Sometimes Things Are Real Easy.

So, I got this load, due to being on recaps it has a lot of time on it. On day one I drove to West Memphis, my first fuel stop. Spent the night there, slept late and day two, yesterday, I had enough time to make it to my next fuel stop in Waco, TX. Today is day three, I'm less than 6 hours away from my delivery, and it is not due until 09:00 tomorrow. When I got here about 17:00 yesterday, I went to eat and do laundry. Went to bed late, slept until I couldn't any more and will deliver today. I can deliver any time. Now some of you may have realized that I could do a 34 on this load and still deliver on time. However, I have been able to run this knowing, I would deliver early. I chose this route because of the recaps I have coming back and I will add more money to this pay period and get loads on the next one sooner. On this load I ran hard on the first day, so I could deliver early. Learning how to manage your clock helps to be able to plan your loads. Not all loads have this kind of time. I think dry van has more flexibility than refer. I do enjoy these lazy relaxing loads from time to time.

Ya’ll know one of my favorite sayings:

“Some days you’re the bat and some days you’re the ball.

Experience teaches us how to be the bat more times than not, as Big Scott has shown us.

Somewhat related, but I have had quite a few loads with plenty (too much) time on them, that I cannot get dispatch to shake off. So, I run long and hard the first day, hoping that when I get to the consignee early, they will unload early. The majority of the time they will and have; a couple times I had to wait, even taking a 34. When I have had too much time, some have recommended to "take my time, enjoy the sites along the way", etc.. Darn, I wish I could do it (stop and see the sites, etc.), but for some reason I still feel like the Hare in the Tortoise and the Hare. I have to be moving.

You will learn to "take it easy and smell the roses" as time goes on. What broke me of the hare syndrome was doing a month of recaps.

I love loads with extra time on them. I either look at local tourism of my final destination, or I look at places along the route. I have discovered that I prefer doing 34's vs recaps, except when absolutely necessary. I have been able to enjoy 2 concerts, and a couple minor league baseball games, during my 34's.