Hometime Woes

So far Marten has been very good with honoring my hometime requests…..today however……. I am also a very tired as I type this so I am trying to make as much sense as I can:

Today, I had to take my truck to the shop for a fix of the front radar sensor (freightliner), I was given a load with a pickup of tommorrow back out to Grandview, WA - no problem as we weren’t sure exactly how long the shop would need it for. Turns out the shop can’t get the part for about a week, not an issue as my truck runs fine as is and I agreed with the shop foreman we could just wait till I was at home and he could have the truck and replace things and make the adjustments as needed etc. naturally I informed my dispatch. And of course I was given a new load for pick up today - again not a problem as it would have meant sitting around for a whole day with a delivery on 09/14.

The new load I was given is a multi stop load with deliveries in UTah and CO, keep in mind I live in Oregon and hometime starts Friday and I’ve been out for five weeks so far. So I questioned it since my recaps are really tight, I get 9.30, 10.30 3.47 and 10.20 back respectively for the rest of the week. I told dispatch that would make it really tight getting home, basically I was told that’s what they need and to go pick up the load. (In a pleasant way).. So ever since I got this one and picked up, my head has been spinning and I have been stewing a bit.

I’m frankly exhausted and need a break, maybe I’m being a bit dramatic or overly pessimistic (I get that way when really tired), but when I started getting decline messages from our after hours folks from the drivers who declined the request for a split, I kind of lost it, if that’s the right way to say it? Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t yell or curse or snap or anything, but I basically told them to please stop sending me the decline messages and that I would be splitting this load off one way or another. I was then told I would need to reach to out my regular dispatch in the AM, which I intend to do (after coffee and a shower) to work it out. I had actually rejected the load initially and I have only done that one other time in the whole year I’ve been driving with Marten and that was because I had absolutely no way of making that one legal (short recaps, the planner missed it and dispatch and I sorted it out etc), but in the end I acquiesced and got loaded as I was told that’s what was needed to be (getting the load).

I guess what I am trying to say is, I am really stressed out, I realize it’s only Monday and perhaps I am just tired after all, my mind keeps going to the worst place - no split , nothing have to deliver, get home next week worst case - which can happen when we are tired.

How have the experienced folks handled something like this? It does have me a bit upset as I feel like I was not heard properly at the onset of all of this and I know I didn’t handle it the best initially (flat out refusing the load etc) so I need to have a talk about it….

I guess what I am trying to say is I let my emotions get the better of me a bit today and I don’t usually do that, but I am so ready to get off the darn truck! Lol 😂

I hope all this made sense, it’s 2100 on the west coast (picked up in Chehalis, WA) and I need to put the phone down and get to bed so I can function properly tommorrow. Ty for reading.

So far Marten has been very good with honoring my hometime requests…..today however……. I am also a very tired as I type this so I am trying to make as much sense as I can:

Today, I had to take my truck to the shop for a fix of the front radar sensor (freightliner), I was given a load with a pickup of tommorrow back out to Grandview, WA - no problem as we weren’t sure exactly how long the shop would need it for. Turns out the shop can’t get the part for about a week, not an issue as my truck runs fine as is and I agreed with the shop foreman we could just wait till I was at home and he could have the truck and replace things and make the adjustments as needed etc. naturally I informed my dispatch. And of course I was given a new load for pick up today - again not a problem as it would have meant sitting around for a whole day with a delivery on 09/14.

I guess what I am trying to say is, I am really stressed out, I realize it’s only Monday and perhaps I am just tired after all, my mind keeps going to the worst place - no split , nothing have to deliver, get home next week worst case - which can happen when we are tired.

How have the experienced folks handled something like this? It does have me a bit upset as I feel like I was not heard properly at the onset of all of this and I know I didn’t handle it the best initially (flat out refusing the load etc) so I need to have a talk about it….

,

I guess what I am trying to say is I let my emoons get the better of me a bit today and I don’t usually do that, but I am so ready to get off the darn truck! Lol 😂

I hope all this made sense, it’s 2100 on the west coast (picked up in Chehalis, WA) and I need to put the phone down and get to bed so I can function properly tommorrow. Ty for reading.

Moe !!

If you think YOU are having trials & tribs . . . look at MY (OUR/me&Tom's) conundrums! We are actually looking at Marten, so please don't say anything negative, haha! Read some of my posts as of late. Sufferance and/or survival . . . of the fittest; and my Peloton hates me. (Joke?!?)

