HOS Reform

Im only going to disagree with you half way here; I agree that many drivers in the past used to overwork themselves, but that's not what I'm asking, I'm just asking to get a fighting chance here. I'll tell you why I believe you are clearly not in the same boat as I'm in when it comes to the 14 hr rule. Obviously you have been in this industry awhile from your avatar info, but for the rest of us who are just getting into this industry, regulation wise; we're getting the short end of the stick. I don't know your situation sir but I believe that most of the people that become truck drivers are to capitalize on their income potential and become above average money wise citizens. And a lot of us new truck driver breed come from a factory or a desk job or a fast food place that was strictly allowed to work for only 40 hrs and would have loved to have the opportunity to work overtime or just simply get a part time job. We're out here for one reason and that's to make money, plain and simple. So, when situations arise OTR, such as waiting for four hours for whatever reason, that hurts ure pocket and ultimately defeats the purpose of working 70 hours a week. You know how I'd change it, just like that; up to 70 hours in A week. 34 hours and next week 70 more. When you lose all you 14 in waiting and then only get to drive 6 hours, are you really fatigued? I know I haven't been just really frustrated that I know I can drive more but the no sense regulation doesn't allow me to do so. If they want to make some things complicated, why not make it complicated in favor of the driver? There's a ton of ways of making it easier. I can go on and on about this; the point is this, if I feel like I need a shower, I shouldn't have to wait to take my ten hour break to do so; if I want to stop and take my time eating a good meal, I shouldn't have to plan to see where I'm gonna take my 10hr break just to sit down and have a meal. And in a way like snowblind said; it's forcing drivers to do just that, sit in the wheel for 11 hours straight; how safe is that? You ask me, it's more dangerous.

 

yea things got better,you have to take your 34 away from home,soooo you sit 34 hrs no pay no motel,this is what im led to believe by you drivers.if i sit 34 hrs its home.i dont want more hrs just let me use them when i need to...who sleeps 10 hrs anyway

 

I believe you have a fighting chance. And yes like you I participate in this industry to meet my monetary needs.

My response would be to be paid for all that waiting. My time is worth money, some of that time is patently included in my compensation for a load(inspections, fueling, minor break downs, checking into and out of customers and short dock times) excessive waiting times are not. I fully advocate all drivers refusing to donate dock time only when it becomes monetarily painful to the customers will that end. No legislation, regulation of drivers, or any other factor will garner results.

I normally plan an hour to two in the middle of my day for breaks, shower, exercise. Does it always work out that way?No of course not. However it is my belief when left to their own devices drivers will endanger others trying to appease owners, customers, and their own egos. The 14 hour clock mitigates that in my opinion.

 

This is what chalupa first said a few posts ago... get paid more for what we already do. I'm not saying I got the answers, I'm just saying there needs to be a better way and what I think would be a good way to solve the issues would be to get more rest rules going. Like the new split sleeper, it works when you really need it, but other than that it doesn't kill the 14. We need more rules like you're allowed to take one hour in the middle of the day or whatever strictly for a shower; just an idea - right now is when the industry has got to think outside of the box. Like I like the idea that they're gonna force us to take a 30 min break starting next year but please oh please make the 14 hour; 14 and a half or 15, cause, if they dont, then my fighting chance will get slimmer and slimmer ...

 

One thing I have always found a little frustrating about the HOS is the whole 8 day thing. How does what I did 8 days ago have any affect or bearing on me today? I have always found this part of the HOS to be a little silly. Anyone out there that can shed some light on why this is part of the HOS?

 

Don't have a clue.

I know back in 2000, I was stopped in Virginia and they looked at my log at a portable site.

He looked back and simply stated, I had not been home for the weekend. I had got home on Saturday morning and left later in the day. He thought I should have had a weekend, but no violation.

 

Some of the smaller good companies do pay for all the time you spend waiting. I get paid hourly for 30 minutes before my appointment time and all the time I spend at the dock thereafter. Pre trips, post trips, fuel, equipment swaps, and break downs are all hourly pay.

You want to fix the HOS rules pass a federal law that makes every shipper and receiver pay 100 dollars an hour to the carrier for everything past 2 hours. The problem will fix its self over night.

 

Maybe they are paying the carrier already.

The best thing to do is make the law that the company driver is paid for the time. Then the carrier WILL get the money from the shipper/receiver. It is called incentive.

 

I disagree with that on two points.

With your regulation every owner operator just got frozen out of any major shipper receiver. I guarantee you their response will be drop/hook. Great for a company driver, not so much for a one truck operation.

The FMCSA has no authority over shippers nor should they.

Now yes companies and drivers should be demanding this but I disagree with any regulation to that effect.

 

So then your comment must imply that you have extensive knowledge on owner operators; possibly were one at one point or are still one ... can you explain a bit better why it would hurt the owner operators? Cause if a law is passed on everyone ... why would it hurt owner operators?