14 hour rule change

You're not, if you're referring to the new split-sleeper rules. You are if you're talking about just a 3 hour break on its own.

Under the coming rules, both the short (at least 2 hours) and the long (at least 7 hours) breaks in the split-sleeper pause the 14 hour clock. The order they are taken in doesn't matter.

 

We are screwed then because we will have to work 16 hour to 17 hours days if we log sleeper when loading or unloading. I can see how that would help driver some but sure is a lot of room for taking advantage of things.

 

Only screwed if you log sleeper birth while loading/unloading and not try to sleep. Nobody can force you to work 16 17 hour days if you don’t want to. As an owner op, I welcome the changes. Much more flexibility.

 

Most O/O are going to sit for free and log sleeper time. Just so they can make up for sitting for free. Yes nobody can force us to work 17 hour days. O/O can just change detention pay also. I think we both know it's not that easy. When I had paper logs they said get the load delivered no matter what if it was Legal. You can make it look good like sleep time when you loading or unloading

 

I started driving in 1992 when we had different rules and tremendous flexibility .
Then we got the 14 hour rule with no flexibility.
The earlier rules were probably too flexible because it seems everyone expected drivers to make up for all the inefficiencies of others.
On the other hand, I felt the 14 hour rule was terrible due to it's lack of at least some limited flexibility .
Many drivers in the past could choose to take a break during rush hour , a storm, or a traffic jam. It was a good time to eat, shower, and/or take a nap.
Some days I might need a nap, often times I didn't . But , I could nap and wake up with all my remaining driving time.
Also, I like driving at night and would take that afternoon break and then get back on the road and traffic would decline as it got late. I LOVED IT. It worked for me.
We have recording devices. We will still have the same limits on hours.
I prefer to take breaks when I feel it is the best time to do so, often based on a few considerations. I did this for years and fatigue was rarely a problem. And I rarely ever drove in rush hour traffic because I had the flexibility.
Some people say they will be forced to work 17 hour days. Not me.
How is anyone going to force me
to do that?
I learned how to say no a long time ago.

If waiting at docks causes problems as far as people abusing the flexibility for more work hours or employers pressuring drivers to exceed legal work then maybe there will have to be some type of restriction for stopping the clock at shippers and receivers.
Some flexibility is good. Very good for me.