Just last month, the head of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) told a crowded conference hall that Hours of Service (HOS) reforms were coming. This week at a different conference, he warned listeners that FMCSA’s planned changes are “not going to make everybody happy.”
Since taking over as head of the FMCSA, Ray Martinez seems like he’s been attempting to strike a conciliatory tone. Though the FMCSA didn’t roll back the controversial ELD rule, Martinez promised that the HOS issues which were highlighted because of the ELD mandate would be addressed on “a very aggressive time line.”
Over 5,200 public comments were received weighing in on whether or not HOS changes are needed – and what those changes should be. Speaking at the Truckload Carriers Association conference this past week, Martinez told listeners that the FMCSA is “very encouraged with the quantity and quality of comments we received.”
According to Martinez the FMCSA is still reviewing the comments, but he says that they are “very close to concluding our evaluation.”
But the next step isn’t a final rule. Next comes the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). Martinez stressed that the NPRM will be a rough draft and that the industry will need to continue to provide feedback “on what is working and what is not working.”
The NPRM isn’t being constructed only based off of the 5,200 comments submitted however. Martinez says that the FMCSA has been getting a huge amount of data from ELDs. The agency has been using that data to examine “areas of current HOS regulations where adjustments or improvements may be needed.”
Source: fleetowner, overdrive
I myself would like to see the 30 mandatory break be abolished.
It will be they said
Amen!
Thats all i really need as well
They won’t happen
I like the 30 minute break.
Well thanks, Captain Obvious. All we ask is that the govt remains consistent and finds a way to screw this up in some form or fashion. Martinez doesn’t have a CDL and has never driven a truck, so he seems like the perfect choice for FMCSA president.
They want automated trucks anyway. It doesn’t matter how it affects us.
I’m with you if your paying attention the more they push us out of the industry the more room they have to say we need autonomous trucks. The rates and everything else isn’t by accident. In this industry like everything else only the strong shall survive. If we are only getting rates to were it’s paying just for the fuel. It’s only a matter of time. So I’m switching to the mechanic side of things that’s were the demands are going to increase from the looks of things. The autonomous trucks are coming and it will have an impact regardless to what people think look at all the technology that has been created and all the people it has put out of work or jobs it’s made obsolete. Im Just Saying.
Better get trained in robotics and artificial intelligence. That’s where the demand will be greatest.
More drivers should just get out of the business. I have driven as a company driver and a lease driver. The tor companies screw drivers either way. I can make more money doing math and economics than I ever did as a driver. I also don’t have to work as much and get weekends off and home every night.
Why should people work 60 to 70 hours a week to get 500 to 1200 when they can work 40 to 50 hours and get the same pay?
The trucking industry just wants people to work all the time and never have a life outside of the truck.
We already have enough artificial intelligence. It’s called FMCSA.
Autonomous trucks are quite a few years away. They can’t even get the autonomous cars on the road without major incidents, they’re year’s away from fully autonomous trucks.
Amazon has been using autonomous trucks for awhile now. They will be all over the place before you realize it.
I agree with Stephen. I don’t think there’s any worry about ‘Bots’ taking away driving jobs anytime soon. People are still being killed by so-called autonomous cars. Trucks present an even bigger problem given their size and weight. Relax your worry about robots and worry more about stupid and unrealistic regulations placed on drivers.
so far i can only think of one incident involving an autonomous vehicle which was the AIs fault. everything else was the fault of the vehicles drive by people.
and miles: accident ratio, AI cars are exponentially safer
https://www.thetruckersreport.com/dot-launches-council-assist-deployment-new-technologies-like-self-driving-vehicles/ they will be here sooner than you think. They are already being used on occasion doing interstate travel. Was involved in it to a point myself
Well, there will be certain “Losses by attrition” in other words, accidental deaths/injuries along the way, which have basically been acknowledged and accepted by those who are pushing this agenda. welcome to the future.
I retire in a bout 6.5 years. I hope I’ll still have a job by then.
Not as far as you may think my friend, 5-10 years.
They will until one of their trucks causes a major accident. Which will happen we already see it with the cars. Then there will be an uproar. Or thier truck gets stuck in a snow storm or misses construction or. There are so many things we as drivers see everyday and deal with everyday. Right now they are using just a few as testing and over a small area. Try to run coast to coast with one and see what happens. Eventually yes self driving trucks will be on the road but I still think the government will have to step up to make it happen with technology that will alert the trucks what lays ahead of it. It can’t just be a video and a computer thinking. What happens if the computer freezes up. Does the truck just stop where it is?
Don’t know why so many of you drivers are “scared” or concerned about autonomous trucks. We know what the job entails for a human to do it, a true autonomous truck will be short lived. Also instead of griping about it here, maybe OOIDA or we Truckers ourselves can make a PSA about the dangers of Autonomous trucks. Believe, the public would take heed if truckers told them that they are dangerous.
What happens when a tire (or anything mechanical) goes on the road. Does the remote driver drive the truck to the nearest TA or call RS? How would DOT enforce autonomous trucks or will they? If not that’s a problem and unfair to us human drivers and that would be a definite reason to shut it down. So RELAX and stop worrying about a problem that doesn’t even exist.
Not in our life time…still wanting on flying cars.
I couldn’t agree with you more Ken. I’ve been driving for more than 15 yrs . And I never seen so many changes happen like we have seen in the past five years with elogs , hos ect. . They still want to regulate the speed for us but haven’t decided to go through with it. I have been a technician that’s what they call diesel mechanics now for a couple of years I work on the side but the instruments are very expressive laptop and programs special tools needed for today’s new trucks . So be prepared to spend twenty or thirty thousand dollars for your equipment just to get started unless you start where they allow you to get you equipment in time.. but money well spent.
All these drivers complaining about rates! Don’t take the load if the rate isn’t what you need to make a living! Everyone wants to own they’re truck. If the industry has 300k new O/O in a year, all of them picking at the same loads, the rates will fall. When these new O/O’s fail to save they’re money for repairs, then lose they’re trucks, the rates will go back up.
JohnTyo don’t you wait to long for the rates to go up. I bought my first truck in1968. If rates go up it will hardly be noticible. The thing is if everyone O/0 would take an extra day home everytime they take time off. It would create a shortage of capacity. I remember when the dairy farmers poured their milk on the ground rather than sell their milk cheap. I sold my truck and trailer in October and sitting the winter out. After 50 years I done with waiting for people to wake up. It’s not the broers fault. It’s ours. We need to grow a pair stay home more rates will rise. In stead of starting these stupid slow rolls and shut downs which only angers John Q public and really acomplishes very little. Lets call for everybodybto go fishing. Take a vacation every year have a life. The money will come.
Simple rule of thumb, if it doesn’t pay to haul for you, don’t take it. If everyone did the math, rates would climb, but too many haul no matter what and wonder why they’re broke after working so hard
They can automate all they want but if you read about automated vehicles they still need a driver to take over at different times and he must be qualified to drive and they do have a long way to go yet. The automation part is to keep from having the accidents which I think they would be better doing something with the 4 wheelers than trucks.
The auto truck will not operate in major cities nor do any backing or open doors. Drivers are still going to be needed. How about getting the job of sitting on your butt waiting on the auto truck to show up at the staging area and you take it to the dock and back it in. Easy money half the work earn a days pay for it. There is always a bright side to the problems. ADAPT.
This is for Lester, fishing is the best alternative. I’m all that.
I saw an interesting thing during the high winds and winter storm out in Colorado earlier this week. How does an autonomous truck judge wind velocity? I saw on the news where the wind blew over four trucks.
Cool comments, just like the auto industry,man got put out of work so a robot can do the work, with out any complaining. Just like the Bible says man is Killin man.
Diesel mechanics only make 18.00 an hour.
And Diesel Mechanics are also guaranteed a 40 hour work week and given holidays off. They work a five day week (or are paid overtime, and truckers have no idea what overtime is)….
At this rate, the best business to own will be a CEMETERY because what automated trucks don’t starve to death, they will kill thousands on the freeways. Why don’t they automate all Airlines first, after all its about population control. Cancer ain’t fast enough,which is another man made money making population control system.
You do know with automated trucks you still need a driver right?
Funny how these automated trucks are going to deal with late loads or accidents or construction delays and still make their delivery schedules! Self-driving trucks seem like a very bad idea!
ELDs should make getting paid for delays easier because the logs show the delays and where they are occurring! Betting these changes from this gov are going to involve making the work days longer somehow so that deliveries can be made even though drivers may be unsafe when they reach their destinations!
Automated Trucks can run for 24hrs without stopping. They won’t be late often.
That will never happen
No FMCSA administrator has ever had a CDL.
THAT’S WHAT MAKES IT SO DIFFICULT HAVING A BUNCH OF PEOPLE IN CHARGE THAT THE ONLY THING THEY KNOW ABOUT A TRUCK IS NEGATIVE AN POSSIBLY BEEN ACCIDENTALLY CUT OFF BY A QUICK LANE CHANGE. I STARTED TRUCKING IN 1970 UNTIL 2010, SO I KNOW EXACTLY HOW THESE KNOW NOTHING MINIONS OPERATE.
Hahahahahaha October of 1963 got my commercial license at the age 17 but couldn’t leave the state until 18. I was driving for Sandage construction of Memphis,Tn. at 16 without a license & still driving @ 72, well over 6 million miles. 620 miles day before yesterday & 683 yesterday all legal with the ELD. My truck net $213k last year.
The only thing I can brag about is my Savior ( JESUS )
To achieve that are you on something dedicated
Jack Welch couldn’t build a washing machine nor a jet engine, yet he ran a successful company, GE.
He was head of my state’s DMV in NJ during the Christie years and the only thing he did right was to exempt cars and light trucks made on or before 1995 from the bi yearly inspection. I’d keep my eye on this guy
Actually I’ve been impressed with Martinez over previous choices. He seems to want to do a good job and he has responded to truckers’ concerns. At least give the man the benefit of the doubt until we see what he comes up with. I think that’s only fair.
