ELD loss of efficiency plus more

I'm trying to suggest to my dad to try and get a run out of his domicile between 1200-1500 miles starting out so he can make good money leaving out then get a good backhaul lined up to get back. Either that or buy a 1999 motor. He spends a lot of on duty time loading and unloading to where he needs to maximize his drive time on longer runs starting out the week.

 

I have been running an ELD for a year now and have seen my miles reduced from a normal 700 to about 650 on a driving day. Planning has become a bit more intense in that I push hard and try to drive as far as I can without going over the limit which means more reserved spots and rest area parking. Revenue is still about the same. I guess the good thing about the ELD is that my freight coordinator can see my hours and match freight to my available time.
I think I have violated myself twice in the last year, mainly because of parking shortages or getting caught in a metro area at rush hour. But I have annotated the reason in the notes and have not made it a regular habit.
From what I have been reading in the trade publications (Overdrive, American Trucker, HDT, ect) many of the medium sized fleets have redesigned their business to limit their pickup and delivery schedule to 650 mile days. In other words those one day trips that ELDs will turn into two day trips are going by the wayside and the trucking company is looking for closer customers with shorter runs. Several are simply going away from the long haul model.

 

The biggest issue we will have is that on one of our trips, the driver usually gets to customs at about 11 or 12 hrs. With an USDA inspected load, it can be 20 minutes or three hrs. On paper, he can make it to the truck stop 12 miles up the road. With Elogs, he'll be parked on the feeder road coming out of customs.

Much safer, that way......

 

For produce long haul I see a major change. Chicago - Salinas, CA - Chicago - no longer 6-7 days. Good luck with ELDs while loading more than 2-3 pick ups a day. Interesting how those coolers will react when all of a sudden trucks are refusing to make a move because of 14. Reefer owners could see an increase in rates. I also see brokers serving Chicago Produce Market face a brutal reality of what it means to run legal. How about waiting up to 4 - 5 days now to get your ####...instead of 48 - 60 hours? Teams is the only answer, but you gotta pay them nice.

 

Time management becomes very important on slots. If you stop for fuel u have to use the bathreoom get your coffee and buy lunch at the same time. If you stop twice u loose another half hour that you might Need at the end of your 14.

 

I don't think I've lost anything on Elogs because it's forced my dispatchers to plan ahead and get they're act together .

 

Maybe the shippers will be forced to load trucks faster or pay more for a team to run their freight. It should be interesting times in trucking the next 6 months

 

Dave
I totally disagree with you. There is no reason a we can't have the "time" to get the job done. Sure a nice truck makes it much better. There's no reason shippers can't step it up. As an O/O I will line 5 it. If I get a ticket I will fight it. We can not lay down on this issue my friend(s). I really don't think it will happen. ElDs

Be Safe Out There



Captain Dave

 

I'm dealing with outstanding shippers and receivers, they are the least of it.

 

Let's do this.

Everybody park the truck. Let's get paid more for doing less. WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now there's a concept.