As drivers we all hope that our friends in dispatch can keep us moving so that we can keep the wheels turning and earning money. Yet once in a while, a driver will end up with time-off while still on the road. Sometimes that is a whole day, a weekend, or just a few hours. The key to enjoying the road is to try and enjoy all the time you have, even the down-time. It can be great to\u00a0 take a day off in an interesting location!<\/p>\n
When I was running in the U.S., I worked for carriers that were good at keeping me rolling so much of my time-off took place at home (which was fine with me). Still, there were many days that I had time between runs to try other things. Often this free time was on the way to a pickup or delivery and not necessarily a specific day off. For instance, if dispatch had me wait for a load that wouldn’t be ready until later in the day, or I had to wait until the next morning to load, there would be time along the way \u201cto stop and smell the roses\u201d as they say.<\/p>\n
How you deal with that time is up to you.<\/p>\n
Some of you running team or longer runs may find that you have even more time-off on the road waiting for your hours to reset. How you deal with those days off can be the difference between feeling trapped or enjoying the road. We have all heard the stories of drivers spending weekends in Las Vegas and having to call dispatch for money to get home. That may not be the best game plan for the road. Alternatively, there are many beautiful spots and places to see on the road. It beats sitting in a truck stop and often, it is just a matter of looking around to see what is in your area.<\/p>\n
If you only have a couple hours off, or maybe you’re waiting for a load, try going for a walk. Sometimes walking on a nice country road or in a nearby park can go a long way in breaking the monotony of seeing pavement all the time. If you have more time, finding Provincial Parks or their equivalents can offer activities such as canoeing, hiking or swimming. If you have longer amounts of time off, such as a day or so, then visiting local tourist sites can often fill a day.<\/p>\n
It is good to mention a few security tips for when you are going to leave your truck and see what the area has to offer.\u00a0\u00a0 Make sure you secure your truck. If taking a taxi to go sight-seeing, pick up the cab from the front of the truck-stop and not from your truck so people don’t see you leave. Always close up the truck as if you are sleeping in it and rather than looking like it\u2019s sitting empty. Letting your company know you will be away from the unit can be a wise decision as well. Make sure you are empty and not sitting on a load if you will be away from the truck for long periods. Customer yards can often be better spots than open truck stops if loaded. Be smart about what you do on the road, but enjoy your time out there. There are many things to see on the road and it can be a waste to watch the world from a truck stop.<\/p>\n
Enjoy your time on the road!<\/p>\n