I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, if he follows the lead of all of his predecessors the only comments he will pay any heed to will be the ones submitted on green paper of the proper denomination.
It’s sad but true that lobbyists now run our country. So, when I read ‘FMCSA’s planned changes are “not going to make everybody happy.”’
my mind automatically converts that to “the ATA is paying me to make this change and everyone else can go die in a fire”.
Let’s hope he’s a better man than that but I am not keeping my hopes up until I see evidence in the form of truly beneficial reforms for the truck driver and the general public rather than the mega-carriers.
Hehe just reread my comment and realized I started with saying I will give him the benefit of the doubt and then went on a cynical tirade. Lol oops.
Did you know that Martinez was stopped 3 times for DUI? Perfect choice for the job, isn’t he.
👍
Everyone pushed him for change. Now things are likely to get worse. And whose to blame? All these whiny super truckers.
The current set up makes you drive like an animal to get your miles in before you shut it down big construction delays don’t help your progress either really don’t see how this has made the road safe for anyone
Which animal?
A Cheatah. LOL 🤣🤣🤣
Its in his speech; its not going to make everyone happy. Meaning; its going to screw the hardworking driver even more than before.
Completely agree with you!
Dammed right. The driver is always the one who comes out holding the poopie end of the stick. When changes happen it’s never good for us. The mega carriers have the lobbiest and political clout to look out for their interests. Eld’s were going to level the playing field, rates would come up and detention would be paid. I sure haven’t seen it.
Why dont you guys at least hear what he has to say before condemning him?
Roger dodger got it from ray
The govt has no clue
Working way to many hours for way to little pay! It should be less hours for way better pay in order to make it safe for everyone. Sitting behind a wheel for 11 hours every day to make a decent living is easy to much! Not to mention not being able to have a decent life with your family and friends. Need an equal balance. Time to stop all of these greedy trucking companies from running drivers in the ground for their greater overhead!
See that’s what I’ve been talking about I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THIS COMMENT…COMPANIES ARE LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK…I actually wondered this-WHAT IF DRIVERS SIMPLY HAULED NO FREIGHT- pulled a strike I bet that would get everybody’s attention? Think about this almost everything that comes in or leaves at some point is prolly in a truck…it would make a serious statement it’s jyst pulling everyone in on the same page, ideas, and such.
When Union drivers went on strike in the 70’s, most company and independent drivers joined them, mainly because the unions were shooting at their trucks, even if they had signs saying that they were empty and heading home. My step father was one of them. He had his trailer doors locked open, and still got shot at. I took leave from the Navy, and literally rode shotgun, and long gun. If we got shot at, “surprise” they received several shots back. It was long and dangerous trip from SC to RI.
I agree. However, you couldnt get 3 drivers to agree to strike. Drivers like to complain but have no follow through.
10-4
WE NEED TO SHUTDOWN THIS COUNTRY & MAKE EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU NEED TRUCKS OR YOU HAVE NOTHING!
#BLACKSMOKEMATTERS
#STANDASONE
Agree-but we are a nation of complainers, not doers. We would rather sit and beeotch about situations than actually take the initiative to alter the course. I know-I spent YEARS on various boards where a chosen few did ALL the work so the masses benefitted. Old and tired now. It’s time for youngsters to take up the baton.
Kenneth. You really don’t git it do you? I was in the shutdown of 1973 we were out three weeks alot of guys deadheaded home. We nearly had this country on its knees, all we got out of it was a lousey fuel sur charge. Which the brokers got around and still are by paying a flat rate. You have to create your own markets not by bullying the government. They promised us the moon they wrot the laws intentionally with loopholes in order to keep cheap freight. The lobbyists for mega corporations are not interested in paying a fair price and fight by greasing the skids for their donors.
Nothing has changed in the 50 plus I have been driving a truck. Same construction, Same shippers . Same accidents. Same weather conditions ,Same stupid drivers cutting you off .Just better trucks to do our jobs with .However the truck drivers for the most part are incapable of excepting the changes in trucking on a daily basis. They blame the ELD for every short coming . WAKE up people that is called trucking. it is in constant change. If you don’t contact the FMCSA by voice E mail , letter or phone call voicing your opinion in a professional way that is on your back . If you can’t take the little time to send an e mail. Best you find a different job .
Very well said. The key words are in a “professional way”.
This is the best comment I’ve read since reviewing this comment thread … I hate to see people blame outside influences for their short falls. What makes an experienced driver is one who is able to counter shortfalls with strategic tactics …. I know this will go over a lot of folks head and I understand why from the complaints ..
You’ll never get anyone to do that. Truckers complain but never follow through.
All tho we are on the ELD they need to fall back on the old rules, if you take a 30 min break to soon it will want another you should be able to take a break when ever you feel like it also when you start that clock that’s it you have to keep moving or loose your drive time. I don’t need that extra hour was just fine with 10. Just leave it like it was back in the day.
The 30 minute break rule states “that you shall take a 30 minute break before you complete 8 hours of driving or on duty time”. Nothing is hard about that except finding a safe haven to stop at. The police used to not bother us for parking on wider shoulders and ramps, now they are making both narrower and police are hassling us and ticketing us.
I think it’s time for every truck driver to take a 2 week vacation
Since January of this year, I’ve been driving about 5,000 miles or less per month. I’m hauling loads out of my home town if I get pay $ 3.00 per mile minimum. And when I comeback home at least $ 2.00 per mile . I’m driving enough for me to pay my insurance and my home expenses. I refuse to accept a cheap dirt rate . At he same time I live a frugal life , so I don’t have to do something that I think is not fair or right for this industry.
I don’t blame brokers or shippers for their rates . I blame mega trucking companies , and most of you guys for hauling for pennies .
This article told us nothing. we
I agree
I am still waiting on what are they proposing about the HOS I have not one clue even after reading the statrments that were made
So whats gonna happen per the,perposal?
Not sure where the “we” came from, so strange.
Nothing will make everyone happy.
ELD rules definitely need change, the ones in place now are not making the roads safer.
The “30 minute” break hurts a local driver.
The 14 hour rule hurts the local and long haul driver.
The “Off Duty” during a shift helps the long haul driver however, you must know how to use it which is not explained in detail.
The rules in effect now have gray areas and are too forceful for the general driver, these should be set into categories for local and long haul.
You can’t ever convince long haulers that 30 minute breaks are important. Not ever. We can do 15 and call it good. Who told us to when we needed to stop in the 1990’s? Right! No one. HOS don’t need rewritten for LTL and Long haulers, they need to be written by truckers FOR truckers.
It will never happen. By the year 2023 you will have autonomous trucks take over half of our jobs and these trucker forums dissolve. This is appeasing us until they dissolve us.
Us long hauler old timers do not need a 30 minute break. We managed for years with out it and did just fine. We actually could and still think for our selves. When it came to stopping te truck we made the decision and still do, All that ELD does is record your daily activities like paper does it just takes more than the thumb or one finger and tell you how many hours you have left on paper. Drivers push too hard to get to that magic number 11 no matter how sick, or tired or road conditions. They are and all of us are paying for those decision. Unlike todays driver that let the electronic device think for them.
Think you will lose your job due to auto trucks ?. . Not if you make yourself indispensable by doing an exceptional safe ( key here is safe) job .
I’m local and I like the 14 hour rule. I don’t want to have drive hours left to be leveraged against me for “just one more load,” even if I’ve already been working for 14 hours.
They could do nothing but get rid of the 30 minute rule and I’d be plenty happy.
I’m local and hate the 14 hour rule, if you don’t want to make more money that’s your own choice but with that being said I understand part of the purpose is to keep idiots off the road who don’t know when they are unsafe to drive. Yet I can work 18+ hours in a factory and drive my car home, granted it’s not a semi let alone large truck but still the purpose behind the law. Some of us can easily and safely work 20 hours without being fatigued, especially local drivers because we are not just straight driving all day. Being a local driver you just have to deal with not knowing what time you’ll be home that night, for example all last week I worked between 10-14 hours a day but this week I’m not quite averaging 10 a day. I don’t like only having a couple hours at home before sleeping but in my view as long as it makes the weekend get here faster I’m all for it!
Why get rid of the 30-minute rule when you know you will stop somewhere anyway for at 20 minutes so why not 10 more and eat the food before you drive and be safer by not eating and driving with these bumpy roads. I like the 14 and 30 min. break and most times only work 12.5 hours but on occasion, I need the 14.
As far as the 14 hour day rule goes, an exception should be made if you are in a dock loading or unloading for more than 1.5 hours, especially if you are required to be present on the dock. But either way, they, the shippers and receivers should have to pay detention if they haven’t started working your trailer after 1 hour, not 2.
Everybody has been crying since the beginning of the 30 minute. Have you ever timed yourself you walk in use the restroom wash your hands go to subway or mcd and you’re 30 minutes is up.
Complain about reall issues
Funny that guys always complain about girls taking forever to do things. I can get up and out the door in less than 15. Same with mini breaks on the road-NEVER have I taken more than 10-15 min for a p and food stop.
It does affect the long haul driver. I feel more tired and unmotivated after taking the half hour break, along with a lot of other drivers that feel the same way. Do to the fact above, drivers are now driving even faster (eld isn’t helping…).
The driver is right no information on this article. Just do away with the ELD altogether it was fine like it was
Yes it was to many drivers on the road are worn out by the eld on paper if you need a power nap you can not on the eld cause the clock just keeps going
Go back to paper logs so you can get away with cheating on your logs again?
Yup be able to cheat again and be safer ! Ever since I’ve been driving under this ELD . I find that it’s way more dangerous. Go go go now stop stop stop … we are human not robots .
