DOT initiates 4 Major Rule Changes

Yeah 10

 

If I knew the companies wouldn't exploit drivers, if be all for a few extra hours to finangle. But I feel like that's just more room to work for free.

 

Great now local guys can work a double shift EVERYDAY. Instead of just asking the boss for a reserved raise

 

FMCSA Seeks Public Comment on Revising Current Hours-of-Service Regulations for Interstate Truck Drivers
https://www.fleetowner.com/regulations/fmcsa-considering-multiple-changes-hos-rules

 

I'm really hoping they change the split berth requirements. From my understanding they did a study with rules very similar to what Canada has where the 10 can be split into pretty much any combination of two periods that add up to 10 hours. 2 and 8, 4 and 6 etc. with both stopping the clock. This would take care of many of the problems drivers have when getting stuck at a shipper for much longer than expected and would also allow us avoid peak time in places like Chicago.

 

And allow drivers to lie and convert on duty hours to sleeper and cover for unloading trucks, working on the dock, etc etc etc.

You know the reason they instituted the 14 hour hard clock to begin with.

 

Leave the 14. Mandate the 10 is 10 solid. Eliminate the 70.

 

I usually only sleep 6.5 or 7. By the time you do some form of excercise, grab a shower, point out peoples personality flaws on here, grab 6 1/2-7 hours of zzz's Get up, brush your teeth grab some grub, have the morning movement......most times I have issues rolling at 10. Normally like 10:20ish. Not planned just seems that way.

 

The 10 has never been a maximum.

Personally I like to start around the same time each day so if my day ends earlier than normal I may take 11 or 12 off before rolling again.

On the other hand I got stuck at a shipper a while back. This is a place I go often and it's rare that I'm not out of there in less than an hour. 20 minutes if no trucks ahead of me. That day though I bumped the dock and was there for 6 hours. They had an issue with the fork lift. This was later in the evening. I went to sleep and woke up when they started loading.

By that time my 16 hour window (Canada) was up but by logging sleeper berth for 5 hours, while actually sleeping, I was able to drive an hour to a good place to park.

I get that argument that some carriers will force drivers to run ragged if the rules allow but I like the flexibility that comes with those rules.