Sleeper Split Would Have Been Useful

Last night I decided to park to take a nap for about an hour or two, when I parked I still had 7 hours of drive time and about 10 hours on 14.

I dont usually park and take naps, but last night I was feeling really tired due to lack of sleep before picking the load up. So I decided to take a nap. I ended up sleeping for nearly 8 hours, which isn't a huge problem since my appointment has the extra time on it but far longer then I planned.

Anyways if Schneider allowed the sleeper split everyone seems to be doing, i would have been able to leave right about now and then take a 2 hour break later.

True, but the more important lesson here is that you were eay more tired than you thought, and you did the right thing by pulling over to sleep.

safety first! good for you.

True, but the more important lesson here is that you were eay more tired than you thought, and you did the right thing by pulling over to sleep.

safety first! good for you.

Of course, safety is always first!

Although they may not allow the split, you may still have been able to use the 8-hour sleeper berth provision, pausing your clock for the eight hours. Do they not allow that either?

Jamie, it would really surprise me if their experienced drivers are not using that rule on occasion.

That type of situation is the most common reason I log a split sleeper.

Some nights I just start having trouble focusing around 3-4am, and that's my cue to hit the next available parking area and park it anywhere I can. Set my alarm for 2.5 hours and take a power nap. That short power nap is enough to get me alert again, and by the end of the 2.5 hours its nearly sunrise. That sun coming up has a huge psychological benefit and I'm good to drive my clock out. Once I stop again I lay down and log an 8hr sleeper. Now I'm good to roll again with minimal time lost. Then I'll usually complete that trip logging 8hr sleeper rests and 2hr breaks along the way to grab food and a shower.

Keeps me rolling efficiently and I don't need to stop for a 30 minute break if I don't want to.

Although they may not allow the split, you may still have been able to use the 8-hour sleeper berth provision, pausing your clock for the eight hours. Do they not allow that either?

Nope, last time I discussed it with them, they said we are required to take a full 10 hour break.

Jamie, it would really surprise me if their experienced drivers are not using that rule on occasion.

Maybe, who knows. They check so many of our logs each month, so they would probably say something if we did it. But no way to know, only going by what I was told.

I'm not encouraging you to go against policy. Trucking is so funny - I've had people allow me to do unusual things on many occasions. I was even once congratulated by my dispatcher for moving an appointment forward with a customer that our instructions clearly told us "do not call this customer." I just called them and didn't let on that I was the driver. I gave them my name, told them I was with company so and so, and informed them we had a driver parked right down the street from them who managed to get there a day early. I then asked if there was any possibility of working them in for delivery today.

Every step I took was breaking policy. It got me unloaded and my dispatcher loved it. They will look the other way at times for really productive drivers, but not everyone takes those risks. I only share that because it's one of those things that you learn over time out here. You can't just play like an idiot out here, but carefully strategized and executed maneuvers like this can really help you be more productive. You've got to know your limits, and you've got to have a great track record. I can tell stories of guys I know who've been fired for offenses that I've been allowed to get away with. It's a balancing act. Your great track record is your safety net.