If you can’t be safe with the current rules maybe you shouldn’t drive. I’ve been on e-logs the whole time I’ve been driving and I don’t see a problem. The problem I have is the 14 hour rule. They need to allow better flexibility in it.
And get rid of the 30 minute break
Eld’s are pushing us to drive, when we feel fatigue or thru a storm. If you can’t understand these basics, you never were a professional driver.
So you can’t function in an adult world and everyone is a cheater? You’re the reason we have our new electronic mommy…
I read most of the comments and I am always disturbed by those who are holier than holy. Those who disparage drivers who are not robots, so they can’t do 11 on 10 of shift after shift normally. I was much more fatigued when I did that. I do much better when I can sleep when I want. The truck stays busier and my check is larger but I never feel like I have to do more miles/hours to meet a regulation while trying to deliver a load within a specific window of time.
The reason we have the ELD has to do with people in high positions who have no clue how drivers do what they do! They should all have to be strapped into a passenger seat for weeks at a time so they could have some perspective.
The biggest problem over all is that the ELD does more to limit when I can sleep. Because of the 14 hr rule, sometimes I need to take another nap 😴 but I don’t have enough hours to get to my destination.
Let me be clear. The average person (FMCSA admin) needs 8 hours rest each night. Most can’t comprehend how most truckers can exist on a series of 3 hours and a couple well placed naps for a few days before needing to get 5 before resetting.
Most have to go to sleep at the same time every night and can’t fathom taking a thirty minute nap and driving another 4 hour to deliver a load on time. They also are totally clueless of the fact that while big companies have relegated their drivers to the new rules, it’s the smaller o/o that are the foundation of this industry and if we did not creatively reinterpret the rules and adjust our logs to suit our loads, they couldn’t afford to buy food, gas, clothes, etc…
Most can’t comprehend that we are all different. My brother and Dad can drive 36 hrs straight. 17 is my max. But I usually don’t like to do more than 11 and then I just need a solid hour and I can comfortably do another 4-6 before needing a nap. But if I get 3 hrs after that 11, I can do another 11 and can repeat that for a few days with the help of short naps before having to take a longer rest. I can’t honestly remember being able to sleep longer than 5 hrs in my bunk. But inevitably I end up with 10-15 hour stretches twice a week.
Here’s the problem. Doing a straight 11 with a 30 min break is not always comfortable. Usually I do 4-6 and want to sleep for 1-3 and need to drive another 5-7. But where is the time for gas if needed? Where is the time before getting to the load, loading, unloading or after the load getting over to a truck stop or depot? But then you want to force me to take off 10 hrs before I move again.
I think they should have given a grace period where everyone had to run ELDs but they could drive exactly the way that suited them and submit the data anonymously for review.
What would have happened is that there would be patterns that emerge. Closed systems like Walmart would have a pattern. Independent O/Os running reefers would have another. Those running Vans would have another. Those running mail or packages will have another pattern and there will be patterns within patterns. But at the end of the day, they would have been able to create rules based on real habits. Plus be able to see what wasn’t healthy. Which pattern group had more accidents. What tweeks may be necessary to reduce accidents. But if accidents are the issue, maybe they need more regulations on cars????
America thrives because of the sacrifice of the few! Hats off to other safe drivers who responsibly but creatively adjust their logs.
PROBLEM:
1 – 160,000 National truck Driver Shortage and growing worse at 6.3% a year, Generation moron ( those under 25 are now TOOOOO good to drive truck)
2 – ELD schedule as rigid as steel and not applied to any basis of humanity.
3 – Drivers becoming aggressive and dangerous to beat a stupid computer created by stupid grubberment and office filling idiots.
SOLUTION:
When your tired, park it. If the ELD time runs out, tough Shytt!! Just put another movie in the player, run their diesel to stay warm/cool and get you a break like you used to do to be safe. If you fear being fired then see above ( 160,000 National truck driver shortage). Shipper or Company don’t like it, tell them to replace you. THEY CAN’T!
Are we supposed to connect our phone to that box over in the corner of my dash? My signal doesn’t reach that far.
Well said!!
Those electronic logs…I’ve had 4 trucks with them now, all with different companies. Run out of hours? Just unplug it.
This is HOS…ELD’s are a pain, but not the main source of concern at the moment. HOS need to go back to what works for drivers welfare. Our sleep is a main concern, as is making the most of our drive time.
I am sorry to say that unplugging the ELD is very bad advice.
Let me first state that I am firmly against the ELD mandate. I have run both E-logs and paper and the ELD combined with rigid HOS laws tries to force an inherently fluid schedule into a pretty little box that it simply doesn’t fit in.
However, I do not recommend unplugging the ELD to keep driving. The ELD tracks your position and the mileage on the truck. When you plug it back in it will show where the “error” started and stopped. Any DOT officer or auditor can then calculate the miles traveled and the remaining HOS and see you were driving out of HOS. If you think they will be to lazy to do this you are wrong. An ELD malfunction is a huge red flag and they will scrutinize your logs closely rather than the cursory glance the normally give an ELD. Also, many states are implementing a system that will run your logs through an algorithm and point the DOT officer at any likely discrepancies and you can be sure it will throw up red flags, smoke signals and blaring sirens at an “ELD malfunction”. Purposely sabotaging the ELD is a MAJOR violation and comes with a hefty fine.
For O/O’s the new “personal conveyance” changes are actually a step in the right direction (the first in years). You can’t use this to advance the load further than the next truck stop but; yay for no more being stuck at shippers/receivers while out of HOS.
–EDIT–
Sorry, this was supposed to be directed at Shar’s comment above to
“Run out of hours? Just unplug it.”
Unfortunately, most companies will not activate the personal conveyance mode for company drivers. I am an O/O and had to beg my last company to activate it. I do not go home often, a day or three every 3 to 9 months. I virtually live in my truck either at truck stops or at the company terminal. After me moving my truck while on 34 hour resets several times, they conceded to my request. I didn’t make my moves till I had in at least 20 hours on the reset. You may want to try it, it may motivate your company to be a little more HUMAN.
34 hours They have to remove them. that is useless or regulate more professions too. Doctors, dentists etc etc
The silent push in all areas of society towards Agenda 21.
Maybe so, but unless you know something not covered in the document from the United Nations, that you’d like to share, it’s not nearly as ominous or relevant as you are trying to make it seem.
Anything the UN is pushing on us IS ominous and relevant
We, The United States should withdraw from the United Nations and BOOT them out of the United States along with all the petty tyrants that come with them.
They can take all of the Democrats that call themselves “Socialist Democrats” with them.
You are exactly right!!!!!! Glad to see someone with their eyes wide open.
Exactly
1. All trucks with a vehicle speed sensor could be on simple e-logs. So its obvious you are after other information. Probably for the insurance companies lawyers. 2. Get rid of the 14 hr rule completely. Let us drive 11hrs any way we want. We know how to be safe. Lower the speed limits. No split speeds either. They are unsafe. 3. Require real training for new drivers. And retest every driver every 2 years at the DMV. Charge $300.00 for test. 4.There is no driver shortage. 4. Regulate shippers/receivers to 1 hr dock. Trucks will be available for loads reducing truck traffic and allowing drivers to make money. Seal intack at receiver why hold a truck hostage for accounting/paperwork. Seal intack drivers dont care what was ordered or what was received. We have no control of that. Would love to say more but my elogs says I have to drive.
You will never get a company to agree to getting a driver out in one hour. I don’t know how many times I sat at Heinz in Pittsburg for 8 hours. They would load all but 2 pallets on then take a break.
There’s a lot of comments about autonomous trucks. If truckers would stop complaining about hos, thus, that, and everything, actually drive like professional drivers, instead of just claiming that title, start respecting areas they can park, obey traffic laws, and all the hos, dot rules in place, maybe many wouldn’t be looking to replace them with autonomous trucks!
I don’t either is possible. Stopping the diva truck bitch fest, or replacing, even partially with these big toy rc trucks. They’re fine for minimal applications, but human need to be either in, or driving most trucks.
Jmho.
Nice bait and switch…..trucker report….useless information..nothing I didn’t already know
Gee… I wonder who will be happy and who won’t…
Well here it goes, a good driver knows when he’s tired and will stop and take a break, now it’s a race against the clock once it starts 14 hours later you have to be stopped, I work harder now then I used to, because of race, and everyone else is racing that clock too, in my opinion go back to 10 and 8, and actually train these new driver’s to learn their own sleep patterns so they test when they need to, stop changing this stuff it’s not that hard, but the government will always mess it up.
Amen to that driver u sad a mouthful.
I’ve been saying the same thing. The only reason they ever changed the hos rules is because they had been the same for so long.
That’s exactly right it’s not cheating it’s being able to stop when you need to. Most drivers drive when they feel like it not having to race a clock. What if your sick and still need to go ? With an eld you have to race the clock but on paper you can drive for a couple hours then pull over make sure you feel a bit better drive some more and safely make it to your destination. Not forcing drivers to drive when the government says to. All these new age drivers do not know any different. I am safer when I drive when I am alert! I am alert when I sleep! when my body says pull over and take a nap that’s what should be done ! Not you have to sleep when I tell you to as the government is trying to do. Need to reregulate !
Hello. To a square, it’s cheating. To a professional, it’s being flexibly realistic in a world of circumstances beyond control. Same driving time… Not pretending when I’m fit to drive or the conditions are most favorable. It’s driving a reality you cannot get from an electronic timer.
Very well put !!!
Well said
Amen! Don’t know why the supposed intelligent lawmakers can’t understand common sense thinking….oh …that was funny😫
Yep
I agree so many variables with the industry. Most totally out of the drivers control and they’re the only ones being punished.
I don’t know about you but as a local driver I’m happy with the 14/10 rule and eld devices
No more of my company forcing me to work over 14 and no more of less than 10 off
And when asked if I can take a particular load
If I can’t I say no and they give me another.
