Continuous Driving

Continuous driving, NO days off, had a couple of drivers ask me about this since the 30 minute rule went into effect. Since we are never on a real schedule as far as deliveries a couple of the guys are thinking about going to the ole, 8.75 rule and never having to reset.

So here is my question, I can see the 30 minute "break" screwing with this, IOW, if you start your clock with a 15 PTI and then drive for 8hrs it would then NOT pay to take a 30 and then drive for another, 45 mins, as your day would be "long".

The only way I can see it working would be to take your 15 PTI, then drive or work 8 straight, ( I do realize that you could break in here as you will never get to your 14 hrs) and then end your day. Giving you a total of 57.75 in 7 days or 66 hrs in 8 days.

Anything I am missing here? Opinions?


Actually, now that I think about this the 30 break should not make a difference, even though it IS mandatory, it does NOT count against your drive/work clock, only against your 14, right.

 

Yeah, Pete, it really just depends on the runs, but NORMALLY, a driver would load a 1500 mile trip on Monday 1st day, drive 2 1/2 days unload/reload (1/2 day) 4th day drive somewhere else 2 1/2 days and repeat.

Yes there are times in the NE or cali we get tied up, but we are never "waiting" for a dock time and most of our del. will drop when ever we get there.

I'm probably not a "better" dispatcher, I just think a lot of it has to do with the nature of our business.

 

Best answer I have is that last time we were audited, and who knows, it may have changed since then, we were told less than a 15 PTI is a red flag.

That was from a Federal Auditor, not my state guy.

 

Yeah that is pretty much how my guys run though the week, actually, most try and go 5 hrs, so that if it is a drop day it doesn't kill your 14 hr clock with another break, however with us being in the middle of the country, our runs usually take us out AND back in the same week, so HT is usually the weekends.

But I have two drivers that are not married, have no one at "home" and like to at least being doing something every day, IOW, the 34 hr reset on the road for them is a PITA.

They were the ones asking about the 8.75, run continuously.

 

It may very well not be a reg. BUT, I personally see nothing wrong with taking a good 15 min. in the morning to go over truck and trailer, check engine fluids, check hub oils, clean windows and mirrors, check tires, check load, plan day, etc.

Even IF you can tell me you can do all of that in 8 min. and do it right, I think you are kinda splitting hairs here. I'm not going to bust my guys chops for 7 mins a day.

7 mins a day, in our operations is not a big deal, again, we are just not up against it like that.