First Time For Everything

They say there is a first time for everything. Now, I know I'm not well known here. But you should know I'm a daylight person. Not since my days in the military have I stayed awake past midnight. Well, last week, I experienced driving overnight for the first time. My usual running hours are between 0500 - 2100, and start and stop times vary.

However, over Thanksgiving weekend, a load planner, unbeknownst to my fleet leader, scheduled a run for a first-time customer to a first-time consignee. Our plan before this was for me to start running on Monday. But I went into my portal Saturday night and noticed a 1900 live load at a port on Monday with a live unload on Tuesday at 1000. But I had a delivery to make in Eastern PA Monday morning. My fleet leader was not available over the weekend and the dispatchers really can't do anything about it. So, I decided to deliver the Monday load on Sunday because they are 24/7 and it was a D/H. This would let me get a 10-hour break before the Monday pickup. I hoped to get out of the port by 2100 and pull over for split sleeper birth and run the load in on time at 1000. I thought, in the absence of leadership, take action. So, I set out to do just that. Plus, I was hoping they would see this on Monday and pull the load off of me and get me a load out of the Harrisburg area.

But, of course, it wouldn't work out that way. I went on duty and drove 1:15 minutes to the port arriving 15 minutes early. Check-in took 45 minutes. Then, I spent 5 hours waiting to get loaded. Then, I drove 3 miles in the opposite direction to scale the load. By this time, the only thing I could do to get the load there on time was to drive straight through the night. I double-checked the hot notes for the load and checked with dispatch to confirm the consignee is first come, first serve.

With that, I said I'd drive as far as possible, but I won't risk safety if I get tired. The dispatcher responded 10-4. I already had five parking plans in case I needed to pull off the road, and overnight parking was available at the consignee. Well, I surprised myself and drove straight through and got the load delivered ahead of time. Strangely, I never got drowsy. I arrived at 0600 and was unloaded by 0630 with 31 minutes left on my 14-hour clock. I drove 17 miles to a Love's truck stop and shut down with 4 minutes left. I am really surprised I was able to do it. Normally, I'm out like a light by 2200 every day.

My FL called me a couple of days later and told me everyone, including the customer and consignee were extremely appreciative that I got that load delivered on time. It may sound corny, but I'm a smidge proud of getting this job done.

FTR, I hope to never run at night again. LOL!

Awesome work man! Congratulations on a job well done💪🏻👍

All the coolest drivers roll after the sun goes down!

I'm good with being uncool! But it was nice to travel with fewer four-wheelers weaving in and out of traffic.

All the coolest drivers roll after the sun goes down!

My preferred time to run. Less traffic, shippers and recievers are less crowded, lot of plusses for me. It definitely adds some versatility and opportunities for you if you can run at nights as well as days.

My preferred time to run. Less traffic, shippers and recievers are less crowded, lot of plusses for me. It definitely adds some versatility and opportunities for you if you can run at nights as well as days.

If the GPS locator is correct, I see that you are at the WallyWorld DC in Cheyenne. You are only a couple miles from the hotel I am sitting in while my truck is at the Freightliner shop. Apparently the Esbar bunk heater has wiring issues, a short somewhere and the ground wire is also tied in with the lights. 😯

When I am running, I prefer to head out about noon to 1400 and park about 0400. Sometimes I find parking spots in the truck stops, but I prefer weigh stations and rest areas along with on ramps in certain States. If I am driving in crowded areas, I prefer daytime because in my old age I'm getting cataracts and the lights bother me. Otherwise going across Utah and Nevada on 80 or New Mexico and Arizona on 40, it's peaceful driving at night.

Laura

Darn, wished I caught this earlier. I was at the wallyworld dc, I had to drop an empty over at the lowes dc too. Long story but wallyworld won't accept our midnight express trailers, so I have to live unload and then go stick the empty somewhere.

You run the same times I do a lot, it works for me. I'm in Ogallala now. That new rest area there is really nice and empty.

Bill, you have now been sucked into the twilight zone. Lol.

Driving at night has some great advantages and it is really another tool in your tool box for you to use when advantageous. It took me some time to get comfortable with night driving. But now with reefer a lot of night driving is necessary. Like Laura I’m up in years and I’m sure my night vision is not as good as it used to be. I hate highways that have faded lane markings, especially when it rains. I love highways that have freshly painted lines. It makes a big difference in my comfort level. It is great when there is no oncoming traffic and I can use my high beams. Otherwise if you can find a truck to follow that can be good also. If I can identify a driver who has consistent speed and good lane control, I will set my cruise to match his speed at a safe following distance even if his speed is a little less than what I can do.

Good luck with driving on the dark side. It’s a good skill to have.

Twilight zone it was. That was the first time in years that I've been awake past midnight. That was a different experience for sure, not just because it was dark. There were some things I liked, less traffic being one of them and the truck stop was far less crowded. Although I prefer to stay at rest stops, I wanted to get a shower and use the tire pass at loves. Other than that, I'm not sure how I would like driving overnight on a consistent basis. I can only do 65 mph in my Cascadia, finding someone to tail behind isn't easy. But every once in a while I get behind a 63 mph truck and I'll hang there for a while.

Bill, you have now been sucked into the twilight zone. Lol.

Driving at night has some great advantages and it is really another tool in your tool box for you to use when advantageous. It took me some time to get comfortable with night driving. But now with reefer a lot of night driving is necessary. Like Laura I’m up in years and I’m sure my night vision is not as good as it used to be. I hate highways that have faded lane markings, especially when it rains. I love highways that have freshly painted lines. It makes a big difference in my comfort level. It is great when there is no oncoming traffic and I can use my high beams. Otherwise if you can find a truck to follow that can be good also. If I can identify a driver who has consistent speed and good lane control, I will set my cruise to match his speed at a safe following distance even if his speed is a little less than what I can do.

Good luck with driving on the dark side. It’s a good skill to have.

Bill, if you ever get behind me you’ll be doing 58-60, until you can safely get around me!