It’s that simple NO CHEATING no LYING straight forward ADULTHOOD and responsible driving
That is fine if you a local driver like you say. Try it long haul when you are out of state and receiver cost you your 14 hos rule at drop. You can’t sleep on property. Then what do you do mister happy.
Well said driver. Drive when you are awake and sleep when you are tired.. there are more speeding trucks in truckstops and construction zones due to the timer. There has been a study proving since the mandate there has been a 34% rise in accidents by large companies. They do not properly train there drivers. To manage there times better. Also they govern there trucks and pay low mileage pay so you are governed what you can make as a driver ambassador . So therefore. It’s not cheating. It’s only cheating when you drive past the 11 hours . Most people on paper logs dont drive more than the original 10 hours.. and also most people on paper logs can not sleep 10 hours. So then there is the fatigue from waiting around for two hours till your clock resets. I have been on the eld for 5 months now. And I have been to the doctors twice to find out why I was so dammed tired. Come to find out when asked what I do each day and my sleep habbits.. it’s the electronic log causing this. The human body only requires 5 to 7.5 hours of sleep. Why do they make us lay around for 10 hours.. that causes more fatigue. Also check this out for all you pro eld drivers. You sit in that chair driving continuous for 8 hours then get a thirty minute break then drive 3 more hours.. guess what. You will have circulation problems , prostate enlargement, and other health issues. And another thing.. why are we locked to 14 hours. When pilots and train conductors are allowed 15 and 18 hours before taking an 8 hour break? People in cars cause more accidents than we do. So why not implement the cars to shut off after 10 hours of driving. And if there is a cell phone in there car and they text on it or hold it in there hand make the car jam the signal till it has stopped for more than 15 minutes. Face it. H.o.s. rules are in place to govern how much pay we can make.. truck owners should be getting a minimum of 3.50 per mile averaged to to the owner after the company percentage so that he may live and also make repairs on the truck of his choosing with being made to go into debt because of a California rule that california is trying to ban. They have already proven def cause dammage to the roads from grass burner exhaust and trees and the animals.. well I am getting off topic. I get paid percentage. And the lower the freight prices the less I make. And for the last 4 months u have been paying to work
Driving with intelligence and safety sometimes runs way outside of a rigid time schedule when the situations we meet are constantly changing with random delays. Therefore “cheating” on paper logs is actually just responsible driving and trying to make it fit a rigid rule on paper. At least that’s how I had to drive. I know irresponsible drivers take advantage of it in the wrong way and abuse it, and their accidents mess it up for the responsible drivers.
Like when I shut down 40 miles outside a city, have to be on the far side of that city at 8 AM in the morning. Do I wait till my 10 hours is done and then add my truck to morning rush hour? Or do I get up middle of the night and drive through the city when the traffic is nil, violating the hours of service rule, but doing so in order to drive safer?
Such situations are very common in the real world of driving a big rig. An ELD with the current HOS rules makes such common sense driving impossible.
But the rules were same on paper logs. You guys cheated for years DOT knew it but couldn’t prove it. So here we are. Electronic logs. It’s not the end of the world being controlled by the computer timer. Trip planning goes a long way.
you can plan all you want, when you get to your rest stop, with 15 mins left on your clock, to find some professional driver has flipped his rig on the exit and you must go on, you must decide weather to break the rules or park on the side of I-40 in the middle of the night for 8 hrs. There needs to be some common sense in situations where a driver can decide which is best for the safety for all.
Did you know that you can use Personal Conveyance for the situation you discussed. The rule change allowing you to get to overnight parking went into effect last year.
Parking on the side of the road and another vehicle rams into the DOT bumper it’s your fault. If death results, you killed that person. Doesn’t matter what the cause was that you had to park there, in the logic of the Law you should have planned your trip better. Doesn’t matter if the driver of the other vehicle was texting, distracted, or drowsy, you shouldn’t have been there. Therefore, you will be ticketed or dragged off to jail depending upon the severity of the accident.
Not fair that computer restricted drive time, and company policies, are not flexible enough like they used to be.
Wrong, there are too many variables.
Why you all worry about autonomous trucks, the country won’t get that far, there will be an economic collapse that Will shock America. When it comes to ELD, why you all complain, you allow it to happen, none of you have the will or the balls to go on strike to fight this, so bend over and get it up your ( you know what). The land of the free has become the land of the slaves.
You just told it for how it is.these comments only show the professional trucker is almost extinct.the wheel holders only want to fuss and argue amongst each other.There is no sticking together and changing things for the better.The trucking industry is now made up of gutless wheel holders that has there head stuck up there dispatchers a??.Im glad I only have a couple if years until I retire.thanks for your truthfully comment.
I agree with you sir. While most (not all) everyone just floats along doing absolutely nothing, or world is crumbling around us. It’s quite a sad thought that we have the power to park, say no we will not drive another mile until we have this industry exactly how WE THE PEOPLE say it should be. We can stop this country & force the powers that be to take notice, we will not be given unrealistic rules & a ridiculous working environment. Every product that keeps America going rides behind us, park it, shut it down. The Government that pushes us around & the general public who brake checks us, hates us & only looks at all of us as an inconvenience on the highway will be forced to finally show respect. How can we keep going like this? Why don’t we draw a line in the sand & say enough? Have we not had enough, did we teas the breaking point? Maybe not…….
Totally agree. remember what happened in L.A. when the docks shut down?. well i was there and travel from long beach to Catalina took a 2 hours on the1hour fast boat cause it had to get through all the barges of containers sitting loaded cause the dw”s wouldn’t take it off and drivers would not pull it and scabs didn’t dare.
Black Smoke Matters on Facebook, nationwide shutdown on April 12, 2019..turn the key left, make your voices heard. Truckers unite and Stand As One, shut ‘er down drivers!!
It will ONLY take 3 consecutive days of NO trucks moving and there will be rioting in the streets then we will be able to tell uncle SAM what we want and where the DOT and everybody else where to go
I like to participate
I shut my truck down, and voluntarily temporarily resended my Authority, March 13, 2019! Im an o/o with 45 years on the road. If I can do it, ANYONE CAN, AND SHOULD!
Yeah and Donald Trump is the slave master and our country is in total demise. Never thought I would never see a country that I served would crumble so quickly and become the laughing stock of the world. So sad but currently so true.
I was a computer tech before getting back on the road…
The auto cars and trucks are a NIGHTMARE!!!
THEY WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO DO WHAT HUE-MAN BEINGS CAN DO!!!!
OUT IN THE REAL WORLD IS NOT LIKE AN MAPPED OUT WAREHOUSE FLOOR, THERE ARE INFINITE VARIABLES THEY CAN NEVER MAKE WORKABLE!!!
DON’T BELIEVE THAT BULLSH-T HYPE…
WELL BE RETIRED BY THE TIME THEY FORCE IT DOWN OUR THROATS, IT’S ALL GREED!!!
All the variables that computers can’t deal with are fixable they just have to take the weather out of the picture… That is as easily said as done….once they figure it out it will be done. And automated cars AND trucks will be HERE.
Yes
LMFAO! Hahaha u cats are making me think about that latest version of Blade runner 2049….. yeah man I bought it a couple months ago. All that autonomous crap. Blah blah blah…dude above is correct in saying that the state of autonomy is lightyears away. Quit trippin on that. Y’all mark my words on this part: the changes are gonna be mostly about using personal conveyance. Jan 15th was my initial safety audit. The FMCSA rep actually told me that if you use it, u gotta put that truck in the opposite direction of the duty goal. I was like ok dude so let’s say that I was down to 3 hours left in my day… I use my GPS, my apps and all my resources to find a suitable parking spot up ahead in order to maximize my time. But as I’m passing these spots, I notice that they’re all full now. Let’s say that over the course of the past 2 hours, I know that there’s no parking back behind me (which is the opposite direction of the duty goal).. So in which fairytale universe do you think I’m gonna turn around after running outta time, and with the foreknowledge that there’s NO PLACE back that way Cochise! Lolol. Yeah he said I made a valid argument and this is what the “changes” are gonna be focused on. Deacon Blues is outta here y’all. I gotta get back to this DAT and see how bad they’re gonna hurt me today…
If all the states had to put in “Trucks Only” rest areas for 10% of the trucks that crossed or Pre Passed a scale, on any given Interstate per day, there wouldn’t be a truck parking problem. OH, I am sorry, I was being too much of an IDEALIST!!!!!
I think it should be just 12 on 12 off. Shorter days split as needed and a longer 84 hour week with no recap, no 14 hour rule, and no 30 min. Break. Want 4 on 4 off? Done. 6 on 6 off ? Done. Dont work over12 hours in a 24 hour day. Puts us back on a 24 hour. Clock. Plus at the start of every day every single truck driver in the country has the same available working hours each day to make dispatching simpler.
Too easy! The bureaucrats need more paperwork to justify their jobs, and trick the people into forfeitures.
I like the tree your barking up, but 12 and 12 is unfortunately inflexible. Even when doing splits, you have to pay the piper. I would go with 12 hrs of on duty (driving or not driving) and 10 hr break. With being able to split the break into 2 parts. 1 between 2-4 hrs and the other 6-8hrs. I agree get rid of the 14 and 30 min DOT break. I wouldn’t do 84 a week, but up it to 72 from 70. Of course recapping still option if you want to work every single day out. Some just prefer to run yourself ragged for 6 days then take a day off. So 34hr restart would still be an option.
I like that idea.
Whoa whoa whoa….back it up..You have put real thought in to this, you’re going to confuse the politi-critters with all that brain power…
REALLY 84 HOURS ?
You must not drive truck
That would be my assumption
I know as a local driver I’m happy with the 14/10 rule and eld devices
No more of my company forcing me to work over 14 and no more of less than 10 off
And when asked if I can take a particular load
If I can’t I say no and they give me another.
