 18 minutes until 11 hours is exhausted." -- yeah, right!

(this is from Swift, yours may be different) Your dispatch may include a suggested PTA. It's a place to start if you have no idea. You can always update your ETA/PTA via Qualcomm.

Paul, are you trying to pad your posting count?

No😈😈

No contest here for that.

All seriousness aside, here's some general "rules of thumb" for PTA numbers:
* drop the trailer, hook up a loaded one: 30 minutes
* live unload or live load: 2 hours
* once you are familiar with some stops, and you know there's a terrible wait to get in, you might add several hours just for that.
* 30 minute break, 10 hour break, 34 hour reset: goes without saying. But add in some time for going from the receiver to a truck stop, as needed.
* fuel stop (mostly happens with an ETA since you are on the road) round to the next 1/4 hour. It takes about 15-20 minutes to refuel & clean the windshield & potty break. (Note: restroom time should be marked on your log as OFF DUTY. Make your own joke.)

Do you get a "suggested" plan? Read that for information - required breaks, fuel stops. You do not need to stick with those times, though. "Drive 18 minutes until 11 hours is exhausted." -- yeah, right!

(this is from Swift, yours may be different) Your dispatch may include a suggested PTA. It's a place to start if you have no idea. You can always update your ETA/PTA via Qualcomm.

Again thanks for all the advice yet another reason I have been enjoying this site for the last three months or so

Paul, I think you have several things working against you here.

First off you said your dispatcher went on vacation.

Second thing is you've got somebody trying to take care of their drivers and your dispatchers drivers.

Third is that you are new to the company.

Any time you start a new truck driving job it is going to take them a little while to kind of get to know what you are capable of doing. You've been showing them that you can get there early and get unloaded - that's really good - keep it up. When you get your regular dispatcher back send them some very polite, professional messages letting them know that you are experiencing too much sitting and waiting. Ask them if they could help you out on this situation. Keep it light, don't come off as a whiner, and I think you will start seeing a difference shortly. Trust me they want you moving better than you are now.

Paul, I think you have several things working against you here.

First off you said your dispatcher went on vacation.

Second thing is you've got somebody trying to take care of their drivers and your dispatchers drivers.

Third is that you are new to the company.

Any time you start a new truck driving job it is going to take them a little while to kind of get to know what you are capable of doing. You've been showing them that you can get there early and get unloaded - that's really good - keep it up. When you get your regular dispatcher back send them some very polite, professional messages letting them know that you are experiencing too much sitting and waiting. Ask them if they could help you out on this situation. Keep it light, don't come off as a whiner, and I think you will start seeing a difference shortly. Trust me they want you moving better than you are now.

OS your opinion means as much to me as Brett's so thank you!! Now if don't mind what could be a few examples of addressing the sitting issue in a nonwhiney manner that u would send to your dispatcher in the same situation?

And I do understand that 80% of my sitting issue is my own fault ie. no PTA provided and timely ETA and PTA updates on my part😁😁

Thank u all for the sound advice from the moment it was given I instilled it into my daily routine and have subsequently had three loads due to the ETA and PTA advise given by Errol, Old School and Brett. Yet again this site has provided me with sound advise and expert guidance that has increased my income and reliability to my company. Thank yall very much!!!

I received a broker load that day that I was asking all my questions and advice requests.

I knocked that load out in 24 hrs and received a second "help out a broke down driver" load within moments of dropping and then recieved my third as a preplanned load which I'm sitting 4 min up the road from dropping tomorrow!!!

So again to all the nubies and rooks that fear asking for thought of embarrassment ask away the advice u get might just make your week or month😊😊! And it will definitely help u relax and settle into this awesome career we all are enjoying so much. Roll on truckers. Over and out!!

Justin and Leonard thank u as well!