solo driving issue

i think um a phone here would come handy along with your trip planning, is what i did i got hold the main guy who runs the warehouse, i always ask as part of trip planning is there parking or no parking, most time they say yes, but if im out east, no idleing on property, i said thats fine, i woke up too a banging on my door, it was the boss lady, that told me i could park there, it was a cold frosty morning and said come in for some coffee and i said sure be right in , we had coffee till the guys came too unload my trl, sometimes you just have too ask on the phone, thats all.

 

Company says dot can't do anything. One of our o/o I text a lot for info has done this, been audited, and had no tickets/fines issued. Ill believe my fellow drivers that work for our company before i believe anyone else. Its not just the one Guy, its multiple drivers. Its been caught, once they saw the notes of "had to find safe place to park" they never messed with them.

Its in our policy. If we park on a side street, driveway, or ANYWHERE that there isn't a designated parking spot then we could get fired.

sent from DrtyDiesel

 

Yes, you have a provision to extend your day up to 2 hours (16hrs total on-duty) but you cannot use this for driving OVER 11 hours.

There is also a provision for you to travel to the NEAREST safe place to take your DOT break (that does not mean driving past the crappy truck-stop to get to the better place) so you are not driving ILLEGAL.

 

What if the 'crappy truck-stop' isn't a safe place? Just askin'

 

Doesn't matter. Our company defines a safe place as a place where we could park in a parking spot and away from the road. Its complicated as heck but SHC explained it better than I could.

sent from DrtyDiesel

 

Good question. Techinacally the officer could go either way, but if it was truly a bad place (Gary, IN for example) I doubt they would argue with you..... but if you got into an accident or god forbid caused a fatilaty, you might as well kiss it all good-bye cuz your losing your job and going to jail.

 

The 2 hour extension extends the 11, not the 14, is only available for unforseen delays caused by weather, accidents, etc. to reach a safe haven.

The op could have spent 2 more hours at the shipper to extend his 14 if he was logged into the sleeper. If I was going to be short of hours going into a shipper/receiver I tried to find a way to get an 8 hour sleeper break before going in. Then 2 hours finishes the split and gives you drive time to start your run.

Just a thought, one of the tools you have that gets ignored.

 

I've parked on plenty of streets and never had a problem. You can get fired for non-emergency parking on a highway or on/off ramp. You aren't going to get fired for parking on a street in an industrial park for your break.

 

OK Ii want to see this "provision" giving you extra time from sitting in the docks. It will start with 395.xxx


OP with one hour left walk into shipper and explain your now(Yes I know you have an hour left) dropping your trailer and will return after your ten hour break to recieve your bills and sign for the load.

Now
1) Your company is going to have to back you.

2) You need not be argumentative about it. Be matter of fact and explain that due to their loading failure you will be legally unable to pull load at this time.



I know you think the company is steering you right and I'll believe them when the first part of my post is answered. I would also suggest you recieve this advice from them in writing so iif you are in an accident they can not cut bait for sanctioning your activity. And believe me they will cut bait and leave you floating with the sharks.

 

When I am short on 14,If shipper tells me that will be a long wait and I cant stay in their lot after I get loaded, I simply tell them Goodby .Yes I am O/O and I can.