It’s that simple NO CHEATING no LYING straight forward ADULTHOOD and responsible driving
We need to eliminate the hos. Every time the fmcsa attempts to tweak the hos they make things worse. ELD’s have been a disaster. Accidents involving big trucks are up. Parking is much more difficult. Drivers are more aggressive and not getting their rest. The hos needs to go away. Period.
Exactly. The HOS is a rigid, “one size fits all” solution in a multi- sized, multi- faceted, multi-player industry. It’s like “one size fits all” pants for every man in America.
The ELD is just an electronic device to track compliance with the HOS. Just like paper logs were.
This article said nothing. As far a HOS changes go from 10hr off to 8 it off get rid of the 30 minute break, Mabe extend the 14 work to 16hr.
They should also concern this they should allow us to go home when we are 1 to 2 hrs away from home terminal this way we are more relaxed spending qualty time with family instead staying in rest area more stressed spending fuel and food money and taking parking spot just tell start after 11 or 12 hrs if you used extra hrs this way rest areas have more parking this option only for home terminal only tks.
Send post card with complaints.
Ray Martinez
USDOT FMCSA700 Washington Street East Geary Plaza, Suite 205 Charleston, WV 25301
Ray do have a CDL of any type or every drove a big truck of any size. How many people in this fmcsa has a CDL in force now. If you don’t you need get out of this f up FMCSA. I am a flat land RED NECK HILLBILLY I been a driver from back in the 60ths and this EDL is by far the most UNSAFE thing the government has ever FORCED on the trucking industry in history of trucking
I agree that ELD/Hos made the roads a lot more dangerous. Find another career soon drivers ! The plan is to push all owner ops and small companies out . The finance company , banks , insurance companies are all down with the plan . Wake up and look around you . With these EGR DEF time bombs on our trucks the owner op doesn’t stand a chance anymore. And ask to get a glider kit financed or older truck and your denied ! They don’t want you to make it they want you out . So let’s stay around til they can’t use us anymore OR leave now lol . Good luck
Exactly. They have more control and power over a few companies than they do over a larger number of independents. Just like they force telephone companies to do through payoffs and secret laws to spy on everyone’s businesses, they now can control the masses, prices, who is allow to do business and who isn’t. This never was about safety but rather about surveillance.
All I want to change is the way the 14-hr rule cannot be postponed. If you get sleepy, you should be able to take a rest break in the sleeper to get refreshed.
Stop the clock. Take a break stop the clock, clock restarts when break is done.
Log Book makes a paper trail soo company’s can track income .
Driver’s you decide when you can drive safely.
Start your day and end your day everyday the same – paper-work is just part of it .
Log Book makes a paper trail soo company’s can track income .
Driver’s you decide when you can drive safely.
Start your day and end your day everyday the same – paper-work is just part of it .
Bdysjnbsdjdjsdjs
Them HOS have always been a problem in trucking.
Exactly what he said! Read between the lines., they are getting high amounts of data from their monitoring and surveillance program called ELD and it will stay that way like it or not.
I could care less how the FMCSA screws things up, after 35 plus years i’m done, tired of the harassment I can change my own diapers i’m a big boy now, the idiots in charge are being paid off to change the rules while the game is still in play
sick and tired of people that know little to nothing deciding how my life has to
be lived, what I do on my time off is none of their dam business, no more cents
per mile, no more percentage both needs to eliminated everyone should be
paid hourly period set hours per day no more log hours no more appointments
first come first serve, no PSP’s that’s individual profiling this has become a targeted profession by the insurance industry get ready their taking over
5200 comments he better tread carefully when making changes. I could careless about using ELD there has to be more flexibility with making notes to justify using extra time when delays happen.
OK so we are in this mess because of this agency listening to “special interest groups” now we expect them to listen to us, another special interest group, of course not everybody will be happy even if these new rules ever make it to full implementation. The way I see it they need to slow down and get some valid real world medical data involved. This changing the rules to “satisfy” the masses needs to stop.
Stop arguing and let’s take action.like back in the old days,when the People stand over the GOV.thanks to people’s like you and me the gov can make warever they one with us,because we don’t have the balls to stop our Truck’s for just one week and let know the country truckers life matters. Remember don’t go away,instead fight for you right,live free or die…🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷
I love this its in my blood,but I have had it,sold my truck to much fighting drivers cut me off,cars cut me off,no parking,cheap loads,ELD…go go go.
Wish you all luck…fmcsa fix it?..they haven’t yet,I don’t think they can or want to……..I will miss it,I love this so
Jesus , I wasted time to read an article that said jack shit
Again and again I keep saying ‘shut down’ let’s take 10 days off!… Why nobody talk about that here?… It’s just unbelievable that you people don’t see it, don’t learn from history!… Nothing is gonna ever change for drivers and owner operators if we don’t stop working and bring the country to a halt. Nothing will ever change till we stop and the citizen of this country starts rioting on the street of America. They will do what we want and fast, very fast! THERE ARE SOME DRIVES WITH BALLS THAT ARE PLANNING TO STOP ON APRIL 4.
Drivers do not stick together. Someone always undercutting you or downing you. Trucking is a terrible job.
It will take just as long for fully automated trucks to hit the road as it will for YOU to learn a new career. After 2 million miles, I got off the road two years ago and learned a new trade. You know the ship is sinking, get out now!
Just get rid of the 70 hour rule
Problem solved
Somehow make a law drivers are eligible for 1 full day off for each 5 to 7 days at work.
I think this 1 law could slow us down make us able to catch up on lost work.
Anyways this is my idea
They could start with getting rid of the useless 30-minute rule.
The autonomous truck thing is being used as a scare tactic to bring drivers to heel, and drive down freight rates and pay. Anyone who buys into it is a fool. The powers that be expect drivers to be stupid. You just have to ask yourself if you’re going to be a sucker. Yes, autonomous trucks are on the horizon. But they a lot of years away from being a real threat. Plenty of very big technological and practical hurdles remain. Drivers in the middle of their careers can expect to finish them. Someone just starting out better have a plan B.
As for the HOS thing, I think it’s a dog and pony show. The FMCSA has to do something to justify their existence. For the first time in my 25 year career I think the HOS are where they need to be. Leave it alone, and quit trying to please everybody.
Who cares about AI’s they’ll never do the compleat job there will always
be a need for a body, it’s to much intervention this is not a 9-5 job
it’s a JIT or wharehouse thing, their trying to fit a predictable schedule
to an unpredictable job, nobody operates the same loads are needed
when they’re needed these half wits are trying to program you to run
the way they want you to, they are using the AI’s as a tool in the brain
washing scam.
Everyone is different and there is nothing that will work for each individual because of our not possessing the same capabilities. The simple solution is 14 hour drive time in a 24 hour period. Must have 10 hours off duty in this same period of which 8 must be consecutive hours off duty. Problem solved but this is to simple. You can run eld or paper makes no differance.
You can only run paper for 7 days now. If you go past that and DOT checks you you’ve had a bad day.
it is the same as it has always been while the truck drivers are doing there job the lobbyists for the major carriers are meeting with the fmcsa looking after their best interest the only way for the truck driver to get a say or be taken seriously is for everybody to shut down for a week minimum but that won’t happen because the carriers know that we will never stick together because we are inherently stupid and that is what they play on
Most all of you are too young to remember the flat bedder strike of 1970. These were men, not the drivers of today who went to truck driving school because they couldn’t find a job after collage or they lost their’s to the recession . They shut down all modes of freight movement because they were not afraid to use force to shut down every other truck including owner operators, company and union. This was before the Werners and Hunts of today. This movement shut the country down like never before or since. There have been many” lets shut down” movements since and drivers are too scared to do it because they will be fired. Listen up— organize a shut down with ramifications.
There is a driver’s market out there now so roll up your sleeves and put up a fight.
Again, get FMSCA, and its ignorance about our industry, of our backs, we professional drivers know what we do, professional drivers being doing this since the beginning of times, when transportation was done by foot, today law makers, corpprations, assossiations and government officials. Who have no idea about transportantion, are ruling what they do.not.know anything about.. it enough… drivers need to organize and.stop.this for once.
Eight consecutive hours off, Fifteen hours on duty within the next twenty-four, Ten of those fifteen hours driving, Seventy hours available in eight consecutive days- Sixty hours in seven consecutive days if not 24/7 operation
These are the Hours of Service rules that WORKED for 50+ years.
‘Passenger-Carrying Vehicle Drivers’ still use them. ‘Property-Carrying Vehicle Drivers’ somehow have to ‘deal with’ more restrictive rules.
Why?
drivers are worrying about robot trucks when you need to be worried about Guatemalans and Mexicans taking your jobs. Let’s get the wall built and cut off these illegals
Illegals cant get a CDL. Im not against a wall but there are many other important things to pay attention. We are saying that we are the greatest nation in the world but we cant even pay for a missing teeth. Healthcare and property tax needs more attention than the illegals. We are pouring billions of dollars to healthcare system and we are getting nothing back. Corporate greed is another problem but healthcare has to be fixed first.
When the Mandate was announced, I hunted 2 pre99 trucks. Everyone saying it wouldn’t pass.
I bought 2 1998 KWs. Fit em up, road ready. New rebuild in one, other parked. Stayed in my 07 till the week of implementation.
Never lost a day, still on paper, will never go Elog.
Planning, people. It’s a good thing.
