Am I the only 1 to think that EOBRs are going to keep me from making $???

You can't be required to supply information that is not mandatory to have. If the vehicle has no GPS you can't supply that information. Our trucks have no gps, no QC. The information can be obtained from the ecm on the truck but is so time consuming to do it would never be used in an audit unless it was because of an accident that caused death or something serious of that nature. We just went through a Federal DOT audit recently and the only things they checked were reciepts,tolls,fuel, and BOL's versus logs. We only had 2 or 3 drivers that got disciplined for inconsistent logs.

To the OP, I believe there wil be both sides of the fence on this. If a company takes proactive measures to train there staffs and are ready when the change comes into affect they will flourish, and those that are not ready will surely fail. If you happen to work for a company thats ready i think you'll be fine. I am not worried because my company already has been taking those proactive measures for several years knowing these issues are coming.

 

Wow, didn't mean to get you so riled up. You're absolutely correct about actual miles also depending upon shippers/receivers. I believe I used the term "average" which would indicate that the miles driven will vary from one day to the next.

As for idling, I fortunately don't have a problem with it. I'm an IC and pay for my own fuel, so my company really can't tell me not to idle. They have guidelines, but I've been able to stay within them and still be comfortable enough to get the sleep I need.

Also, my company has been really good so far about getting me loads. I normally have one waiting before I complete the one I'm on - so I'm lucky there.

And as for "stopping when you're supposed to stop," maybe I should have been more clear about what I was referring to. Naturally, if you get too tired then you need to stop. And if you need to take a leak or whatever, then stop and take care of it. But what I meant is don't hit every other truck stop/rest area you pass, and when you do stop (except for getting sleep) take care of what you're there for and then move on. Don't spend an hour each at four different truck stops during your shift and then say you aren't making miles because of EOBR.

(Disclaimer: the use of "you" and "you're" is used in a very general sense and not directed toward any one individual.)

 

Does anybody on this forum take advantage of part 395 sec ? that allows routine meal and rest stops to be logged as off duty? I run 7 days a week and work to average 8 hr 45 min logged work hrs per day. these work hrs are broken up by off duty time for meals, rest stops and naps. it may take 14 hrs to get my days work done but with the breaks I only log actual working/driving time on lines 3 and 4. My run July/ August was 31 days with no reset, averaged almost 450 miles per/day. Many days well over 500 miles, a couple over 600 miles in a 60 mph truck. Use the rules that help you and follow the rules that hinder you. Log it when you do it, where you do it and log it legal. Like Kabar said 500/day 7/days a week and maximize the miles for the days on the truck. It does work for OTR drivers.

 

Still doesn't stop the 14 clock, that is what most people dislike about the rules.

Mark

 

No reductions in pay, just no more easy illegal running, no more fixing the books. All the money you make because of your fancy logging is illegal.

Mark

 

Those who cook the book, run extra logs, do what it takes, and abuse the present law are no better than the ponzi scheme runner. They're stealing to line their own pocket. They justify it by saying "I need it to pay my bills, support my family". Not true, if the bills are too high you overspent, lived beyond your means. That is not my problem, and your stealing freight from those who run legal. If you can't drive a truck and make a living legal, must steal $100.00 here and there, why not accept a promotion. Jesse James did real good with banks and it didn't require 14 hours a day.

 

The driver is at the bottom of the trucking company ladder. Every plumber knows what that means. So why risk your life, family and future for the company that will drop it in your lap, drive the proverbial bus over you, and then backup and do it again. If you can't survive legally in a truck you need to find a better answer. Trucking is the only industry totally exempt from overtime laws.