Well the main tip I would say really isn't a tip at all. I basically just always push myself to get as much done in a day as possible.
For example, this past Monday I came off home time with a load of lumber from Missoula to University Park, IL. That's a little over 1600 miles. Dispatch had already called ahead and scheduled my unloading appointment for Thursday morning at 8am, which was perfectly reasonable.
I could have taken it easy, done about 500 miles each day and unloaded on Thursday, but instead I drove as far as I could each day, took only my minimum required breaks, and woke up as early as possible the next day.
So I left Missoula at 11am on Monday and got to Belle Fourche, SD at 10:15pm on day 1. That was 614 miles.
On day 2, I left at 8:30am (after a 15 minute pre-trip) and arrived in Evansdale, IA at 8pm (9pm local time). I did 702 miles that day.
During day 2, after I got through SD, I knew I was making good time, so I called the receiver myself and explained that I would probably be able to make it there by Wednesday afternoon. So they gave me a 1pm unloading appointment and told me to call if anything changed.
So on day 3, I left at 6:15am (7:15am local) with about 300 miles to go and arrived at 11:30am (12:30pm local). Perfect timing.
Of course I had also kept dispatch informed of my plans, so after I was unloaded, they already had a plan ready for me.
I was to deadhead 40 miles to Chicago and pick up steel coils going to Brownstown, IN. Granted, it was just a short 250 mile run, but at least it was something (and I got $0.25/mile extra for it).
So instead of finishing up Wednesday evening near University Park, waiting to get unloaded the next morning, I finished up in Seymour, IN (about 15 miles from Brownstown) with an extra 250 miles under my belt. Little things like that go a long way towards increasing your paycheck and boosting your standing with dispatchers.
It's really up to you how much you want to make in this industry. I could have just accepted my Thursday morning appointment and taken it easy, but I chose to push myself harder, and it will show in next week's paycheck.
P.S. Paper logs also help! But the above could still have easily been accomplished on e-logs.
To drive with an empty trailer. After delivering your load you will deadhead to a shipper to pick up your next load.
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Thanks PC. That was a very informative post. How many weeks do you stay out?
Usually about 3-4 weeks, sometimes more, sometimes less.
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You posted your income info for the first 6 months recently and it looks like you are doing very well.
I was wondering if you could share any tricks, tips, advice for a newbie flatbed driver to maximize their income, hos , etc? Any other drivers are welcome to respond as well.
Thanks!
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.