TURN THE KEY TO OFF DRIVERS!!!!!!!!!!. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE ANYTHING BETTER. WE HAVE TO GO HOME. SHOW THE GOVERNMENT JUST HOW IMPORTANT TRUCKERS ARE. WE CAN SHOW THEM BETTER THAN WE CAN TELL THEM. APRIL 12, DRIVERS SHUT IT DOWN!!!!!!!!! WE GOT TO DO THIS. TAKE THIS TIME TO GO DO YOUR TAXES IF YOU HAVEN’T GOT THEM DONE. SHUT IT DOWN, MAKE THEM LISTEN TO US. THEY CAN’T TELL YOU WHEN YOU CAN GO HOME. THEY MAY TELL YOU WHEN TO DRIVE AND WHEN TO GO TO BED AND GET UP, BUT NOT WHEN YOU CAN GO HOME DRIVERS, LESS GO HOME!!!!!!
Nope. Get rid of the 8 hour Sleeper berth rule
I am a local driver.
Local Drivers- no need for 30-minute breaks. We’re in and out of our trucks enough to keep us safe and alert. 12 hours driving and 2 hours off duty. 10 hours logged out for our rest.
Amen to that reality check Buck. Hey drivers, the robotic equipment is not a future we have to worry about. It’s those driver’s coming across our southern border that is the real threat to all our welfare.
The left wing media complains about damage being done to those families walking thousands of miles to invade America, and not one word is written about the destruction to our families being done by those illegals willing to work for half the pay we make. Our family’s security is being stolen in broad daylight by the people the liberals want to allow into our nation. They want to give them legal status in exchange for the votes they give in return.
Our jobs and family’s welfare are threatened by the illegals in our immediate society today. Not by some imaginary robotic truck driven by some one in an office thousands of miles away.
Ok ?what’s the changes?2more years and I’m back yard pool bound!yu’all can keep this chit.yup let’s see how they can screw this up!
Autonomous trucks are a terrorist dream come true.
You got that right man. If they actually believe the Russians hacked into the presidential election….
Just imagine what the Chinese electronics wizards could do with computer- controlled semi’s!!!
Those absolut stupid mean people who wrote this hrs of service law..are irresponsible and disconected from reality..I’ll put them in jail for endangering innocent people and wasting 700, 000 hrs of labor every day with this unnecessary half hrs break.We need to sleep but not yo drive like maniacs to make it to delivery…Its so outrageous….I hate them
In the first place who are you cheating? You listen to people and you come up with these sound bites. Trucking was much safer before all this ELD. Now it’s a nightmare, for some it’s perfect others its breaking them ( owner operaters), it’s the best law money could buy ( lobbyist) for the ATA and big corporations. The little guy gets left out, the ones that want to work and make a living (safely is shut down forced out ) only about 5% of the people think another 5 or 10% think they the rest would rather died than think. Trucking is as varied as the peoples of the world, every ones wants to go in their on direction without any thought of where to go concerning the whole, therefore the wolves attack. Wake up sheep.
Ppl are happy to eat.. Going shopping and getting new cars. Staying home with family such a great job to be home with their kids.
This guy has no right to be president. Us truckers break our backs to supply the needs is this country.
Stop making life so much harder than what it is. We are making the grade shotgun advice for the American people we do not go home to our families we are away from home a long periods of time get out of my job you can’t share their inmate rules until you get out of here and live the way that we have to live and I was you people got to do step deck and push papers and push papers and make rules when you don’t have a damn clue what you’re talking about
I continue to see this recurring theme of “they just want about to replace us with autonomous trucks.” While there may be a desire to bring them online, I can assure you this is decades away. You would first have to see the mainstream use in cars first as well, which hasnt happened. A lot of you are also thinking 1 dimentionally too. While autonomous truck may replace a lot of OTR positions when they finally go mainstream, they can replace other trucking jobs. Jobs like LTL and P&D, Food and Beverage delivery, Intermodal and Final Mile, Oil and Gas as well as Fuel delivery. Only OTR jobs woukd be going away, and that is decades away.
Revoke ELD. It makes drivers tired, nervous, angry etc. Doesn’t contribute to safer roads.
You guys are funny! We all know a “driver strike ” will never happen. They know it will never happen. It’s a wonderful idea that will work, but it won’t happen. All jobs have rules and regulations. ELDs are here because drivers cheated logs and companies forced drivers to drive in unsafe conditions. When we were under the old rules and paper logs I did it as a driver. The ELDs are here because of the “Old Timers” who used things like west coast turn around and high speed chicken feed. Hell, there were country songs about it. So, tell me, how are ELDs any different than using a GPS rather than a paper map or Microsoft word instead of paper and pen? Yep, you can’t cheat and run illegally. Keep crying about how dangerous e logs are. They aren’t, it’s the whackos driver that’s high on math driving 3 days straight and runs into a line of stopped traffic at 70mph. I hated my last job so I quit. I love driving so I work with in the regulations. I miss the old days when drivers helped each other, now it’s all hate and discontent. We can’t even work together on the road what makes you clowns think we can do it Congress?
Your partially correct. It wasn’t that we cheated the logs, but that we learned how to run so you where not killing people, I never met a DOT officer that didn’t know how driver ran there logs. Yes it was nice when drivers helped one another, I remember a time when if you didn’t have a CB you would not last on the road. Drivers use to stop and check on driver on the side of the road or at least call them on the CB and if he could help him he would stop at the first phone and get him help. Now I pass by drivers texting, holding a phone to there ear, watching netflix on a tablet, or with there left leg up on the dash. Someone please tell me how that is safe? Traffic comes to a stop and you can usually tell the ones with CB’s because there already slowing down, but the ones without CB’s will come speeding up and trying to stop because there not keeping up on whats going on. That being said, your right until Driver start sticking together and helping one another, nothing will change.
Well this is another indicator on “Why I’m Glad I retired! 40+ years and I saw a thriving industry, turn into a safety driven, and simplistic. Then came the 80’s, 90’s, and early 2000’s. The overwhelming integration of Ruthless Mega’s take over The DC culture, by preying on unqualified Central Gov’t admins. Last Admin I saw had knowledge as well as real compassion was Ann Sandberg, She was Dot Cop, and knew the basics to apply when NPRM’s were considered. Safety rose, recordable accidents went down, including those not of the driver’s fault. I find it amazing how blatant, even in Martinez rhetoric, “Not everyone’s going to be happy!’ Why not?, Why can’t everybody be happy? Don’t go into an investigation, or collection of info/data, knowing past data, was wrong! It doesn’t take a scientist to figure a safe effective way to work on making a ruling with all types, forms, and diversities in Trucking/Transportation.
Why do an inframe, when all ya need is a radiator cap?
The rules would be just fine if we got paid by the hour. But having no control over how long it will takes being loaded or unloaded. Even with traffic Jams , bottle necks or construction delays. Even the best planners can’t predict the future or even if there going to be a parking spot at the end of the day. How about missing appointments times or loads being cancelled even being fine for being late.
All you drivers need to wake up and actually read the information out there on autonomous trucks. Its ALOT closer than you think. We aren’t talking full automation, it will be in increments starting in 10 years minimum. Frigid air and ryder are already running autonomous trucks from el paso to Pomona beach daily. Amazon is already running autonomous from Chicago to Seattle daily. The first wave will make us hourly wage earners as a driver will most likely still be required to be in the seat but not in control. A driver will be required to finish out the last few miles to load/unload then as warehouses become modernized the bots will be able to back in and we will be entirely replaced. 20 years max and there will be no human truck drivers. 5g high speed data was the las nail in the coffin now these autonomous vehicles can communicate over a high speed network. Wake up we are dinosaurs.
There is truth to this..whether the time frames are accurate is to be seen but id say its possible but id push it out 20 yrs because regardless the programming isnt there and the chips still need to be faster processing. And the overall skill of the programmers ability to encompass more in the programming that allows the machine to differentiate as much as humans do. The machines mimic the obvious things but its often the subtle unconscious things we react to naturally and adjust our behaviors that are missing in the machines programmed processing. Its inevitable that machines will take over. Hell even transferring hard objects thru space is coming. I think once the quantum computer is real and useful then we will start moving objects thru space. Like star trek. Ya scan something here n it will replicate thousands mile away. 3d printing is already able to print metal objects so it can create electronics and complex plastic n metalic items which when they get faster manufacturing will change also. No need to move something when you can produce it in yer back yard. China created a giant one that prints out entire walls for a building. Its slow today but so where computers when they started.
I’m reading through several comments, not many of which are well thought out, sounds like a bunch of juveniles complaining. I’ve been doing this 23 yrs now. Company driver an owner operator, and it’s never perfect for everyone, we deal with it and do our best and keep trucking.
I want to address “Cheating” That term seems to come from a generation that has never used paper and has heard second hand bullshit that comes from ATA and big freight companies. Truth is when most of us fudge on paper it is because we shut down for a little while and took a nap, or let rush hour go by without being part of the problem. Or I’m only an hour from the house I can tighten up my log and sleep in my bed rather than letting my rig idle all night saving money and wear on my truck. Truthfully the professional trucker doesn’t want to drive anymore than 11 hrs allowed, it’s the 14 hr window to get it done in is the problem. Cheating is not what it seems to be to this generation of drivers. I was a better and safer more rested driver when I was on paper logs, and was never in violation and never late for delivery on paper. As I speak my 98 is in the shop being rebuilt. And this 2012 will be for sale soon. Drivers also need to keep in mind that we don’t all fit the same mold, what works for coast to coast and mega carriers don’t always work for regional and short haul guys. Be safe, be professional and set a good example for others to follow and learn from. Keep On Truckin!!
So right, I ran paper logs for 35+ years and will say that not one driver has ever had a 100% accurate log, including myself. If I was minutes from home when my drive time was up, guess what I went home! The ELD is not a real problem, it’s the rules behind it that cause our problems. The 30 break is wrong, if you stop for a decent meal (if you can find something other than fast food) you are going to more than 30 anyway. The 14 hour rule is the worst ever. Common sense says when your 11 is up you take 10 off. All the 14 does is make you push harder. It’s like the shot clock in b-ball or the play clock in football. Push harder or be penalized to get your driving in. As a regional driver now I am constantly bumping the 14 with only 8 to 9 hours actual driving time per day.