I'm on the East Coast, so it's 0114 here.. but I'm awake! Other half does p.m. shifts, it's just NOW done w/supper time. Hang in, hun. I've followed you for many trials and tribs, Still . . . I'm always around for what I can share.

Same ole' me,

~ Anne ~

ps: @Harvey C . . . you awake???

Moe, I had read this already and didn't think I was qualified to answer but Anne is asking so...

Michael has only not gotten off on time when he offered to run an extra day to help out with a situation and then his manager got in trouble for running him over 12 days. He's never declined a load, BTW.

It does seem that weekend or afterhours dispatchers sometimes give some bad information or just don't have answers for Michael so he just waits until he can talk to his manager. Hopefully, you've been able to relax and get some sleep and get things worked out with your manager tomorrow.

There is a Facebook group for Marten drivers that might help with something specific like this to the company but I don't think Michael has joined it yet (need to confirm eligibility by giving your driver number).

Moe, sorry for your woe. (Poetry intended). Personally, I’ve not experienced anything like what you describe with your job situation. I’ve only driven for 2 companies, Schneider and Helwig, but I have never spoken to a dispatcher or planner with either company. All my communication is with my DM and even then, I rarely have to speak with him. And we have “forced” dispatch (not as bad as it sounds, I wish they would come up with a better term). Although I’ve never asked to be taken off a load, I know my DM would do it if I had a valid reason.

Perhaps you could have a serious discussion with your DM about this issue before you get burned out, and it sounds to me that you are heading for burn out unless you can get a better understanding with your company.

5 weeks might be a bit too much for you. You should take breaks before you need them. Nothing wrong with slowing down a bit and putting yourself first.

I don’t budge when it comes to my hometime. If the planners had their way I would have been home late (by days) every month since I started with Schneider. As it stands it’s only happened once and it was due to a breakdown.

I work with Doug Andrus and they are absolutely fantastic. Granted, they are my first CDL/OTR job, but you go out for 7-10 days and they get your resets at home. However, if you want to stay out more, you just let your DM know.

I will be out going on 3 weeks now by the time I get home. I will be taking 3-4 days off and then back out.

I think you need to make your needs known, and if the company you are with isn't a match, look elsewhere. Just my two cents. But I am also a rookie trucker myself.

I work with Doug Andrus and they are absolutely fantastic. Granted, they are my first CDL/OTR job, but you go out for 7-10 days and they get your resets at home. However, if you want to stay out more, you just let your DM know.

I will be out going on 3 weeks now by the time I get home. I will be taking 3-4 days off and then back out.

I think you need to make your needs known, and if the company you are with isn't a match, look elsewhere. Just my two cents. But I am also a rookie trucker myself.

Hay, Drew ~

We've heard a LOT of great things about Andrus; good job, you!

Have you considered updating your status in your profile, however ?!?!? O.o

Gotta ask . . . . do they still run Pete's in the Fleets ?!?!? ;) Always love seeing their trucks; nice equipment, all around.

Stay safe, nice job . . . AND GREAT ADVICE, for Mr. Moses... indeed.

~ Anne ~

ps: FOR YOU & MOE : Thank You ! ... From IKE !

I may or may not have "tweaked my back" when I was sent home too early one time. I wanted the weekend off and being sent home early screwed up my plans. I'm not proud of myself, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Plus it was only one time in three years that I had to take the weasel route. Other times my home time was screwed up, I simply dealt with the inconvenience.

Moe; I hope your nerves are settled a little by now. I find that having an experienced driver (at my company) often gives me the ability to vent and get talked off the ledge. In turn I do the same for them.

I agree with the others, but especially Banks’ point about 5 weeks being too much. We all have our limits, maybe you’re finding out yours. That may be a good thing ‘cause now you know.

Try to maintain your composure and keep the important conversations to you and the ones who value you, and work with you, most; not after-hours dispatch.

Unless there’s a critical event you must be home for, try to remove the emotions from your conversation and maybe make it more about safety and effectiveness. E.g. if y’all don’t honor my hometime DURING DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK 😆 it may negatively impact my ability to safely deliver on time.

But seriously; stay safe and just ask them to keep their commitment as you’re doing for them. I hope this helps.