PTL OMG!!!!

I simply cant get my head around you guys living in the worlds No1 super power, a bastian of the free world and a country that has put men on the moon not having night heaters as standard in your trucks.

We dont do asking "can i stay warm" over here, the truck heater goes on when, where and for how long I the driver wants. Its a basic human right.

First thing I do when I come on duty if its cold, flick the night heater on, pop out do my safety checks and bosh when i get back inside its nice and warm. Same while Im waiting to load, unload or when its zzzz time ...bang on the heater.

No asking ....I cannot believe you have all this hassle.

 

Its crazy isnt it? We could get alot done by joining together and fighting for our rights, but it will never happen with the mentality that most people in this country have.
For the guy that said to look at it from a business perspective. Youre forgetting the most important thing. The truck doesnt drive itself. If theres not a driver in that seat that isnt comfortable and gets proper rest, you can forget about buying those permits since you wont have a driver. Whos gonna put up with extreme conditions so his company can save a few bucks? Not me!
Keeping your driver comfortable IS an operating expense!

 

What you see is capitalism at it's finest ...

When workers are a "commodity", such as CDL holders - anything goes.

I'm just waiting for the first company to start charging "rolling apartment" rental fees.

Now I gotta go check on my pork bellies ...

 

I don't have any problem with a driver needing to idle the truck to keep warm, or to keep cool while sleeping, or waiting on a dispatch.
But how many drivers ABUSE the privelege? How many trucks do you see idling, while being fueled? Or a driver stops for lunch, and leaves the truck idling for a hour and a half, with no one in it, in 70 degree weather? Then, when they NEED to idle, the company complains, and the driver get's ticked!
A little common sense on BOTH sides of the fence would go a long way!

 

I didn't realize it was the drivers responibility for all of that' I thought your just hired to drive.If the company needs to cut down on expenses maybe they could turn the heat off at the office or stop making so much coffe or perhaps ride a bus to work. There are lots of ways to cut expenses but i'm sure you get the idea. I drove for a long time never, let the cheap ######## pay for the fuel without heat

 

Isn't that called a Lease (fleece)?

 

I'm just waiting for the first company to start charging "rolling apartment" rental fees.



I seen a post on here that a company charged drivers by payroll deductions because of excessive ideling!!!

 

i have never understood the lets freeze or sweet to death . you wouldnt do this at home or work . so why do they want ya to in the truck ? makes no sense to me

 

This issue more than any other concerns me. Temperature effects your health from sleep to body stress.

Money is tight. Company's do it because they can. People are out of work and truck driving and the army are often the only choices for some. So drivers are cheep and many.

Oddly the government mandates you not drive when hrs are up but offer no suggestion on how when you're freezing to death.

So sadly only more freight will change this for drivers. Until then freeze, boil, or step aside cause hundreds of new drivers are lined up.

I'm starting at Roehl come this Monday! Oddly I'm really optimistic and looking forward to the whole thing. Atleast I won't be falling off of ladders and roofs anymore lol.

 

Its that 30-40 guys waiting to take your truck that allows them to treat the drivers like crap. Until that changes they will not change.
The government mandates HOS, no idleing rules and wants to have on board recorders in every truck, maybe its time they mandate all trucks with a sleeper have a APU. Oh yeah, the truck lobby would just pay off the politicians to fight it.
Me, I will just stick with my day cab and a nice hotel if need be.