Simple: Drop the 30 and the 14. Leave the 11 and 10 up to the driver to use as needed for his/her daily drive.
It’s not just autonomous trucks people need to start worrying about…. It’s also 3d printing which is becoming cheaper by the day.
Why ship parts all around the world when you can just print them at your own location?
Throw out the 14 hour rule and let us run our 11 hours within a 24 hour day. Will have better rested drivers.
I love reading all the pissy comments. For years truckers demanded changed and now that change is coming they won’t shut up about how terrible it’s going to be.
Exactly
I say go back to the old rules and most everyone will be happy
The ELD should have been a restriction for new CDL graduates only. Just like the auto-trans restriction. The drivers delivering the goods should have remained on paper, no driver shortage had this been implemented. Paper logs made it easy to document your activities as you needed to get the job done. You had a choice to drive or sleep as needed. The ELD forces drivers to take breaks and drive at odd hours. It would be better if shippers and receivers were on board, but they aren’t. Today the ELD is like a race, wait until the last minute before pressing the go button, then drive like a bat outta hell just to get it done… How does so much stress and pressure added to the driver create a safer environment??? Also the ELD moves the driver from 1st shift to 3rd shift to accommodate a consignee on a same day notice, very difficult to be rested for that??? Anybody who wants to drive a truck is welcome to start these days, no requirements needed. Changing recruiting and training would make this industry safer. ELD will never solve that…
The only way to get there attention is to shut down and starve them a little while
The Elog system works fine if you know how to use it..
Is it perfect No..all DC should be aware of a driver’s ELOG is an everybody issues, including modifying DL test so passenger vehicle drivers know this ain’t No SUV,even DOT/Law enforcement have made driving & managing time harder.Who’s idea wasn’t to make trucks on the left lane in construction site..??so we can let a construction vehicle in the lane with a convoy behind so everyone breaks.????
These passenger vehicles owning the center lane,as if there are NO other lanes..
Then cops ignore passenger cars cut a truck off.?but there quick to mess with the truck..these are the people & policy makers that are making trucking HARD.there should be a NATION wide driver protest to force change..
Greed runs this business everyone wants $…that’s how people get killed in this business…Elog has its ups & downs like everything if you abuse it the GOV gets involved…
The article didn’t say a word about HOS or what was going to make people “not happy.” So why is everybody talking about Auto Trucks and everything else except what the article was talking about. The article didn’t talk about anything.
Us truckers need to Park the trucks till Elds are gone.it will only take a week.come on truckers grow some balls.
notice the comments about more wrecks involving trucks- take a look at the real issue many times is the 4 wheelers- especially younger drivers. we need to take a look at reforming basic driver education before people can drive a car- and they should add a segment on safety around a big truck. better yet- make everyone ride or simulate driving a big rig for 3 hours even. perhaps that will get them to realize 80k lbs does not stop as fast as their Prius
If I YAWN say right now. Will anyone
Get upset with me???
Funny….the old rules worked good for over 40 years….
Need to be able to split ones day up. Instead of once your day starts you have 14 hours till you have to shut down. This would help with road fatigue and when drivers show up at shippers or receivers and have to wait 6,8,10 hours to be loaded or unloaded.
My problem is when you spend 21 years in the Army and are required to function on very little if any sleep to be able to continue a mission, I can not sleep longer than 4 hrs a night, my body has been conditioned for that. But if I wanted to take a nap, I should be able to make that decision, not the government. Not sure if anyone has thought about it but living inside that truck for 2-3 weeks at a time and the area inside that truck is very similar to a Prison cell, if you don’t think so just spend a couple days in one. Same deal with the 30 minute break, I stop when I get hungry or need to stop, I should not be require to sit for 30 minutes if I get my food and take care of my business before returning to driving. Most O/O have food and comforts in there truck, so if we decide to make a sandwich or get a snack and return to driving should be my choice. Now I am an O/O and I drive when I feel comfortable driving. The survey just came out the other day about the ELD’s and the major problems there causing, More accidents, lack of safe parking, etc… The ELD’s have drivers rushing to get to a truck stop to get parked before they receive a violation on the HOS. I have fought for this country and the freedom we are guaranteed by the Constitution I signed and took an Oath to defend. Now its time for the government to start making these companies that are “so called training these new drivers” to take more time to be responsible for training them right and not rushing them thru to get them in a truck to go out and hurt them self or someone else. No one should need a device to tell you when to eat, sleep and drive. But until drivers stop just accepting government controls, its not going to change. If you don’t believe that just research the trucking strike of the 70’s, it worked then and it would work now.
Driver’s are being used like toilet paper, one day self driving trucks and automated loading and unloading will be common practice .Then a lot of people will get layed off , no need for drivers or dispatchers.
If you really want to see changes happen to HOS rules FAST, apply them to EVERY driver on the road. Can you imagine a homemaker trying to figure out if they have enough hours available to get to the store for that ONE item needed for dinner? How much overtime pay (I know, “What’s that?”) would be lost if everyone was limited to a certain number of hours “on duty” per week? Why should only truck drivers be limited in the amount they can make?
I dont get why it’s so hard to figure out hours of service? I dont know about you all but if I want to stop for dinner I do. If I want to stop for a shower I do. I dont need a government mandated half hour break. I also dont need the 14hr rule. On eld’s I cant violate 10hr sleeper and 11hr drive. Let me manage my time as I need to use it. I am ok with 70 in 8, i dont want to work more than 70hrs a week anyways.
They are procrastinating at FMSCA.Like in Brazil,drivers should risecm up and put an end to this FMSCA tyranny!
We Trucker’s all just need to be paid by the HOUR. I say start paying@35$anhr. I personally started in 1994.raised4 kids. Now days with this ELDcrap a trucker be lucky to raise two kids and live comfortably.
FMSCA MEMBERS DO NOT THAT KNOW WHATS THE GOING ON OUT HERE IN THE REAL WORLD OF TRUCKING,,,,,THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT WE NEED ,,,,
IF YOU DROP THE 14 HR AN 30 MIN BREAK ,I ASSURE YOU THE ROADS WOULD BE A LOT SAFER ALL THE AROUND ,,,,
Thankfully the rules are so confusing most dot officers can’t keep up and just roll you on through because they don’t feel like worrying about it.
Get a strike out of your head. Its not going to happen. Ever. Why get worked up about something that’s obviously impossible. People are so dumb.I can’t miss two weeks pay to make two weeks pay in one week three weeks from now and every week thereafter?that’s basically the excuse I hear. Can’t miss two weeks of a fourty thousand dollar year to make 80,000 next year.maybe exaggerating a little but still, that’s dumb.because they’re so broke working for nothing they’re not lying, they literally can’t miss a week which is the way the company designed it.duuuuhhh.
I can. I work for myself . I’m 100% independent O/O . I work hard when I get pay good money and I save . I work enough to pay mi insurance and everything else when I get ok money , which is at least 2.00 per mile . I REFUSE to haul for less than that.
However, you are right . There some people who get beautiful and expensive toys with credit cards. So, they can’t stop working and in my opinion that is very very stupid !!!! But , as you say , the economic system is designed to get you in debt and we are so fkng dumb to get trap into it. Unfortunately, all of us are in this business and if some of us haul loads for cheap dirt , then all of us get screwed.
Well Martinez has not driven a truck but was elected sounds fight. Just leave it along and go back to log books and just make the violations stricter and fire that clown Martinez or sorry he works for the other clowns who makes the rule.i do apologize.
The only way for autonomous trucks to become a reality, is to make every car on the road autonomous as well. You cannot have autonomous trucks while people are around them driving cars like maniacs. Send through Atlanta at 8:00am 🤣
im not quite getting the articles heading and the content. We already know this is going on from previous articles and its safe to assume everyone isnt gonna be happy because thats humanly impossible..but i was half expecting to read some findings that would help me determine the level of exhilaration i might experience. It says absolutely nothing more than whats already been said..Maybe someone needed to turn in an article and this was a last ditch desperate throw together?
Here’s a thought… What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. We are under the strict HOS regulations and they the pencil pushers are under labor laws. So let’s make sure that they follow the labor laws to the letter including enforcement of the two fifteen minute breaks and a 30-minute lunch every four hours because technically it’s illegal to work through them. Failure to comply with these rules as with the rest of the businesses in the United States will result in a hefty fine from the Bureau of labor. Oh yeah and let’s require them to punch a time card.
Or better yet, let’s just require them to follow our HOS including logging. Emergency meeting? Sorry, I’m out of hours. Working late, sorry honey, got to sleep in the office tonight I’m out of hours, working lunch? Not currently legally allowed either. In other words, it’s easy to be like a parent and say do as I say not as I do.
The truth is that at the end of the day when you park the truck, everyone else goes home to be with their families. The way God intended life to be. But not a OTR driver. We are on duty 24 hour a day. I don’t care how the greedy companies or the confused government puts it. We are responsible for the truck & the cargo. So that makes you a 24 hour on duty worker. Unffair labor practices is what that is. Further more the comsumption of the fuel that my truck burns is never cover on the load 100%. I am not fooled my the deseaving math. Too much Big Government making rules on driving Semi trucks, without ever going going behind the to drive one or go on a month Tour with s Real Big Truck driver to see & feel for them selbed what is really happening in the Real world of commercial transportation. This is not trucking anymore and we shouldn’t be call truckers. This is straight up commercialized Greed that is not taking in consideration the Commercial Drivers that don’t accept the slogan (Trucker) I believe in safety 100% but is not about safety anymore. We are been targeted by olot of lying crooks with badges. I make a living driving and the Fed’s and local governments do also by ticketing and making a lot of unrealistic rules. Yes the industry should be regulated I agree. But wages and the unfair treatment to the Commercial Drivers should also be respected
I’ve been a commercial driver for 30 years class B and few years class A combined I was thinking of driving class A again for a friend but now I’m really think is a maybe , today if we go out on the road locally here in California a 10 hour drive we have to send 2 drivers then my boss starts this nonsense I’m just gonna pay certain hours I tell him No whatever time I spent behind the wheel or on the road you’re paying me it really sucks that martines or who ever works for Fmcsa never held a commercial license this is just like a dispatcher whose never driven commercially.
