Sleep and Idle...what's the truth?

I'm one of those people that's always hot, and when I am hot I can not sleep.

I'm not just talking about when it's 120 degrees out. If I am one degree above my comfort zone I do not sleep. Fans and open windows do not cut it for me, especially since my day is usually over in the early afternoon when it's bright and loud outside. So, I end up idling the truck at any temperature above 60 degrees.

Cold I can deal with. Usually end up idling for often to make sure the truck will start in the morning than I do for my own comfort.


I will not work for any company that does not let me idle without restriction or provide me with an APU (one of the many reasons my next driving job will likely have to be in a truck that I own). I pay no attention to any state of city laws regarding this, and will idle all night right in front of a "No Idle" sign. Not only is that little bit of comfort that important to me, but mostly I just don't feel safe on the road if I do it any other way. With all these new idle rules coming from all these companies and trucks that shut themselves off not allowing you to idle, I'm not so sure I would be able to cut it if I were new and just starting out in the industry today.

 

give them your keys? because you can't be trusted with your own equipment? I've never heard of that before - is this common?

 

I buy the fuel, so I'll do what keeps me comfortable. I can't sleep when it's hot. Period.

To those that say "man up, it's part of the job"; I've been there, done that and, judging from the experience level of most of those with that attitude, have dealt with it a lot more than you have.

I "man up", alright. I "man up" and shell out the money for the fuel I burn. There is no reason to suffer with what we have available these days compared to "back in the day" and you're a fool if you do.

 

Suffering is part of being a man. That's what put the hair on your chest. To those who work for a company who don't say anything about your abusive idle issues. It's probably figured in to the low pay they give you. Nobody becomes a truck driver to be comfortable. You become one so you can be abused, and used and treated like a red haired step child. I can't believe some of these post. Do they still allow MEN to drive trucks. Or just a bunch of side walk.. nevermind. Anyway Enjoying this nice comfy day in Amarillo. Wind a blowing, fly's a flying, turbo fan a humming. APU off, Engines off. Train horns blaring. Man this is the Life baby!! Wow just got a new hair on my chest. Yeeeee Hawwwwww!!

 

I have a few places like that. I laugh, hand over the keys, and firevthe truck back up. Always have a few spare keys, driver. Useful for more than just locking yourself out of the truck.

 

You realize that usually your exhaust blows right onto the trailer, right? That big metal box they're in... and if it's like most trailers with vents at the front, you're blowing your exhaust right into where they're working. But hey, at least princess is comfy.

 

They don't give 2 ####s about if princess is comfy, or for that matter treated with trust or respect...so why should princess care if they are exterminated out of the trailer while unloading it? My thoughts; if I am treated like a thief upon entering a customer that I am doing a service for and am expected to leave their property the very second they finish unloading...then they can unload their #### out of my trailer like yesterday & get the F out just as fast. Truckers get no respect and are treated worse than animals. All of these legislators & companies making up all these rules should be ashamed of themselves. If it weren't for us they wouldn't be able to wipe their own @$$es.

 

Just WOW!!!