[x06col]

It's just that roast goose mentality ovm. Don't do what ya need to (like sleep when you can) an expect (whenever ya wake up) to be first out (right now). Don't work that way. I've watched sooo many lost opportunitys like this over the years. Seems to never improve.

[OntarioVanMan]

Originally Posted by x06col

It's just that roast goose mentality ovm. Don't do what ya need to (like sleep when you can) an expect (whenever ya wake up) to be first out (right now). Don't work that way. I've watched sooo many lost opportunitys like this over the years. Seems to never improve.

Look at his timing Col....picked at 11am 6 hour drive and another hour to get settled thats 6 pm...took 5 hours to shower? went to bed at 11pm...and he claims slow??? I don't buy it...

[layoutshooter]

I was taught by my prior owner and expediter mentor not to leave the house for cheap. He said "Never leave the barn for cheap frieght but you can take cheap frieght if it gets you back to the barn. " I have lived by that rule. If I have to sit an extra day I would rather do it where I have all my toys and it's cheaper. Layoutshooter

[OntarioVanMan]

I msis those days of being able to sit at home and wait for a load...

[LDB]

It could be argued 8 ways to Sunday but I can only look at it from my interpretation. If I say I have a 6 hour drive to do, that means 6 hours of driving at optimum speed plus at least 1 stop along the way for fuel/toilet/whatever so it could easily be 7-7.5 hours elapsed for a 6 hour drive if there's rush hour traffic or a wreck or whatever. I'm kind of funny too. I consider eating and showering periodically to be on the what you have to do list just like sleeping. Now, I won't argue that potentially everything could have been completed and lights out by maybe 9 instead of 11 but that would still be long on runs and short on snores.

My main point wasn't if the procedure followed was smartest or best, it was turning down what would likely have been an unsafe run. There are many who would take it regardless and too bad if they aren't as alert and safe as they should be, it's money dammitall and nothing else matters.

[OntarioVanMan]

Leo...this is the Van segment...its a dog eat dog world down here...it much different then your world...if you want proper sleep and proper diet...it is very hard to have the best of both worlds AND make a living at it as Dave has so strongly advocated many a time. It is unfortunate that we SOMEtimes have to push ourselves...David is trying to play by a clean set of rules and struggling at it...I commend him for that part of his effort. BUT I'll not coddle him for his choices on how he chooses to run...and I will be the first to point out the other side of the coin...

[danthewolf00]

just going to add my 2 cents

had aload down in waverly,ohio drove from toledo,ohio(9pm to1am did not get unloaded till 6am) from waverly to augesttown,ohio (6:30am to 3pm)just out side of youngstown.ohio 0(get call at 1pm)drive from augesttown to new philadelia,ohio leave at 3pm(spelling is not right i know)drive from new philly to okc,ok made it at 3pm okc,ok time.

drive time from toledo to waverly 5 hours with 5 hours wait/downtime
drive time from waverly to augesttown 5 hours
so far 10 hours drive time with 5 hours down
drive from augesttown to new philly 2 hours
sat for 1.5 do to the load being sized wrong had in the end to leave one pallet
drive from new philly to okc,ok 20 drive time with 1 hour nap
28.5 hours drive time with 6 hours down

i have learned better now......makes me wish we had to log in vans

[jaminjim]

Wolf said:i have learned better now......makes me wish we had to log in vans

I'll just bet you do. If you really do, there is nothing stopping you from logging except your bills

[pjjjjj]

Being a relative newbie, I shouldn't speak, (but you know, I can't keep it zipped eh?).. but I've heard it said by MANY seasoned in this industry, to take all you can, when you can, cuz you never know what tomorrow will bring.
That being said, of course you have to use some common sense, as well as obey the laws, if they exist.

[x06col]

Dat be right. It's all about choices. We all have em. Make a bad one, live with the concequences. Make a nuther one, live with the rewards. it's still pretty simple. Even in the year 2008. So. whatca all gonna do???? Like your life now. Or, really, really like your life in ten years or so??? Your choice!!!!

[aristotle]

danthewolf... something to think about: the moment vanners are required to observe HOS, the party's over. Just about the only edge available to vanners is the unrestricted ability to drive. Of course, safety comes first. If you are too tired to complete a run, don't accept it. On the other hand, if HOS come into play you can kiss profitability goodbye( if you're running solo). Mandatory observation of HOS would be the last straw for many van operators. It would effectively kill that niche in the market, except for teams.

