Hours of Work/Sleep Habits?

Phoenix4774 · Oct 24, 2010

In one thread I heard otr expediting is about 60% night driving.

How much like shift work is it? Is there a lot of sleeping during the day?

Do you get used to erratic sleep patterns? Just wondering.

chefdennis · Oct 24, 2010

There is no norm....you might get a 2200 pickup goin 500 miles and drive 10 hrs, drop and get 3 hours sleep and dispatch will call with a 300 miler during the day...

Or you might drop at at 1500 and not get a run until noon the next day...you sleep when tired and there is a need...do you get use to it, sure...then you go home for a few days and sleep like a normal person and you are screwed up again....

Lawrence · Oct 24, 2010

Phoenix4774 said:
In one thread I heard otr expediting is about 60% night driving.

I don't know about "60 %" - but many night driving loads for sure.

Phoenix4774 said:
How much like shift work is it? Is there a lot of sleeping during the day?

I would say it's nothing like shift work - that is just to predictable.

Phoenix4774 said:
Do you get used to erratic sleep patterns? Just wondering.

I would say 100% yes. Most people adjust to this - but some do not.

ebsprintin · Oct 24, 2010

It's very much NOT like shift work. It's more like 24/7 weekend standby. Some people can never adapt to it.

First thing I do after delivery is decide on my sleep strategy. When the loads are coming hard and fast, I'm usually getting in two sleeps a day. Basically, sleep until the next load comes in. When it is slow it gets tricky. Just when it's time to go the sleep a load comes in. Some companies have a sleep status that allows an amount of time to sleep and not lose board position. Other companies don't, so it's a matter of learning your own body requirements and your company's dispatch system.

eb

ebsprintin · Oct 24, 2010

chefdennis said:
...then you go home for a few days and sleep like a normal person and you are screwed up again....

No kidding. Go out of service and everything gets messed up.

As for percentages, right now I'm probably higher than 60% nights, but that changes.

eb

ATeam · Oct 24, 2010

Phoenix4774 said:
In one thread I heard otr expediting is about 60% night driving.

How much like shift work is it? Is there a lot of sleeping during the day?

Do you get used to erratic sleep patterns? Just wondering.

If you read my blog (link below) you will see how Diane's and my schedule varies and how we manage our sleep. I don't provide minute-by-minute details but you will get the idea. We are a team in a straight truck. Today's entry happens to include sleep and drive info.

greg334 · Oct 24, 2010

You are leaving out an important part of the question - what vehicle are you talking about.

Because you said OTR, I think you are talking about straight trucks.

SO there is a 10 hour reset, it helps all of us adjust to sleep.