driving over the limit, need help!

jlkkj777 im with ya friend,you have a better way with words than I do. I think you told him enough about the "real world of OTR",so im not gonna say much.
As for you "Coachmark1" it seemes like you are a decent guy, and I can see your thinking comes from a good place.
""BUT"" You dont hava clue about "the real world of trucking" and what it takes to get the job done.
Get atleast 1yr.behind you then let us know about your log-book.
Ya'll hava good 1,im gooooonnnne

 

Welcome to the real world.

Actually, left them just a couple of weeks later.

I could tell you stories that have happened at all of the companies I have worked at. They have all wanted illegal running. It does not mean that I did it.

 

Sorry for the delay in responding Coachmark1. I have been busy burning up the highway chasing that dollar!

You are a worthy debater but a bit in over your head my friend. I am actually chuckling and smiling at this very moment formulating my responses in my mind to you.

As for my decision to violate any particular rule, regulation, guideline, or law I will suffer the consequences in the event I am caught. I find your haughty, superior mindset to obedience "suspect." Surely you will admit to speeding, tailgating, illegal parking, changing lanes without using your signal, making a rolling stop, or driving aggressively at some point in your life. To be truly this judgemental you will have to demonstrate 100% compliance in ALL motor vehicle and traffic laws in addition to the HOS rules and regs. I bet you cannot do it. To be frank I believe we ALL violate the laws and rules once in a while and usually do not get caught. Once you become a truck driver you will learn that things are not as black and white as you currently perceive them but rather a shade of gray open to interpretation.

What you can do to keep your job is to do your job to the best of your ability and NOT bash the man that gives you a paycheck each week. If you decide you cannot work for a man or a company then move on.

I am not deterred by "setbacks." I learn the rules of the game forward and backward. I then learn to work the system to my benefit. The most successful people in the world have built their fortunes through hard work and taking calculated risks throughout their careers regardless of the current "rules or laws."

Stereotyping truckers now while playing devils advocate? Thats ok. I got that covered. During the 70's those activities were very prevalent (from the stories I have heard anyway). Movies such as "Duel" and "Smokey and the Bandit" were made and entered the publics conscious. Subsequently more laws were made to reign in these outlaw truckers. We are now drug tested on a regular basis (pre-employment, post accident, and random). We are observed by not only law enforcement and safety personnel at our respective companies but by the public as well. It seems everyone has a cell phone which doubles as a camera and in some cases a video phone. We are under constant scrutiny from stop light cameras, ez-pass transponders which note our passing with the time and date recorded in a data base, pre-pass equipped vehicles have their credentials checked at highway speeds rather than entering a weigh station, and now we have gps equipped trucks that have on board computers doubling as communications portals as well as tracking systems which "ping" the trucks to monitor their progress periodically. You also mentioned prostitution in your post. Prostitution is the oldest profession in the world and in many societies is legal. Even in some areas of the USA believe it or not. Just because it is labeled as an illegal activity does not mean people in general will avoid that behavior.

I do believe my viewpoints and comments are valid. I do what I can to inform and educate based on my own experiences and understanding of any particular topic. I do have influence and therefore I AM relevant. If you do not learn anything from me then that is your fault not mine. I have offered wisdom, advice and tips to assist you (and others) in their journey. Accept the information or reject it as you please.

I am not offended that you would challenge me. You have done it in a respectful manner and I believe I have used humor and wisdom to answer you. I have asked others to step up and challenge my perceptions in other threads. It actually intrigues and amuses me to see anothers perspective even if I do not necessarily agree with them. Continue to post as you please. How else will you learn if you do not ask? As for your failure to sway me to your way of thinking that is nothing to be concerned about. This forum and others would be an awfully boring place if we all agreed all the time don't you think?