30 years for the last of the Cowboys it was fun while it lasted time to give it up let them have it
They (fmcsa) screwd up what we have now. So they have come back after we’ve adjusted to their screw ups , and tell us we’re not going to be happy with the future screw ups that they’re going to impose on us once again. Tired of these rocket scientists!
You want to put up a wall on the Mexico border? How about Somalia? Seeing more in Minnesota than I care to. Pushing rates down. April 12th I’ll shut down for 3 days and do my part. If to many drivers still drive then I’ll go part time and help out that way. I also hear from the warehouse guys on forklifts that the English speaking drivers are getting few and far between. That’s probably why drivers don’t stick together. Foreigners are hurting the trucking industry. You eld lovers know not what you are talking about. Whoa!!! Times up, gotta roll
You brought up good points, however , we as real O/O are the only one to be blame for . We can shut down till this ELD control goes away . And you lease O/O grow a pair and stop making more and more stronger to those mega trucking . Mega trucking are the one hiring people from anywhere in the world . They don’t give a f as long as they make money !!!!
I’m not on the rd no more. Lost everything I owned to trucking. Yea i did run from company to company,. Bc I could not afford to stick around see which one was gone pay me as I was told. I give 110 every day in whatever I do. But most co.companies dont care bout the real core of the industry which is the drivers. But ok enough of that but what I think is not probably going to matter. But anyways I think they should let drivers have the freedom of choosing when an not to drive in a 14 hr period. Hey say what ya want but if they give little more freedom back an make trucking what it was, shortage wouldn’t be a issue. .I say if they mess up due to hrs of service an get ticket or anything in general, 1st time take away privilages an go back to what originally the elds were that we all hate so much for 90 days. 2nd time suspended no pay an 120 days 3 time gone out the door. But we need to be able to have something that means lots as a family tradition as I know I have grown up from long line of truckers but it’s not what I thought it was gone be as my generations before me use to love this career. I did to an wanted to meet my pops. An grandad an so on expectations but of course this crooked society we live in today will not be fair an treat all with respect an the value of driver once was. U want so much from drivers gove some back for once. Thanks
As a female driver that is going deal with what ever the changes might be, I will either have to put up or shut up. If I am going to continue to drive I am going to do it less stress fully. I work when I want and stay home when I want. I am not rich or ever will be but I am happier than having a 9 to 5 job every week. If I want to go visit family, I’m off. I know the laws, abide by them best I can and walk away for a time out. I found my life.
But, I hear and like the comments. These changes we all are concerned with. need our feedback heard. Kudos everyone!
The new ELD rules have trucks going to the driveline at 5 miles per hour. This is crazy. All of the customers, drop yards or terminal have there own speed limit. As a driver you can’t drive across the yard without the omnitracs and speed sensor tripping the driveline.The FMSCA doesn’t have anyone who has driven truck or has held a CDL on there staff. This needs to change. Why is there any speed limit at all for drivers moving across the yard. The feds have to eat also. Do they think the food somehow by magic shows up at there store.There are a few bad drivers out there. As a previous driver. I’d say 99% of the drivers are tying to support them selfs or there families.
Left trucking bought 2 cheap bobtails and a really cheap truck with 16 foot utility trailer, haul junk and move stuff locally for people and bring home around 2500 a week after all expenses — I’m good now and trucking can screw off
Let’s see one of these trucks deliver to some of the consignees I deliver to or pick up a load at some of the shippers I pick up from. They will have to force these companies to change their complete shipping and receiving departments!
If you don’t drive a truck and never have why do you wanna make laws you can’t see work..most of these drivers couldn’t fill out a log so now all of us get reprimanded for it..this is what driving us out ..over regulated ..and not enough training for those trained..and all you guys can worry about is hos…
The HOS was never intended for the corporate companies to be in control of the drivers,however that’s all the HOS does.
We the drivers are more than capable of deciding how and when to drive,we are not office personnel and if were goin ro b treated as such all of us company drivers should b hourly from the time we leave our home and start the truck.
Not all rules fit one size for everyone,let’s face it the corporate companies want control their not looking at our safety or the general public’s safety…..
Sadly government regulates to the lowest common denominator. I drove for three years while I put myself through law school. I’m here to tell you that reelection donations and contributions to bureaucrats make regulations not comments. As for the hos and eld I did both paper and eld they both have plus and minus. The simple fact is that the driver even in an eld is the biggest problem and greatest strength. I pushed 3000 + weeks on e logs no problem and with the 30 mandatory you just have to draw in the lines. Yes paper allows for someone who doesn’t pay attention to make up for a mistake but it’s not the log that makes you unsafe. As for autonomous trucks. Until there is an insurance company willing to stake a billion in the liability they will be fringe appearances. The three programs to date have all been shuttered. Legally speaking until a CEO of an insurance company is willing to risk his financial and fiduciary duty to his stock holders of a trucking company willing to risk their entire financial future steps up it won’t happen. CEO’s can be held criminally liable for a negligent decision and with no driver to testify it means that the data from the truck will be used good luck with that. First of all it would all be private and a state would have to breech corporate liability or subpoena the data. Remember when the nsa wanted apple to crack the phone lock for the Cali shooter?
How many of you have kids. I mean actual still kids under 18 or grandchildren under 18. How many of them have a phone or a device that’s connected to net in some sort of way. When was the last time any of you stopped an actually took a really good look at the world we are leaving in now. The world is changing and the trucking industry is just in the catching up phrase of it. The industry that we have all came to be a part of is a firing one period an it’s not because we aren’t hard working individuals, but because our kids an their kids , and their kids to come live in a digital world. Turn back the hands of time just 15 yrs guys. We were waiting in lines at trk stops to talk on the phone, or sitting down for supper hinged to phone on the wall. Calling shippers n receivers for directions, and buying new paperback or laminated maps to get us where we were going. We have all watched the world go from analog to digital n for some reason we expect for our industry to stay in the Stone Age. If this is ur passion then I would suggest that you be open to change and if it’s just a job then just keep complaining because it’s happening wether you want it to or not. This new generation wants it all at their finger tips and they don’t care how it gets there. They don’t care if we bring it or a drone bring it just as long as it there. We are a dying breed and the government is just trying to get a head of the curve when it comes to transportation of goods and ecommerce. I know it’s hard to believe but stop and take a good look the next time you stop in for a coffee or a burger look for a younger version of yourself, and if you happen to find them shake their hand n tell them Tks for keeping the drive alive ……
I’d like to see 16 hours on duty an 13 hours of drive time.
20 hrs straight was just my usual day. Not bc I wanted to be an outlaw, not bc I needed the money. It’s just how I sleep, and that’s what I loved doing. Nothing better then being alone on the freeway pitch black no one around you for miles just the road the stars and some good tunes on the radio. I didn’t need no drugs to keep me up
I didn’t have no company pushing me. Hell I don’t even drink coffee, never have . I only sleep 4hrs a night. I don’t even drive anymore and still sleep the same way. I’ve been sleeping like that since I was 17-18, but I gave up trucking not too long b4 the eld bs, and sold my shit. I got tired of the government trying to tell me when and how long to sleep. Trucking ain’t just a job…… for some it’s a lifestyle. I still live the life style just traded in 18 for 2, and the radio for some Vance and Hines. Any body can Drive a truck now put it in D push in the big red and yellow button turn on your gps put your headset on and push the right pedal down when you need to stop your log book will tell you and when you’re done for day you got got your Xbox a tv direct TV a microwave a fridge. I always had all that stuff to….. at home where it’s supposed to be. I stop at trucks stops now and then , and just amazes me what trucking has become…..what the “drivers” have become. I remember going with my grandpa and my dad how friendly truckers where how they would help you out it was somewhat of a brotherhood now it’s just me first and fuck everyone else now it’s 95% steering wheel holders 5% truck drivers if they got rid of the hos I wouldn’t be more dangerous you’d have your driver’s like myself that can drive from dusk till Dawn back till dusk again but most are too damn damn lazy can barley drive 11 hrs
1) I’d like to see the Government set an “national average driving speed” of say “50 MPH” for ‘trip planning’ and ‘customer price estimation’ purposes.
2) I’d like to see elimination of “pay by the mile” as that simply leads to a regulation book a mile thick, an ELD, police force, fines, govt beaucracy.
3) And I’d like to see Companies pay a flat 8 or 10 hour work day like any other 9-to-5 job. The pay rate and performance is between the company and the drivers.
Do those 3 things and you solved most of the fatigue, income and ELD issues including the need for an ELD and the big thick regulation book cause when you stop paying me, I’m no dummy, I’ll go to the nearest parking spot and stop driving until 9am the next day when my pay starts all over again. Hold me over at the dock, hey I get overtime pay.
Absolutely, they should abolish the 30 minute break rule and make it 1 hour off duty and stop the clock. Extend the 14 hour rule. They seem to never get it up I. Washington. We need truckers in government. They’re the only ones who can relate. Washington is killing us slowly. They always want to change the HOS but cant fix the parking problems.
I got into trucking for the freedom of being able to work when I want.Then the Gov. brings the 14 hour rule.Well there went freedom.So the easy hours of service fix.Keep the 11 hrs.of driving time and then we have to take a 10 hr.break in that 24 hr. Period.Simple and we have are freedom back.No 14 he. Rule.