Big Road Trucker log book

Yep Big Road will say anything to beef up a sale.

This is the FMCSA definition of an AEOBR:

It is nothing but an app that you must print everyday or immediately on demand. I don't know about you but printer ink gets expensive and so does using up your phone plan data as you are constantly using it up with the GPS which runs off towers and not satellite.

I never seen paper logging as a hassle to seek out an easier way?

 

Not to mention, form what I understand, laser printers don't seem to fare as well off inverter power, although I've not tested that theory myself.

 

I saw their website and felt it was in error

 

Not to mention the regs are typically open to interpretation by the JBT doing the inspection.

 

Their website acts like this is an eobr

 

powder runs out. it's not an endless supply.

my printer at home gets new ink about every 3rd year. my truck printer gets a new cartridge about 6 weeks.

 

So, what if you had an EOBR like a Qualcom in the truck, but kept a paper log as well. If you handed the paper log to the DOT could they still demand to see the EOBR?

 

I don't use the gps capability on my eclipse program with my laptop. I figure it costs me between paper and ink maybe 10 to 12.00 a month to print these logs. my 59.00 printer is on its 3rd year now. even with paper logs , somebody pays for em at some point, they cost somebody money.

its worth that much to me to have my logs nice neat and looking perfect. the lines and times are clear and concise, any minor errors are prevented, any minor addition errors in adding up hours are prevented, the recap is figured automatically, etc etc. it just makes things easier and quicker, and everything is perfectly legible.

when you can present the officer with such neat logs , you are ahead of the game. just another tool to make things go smooth.

 

i like that they only thumb through the pages and hand em back.

only had one look em over really closely. and that was oregon.

 

I want to add this as well, and for the most part my colleagues in the enforcement side of the trucking industry feel the same way I believe, I like a good printed log sheet. If it is done CORRECTLY, as in fill it out with all the information required so that you don't end up with a violation, a good set of computer generated logs is so much easier to look at. For one you as the driver are assured that it will be legible which means I won't write you a violation when I can't read your crappy writing. There's no scratch out, white out smudges, lines running all over the grid because some of you try to fill it out while you're driving as soon as you see me behind you, yea I know you do. Thing is if its easy for me to read, then it's easy for you, and its easy for your boss.
Rarely do I see a really nice, neat set of paper logs and that is an area that speaks volumes about how seriously you take your responsibilities. I've never found a violation in a log on a driver who took his/her time and really made it look good. Violation on the CMV unit itself MAYBE, but that is also rare because in my experience a driver who is that careful with his log is that careful with his truck. Records of duty status are not hard to do. If you think about it there's really not a whole lot of info that has to be on it. But what is required is required, and every point for every silly little form and manner violation adds up. I'm not advocating printed logs, I'm really just saying do yourself a favor and take some extra time with your log. If you just naturally have terrible penmanship(I do) then maybe you should consider a decent log program you can run on a laptop or tablet. Law enforcement officers have been running laptops and printers in their cars for years. I couldn't work without mine. It's not a big deal at all.
You have all heard it and its true, mandatory automatic logs is coming, we just don't know when yet. Its already being mandated to problem carriers. Find a system you like and get familiar with it.
Drivers seem to view a log book as this horrible chore like having to wash the dishes when you were a kid. It's not a chore, it's not something that you throw together real quick so that you can jump in the seat and hit the road. Logs are as much a part of your job as driving is. It all fits together, the logs, the condition of your rig, your physical condition, all of that is encompassed in the job, it is what makes you a Commercial Vehicle Operator, because Driver is not a fitting description for your occupation. It's all about perspective, and that's true in any career. Don't complain to me roadside about how hard the regulations make your job. The regulations are a standard that strives to achieve and maintain the highest degree of safety and professionalism in an already massive industry that is rapidly expanding and has the potential to be extremely dangerous to you and the public, and they must not be that hard to follow I have met many many people who are doing it well every day. Good perspective, a since of professionalism, a little pride mixed in. Its a good combination. Rather than cuss me on the side of the road, show me a truck in good condition and a log book that looks like you care about what you're doing. If you don't want to do that, then shut up, either way will make your inspection process much faster and easier and don't worry, I'm going to do my job, which means all violations will be recorded.
I'm off in the weeds, far off topic and on a soap box so I will shut up myself. I joined this thing kind of spur of the moment, but I didn't come on here to spy on or hassle anyone. I'm just gonna hang out, watch the posts, and see if I can provide any incite from my perspective. Feel free to ask questions.