While Waiting For Next Load

So here I sit on the side of the road. Probably not supposed to be here but, I'm not sure where i should be going. You see, I just got unloaded and I've yet to receive another assignment. I couldn't wait at the place I was unloaded and the nearest truck stop I can find is 20 miles away. I have this dilemma whenever I'm unloaded at a place that I cant hang around and wait at. "What if 5 minutes from now I get my next load and I'm heading in the wrong direction?" "What if I sit on the side of the road and my next assignment doesn't drop on me for 2 hours?"

What do you all do in these situations? I know it's not that big of a problem. I just get frustrated by my own indecision sometimes. I'll probably stay here for ten minutes and if I dont get a load I'll drive to the nearest truck stop.

Problem solved...just got a load! Still, I'd like to see what other drivers do in this situation.

Dude. I have the same issue. I had to leave a receiver the other day and had no idea of my next assignment. Didn't know where I could wait so I went to a flying J because dispatch told me that I wouldn't get anything until the morning. As soon as I parked and did a post trip, the assignment comes through. Exactly in the opposite direction. This is why I wish I could have my pickups in advance so I could better plan.

RealDiehl's idle mind:

I couldn't wait at the place I was unloaded and the nearest truck stop I can find is 20 miles away. I have this dilemma whenever I'm unloaded at a place that I cant hang around and wait at. "What if 5 minutes from now I get my next load and I'm heading in the wrong direction?" "What if I sit on the side of the road and my next assignment doesn't drop on me for 2 hours?"

Most of the time you should be getting preplans (your next dispatch before your done with "this" one). Then you'll obviously know what to do next, and when. Try to be pretty accurate with your estimated time of availability. If not, how about a message to your DM?

If you can't chill at your 90, it's better to start heading to somewhere you can park safely. (Hint: the roadside out front of your drop location may at least have worn-in shoulders where trucks regularly stop and sit for a while.)

Don't over-think what you'll be doing next.

Irritating ain't it...lol. I tend to send my empty call in as soon as I can and wait on property as Long as I can but then I head to the nearest truckstop or rest area. Do I chose the wrong direction sometime? Yes but I believe the empty miles to shipper is from my trucks GPS location so I get paid for those wrong direction miles too.

I told my FM 3 months in "i need to be preplanned. i can't sleep without a load. im afraid i will sleep through the message, and it is making me unsafe."

I am preplanned 98% of the time, even through weekends and holidays now.

On the few times i needed to bolt..i tell him "heading west toward Gary IN to park". that allows him to find me a load in that direction. it doesnt always work out, but most times it does

Being reefer , my other options are to go washout and fill the reefer. So i message "heading for washout please fuel me at XWYZV"

then i get on their radar

RealDiehl's idle mind:

Lol! I see what ya did there.

I told my FM 3 months in "i need to be preplanned. i can't sleep without a load. im afraid i will sleep through the message, and it is making me unsafe."

I am preplanned 98% of the time, even through weekends and holidays now.

On the few times i needed to bolt..i tell him "heading west toward Gary IN to park". that allows him to find me a load in that direction. it doesnt always work out, but most times it does

Being reefer , my other options are to go washout and fill the reefer. So i message "heading for washout please fuel me at XWYZV"

then i get on their radar

That's great...head for a washout and send msg. That's where I am right now. Pre plans would be great. I'll run it by my FM.

If you can’t wait there, drive to the safest, legal location and park. Do not sit on the roadside...tickets, accidents.

Start bugging dispatcher for a prep lane before arriving at the receiver.

Take a 34 hour reset “No Pre-Plan Protest”!

I'd like to see what other drivers do in this situation.

The best approach to this is to figure out how to avoid this situation. When I get a load assignment the first thing I do is make a plan on when I will be empty. I may contact the customer and move my appointment forward, but I put a plan together. The next thing (before I ever even leave the shipper) is to send my dispatcher a message like this: "I will be MT Tuesday morning 0700 - let's get our planners working on this now."

You have got to be confident you can do what you say, and do whatever it takes to keep your promises. I very seldom am left hanging around without a pre-planned load. If and when I do, I send another message prior to getting empty that I am still on schedule. Then on that rare occasion that I don't get anything, I'm headed to the nearest place I can park. I don't worry about going the wrong direction. I'd be much more concerned with parking on the side of the road.