How To Get Those Miles

I've been doing a regional dedicated account for about three months now. At first, most of my loads went 300-400 miles. That meant more drop/hook and (yuck) more live load/unloads.

I got plenty of miles, but you know swapping trailers or waiting for the forklift to get done is unpaid time.

But I managed to get those trips done early or on time. My DM said I was often ahead of my track.

Then I started getting mostly 900 mile dispatches. A few short ones, buy now my trips are multi-day.

Today talking with my DM, just on passing (this wasn't am important point for her) she said "You drive 600 in a day. I have many drivers who stop after 500." Also, she knows I never complain (well, almost never) about a load. She says I've helped her out of some sticky situations.

Did you get the message?

My mom lives in St Petersburg, FL. Donna doesn't handle Florida. I asked her if I could get a trip & do my 34 in St Pete. She made it happen!

Be nice to your Driver Manager! What goes around comes around.

Today talking with my DM , just on passing (this wasn't am important point for her) she said "You drive 600 in a day. I have many drivers who stop after 500."

Neat! The run to Florida- Love how you worked this out. You've got good tips, and some things instigate questions... Anyway you drive 600/day- What speed do you average? What is your truck governed at? Also, I would think with the longer runs your pay would increase? If it has, do you care to share how much?

BTW- I miss your graphics on- How do I set up to back? I know I don't have your trademarked thread heading correct.

I get 38 CPM , all dispatched miles loaded or empty.

Swift trucks are gov'd at 62. Just minimize your breaks.

80% of my driving is between GP locations. So I'm familiar with which truck stops will have space when I need to stop. (Hint: I don't do many breaks at national brand places, i.e. Pilot, T/A, etc.)

What are you talking about here?

I miss your graphics on- How do I set up to back? I know I don't have your trademarked thread heading correct.

"Backing Practice"?

"Backing Practice"?

Yes

80% of my driving is between GP locations.

What is GP?

Thanks for making this thread Errol! I notice you guys always start these sorts of threads with, "I was talking to my dispatcher..." How much do you talk to your dispatcher via Qualcomm , phone, or in person? I rarely call my dispatcher since we get messages fairly often saying to message instead of call, but I get the impression you and the other moderators talk to your dispatchers pretty often.

My truck is actually governed at 60 not 62 and I drove 656 miles today according to my Qualcomm.

True, lots of messages go on the QC. But yesterday I lost three hours with waiting for a live unload which put me behind today and really messed up my pre plan (scheduled loads). You can figure sometimes a call is better than messages.

BTW, Donna called me! I do try to avoid calling.

My truck is actually governed at 60 not 62 and I drove 656 miles today according to my Qualcomm.

It must be governed higher than that. (don't tell your Company,lol). 60 mph for a full 11 hours would be 660 miles. Impossible. If you get paid by Qualcomm miles, then keep this to yourself. I won't tell a soul!

True, lots of messages go on the QC. But yesterday I lost three hours with waiting for a live unload which put me behind today and really messed up my pre plan (scheduled loads). You can figure sometimes a call is better than messages.

BTW, Donna called me! I do try to avoid calling.

Lol I wasn't criticizing, just curious. I've wondered if I should call me dispatcher a little more often just to build more of a relationship, so that's why I asked.

I have to do those lousy live loads all the time, but I always use the split sleeper. Is there a limit on how much we can use that? I was told in cdl school we're not allowed to use them back to back, or "piggyback" them, so to speak. I'm hoping this isn't true because it's what I did this entire week.

My truck is actually governed at 60 not 62 and I drove 656 miles today according to my Qualcomm.

It must be governed higher than that. (don't tell your Company,lol). 60 mph for a full 11 hours would be 660 miles. Impossible. If you get paid by Qualcomm miles, then keep this to yourself. I won't tell a soul!

Speedometer clocks me at 62, but Qualcomm clocks me at 60-61. I even used an app on my phone once and it clocked me the same as the Qualcomm. It's not impossible in the Midwest with no traffic on I-80.

One thing to keep in mind, the miles down on the Qualcomm are for a 24 hour period, but an 11 hour period. If you start driving at midnight, get 10 hours of driving on with a half hour break in there, you can then take your 10 hour and it is still only 830 at night. Plenty of time to add a few extra miles to the day's driving.

My truck is actually governed at 60 not 62 and I drove 656 miles today according to my Qualcomm.

It must be governed higher than that. (don't tell your Company,lol). 60 mph for a full 11 hours would be 660 miles. Impossible. If you get paid by Qualcomm miles, then keep this to yourself. I won't tell a soul!