Should Skybitz and other trailer tracking be used to match logs?

Discussion in 'Truckers News' started by jescott418, Sep 10, 2014.

  1. jescott418

    jescott418 Light Load Member

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    I lease to Landstar and I still use paper logs. Obviously we know paper logs are in 15 minute incremental blocks of time. I typically round up when I stop or get fuel
    or do any driving or on duty status. Landstar has used a trailer tracking service called Skybitz and it sends a signal when the trailer stops. It probably does more but I do not have privy to any information on what data it does send. But I typically get log violations based on that tracking information. Usually just splitting hairs over minutes or a locational GPS difference between say my smartphone and what Skybitz reports. I have been driving for years and have always just wrote down the nearest town and as we all know some truckstops are not really in a town. I would be interest in knowing how much this is being done in matching what should be just a device to track equipment to now trying to match its data logging to your logs? Do you think its right to use this device to properly log your position? Or do you think companies like Landstar are using this
    tracking information incorrectly to establish your log violations? My enlightenment to this problem stems from multiple log violations when I mistakenly logged incorrectly
    a trailer number I then received violations on my logs because the incorrect trailer reported that I was at different locations then my log indicated. I did finally recognize that error and corrected it. But Landstar continues with its insistence on other violations that amount to nothing more then a disagreement over a arrival time of say 0800 on my logs to 7:54 on Skybitz? This constitutes a violation? I have contacted other legal channels to gain insight on weather any specific device not intended for driver logging can be used to match other logging data designed to log that time. I am not against trailer tracking, what I am against is a company using data that was designed for another purpose and taking that data and applying to a non implied use that I do not have access too. I log legal and I have no intension on matching logs to data I don't even have access too.
     
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  3. Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

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    Usually on paper logs if <= 7 minutes log prior, if => 8 log future.

    time is 1pm.

    arrive 1:05, log 1:00
    arrive 1:09, log 1:15

    common practice on paper logs.

    http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/2014_HOS_Logbook_Examples_508.pdf

    Sounds like they are using the Trailer tracking device as an EOBR. I have not heard yet of a trailer tracking device as an EOBR as the driver cannot print logs for DOT inspections, nor change status like in the tractor.
     
  4. jescott418

    jescott418 Light Load Member

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    Mt Morris,IL
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    That's my argument. Trailer tracking uses a cellular system and I have my doubts that time stamps using this method are not completely accurate and subject to delays or even cellular coverage drop outs. I have said to Landstar I doubt any DOT would even consider a trailer tracking device as a means to compare to logs of any kind. I told Landstar logs this, and their reply was that Landstar has their own violation monitoring using this data through Skybitz. I totally agree Skybitz is NOT a EOBR approved for logs. Landstar is treading on crossing the line calling BCO's out on logs based on this information.
     
  5. double yellow

    double yellow Road Train Member

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  6. jescott418

    jescott418 Light Load Member

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    Yes, I thought that too, but they are not pestering me to go to EOBR. The violations are not giving them ammo to push the EOBR. Maybe Landstar does think the nagging about discrepancies with paper logs and Skybitz will cause me to adopt EOBR? Not sure claims come into play, after all accidents can happen under legal driving time. In fact, I have talked to drivers who find themselves driving in bad weather, just because they have hours. It will be interesting as more companies adopt EOBR if they reap any accident reduction?
     
  7. Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

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    What would DOT look at if an inspection was held? Paper logs or a trailer tracking device? They could use them as guidance.
     
  8. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    The time/location stamp from the trailer tracking software, like any other time stamp, is nothing more than a supporting document. Your log needs to show you in that location at the time. Usually, you'll get a LITTLE wiggle room given the nature of the 15-minute increment format of the log books...usually you'll have a 30 minute window (15 minutes on either side of the time stamp) to show it before a violation occurs. Some companies allow a wider time frame, but they're taking a chance in the event of an audit that the DOT officer may not be as lenient.
     
  9. jescott418

    jescott418 Light Load Member

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    I ask Landstar logging dept a similar question. If DOT were to do a audit. Would they even look at trailer tracking. Landstar said probably not since it would require a significant amount of data crunching and syncing to BCO logs. I doubt a roadside DOT official would have easy access to such data. They do not even bother with EOBR data in most cases. DOT would only officially recognize paper logs or EOBR as permissible logging options. Just try and explain that your using trailer tracking as your logging device. Yea, they would write you up. I do think so far from my own research early on, that a good argument could be made if any driver was dismissed because of log violations that were found from a trailer tracking device. In a accident fatality I suspect that like in cab communications like Qualcomm a tracking device on a trailer could be used as a valid location and time stamp. What I think we are coming to is assuming these GPS devices are more accurate then paper logging. Especially if we are talking minutes. I hope some legal experts read this forum and give input as to the legal validity of data obtain from trailer tracking devices to apply to a driver logs.
     
  10. jescott418

    jescott418 Light Load Member

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    I remember when logging a fuel stop just had to be on the same day! Now Landstar requires a 15 minute window. Yea, it used to be 30 min but I think the stakes went up on pay outs in those little logging fiddles. In the end I think EOBR are coming and maybe time stamps will save you or hang you. No gray area just that your either legal or your not. That's fine for EOBR but for me using trailer tracking not designed for driver logging is not right. It was designed purely to keep track of trailers not drivers or trucks.
     
  11. Marlin46

    Marlin46 Medium Load Member

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    Without getting off topic too far here....would / does LS attach Skybitz to the trailer that you own? I can see them attaching it to company trailers but I wouldn't think they would do it to one you owned? Any input?
     
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