Dad is a TIRED truck driver - tips requested
 

Hello Everyone,

I am writing this with the purpose of obtaining the opinions of those in the trucking industry regarding my dad's situation.

Background: he is 61 years old, has been driving professionally for about 10 - 12 years or so. He has been driving the big trucks (CDL class A) for about 5 - 7 years. He is anxiously looking forward to his retirement due to the following reasons.

In his current work schedule which he has held for the last 3-4 years, he works 4 days a week (Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri), but drives at least 10 hours every working day - sometimes 13 or 14. He needs to get up between 1 and 3 am every working day and is not usually home until after 5 pm - sometimes he doesn't get home until 7 or 8 pm. This leaves him often with 5 hours of sleep or less.

Essentially, his complaint is that he is extremely tired, and I would like to help him change his situation.

I have some questions for the community:

- If he writes a letter to his superiors, asking for a change in working hours to a more natural and predictable schedule (e.g., from 7 AM - to 5 PM), what do you think would happen? Would he risk losing his job? Or do you think they would try to work with him?

- If we do decide to write a letter, who should it be addressed to? Just his immediate supervisor, or the VP of his division and the CEO as well? What about HR?

- Alternatively, are there employers out there that have drivers who follow a more normal schedule? If so, can you recommend any with which we should look into employment opportunities?

- Do you have any other advice?


Thanks,
JPG.

does he work for a large company?? asking for a set schedule(7am-5pm) is probably not a realistic request...........

But legally he is REQUIRED to have at LEAST a 10hr break from the time he punches out til the time he clocks back in

In as far as who to talk to, or contact....you ALWAYS follow the chain of command. He speaks to his immediate supervisor. If he goes over this person's head...he can expect problems, and even the command above your Dad's supervisor, will want to know... why has he come to them, and not his own supervisor. This will not do...period....unless he has just cause to usurp the authority placed over him.

He may ask for an easier schedule or a part-time job. He will loose full-time benefits, if he chooses to go this direction.

I personally have been seeking a local driving job for 2 years now. One where I can be home every night. I'd kill to have a 4 day x 10 hrs. per day job.

Yes he has ocasional overtime days...due to traffic/accidents/weather/dock delays/etc. ....but to be realistic....your Dad has what we call in Trucking a "CAKE JOB!!" :shock: :P

Just curious...do you realize the hours an OTR Driver works? :shock:

There are easier driving jobs available. Has he considered driving School Bus? Great benefits, and easier schedule.
Machine Shop's hire drivers to haul steel. Jobs of this nature generally are not scheduled too many stops, so these guys do their routes faster.
Forklift driver in a warehouse. (lots of driver's end up in shipping and recieving jobs.)
Lots of oppertunities...so I won't go listing any more. Especially in the Philly area...or any City.

Just keep looking and think hard about what job is best...he will find it.

Since I can not give you advise on trucking, I can how ever relate to the 61 years old and tired.
Has your dad had a complete physical from a doctor lately?
The body sometimes gets older earlier than some. Things break down, blood count drops, potassium and other things change.
I used to be able to work 12 14 hrs. a day, (self employed), but when I hit that 60 thing, I was getting tired all the time to. Naps in the afternoons. Stubborn I was about doctors, but finally went in. Everything in the body chemistry went south.
Now I am on 6 pills a day for cholesterol, blood pressure, potassium and iron.
Now I can get up at 5 am, and not nod off until 9PM. :wink:
But still at it in front of this computer, and helping raise 2 grand kids.
I was even thinking of going OTR with my son, but thought better of it. Just went to 69 years old and still working.

Its not the company nor the driver who usually dictates his schedule....its the customer. Its always going to be the freight that creates the weird hours. Now....if he works for a large company there is a good chance that they might have a better dedicated job for him with different hours. But if hes working a dedicated run or for a small company there is very little chance that they would change his hours. Hes most likely working those hours because thats when the customer wants the freight or perhaps its designed that way to keep him out of rush hour.
I dont think it would hurt to ask. You never know.

Aside from waking up at 1am, that job sounds pretty good compared to 99% of driving jobs.

-p.

If he uses a log book he is not suppose to drive after the 14th hour after starting his day (reporting for work).

If he is using a time sheet and staying within 100 air miles of his home terminal he is to be released from work within 12 hours of the start of the day.

Now that is a quick version of the Hours of Service Rules. You can go HERE for a more complete version.

Since he is having problems the first person he should contact is his dispatcher/fleet manager, then the operations manager, then human resources and then the VP and finally the CEO. Be polite but honest about the problems he is having and what he needs to be able to do his "job".

As far as jobs with more regular hours he could try a Mail Carrier Outfit like MCA (Mail Carriers of America) They pay good, but he may only get part time work to start until a regular run comes up. They tend to be very strict when it comes to following the rules so that means at least a 10 consecutive hours off every day. The only other thing I could think of is an LTL outfit as a line haul driver such as Yellow, ABF, Fed EX, R+L.