ticketed 4 off truck route over 5 ton Fontana CA HELP

Hmm, how many other professions do you suppose there are, where you can be fined, sued or even thrown in prison in the line of duty? Doctors, lawyers... and then truck drivers. I'm thinking maybe the risk-to-reward ratio might be a little low for OUR profession.

 

I'm probably in the minority, but I use electronic logs and would like to see them mandatory for several reasons but mainly to stop the abuse of a driver's time by shippers, dispatchers and consignees. Much less waiting time since appointments would be missed if drivers are idle. Shippers / receivers would be forced to be more efficient. No more overnight running to get there J.I.T. after sitting most of the day.

Of course, the down side of E-logs is that there would be no more creative logging by those who like to run hard to get a bigger check.

 

Based upon Meat wagons last post I believe if his suggestion were enacted you would quickly see a major "shortage" of solo drivers. There would be plenty of teams though.
The downside of his suggestion is that normal solo freight would be re-allocated to the teams to satisfy the customers needs and satisfy dot's regs.

I am of the opinion that truckers are out here to make money. They will do what it takes to make as much money as possible. Just because a technology is mandated or laws are passed doesn't mean that everyone will comply.

I would go so far as saying this is a major reason why drivers decide to "get their own truck" so they have less scrutiny from a company rep anylizing their every movement.
As for DOT concerns, as long as it looks good they will leave you alone for the most part.

 

Meatwagon Don't You Still Have To Put In What Your Doing On Your E-log Or Dose It Know If Your Sitting In Traffic,waiting On A Train Or The Shipper/receiver.i Have Given Some Thought To Using Them But Don't Know Enough About Them.
Myminpins What Do You Think About Text Messaging

 

JBCUDA,

Other E-log systems may work differently, but Peoplenet is what I'm familiar with. After 30 or so seconds the log automatically senses the truck is moving and will ask on the screen if the driver wants to go from on duty to driving. You can hit the *yes* button but even if you don't it will go to driving status after a few seconds. You can also hit *skip* which will keep you in on duty mode if you just need to go down the road a few miles, for instance, to make a second drop.

Conversely, if you, say, pull up to a fuel island, after a minute or so the log automatically goes to *on duty* (no writing stuff down ) then goes back to driving when the trucks begins rolling. So, this is what happens waiting in traffic, ect.

If you fuel then park & want to go off duty, simply press a button. But don't do what I did once in Farmington, NM (ugh). After fueling I went in to eat & shower, forgetting to go off duty. The result was my on duty status took me over my 14 by the time I realized it. Being new to E-logging, I called dispatch the next morning. Going over hrs. throws red flags on the dispatcher's computer. The dispatcher can enter a note on his computer (also showing on your screen) acknowledging an error if you screw up & enter bad info, which will often happen as you first learn the system. The only thing I could do was reset my 34, which I was close to needing to do anyway. My log won't let me back in if I go over 11 or 14 and, at least the way ours is set up, makes the driver take 34. When this is reached, the log automatically sets 14/70, starting over fresh.

As you go through your day the screen constantly shows your available hours by counting down from 14. If you use up your 3 extra on duty hours somewhere & it catches up to your driving hours, the on duty/driving time runs synchronized till you stop for the day.

Peoplenet also has email capabilities, keeps track of daily miles driven, truck mpg, idle percentage time & other stuff.

Didn't mean to write a book, but this gives you a basic overview. I would never go back to paper, but it helps that I drive for a co. that doesn't push its drivers.

 

Thanks MEAT WAGON FOR THE EXPLANATION.It sounds a lot easer than pen & paper

 

I dont see how elogs will stop shipper/reciever abuse.
THEY DONT CARE ABOUT YOU...
You will wait nomatter what...
Only way to stop the total waste of time is to set a deadline for them, then when they go over it-it costs them money for wasting your time..
But and until ALL companys do this it will never change.

 

I agree that hitting them in the pocketbook is really the way to go, but very few compaines have the nads to actually do it.

It's easy and has been since log books were required to draw lines the way you want and enter any daily milage number as long as they look legit. And that's what many shippers /dispatchers / receivers expect from drivers.

My point was that with E-log there is a permanent record in real time that can't be altered. That gives a great incentive for your dispatcher and your company to tow the line as well.

This scenario is presuming that all trucks on the road have E-log so Mr. shipper can't use another carrier without encountering the same problem.

Wouldn't it be great to be on time for your appointment only to be held up for hours till your time is gone, then telling the shipper that because of your detainment your hours are used and you have to take a mandatory 10 hr. break (even better a 34 hr. reset)?

 

jlkklj777........

I've also thought about the industry favoring teams...makes sense.

I'm sure sooner or later somebody would find a way around any law enacted, just like any other rule.