First Dispatched Load to PA

[madaxeman]

Hi...I have a question about how I should approach delivering my first load. I have to make a delivery on Wednesday at 6AM near Pittsburgh leaving from the Chicago area. It's about 470 miles. Basically, I was wondering when I should leave here to get there in time...but be able to get somewhere to park before my 11 hours is up. Also, if I finish my 11 hours when I get there...I might not be able to get a dispatch and have to wait til the next day to get a load to pick up (not sure on that part). Should I leave tomorrow morning and drive most of the way there, then take my 10 hour break, then drive a short distance to the receiver in the AM? Or should I just leave tomorrow night, drive to the receiver and get there a little bit early, deliver my load, and head to a truck stop for a break? Thanks!

[yoopr]

Just me but I always got to a place early and the majority of the time they'd unload me early(er).

[GMAN]

You never want to cut things too close when you need to make a delivery. If you don't leave yourself a window and something happens to delay you, then you could be late.

[classicxl]

dont wait around get as close as possible then deliver. most of the time they will unload you early if you are there

[marcel27208]

drive the whole 470 miles and get to shipper same day...then get unloaded wednesday morning, coming off a full 10hr break(at least) ready to go for your next dispatch

[Silver85327]

Hi...I have a question about how I should approach delivering my first load. I have to make a delivery on Wednesday at 6AM near Pittsburgh leaving from the Chicago area. It's about 470 miles. Basically, I was wondering when I should leave here to get there in time...but be able to get somewhere to park before my 11 hours is up. Also, if I finish my 11 hours when I get there...I might not be able to get a dispatch and have to wait til the next day to get a load to pick up (not sure on that part). Should I leave tomorrow morning and drive most of the way there, then take my 10 hour break, then drive a short distance to the receiver in the AM? Or should I just leave tomorrow night, drive to the receiver and get there a little bit early, deliver my load, and head to a truck stop for a break? Thanks!

For me early is always best. Unless its a live unload then 1 hour early is what I would aim for. If its a drop id get there ASAP so I could set my PTA and get out of their.

Was just up in PA last week it is beautiful this time of year hope you enjoy it.

[ct77]

try calling them and asking them if its no problem delivering early, always expect delays, traffic, mechanical, weather and and....
get as close as possible and deliver next morning fresh after your break seems to work best.

[Uturn2001]

At the very least get as close as you can and then take your break.

[Toothpick]

If it’s a drop, drive it straight through, drop it, and then go take a 10 hr break. If it’s a scheduled live unload, get as close as possible, take a 10 hr break or longer depending on what time your appointment is scheduled for. Always plan on arriving early in the event some unforeseen happenstance occurs that you could not anticipate.

I always tell new drivers to do two things and they will be okay: First, don’t hit anything and second, don’t be late. Let me add a third one, plan, plan, plan.

[Double R]

Keep in mind that THERE ARE NO TRUCKSTOPS IN THE PITTSBURGH AREA!! You did not say which area,IF I know which area in Pittsburgh(or even the reciever) I could tell you if parking would be a problem or not.

[Toothpick]

Keep in mind that THERE ARE NO TRUCKSTOPS IN THE PITTSBURGH AREA!! You did not say which area,IF I know which area in Pittsburgh(or even the reciever) I could tell you if parking would be a problem or not.

Truck Stops within a 50-mile radius from center of Pittsburgh, PA

Flying J, I-70, X49, Smithon, PA, 23.26 miles away.
Toot N Scoot, I-70, X25, Eighty-Four, PA, 20.65 miles away.
Smithon Truck Stop, I-70, X49, Smithon, PA, 23.31 miles away.
Petro, I-70, X6, Claysville, PA, 31.75 miles away.
Pilot, I-70, X32B, Bentleyville, PA, 21.07 miles away.
TA, I-70, X11, Valley Grove, WV, 39.36 miles away.

This list doesn’t include the 4 Rest Areas and the 3 Turnpike Travel Plazas also located within a 50-mile radius.

[yoopr]

yeah but if you're going to the Damned Market it's always good to get in really early.

