Fmcsa releases hours-of-service final rule

A fine example of why this 0100 to 0500 nonsense will be a problem.

I won't get back to the yard until 0300. I will have roughly 6 hours left on my 70 and picking up none at midnight tomorrow night.

Under current practice, I can be fully reset at 1pm Wednesday. This is perfect timing to get a load for Wed afternoon. I will be perfectly rested, ready to roll and all of my personal business taken care of.

If this new provision was in effect today, I would have only six hours to run with on Wed. Hardly enough time to complete a load. Or, in order to pick up a full 70, I would have to give up a whole production day so I could roll at 0500, a time I am normally comatose, on Thursday morning.

I lose because my productivity drops. Public safety loses because in order to try to make up that lost productivity, I am forced to roll during my normal resting period. I would most definitely not be on top of my game, despite being perfectly legal.




What were they thinking?!?

 

Bingo...the only prollum with trucking is the lawyers and bureaucrats

In DC driving there desk with no clue of how too plan a trip or drive a truk period

 

When all the big companies set the price, and won't hire without xx amount of experience, there lies the problem. I started out making 32 cents a mile 15 years ago after I left local trucking and went over the road. I still have a near perfect driving record. (One speeding ticket, zero accidents in a personal or commercial vehicle) What is the incentive to become a truck driver anymore? A lot of companies will not even consider hiring me because they know I know their tricks, will want a competitive wage, and it's easier to railroad the rookies. Now will come the question from a few of you, "Why don't you buy your own truck and work for yourself?" If I had the financing I would. My daughter being in a wreck and paralyzed now makes a serious dent in personal finances. I'm open to any and all suggestions. And now, the "Nanny Government" wants to impose more HOS restrictions? Nice! How about we all just work 8 AM to 5 PM like the rest of the country and see what happens? LMAO!!

 

Fewer hours to work mean that driver pay will suffer. Drivers could become disenfranchised and in come the Teamsters. The union is one of the main supporters of this part of the hos. They look at it as a means to recruit fresh meat. If driver pay declines there will likely be more turnover. Carriers where the unions are heavily involved are in trouble. They find it difficult to compete and I don't know of any otr that are still union. Most are LTL carriers.

Then you have PATT and all the other special interest groups that have an ax to grind with the trucking industry. They have never sat in the drivers seat, yet know more than those who have earned a living at this for 20 or 30 years or longer without any accidents or serious moving violations. Bureaucrats and politicians use trucking and regulations to tell the public that they are making them safe, even though most problems come from 4 wheelers. The facts tell us that trucks are safer today than at any other time in history, yet we have more trucks on the road. Bureaucrats and politicians throw regulations around to show that they are doing something. More regulations mean that there are greater opportunities to generate revenue for states that have mismanaged their budgets.

I wonder how many of you actually took the time to write a comment before the new hos were approved? How many take the time to call, write or email your congressional representatives? My guess is that very few want to be bothered. I always call, write and email to make my views known. There is an old saying about the "squeaky wheel getting the grease." It is true. These special interest groups can mobilize volunteers at a moments notice. Join OOIDA and get on their notification list. They will send you notices of upcoming changes to the hos and other legislation that affects this industry.

 

Welcome to the world of meat hauling. I dealt with that stuff on a normal day. You have a choice of sitting or get the job done. Perishables don't have the luxury of waiting on the driver to have to sit. I'm sure the industry will adapt. But right now it's a problem.

 

Injun doesn't do "meat hauling." LOL! She's got a better gig!

 

There are so many directions this could go and none of them are PG-13. Therefore, I shall keep my thoughts to myself. Heh....

 

That is exactly why I created the website in my siggy yesterday! I really like Truckers Report Forum.There is tons of great info here. But sometimes you have to have a place to let loose and be a Truck Driver. Men and Women alike. All are welcome!