I got me one of them blog thingies like that there, and my latest post was sparked by a recent conversation with a 1-yr driver who was telling me how he was getting to be an expert at 'creative logging,' and was certain his company would back him up in the event of trouble. I think some of the newer drivers might want to read this.

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So you just got out of trucking school a little while ago. You're conscientious. You're a hard worker. You want to make a good impression and show your employer that you can get the job done. You'll take that load, whether you have the hours or not...whether you're tired or not...whether it's legally possible or not. Ain't no harm in backlogging, forelogging, running two or three logbooks. All the other drivers do it. It's only illegal if they catch you, right?

Meanwhile, dispatch loves you. They say you're one of the best drivers they've ever had. They complement you on your ability, perserverence and "go-getter" attitude. You're making money for you and them, and you're confident that they've got your back since you're such an asset to the company. Does that about sum it up?

Well, let me tell you how it really works, Driver.

One day, you'll get popped for this. Maybe you'll get pulled around at the scale or lit up on the road, and hand them the wrong logbook. Maybe you'll fall asleep at the wheel and wreck. Maybe some ####### in a rusted-out junkpile will drop his crack pipe and run into you. Maybe your company will get one of those hardcore we're-gonna-find-something audits. Sooner or later, you'll get nailed. And when that happens, you will be absolutely screwed.

You see, that's the main thing you have to understand about trucking companies: They don't care. They don't care if you get a ticket. They don't care if you get fined. They don't care if you lose your license or go to prison. They don't care if you kill yourself or someone else. The only thing they care about is that no matter what happens, they won't get blamed for it.

That same company who's been blowing tons of sunshine up your ### and telling you how valuable you are, will now go all Mission Impossible on you and deny any knowledge of your actions. "No, Sir, we never told that driver to run illegal. It's company policy not to falsify a log and not to accept any load that they can't legally run. They're all told about this." They will not send their Company Dream Team of lawyers to defend you for trying to get that hot load of toilet paper from Seattle to New York in two days--they'll fire you on the spot and leave you to twist in the wind.

They're looking out for Number One, and you should be doing the same. Why put your career, finances and freedom at risk for them? There are people in this world that I would risk my life for--because they'd do the same for me. But I'm not putting my life on the line for any person or company that I know will abandon me at the first sign of trouble. That's not being a good employee. That's being a sucker.

There's nothing wrong with doing a good job. But don't go to the mat for people who won't--no matter what their reassurances--back you up. If you're sent a load you can't do, refuse it. If you're told to do it anyway, ask for some documentation of that fact, via Qualcomm, and watch how fast they suddenly find another way to move that freight. Above all, be as safe and legal as possible. After all, it's your butt on the line.

Look out for Number One. Because they #### sure are.

__________________
No load is worth your life. Or anyone else's.

RON PAUL IN 2008!!

I've been a broken record about keeping your record clean. I think a driver should set goals for himself that meets his dream job no matter what it might be. Any driver with any experience will tell you that the high paying jobs go to the best drivers. And some of these new drivers get confused on what a high paying job is. It's not like the driver you described that's running is ### off to make some extra money. It's the job that starts with high pay and comes with good benefits and the company provides a good safe working environment.

For me it was hauling gasoline for a large oil company. I wanted to be home for my son and I wanted a future. I got paid way above scale and retired early. But I can tell you that I was there during the process for new hires and only the best drivers were hired. And they looked backed many years for tickets. It's not so much that you got the ticket (the company knows it happens) it's what you did afterwards. Do you show a trend of speeding? That kind of stuff. Good post.

Thanks for this post. Very helpful for a new (soon to be) driver.

Thanks for this info... being I haven't even started yet, I'll be definitely keeping on the straight and narrow... (well, at least wide enough to get the rig thru... )

Can absolutely relate to the idea not believing everything a company says... in my current job, anytime I talk to my branch manager, I consider myself to be "mirandized"... anything I say, can and will be used against me...

...but more advice for the N00bs on my blog.

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"Whatever your or my thoughts on the matter, the HOS are what they are, and we have to deal with 'em. And with that stupid 14-hour clock breathing down our necks, it's more important than ever to 'run smarter, not harder.' Let's proceed with an example that shows the right way and the wrong way to do things.

"Let's say both you and Sammy Supertrucker have the same assignment. You're to pick up a preloaded trailer in Lincoln NE at 2100 Monday, and deliver to Ogden UT for a live unload at 0900 Thursday. That's a distance of roughly 1000 miles, through 75mph states. Let us further assume, for simplicity's sake, that you and Sammy are both coming off your 34, so you start out totally 'fresh' as far as hours are concerned. You have 60 hours to go 1000 miles. What should you do? How should you run it?..."

__________________
No load is worth your life. Or anyone else's.

RON PAUL IN 2008!!

Fantastic info.. Sadly it sounds all way to familiar. Worked in the limousine biz for the past 11 yrs........"You're the best, We need you, We can't survive without You" mumbo jumbo.. Great Post !

Quote:

You have 60 hours to go 1000 miles. What should you do? How should you run it?..."

i would pick up ld, go somewhere close to take my break.then run 7 hrs per day get there wed. eve and go to bed till am then deliver

__________________
tip for new truckers: to err is human, to forgive is not D.O.T. policy.
-ACT YOUR WAGE!!!- DAVE RAMSEY

As a student new to the industry, this is exactly the kind of info I enjoy learning about. Thanks a bunch for posting this!

God bless and drive safe,
Cub

Pick up the load, hammer down to destination in fastest possible time, and try to squeeze in a restart before delivering.

hrm.. my quick calculations say that three seven hour driving shifts(with 10 hours off between) will get you to 21:00 on Wednesday - with about 4 more hours of driving to do, pre delivery. Add in a few hours for this and that, and you might be stopping for the night closer to midnight - with 4 more hours to go.

8.5 hours of driving, though, with 10 hour breaks would get you to the end-point Wednesday evening at about 18:00. Add in a few hours for this and that, call it 22:00 arrival time. 11 hours before delivery time.

Or is my math completely whacked?