Stevens Transport Aviary . . cont'

I tried to be proactive and called Safety before I ran out sitting at a Walmart. I asked what I should do if I ran out... he said call back when you do. I said thank for all your help and wished him a good night.

 

The ugly truth is there is basically nothing that can be done if you run out of hours.
Dispatch will tell you nearly anything to get the load delivered. Yes, safety will give you permission to drive to the nearest parking, however it is still a violation. Yes they will let Compliance know you called and this just 'happened', and compliance won't hold it against you, however it is still a log violation and they are required to report it to CSA.
So the driver will get points even tho you followed instructions.
So here is my point: YOU the driver are responsible for your logs, equipment condition, medical card, license, etc. YOU are the one that has to take steps to protect it. No one else will.
So if you are running late, notify the company as soon as you know. If nothing gets done, you make the decision on what you will do. If you can't get to the receiver and back to a safe place...you make the decision.
Yes, there is lot's of noise and commotion, but you're the driver.
It is very rare the company will tow you out of a receiver when your clock is expired. That's a myth.
Careful planning and exectution will allay most of the problems, but not all. If you're proactive, those can be handled (mostly) without incident.
But YOU are the one who has to make the decisions.

 

I remember a huge argument I had with dispatch, my dm, over a load I repowered in cheyenne, going to chicago, to the safeway affiliate...

I knew there was no parking any where close, and that they did not allow parking on site. And I would arrive after driving for 9 to 10 hours, so there was no safe way to get unloaded there, and drive to a safe haven... Also I was told to just keep the load moving, and that he had a team to take it on in.... well something happened, and I refused to even attempt to make the delivery, and put myself in a bind.

After 2 hours of arguments, and me still progressing eastward, a repower appeared. One has to learn to stick to their guns, and not put themselves into a spot where you will be violating the HOS.

 

Its not a myth. I ran out of time at WalMart in Robert, LA. Called Mother as I was trained to do and they ended up towing me to the truck stop about 5 miles away. She said that I was the 5th or 6th either that day or week, I dont remember which. This was a few years ago and maybe things have changed. To me that seemed like a total waste of money as I remember the bill being $300-350.

 

Im just happy I've got the ability to use line 5 now. I have been screwed by so many recievers now i use it probably twice a week

 

There was a time I was on D&D and Safety called and asked if one of us would drive a truck from Compton to Ontario for a driver out of hours that Ralph's had kicked off their lot.

 

Forgive a trainee not knowing...what is line 5?

 

You cannot use line 5 in your described situation. It is for personal use of a commercial vehicle and cannot advance your point of dispatch. So just by leaving a receiver, you are advancing closer to your point of dispatch. It's misused a lot, but if ever audited, you'd be subject to fines as well as the company. But the chances of that happening for smaller company is nil.
The feds audit for money. not for safety. Stevens has much deeper pockets (therefore can stand much bigger fines).
As for towing? The policy was changed long ago. You will be instructed to drive to the nearest safe haven and shut down for a 10.
If you refuse to leave as instructed by safety, you'll likely be charged back some of the 'recovery' fee.
It became very apparent and very quickly this would be far too expensive a policy and it was appended shortly after going into effect.

 

Hence my policy, if I can't get there with time to leave and get to a safe haven, delivery will wait until after a 10. Stevens can do the leg work since they refuse to help in any way that protects the driver, it's up to me to do so.

 

I only use it when i am empty and not under a dispatch to get me to a truck stop or safe haven