Would you quit if forced on eLogs?

ill do the small stuff like lights and stuff as long as i can reach them or get a ladder

 

Here's part of OOIDA's argument "“I am writing to require that the Office of Chief Counsel take immediate action to bring FMCSA and its MCSAP enforcement partners as well as certain motor carriers into compliance with the current state of the law regarding EOBRS,” Johnston wrote to Griffin.
He pointed out that with the regulation removed from the books, motor carriers can now only use devices that were legal under the regulations prior to June 2010 when the reg went into effect, and they must resume maintaining all supporting documents."
http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2011/Nov11/110711/111111-01.shtml
So what devices were legal before June 2010 ? My interpretation is they can be used .

 

I have a system that hasn't gone "live" yet. I keep my paper log as well as play with the electronic version and I've found the two are very close. I wouldn't mind the electronic version as long as I can get a paper copy. My system when it does go live I should be able to email a copy to my personal system, so I don't see an issue.

I just find it amazing how the government can take something simple and turn it into something so complex even the Lord himself couldn't understand it.

 

Sooo...this has now gone from a discussion about elogs to "Why I should change a light bulb and continue to do more free labor,-"because it's a lifestyle, not just a rather poor job that I will continue to insist that I be allowed to give my labor away because I don't value myself or my time " kind of thread.???

 

I been driving for 17 years, logged under the last three rules. eLOGS are the best thing to happen to trucking. The main reason is it has stopped the companies from getting a driver to take a load that they know is an illegal run. No load is worth going to prison for because you falsified a log and someone else caused you to kill someone. This has happened a lot.

I have noticed many customers changing the unload and loading times. This will only improve more as other companies start using them.

Your company is the problem not the elogs.

 

I cannot believe anyone actually placed these two concepts in the same sentence. I mean, really???

 

I'll change a lightbulb while on the road for convenience for me. As a former teamster and current member of UFCW I make enough money not to worry about 5 minutes changing a bulb especially if it keeps me rolling.

 

The union might require you to find an electician to come out and change the bulb.

 

I usually don't get involved with discussions that are as sensitive as this one, but I must chime in here. I've been driving OTR since March of '81. That makes it 30+ years of doing this. I grew up in NYC and cut my teeth in this business spotting trailers for one of the biggest produce companies in Hunts Point market as a kid on summer vacation, owned buy my dad and uncles. To say I got hands on teaching is an understatement. I went to college in 1974 and graduated in 1978. Where did I end up? Back at the Point working in the produce business.

I decided to go trucking in '81 and haven't regretted that decision once since then. CDL school? Nope, I went with a driver working at the market with one of my dads trucks, took the chauffeurs test and passed. I went with this driver the whole winter and got my first job the following spring.

30 years later I've had a total of 3 jobs, 3 million plus miles of safe driving and about 3 tickets in that time. I've been around long enough to see numerous changes in this industry, some for the good, most for the not so good. I've worked most of my career on paper logs. I ran legal, I've had to fudge my logs occasionally and I've ran so hard I stopped and bought a fresh set of hours to come back across the country. The last time I had to buy new hours was about 15 years ago so I could make it home for Christmas to be with my family, as it turned out I made it home in time to walk in the door as the kids were just getting up that Christmas morning.

Let's now fast forward to August of '09. After selling my car business that I had started 10 years earlier, I made a tremendous profit with that sale, enough so that I could retire with a monthly income that equals what I make now on a monthly basis. I was able to run my business and still drive OTR monthly delivering cars that I sold on line. So I was never really away from this "Way of life".

With this background I can be very picky with who I work for and under what conditions. I found my current employer back in June of '09 and immediately went through the hiring process and started with them In August of '09. In orientation I was told they had just implemented E-Logs. My thoughts at that time were the same as now, "thank God". Lets fast forward to right now. After 2+ years of being on E-logs I am completely sold on the idea. I have averaged 2800 miles p/w, I shut down when my clock says so, I have been through 4 DOT checks and was asked to show just my screen showing my 11, 14 and 70 hours. I had one inspection where I needed to have my previous 8 days faxed over to the scale house. I have not had to run illegal or need to go in and buy new hours. Now, I understand I don't run 4,00 miles per week, I don't need to. And I also don't need to be gone 4-6 weeks at a time. I run 2800 miles p/w, leave on a Wednesday and get back home on Sunday. The only time this changes is when I run to California or Washington for a change of scenery. And at all times our freight is dispatched to be done legally. And that is with our only return loads of produce.

As far as I'm concerned E-logs is right for me. If someone thinks it's governments way of keeping us under a microscope so be it, you're probably right. But do remember, we as professional drivers are held to a higher standard and are in control of a lethal weapon if operated in an unsafe or tired manner. Yes we do have too much government in our lives, but I saw what was done on these highways in the late 70's and early 80's. All I can say is this is what we earned.

Some folks are all up in arms about E-Logs, let me tell you what bothers me more than E-Logs, that is when a new driver that is from a retail background, or maybe an IT background that now has to start a totally new career. They go to CR England or one of the other mills and start training in April. By October they are certified and ready to go as a solo driver, right into the winter driving season and across Wyoming in their first snow storm, or maybe not a snow storm but 40-50 mph winds across Elk Mountain with a ground blizzard going on at 11pm at night. That right there bothers me to no end.

There will always be a debate about E-Logs, some old timers despise them, some old timers like them. I happen to like them. What will make me leave this industry is if the new HOS they are proposing cuts down our legal driving time for the day. That will be the end of my driving career. I'm not going to deliver anyones freight and baby sit it because the goverment has now said I can legall drive 9 hours per day. I'll stay home and go fishing instead.

 

Is it just me or are 4 wheelers also lethal weapons yet they have no regulations on drive hours. I understand the difference but I just want to point out that drivers get tired whether your driving a semi or a car. I think there finally needs to be some sort of regulation on the amount of driving time a 4 wheeler can do within 24 hours. Everyone has good opinions on this topic. Keep them coming.