Why Would You Ever Refuse/reject A Load?

Is this common? I can't imagine telling my DM "nah, I don't want that load, give me another" then sitting around waiting for a new one. Seems like that would make some ppl mad, lol

The only way I MIGHT do that is if I don't have enough hours. What usually happens is I end up relaying the load.

Dave

Is this common? I can't imagine telling my DM "nah, I don't want that load, give me another" then sitting around waiting for a new one. Seems like that would make some ppl mad, lol

You kind of answered your own question - you certainly could say "I don't want to." And then maybe your DM may just not want to give you another load.

But there are some legitimate reasons also. You are offered a load to deliver in Texas, but that's the same day you're supposed to be home in Ohio.

Or, you know your hours (working with recaps for example) are not right for a particular delivery time. And yes, maybe you don't feel ready for NYC.

But generally those what takes the loads gets the miles.

The only way I MIGHT do that is if I don't have enough hours. What usually happens is I end up relaying the load.

Dave

So you have lets say, 1 hr left on your 14, and DM wants you to pick up a load that'll take 2, so you refuse? You have to find a place to park in that 1hour also, right?

Relaying means u drop the load and someone else comes and gets it? Or do u just ask if someone can go get it cuz u don't have enough time?

Btw, I'm terrible at introductions, including my own. I've been (almost) everywhere on this site and must say everyone here is just amazing. Sometimes I think Brett must have a Ph.D. in psychology the way he just seems to "get" ppl. I Really enjoyed his book. I love the brutally honest insights from the moderators too. So, thank you for the help, and when I'm smart 'nuff, I hope I can contribute also.

Is this common? I can't imagine telling my DM "nah, I don't want that load, give me another" then sitting around waiting for a new one. Seems like that would make some ppl mad, lol

But there are some legitimate reasons also. You are offered a load to deliver in Texas, but that's the same day you're supposed to be home in Ohio.

Sounds like one of those test of wills I've read about, lol. I really hope to avoid that situation, but understand the need to stand your ground

So you have lets say, 1 hr left on your 14, and DM wants you to pick up a load that'll take 2, so you refuse? You have to find a place to park in that 1hour also, right?

I am going to skip a lot of information that you will learn in the Hours Of Service section of the High Road Training Program.

Your driver manager knows your time requirements as well, and would make the right arrangements with the shipper and receiver to make the delivery.

The idea of recaps is that you are restricted in the time you can drive on a given date for example you might be able to drive for 6 hours instead of 11 hours. (That's explained in the HOS section.)

You could tell your DM you only have six hours tomorrow and could deliver it the next day. Your DM could agree with that, or simply find another driver.

So, if your time availability does not match the load's time requirements, you have a good reason to refuse the assignment.

Relaying means u drop the load and someone else comes and gets it? Or do u just ask if someone can go get it cuz u don't have enough time?

Generally you don't "drop a load" for someone to come and get, the other person would just be assigned to take the load in the first place. As for you asking if someone else could get it, that's really the driver manages job in the first place!

I drive for Swift Transportation. I can refuse a load just because maybe I don't like Florida. (They don't usually ask for a reason.) But I can't do this kind of thing too often or I will be sitting in a truck stop for a long time.

Great topic, its a topic that I think could make ya or break ya depending on the situation at hand. When I was driving and working for May the only time I would decline a load( and thats if no other arrangemrnts could be made), would be if I didnt have the hours to do so. I would allways tell my DM that I could get the load this far which at times worked out for the other driver, he or she would take the load onto delivery and then have a load going back home. Some say they dont feel comfortable going to certain places however eventually you will end up having to go there. In those instances where you end up having to go where you prefer not to make sure you are well rested, make sure you have plenty of time, and ask other truckers about the area you are going to. Just my 3 cents, Stay safe and have fun!!

I have seen alot more issues in this area than I ever cared too. All companies work pretty much the same even though they have little mechanical differences. If your on elogs your Dm or FM as well as any other office folks can see your hours. They know what you have. That being said, they should not be trying to put a load on a driver that doesn't have the required hours. Now real world answer: Sometimes it happens. If you don't have the hours to legally run a load it should not be looked at as you turned it down. I work percentage of linehaul. I personally like it that way. I have seen drivers turn down loads because it didn't pay what they thought they were worth to pull it or it wasn't going where they wanted to go. I have seen those drivers sit because of their agorance. I have spoke with dispatchers and yes they get upset when drivers turn down loads for no apparent good reason. And yes they will get even. They have freight to move. Plain and simple. If you have a good dispatcher they will mointer your loads and try their best to spread the loads so everyone makes a decent check. For those folks that believe in conspiracy theories, I'll tell you it could happen, but very unlikely. I have only ever turned diwn 2 loads in 2 years and that was because they were both going 1000 miles the wrong direction when I was heading for hometime. If you think about turning a load down because you don't feel comfortable going there remember this. You will end up there at some point most likely. Look at it as a learning experience. Get there on time and don't hit anything and you will be better for it. Just my 2 cents

Ok, here is a reason I turned down a load recently. My clock was down to about 4 hours, and I had time to arrive at the shipper and get loaded, but the shipper did not allow overnight parking. Since the closest truck stop was over 10% out of route miles, in the opposite direction that I would be traveling after I picked up, I told my DM that I wouldn't have a company approved place to park. {They don't want us parking on exit ramps and such)

He said no problem and got me a different load. I rarely turn down a load, but it is better to do so, than to accept one, and them have to go back on your word and tell them you can't get the job done.

In addition to what's been stated about HOS and trying to get home, the only time I would consider refusing a load is when the load required hazmat placards, and I didn't have that endorsement on my CDL. Instead of outright refusing the load, though, I would kindly let the DM and/or the FM know that I wasn't licensed to transport hazardous materials that require placards. (I'm studying the High Road Training Program on this site, as well as reading Pennsylvania's CDL Manual to prepare for my written exams, so that's where I obtained my contribution to this thread's original question.)

Steve