Stay in service over Christmas?

JimF51 · Dec 17, 2012

Am planning to be home from aprox. Wed/Thur, the 19th or 20th, through the 25th. have thought, though, of staying in service, in case there would be one or 2 local type loads, in the area (Charlotte, NC). Wouldn't accept anything going out of general area.

Has anyone done this? Would the folks in Green not like this?

Just curious.

Thanks

Jim F

Doggie Daddy · Dec 17, 2012

We are a team D unit, and usually shut down for Christmas. There have been years where I have tried to do the local thing running as a solo and have told them that. But they still keep sending offers out that arent local,and after several refusals you will eventually get a call from someone in dispatch asking why you are turning down all of the load offers. When you tell them that you only wanted to do local runs,they will tell you that it's better if you go out of service and that they will put a note in that you will run local runs. The problem is that no one reads the notes, so the phone will never ring.

jjoerger · Dec 17, 2012

What DD said is correct. The only dispatcher that will know that you are available for a local run will be the one that typed it into the notes.
Enjoy your time off.

zorry · Dec 17, 2012

They would do well if they could have a directional dispatch team or person. It could track situations like this. Also when you are only willing to go one way.
Last summer I was 400 miles from my daughters Friday wedding. I didn't want to deadhead home,yet. Nobody could comprehend that I would take anything that put me closer than 400 miles to Chicago.
They got upset and dispatch put me out of service. They lost a DR team for three days and I lost potential revenue.
Been through this three times in four years. Actually was yelled at that I was doing the company a disservice by staying in service.
This is probably the only thing I don't like about our operation. I shouldn't have to take a week off to get a day off, particularly in a place like Chicago.

JimF51 · Dec 18, 2012

Thanks all. Thought this would be the case, but figured I'd ask.

Jim F

iceroadtrucker · Dec 21, 2012

Moven Moven Moven Moven

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

HO HO HO HO!!!!!!

TeamCaffee · Dec 21, 2012

During Christmas the dispatchers are desperate for trucks and they do read the notes during this time of the year.

JimF51 · Dec 31, 2012

Just a update, think "the best laid plans..." The weekend before I got home, came down with a slight head cold. Nothing major. Dec. 24th, felt like death warmed over. Quick trip to Dr., lucky me, I have pneumonia. So been off since then, just now feeling up to driving. So original question became a moot one.