Day Cab In Winter Shutdown

Hey guys,

Couple of questions regarding a potential lane that my company wants to offer me as I have been on the fence regarding this new possible position.

So I'm currently running in town keg delivery in Boise and really enjoying it. Feel healthy, lost several pounds, overall loving life despite all the elbow grease.

My company offered me an additional dollar per hour plus per diem to run a dedicated lane from Boise, ID to Tacoma, WA twice a week. This would be in a daycab and, of course, winter just kicked off.

Now normally, I would have probably said no outright if this were any other lane going to say Wyoming, but since I have close family out that way that I don't see a lot, it has me considering it.

Now having run Eastern Oregon and Snoqualmie pass, I am fully aware of the potential for chaos. I am also under the impression Oregon drastically reduced it's road maintenance budget because.. Well... Its Oregon and have to spend money on other useless programs we won't talk about..

All that said, I have until Monday to make a decision.

So how screwed are you if you get held up/shut down in a Daycab?

How does layover/shutdown typically work on an hourly basis?

Would you personally consider back and forth trips through that area for slightly more scratch?

Yes, I would be expected to throw iron.

Yes, the company does pay for hotels.

Drew, I don’t know much about daycab, but I would think you would be fine with the new gig.

How are you with chaining up? Apparently not a deal breaker for you. I’m assuming there is no APU on a daycab, so are there idle restrictions? Company paid hotel? Great benefit. If I were going daycab, I think I would carry a real good sleeping bag just in case. How likely would it be to get stranded on that route? An extra dollar an hour doesn’t sound like much but can really add up over time.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Spending a night or more in a day cab isn't something I want to experience. I try to make sure I can make it through to the other end or I call off. Obviously, unexpected accidents can derail those plans.

Are there hotels along your route? One night in a day cab would suck but be do able, anymore than that would be miserable. Just make sure to keep some food and warm clothing/ blankets with you just incase.

I've heard some day cab drivers who gotten stranded finding a OTR driver to let them crash in their bunk. Not sure how comfortable I'd be with that personally, I'm afraid I'd wake up being the little spoon.

Yikes! Yeah there are hotels here and there. Basically you have Ladd Canyon, Cabbage, and Snoqualmie pass being the main culprits during this time. If the company gave me a sleeper, even a slip seater, I wouldn't care as much.

I don't like chaining and I normally adopted the doctrine of "if its too borked that it needs chains, its borked enough to pull the mustard and shut down." But with a lane that is hourly and has strict deadlines, that will not be viable. That said, at an hourly rate, I'll spend 45 minutes throwing chains if necessary.

I try to make sure I can make it through to the other end or I call off.

That's my approach as well. I've heard stories of people spending 20 hours stuck on the side of the road and it sounds horrible... Fedex will pay your hourly rate for the entire time you're in the truck, but still.

I’m assuming there is no APU on a daycab, so are there idle restrictions?

There is no APU. Fedex tractors are equipped with automatic shutoff, but they will continue to idle it's under 30 degrees.

It is a good question. Does your truck idle, Drew?

I think I would carry a real good sleeping bag just in case.

I carry a just in case bag in my truck... I carry a blanket, extra clothes including 2 pairs of socks, some canned foods like chef boyardee (nothing I'd normally eat, but you can't beat the shelf life) and bottles of water. I also have a charging box for my phone and hand/feet warmers.

Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

I'd say if you're happy with what you're currently doing just stick with it. Most local jobs go off seniority. If that's the case where you're at there's a reason those above you don't want it. Do you have wife/kids at home? If so, how do they feel about it? Will you have similar hours if you make the switch? If you're looking for the most money it wouldn't make sense to make the switch for an extra dollar an hour if you're getting 5 hours less a week. Are you able to go back to local if you dislike it? Will you get back on the same route with the customers you've likely developed professional relationships with?

So how screwed are you if you get held up/shut down in a Daycab? I've been fortunate to not be stuck in a daycab for too long. After a couple hours at a backhaul though I'm ready to get out and stretch. We have a wooden box seat level between our seats that make naps easier but it's still not super comfortable. Company paying for hotels is nice for when a planned layover but hotels would be a nightmare trying t squeeze in with a lot of cars if road gets closed.

How does layover/shutdown typically work on an hourly basis?

we get paid up to 14 hours per day for breakdowns, layovers etc. This is company specific.

Would you personally consider back and forth trips through that area for slightly more scratch?

if I otherwise happy with current situation, no. I would however offer to do it periodically to cover it when needed (like vacation, sick, etc).

These were the questions I asked myself as well. I am not unhappy with my current work. The only alluring thing is the ability to see my daughter twice a week as opposed to summers and breaks. The **** we do for kids right?

That said, I am honestly leaning toward staying put. If for no other reason than I am in the best shape I've been in since my late teens and, for some reason, I really enjoy delivering to bars. Takes me back to my local musician days.

I'm still willing to consider if they offer to pay my hourly while im stuck or something to that effect. I just still have PTSD over being stuck for days on the 80 in Wyoming not getting paid a dime.

I'd say if you're happy with what you're currently doing just stick with it. Most local jobs go off seniority. If that's the case where you're at there's a reason those above you don't want it. Do you have wife/kids at home? If so, how do they feel about it? Will you have similar hours if you make the switch? If you're looking for the most money it wouldn't make sense to make the switch for an extra dollar an hour if you're getting 5 hours less a week. Are you able to go back to local if you dislike it? Will you get back on the same route with the customers you've likely developed professional relationships with?

The only alluring thing is the ability to see my daughter twice a week as opposed to summers and breaks. The **** we do for kids right?

Would she have the time to see you twice a week, AND the ability to come to where you are? If shes a minor, would Moms schedule allow it but more importantly is she WILLING to bring your daughter to you. It's not like you'll be able to take the truck and park outside where she's living. Also don't forget all that eats into your 10 hour break and you need your rest to deal with everything that part of the country throws at you. This is something only you can answer as to if it's worth it.

Any company I've worked for had a policy that if you need to put on chains it's time to get off the road. I've never driven daycab but I'm pretty sure they'd not expect you to have a layover in one. They'd probably prefer you got to a motel.