[arkjarhead]

One thing my granddaddy always told my was the HOS were first put in place to protect the drivers. See all that went down before things got so screwed up. Now no one is really concerned about safety. The Feds and States make rules and regs that are hard to comply with in hopes of catching you slipping up so they can issue a fine. It's all about making money. Then on the other side of the coin you have drivers that are just trying not to get caught. Think about it even if you stay completely inside of the law part, if not all, of your motivation is not to get caught. It's all about money. Make the most you can, however you can, and hope you don't get caught and have to pay the piper. At least that's how I played the game.

I've made plenty of people on here mad before because of my statements about HOS and companies telling you how to run. I've recieved countless pm's from people telling me to quit telling newbies how to add a couple hours on their day if they wanted it so I did. I just don't believe in having someone in Washington, D.C.(FMCSA), Salt Lake City(CR England), Seville, OH (Panther) or any other town I drove for a company out of telling me when I'm sleepy. If I've been driving for 11 hours and I'm tired, I'm tired. If I've been driving for 5 hours and need a cat nap I'm gonna take one. Maybe that is why I had the health problems I did. It's all in how you do things. You know when you need to find a parking spot, so why push it. Also if you ain't sleepy why quit running? You got to strike while the iron is hot.

[dhalltoyo]

If you look real close at my post, I clearly stated that I sent a QC message indicating that I was just going to sleep at 11:00pm.

Yes, I arrived at the truck stop around 7pm, ate some dinner, tossed in a load of laundry, dried that laundry too, showered, paid a few bills on line and then went to sleep. These are all usual, reasonable and customary functions of daily living.

As it took a few hours to accomplish those tasks, I felt it only courteous to inform dispatch that I was finally getting some sleep...staring at 11:00pm.

As I can read all of the QC messages sent to dispatch, I also know that they can also see them. I spent a few hours in that department watching the screens, so I know what they can immediately view when considering a load offer.

Uh, what does improving my equipment or being asked by a carrier to bring my van into their fleet have to do with my informing dispatch that I am going to sleep? Since you seem to think that has some bearing on the subject, I will inform you that a very prominent carrier contacted me this past week and asked if I would be interested in bringing my truck into their fleet. The offer was, "We would love to have a truck like yours in the fleet." "We know you maintain your equipment and you conduct yourself as a professional." I doubt if I will switch, but it was nice to know that they would contact me personally based upon my track record as an expediter.

You see, when your business decisions are lateral or upward...corporations view that as a positive move. I started with a very small carrier and moved up the ladder.

By the tone of some posts, maybe it is dog eat dog.

I for one, will not follow the traditional view of getting ahead in this world which is, "Yank the guy in front of you off the ladder and kick off the other one below you..so you can climb up the ladder of success."

What I will do is, "Push the guy in front of me up the ladder and extend my hand to the one below me."

FYI, for those who seem so interested in my personal life...I will also be out-of-service for 10 days starting on September 6. Since it is so slow, I thought it a great time to hit the beach condo. If anybody is near the Outer Banks during that time, drop me an email and I'll give you directions. Be glad to break bread with you. I'll toss on some extra shrimp and steaks.

[LDB]

Originally Posted by arkjarhead

You know when you need to find a parking spot, so why push it. Also if you ain't sleepy why quit running?

The problem is that there are plenty out there who, without the rules in place, would not find a parking space even when they know they need it. They are too busy chasing dollars, often due to poor planning and poor financial habits, to focus on safety.

Additionally, sleepy and tired are two different things. Sleepy you definitely notice and feel. Tired gradually creeps up on you, slowing your mental and physical reflexes with little warning or signs. At extremes you will notice it as well, like when the red light comes on suggesting buy some fuel or stall at the side of the road. When you are at that 1/3 level you aren't going to get any warning lights but you are running at significantly less than full capacity. The same holds true when driving during that 11th hour compared to the 1st hour.

The rules are annoying and certain parts of them need revision but they are there because a certain percentage of the population is too selfish to do the right thing and must be bound by rules.

[ATeam]

Originally Posted by x06col

Dat be right. It's all about choices. We all have em. Make a bad one, live with the concequences. Make a nuther one, live with the rewards. it's still pretty simple. Even in the year 2008. So. whatca all gonna do???? Like your life now. Or, really, really like your life in ten years or so??? Your choice!!!!

Or, you can like your life now AND like your life in the future. As the man said, "it's all about choices."

Attitude is everything. Choose, right now, to like your life today. Or to put it another way, count your blessings. Doing so puts you in a frame of mind that allows you to see positive possibilities you would otherwise not see. It opens your mind to think things you would not otherwise think.

You can prove this to yourself with little effort. Take out a pencil and paper and make a list of your blessings. Can you list ten things you have going for you? Can you list a hundred?

Note how this exercise changes the way you feel. Note how the world around you seems a bit brighter. Note how the desire to procrastinate fades and the desire to do something productive grows.