Cracker Barrel Driver Tops 10 Miles Per Gallon For Dedicated driver MIKE DAVENPORT, what started as an effort to make sure he got to his next fuel stop has turned into a pursuit of outstanding fuel efficiency. Mike – who has been with Averitt for close to 18 years – is a longtime driver for our Cracker Barrel account. His current route takes him on three loads per week – two local and one to the Philadelphia area. “One morning I was on Interstate 81 in Virginia, and I was low on fuel because I didn’t get a chance to get fuel where I normally did the day before,” Mike recalls. “I thought, ‘I know where I want to stop, but I’m going to have to be careful and keep a watch on my fuel.’ So I set my cruise control on 61 that morning. I started looking at my fuel mileage, and it went up to 9.3, 9.4, and I’m in the hills in Virginia with a load. By the time I got to my fuel stop, I was at 9.5. “I didn’t know that was possible,” Mike exclaims. FRIENDLY COMPETITION That achievement sparked an idea that Mike passed along to Site Manager CAMRON COKER . Mike suggested that Camron post mileage totals, and Camron implemented the idea. Cracker Barrel drivers can now see how their numbers stack up against fellow teammates – they’re shown by driver number so everyone remains anonymous, while still fostering a friendly competition. “I thought, ‘What can I do to help?’” says Mike, who is also a driver-trainer. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I love the Cracker Barrel account and always have. I want to make sure that when Cracker Barrel thinks about who is delivering the product, they always think Averitt.” (CRUISE) CONTROL WHAT WE CAN CONTROL
What's Cracker Barrel driver MIKE DAVENPORT'S secret to better fuel efficiency? Setting the cruise and keeping it there.
TURN IT UP TO 11? The best total Mike has achieved so far during a workweek is 10.1 miles per gallon. That success is a result of fine-tuning his strategy to dial down his speed while still staying on time. And for Mike, the results have been nothing short of amazing. “I started doing 64 miles per hour on the cruise,” Mike explains. “A couple weeks later, I thought, ‘Let’s see what 63 will do. Can I stay on time?’ I got down to where I could make it work at 62 miles per hour. And it was less stressful because 99% of the time, I’m not passing anyone so I’m just enjoying the ride. But I am staying on time, and it’s safer.” DOLLAR DOLLAR BILLS, Y’ALL Mike is spreading the word about the benefits of using cruise control when it’s safe to do so. “I tell everybody I can find, especially my trainees, that it’s a lot less stressful when you do it this way,” he says. “And we’re getting more Profit Sharing , not to mention that we should just want to do a good job to begin with. It all fell in place after that one morning, and I’ve been trying to tackle it ever since.” Mike adds with a laugh, “Hopefully other people will get on board with it, because I sure do like that Profit Sharing!” Remember that usage of cruise control should only be done when road and traffic conditions permit. Maintain full attention of the roadway and be prepared to brake and/or steer if necessary. T m
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