Logbooks Should Be Banned

My problem is the time it takes me to load my truck. I haul bulk potatoes and I have to load my own truck. Usually takes an hour or more. Then add PTI and fueling and unloading etc. I burn up 14 hours with no problems. I don't get any time to take a break. I can't just pull over at the end of an 11 and call it quits for the day either. We have load times and delivery times. If I leave early and play games with my logs then I get in trouble. I have to go by what I am told. if I have to load in Wiliston ND at 12:00 PM then that is when I have to load. Takes me over 5 hours to get out there from the yard. Then it is back to the plant on the east side of the state to unload at a specific time.

If I have to do multiple runs out that way back to back, then I have to drive out there the day before, take my 10, PTI and load, stop in Minot or Rugby ND and fuel the truck (I have small tanks so I have enough room for my liftable pusher axle), Back to Grand Forks ND, unload (again I have to unload the truck myself and this may take an hour or so) then beat feet back towards Wiliston till my clock runs out. Get up in the morning, PTI, finish driving back to the farm, Load, and burn back to GF stopping for fuel again.

Other runs take me up into Manotiba with similar hours involved. I try my best to manage my book. It is what it is. It is not that same as regular OTR type work. I am beat after 3 days of this, I am draggin butt big time. Makes it hard to have proper meals so that my blood sugar levels stay in check so that I don't end up with type 1 diabeties rather they the type 2 I have now.

I am stuck eating high fat and calorie foods out of food warmers because I have to have something I can eat on the go. I don't get much time to walk and excersize either. I am so tired at the end of my day that I just want to grab a quick bite, clean up and hit the sack. Don't even have a TV etc in the truck, I wouldn't turn it on if I did. It is in the bunk and lights out the min my head hits the pillow.

We have many OTR drivers that have tried to do what we do. They always go back OTR because they can't handle the pace.

the love to load one day, driver for 11 hours or so, stop during their trip, go to bed, then driver some more etc and finally make their destination a few days after they loaded. Heck some only log about 8.5 hours a day.

They can't take working 14 hours a day every day.

 

This is why I think E logs are going to be pushed to large carries at least.... They have a long way to go but being that there info is stored on a central hub and #### near impossible to cheat it will be hard for a dispatcher to force you to push your logs and if they do it can be more easley tracked. and gotten to the bottom of.

 

I run an E-log. They gave it to me I was kicking and screaming. Now if they were to take it away I would be pissed. No more do I hear any crap about the load making it there no matter what. That has completely taken all the stress of the log book off of me. I can get fuel now where and when ever I want. I pull into the scales with a grin there is little stress on me now. As a company it forces dispatchers to do their job. There is alot more responsiblity on the dispatcher to use their head instead of what is easiest for them.

 

You are allowed to make that call, and no law or carrier can make you drive.

It is in the regulations in fact. Biggest fantasy told by people is the HOS and log books make you drive tired. That is an irrational thought process as the only thing they regulate is maximum driving and on duty times. They have no minimum!


You have preoblems making money or dealing with shippers receivers change your business model, or go find another job.




Should there be far higher standards for drivers? Sure. Maybe we could regulate some that can get their work done inside of the HOS, actually control their vehicle, not be offensive to breathe around and fit through the door of ghe truck stop.Still will not repeal the need to stop people from pushing for that one more mile to bend over for a customer instead of just telling them they should have done their job better.





You the driver make the decision to drive or not. Sleep or not. Those are the facts!

 

We all have those days. It doesn't matter if you're hauling potatoes or cadavers. I limit my breaks on days where I load and unload freight, and take them while the freight is being loaded/unloaded. Most of the time I handle the freight myself, as it does good to get out of the cab and do some physical labor once in a while.

 

I've been reading his posts for 10 years. And yep, your assessment is accurate.