so, you think your safe with the elog and hos.

But, does YOUR system hardwire into the ECM with a tamper-proof setup?? The GPS and APP folks out there pushing their ELOG systems are NOT compliant with the rule as it currently stands... Nonetheless, let's just get down to simple things... YOU love ELOGS... good for you... I LOVE paper logs... good for ME... Should I push for a rule making you give up YOUR system just because I love MINE??? Hey... I LOVE Liver n Onions... most folks can't stand it... sooooo... if the gummint, in all it's wisdom, declares how AWESOME L-n-O is for your heart health, let's make a new rule forcing ALL CDL holders to eat L-n-O twice a week... NOW... when all the haters come out against that rule, along comes someone, like ME, who loves the dish telling all of THEM how they need to start loving it too! Just because I LOVE it, it MUST be awesome for THEM! Do you have any idea how moronic that makes you look?

I'm not telling ANYONE to NOT use/love/hate or whatever ELOGS... What I'm saying is, use it if you want... don't FORCE me to use something that is just a drain on my wallet with NO BENEFIT to ME whatsoever (and quit trying to tell me they ARE... MY research and assessment differs).... ELOGS are NOT a bullet-proof shield... quit acting like they are... If YOU want to be a homosexual, by all means, knock yourself out! But don't advocate that the government needs to compel ME to be one just like you!

 

It just seems very difficult to get some to understand that there are MANY factors and facets to the E-log question/puzzle, I for one am not wishing to force E-logs on anyone, if you are an O/O, then that is strictly your decision (or at least should be), we went to them to increase our bottom line by using less office help, and it does help us streamline dispatch, which in turn increases profitability, which ultimately gets passed down to the driver in the forms of more home time, more money, or more job security, if your company isn't making money, you will not have a job.

Everything else is just a perk, right up until you have a situation like WM just did, then it's a necessity, Fairplay is probably correct that E-logs won't "save" that driver, as they shouldn't, he was speeding in a construction zone and had a fatality accident.

What Fairplay, forgets to take into account is this, even thou that driver did something stupid, and will get hammered for it, that was decision that driver made on his own, and I'm sure he will pay for it, but E-logs will show the company as compliant, which may well save many of the other drivers jobs there (probably will not affect WM) but this could EASILY put a smaller company out of business.

At least that is how I see it.

 

Are you an O/O with one truck?

 

I'm an O/O with 7 trucks and a brokerage... started with one truck and my own numbers less than a year ago... guess my business sense is just plain pitiful, huh? Go piss in someone else's Wheaties.

 

See here is the thing: a business DECISION made by a small fleet owner vs. a MANDATE by the feds. I have no issues with the technology being available ( in various incarnations) and used by those who want to. What I do have an issue with is being forced to use EOBRs.

 

Wasn't trying to infer anything, just trying to gain perspective on your point of view,

You have a nice day also.



BTW, are you based out of Neb?

 

Can I interject here? I see a lot of blame on E-Logs and EOBR and what not. Which I'm sorry, is a cop out. If the driver cannot do his job in a safe and timely matter, that's on the driver. Not the elog. Why you're in a larger company situation where you have dispatch and fleet managers, it falls on them as well to properly plan that truck. This blaming e-logs for everything is getting old. If the driver is a bad driver, then you're going to have problems.

 

Elogs by themselves aren't inherently evil... it's a piece of tech, just like a cell phone or GPS... combined with the rigid 14 hr clock, however, it has the ability to become Nitro Glycerin in the wrong hands... this DOES create inordinate amounts of pressure on many drivers... witness the I-285 in Atlanta this past winter when all those trucks got shut down.... the drivers clearly felt the pressure of meeting deadlines w/o being able to pause the 14hr clock. Claiming that the box "doesn't MAKE a driver do ANYTHING unsafe" is like saying pulling the pin on the grenade doesn't MAKE it explode... technically true, but ignores the basic realities we all face out here... Drivers on Elogs (as well as some NOT on Elogs), regularly speed through construction zones and in parking lots, etc... does the "box" "make" them do it??? Physically, NO... psychologically... DUH!

Now, to some VERY relevant points:

1. Nobody will EVER be able to convince me that an Elog MADATE is A) A good Thing; B) Fair to small M/C's or C) the RIGHT thing to do;

2. Just because something works for YOUR business model, it doesn't make it right for MINE; Use it if you want, but don't try to "level the playing field" as claimed by the A.T.A. and its ilk (Like they'd go for a rule "leveling the playing field" requiring THEM to pass on their fuel, tire, repair, equipment discounts and self insurance perks to ME);

3. As a twice wounded 18B, I have BLED for EVERYONE's right to conduct their business and affairs as they see fit... I personally planted 4 of my men in Arlington... ALL of us passionately embrace not just OUR freedoms, but YOURS as well... I will NEVER stand idly by whilst someone attempts to shove THEIR vision upon me or anyone else... Imagine, if you will, that Queen Anne comes to the conclusion that Islam is the True Path and, in order to promote SAFETY and tranquility in the driver force, it is now her intention to make a rule forcing all CDL holders to convert.... I would scream just as loud about THAT as I do the forced Elog issue... to bring it down a notch, let's say you've been running your business (as do I), using Excel spreadsheets you've programmed to the nines... NOW: L'il Orphan Anne decides that, in order to make DOT Safety Audits easier, she's going to FORCE you to buy and subscribe to Quick Books Online (look to her offshore account for a recent deposit)... you must now convert your entire operation to a new, costly and ever MORE costly system... even though the one you have now is perfectly suitable for YOUR business... Would you want someone who uses Quick Books telling you how awesome wonderful your life will be from now on??? Doubtful.

 

No... Florida

 

If the someone is going to "feel pressure" from a dumb black box doing their logging, then they really need to find another line of work. If they can't handle an electronic log without going on prozac, then they are going to vapor lock in a blizzard or a Chicago rush hour. Guys, all the e-log is doing is logging. It isn't your mommy. It doesn't have a direct connection to the FMCSA and some dweeb is sitting at a screen just waiting for you to goof. If someone is going to be paranoid over an e-log, they need to be taken in for a drug test, because if they have that degree of paranoia, they must be smoking something illegal.

Whether it is right or wrong, indifferent, leveling the playing field, forcing compliance, or the end of trucking as we know it really doesn't much matter. The powers that be are behind it and it is going to be a reality for everyone very soon. You really can't expect things to go along like they have since 1939 when we are in the 21st century. Government, lawyers, activists, carriers, and the list goes on and on are behind this stuff, and especially the folks that have a vested interest in the mandating of the technology so they can make a buck from it. If some think that some sort of shutdown action is needed, by all means, lead the way. If not, then either learn to adjust to this stuff or bail out while the getting out is good. After all, no one is forcing anyone to drive a truck. If it is going to cause someone so much grief, then now is the time to make plans for a new career.