He's probably delivered his load and on his way to LA now :P
I used to go to US Steel in Aliquippa(sp?) and that was a Real Pain.

[Toothpick]

yeah but if you're going to the Damned Market it's always good to get in really early.

He's probably delivered his load and on his way to LA now :P

You mean to tell me that I wasted all my time searching my truck stop guides and looking for truck stops last night in the Pittsburgh, PA area for nothing. Shucks! :P

Actually, when I read there were no truck stops in the Pittsburgh vicinity I wanted to test my navigation software and see what it would come up with, and those results that I posted are from the click of a single button.

However, when I typed up my response, I forgot to include the Pilot in North Lima, Oh. I also intentionally left off the information that tells me if it is a large, medium, or small truck stop, whether it has a scale or not, and whether or not it does major repairs, minor repairs, or none at all.

Not bad information to have access to when you consider all I had to do was click a single button. Now typing up the response was a different story! :P Hey…I might just have to market this stuff as a add-on product to MS Streets and Trips!

[Double R]

Keep in mind that THERE ARE NO TRUCKSTOPS IN THE PITTSBURGH AREA!! You did not say which area,IF I know which area in Pittsburgh(or even the reciever) I could tell you if parking would be a problem or not.

Truck Stops within a 50-mile radius from center of Pittsburgh, PA

Flying J, I-70, X49, Smithon, PA, 23.26 miles away.
Toot N Scoot, I-70, X25, Eighty-Four, PA, 20.65 miles away.
Smithon Truck Stop, I-70, X49, Smithon, PA, 23.31 miles away.
Petro, I-70, X6, Claysville, PA, 31.75 miles away.
Pilot, I-70, X32B, Bentleyville, PA, 21.07 miles away.
TA, I-70, X11, Valley Grove, WV, 39.36 miles away.

This list doesn’t include the 4 Rest Areas and the 3 Turnpike Travel Plazas also located within a 50-mile radius.

I was talking within the city limits! I live IN THE CITY ITSELF! I know where the truck stops are but with the way rush hour is around here, it is always better to park the night before at the location that you are delivering or picking up at.

Besides, try getting into some of the truckstops and rest areas after 5pm, good luck

[Toothpick]

Keep in mind that THERE ARE NO TRUCKSTOPS IN THE PITTSBURGH AREA!! You did not say which area,IF I know which area in Pittsburgh(or even the reciever) I could tell you if parking would be a problem or not.

Truck Stops within a 50-mile radius from center of Pittsburgh, PA

Flying J, I-70, X49, Smithon, PA, 23.26 miles away.
Toot N Scoot, I-70, X25, Eighty-Four, PA, 20.65 miles away.
Smithon Truck Stop, I-70, X49, Smithon, PA, 23.31 miles away.
Petro, I-70, X6, Claysville, PA, 31.75 miles away.
Pilot, I-70, X32B, Bentleyville, PA, 21.07 miles away.
TA, I-70, X11, Valley Grove, WV, 39.36 miles away.

This list doesn’t include the 4 Rest Areas and the 3 Turnpike Travel Plazas also located within a 50-mile radius.

I was talking within the city limits! I live IN THE CITY ITSELF! I know where the truck stops are but with the way rush hour is around here, it is always better to park the night before at the location that you are delivering or picking up at.

I guessed as much but still I couldn’t resist testing out my newly jazzed up software. :wink:

Besides, try getting into some of the truckstops and rest areas after 5pm, good luck

Yeah…I learned that one the hard way a few times. :shock:

[meanbone79]

If you get there early and unload that means getting another load and rolling.

[GoldiesPlating]

Good question and good replies which bring me to the sad conclusion that there are still some companies out there that "throw" another new driver out there on his own without proper training or experience. These type of questions, while valid and VERY important if one doesn't know the answer, should be non existent if drivers were properly prepared before being given the keys to a vehicle capable of taking the lives of a dozen motorists when an inexperienced driver panics or falls asleep trying to make a run he has no idea how long it will take to make.

Not faulting or bashing on the original poster, he is right (and smart) for asking, just bringing attention to the sad state of affairs this industry is in.

Does anyone else see a problem here?