You have the right to be angry at anyone tailgating your vehicle (or your wifes) wether it be a maniac in a four wheeler or a nut in a big rig. How about you clear the lane and let that person go on? Just because that truckdriver may be driving aggressively does not mean he is running illegally or hopped up on some illegal drug. He is doing his job, attempting to get to his destination as quickly as possible while navigating a highway filled with other vehicles that may not be as skilled. Remember the Interstate highways system was originally designed and constructed for the transport of commerce and military vehicles at high speeds rather than for the general motoring public. The interstate highway system concept was actually taken from Germany and implemented here. The average 4 wheeler has little to no understanding of highway etiquette or that the left lane IS indeed for passing nor the fact that the trucking industry does in fact pay the lions share of all road use and fuel taxes for said highways.

Drivers do not let delays at shipper or receivers happen. It is out of their control. The only recourse is to charge the customer detention pay. Good luck collecting it though. Drivers will try to be as flexible as possible and still do the job. The current HOS prohibit that "flexibility."

You do not realize the wisdom that has been conveyed in the statement: "I parked at the customers lot." This is the smartest way to get your job done. You have a place to park, get your break, avoid delays on the roadway due to congestion, delivered the customers frieght on time, and can wait to start your next 14 hour work period based on when your dispatcher finds another load for you. By parking elsewhere you run the risk of being late, causing the customer to get testy, and then have to start your 14 hour work window early.

Logs likes the split provision because she does not drive a truck. While it is legal it is very restrictive. You MUST show 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper and then pair it with 2 more hours either off duty or in the sleeper. Using the split you NEVER get your 14 hour work window back nor do you EVER get 11 straight hours of driving again until you have 10 hours off duty. I stand by my statements regarding split logging: "if your going to stop for 8 hours in the sleeper then you might as well stay 2 more hours and reset your 14 hour work window AND your 11 hour driving clock."

As for not including 09/11/2001 I suggest googling "loosechange" and Jessie Ventura or going to utube and watching the interview.

 

Not knocking you logs I just do not like the restrictive rule. I do know how to split break and have used it on occassion to satisfy a delivery appointment or to get home sooner. My logs are flawless I assure you and I collect a monthly bonus for not only my log but my wifes as well. You see I juggle both books and verify they not only are legal but they match flawlessly.

I have seen many other drivers that mistakenly believe that the 2 hours does not count against their 14 hour rule and yet others that have believed they can reset their 11 hour rule and 14 hour work window after they showed 8 hours in the sleeper.

It seems to confuse drivers because the 14 hour clock is constantly changing when you utilize the split. This causes violations on a consistent basis.

Having been a driver for 16 years and working under both sets of rules I must say the old ones are far better than the new over all. Of course I only have a measly 2,000,000 + miles under my belt actually utilizing both sets of "rules."

Do not mistake my stance against split logging as ignorance. I assure you that is not the case.

For drivers that actually do the job every day I am sure the vast majority do not use the split provision. Just as the instructors teach in the trucking schools; KISS (keep it simple stupid). When you start trying to be "smart" with the regs then you will eventually trip yourself up.

 

The instructors teaching the drivers to be simple is actually teaching the drivers the lazy way. The instructor can't/wont take the time to teach them how to split break (usually lack of understanding how it helps the driver/company make money) YOu are paying for the schooling and they should be teaching you everything you need to know about the DOT regulations. Companies are also causing themselves heartache by NOT teaching the drivers. I just get so frustrated by the lack of not doing their jobs!


Good conversation though

 

My only problem with that statement is that you are acting like a know-it-all.

You are 100% right. I have broken driving laws. You are also 100% right in assuming I will make a mistake again. I'm human and do that.

I will as I always have. And, if I'm asked to run illegal I won't. If it costs me my job so be it. Why? Because no one controls my morals, and decides what is right and wrong for me. Doest that mean I'm holier than thou? Absolutely not...but what it does mean is that I don't compromise my values and beliefs.

We all have "setbacks". We all make mistakes. BUT, when you personally set out to bend/break the rules, well... how can you line yourself under the guise of trying to "do the right thing" and you just made a mistake. Rockefeller was probably the most successful man in history (money wise), but also one of the biggest back-stabbing crooks. He took many risks and broke many regulations and laws. So who is the better role model...him or Jesus(and no I'm not trying to get all religious on you)?

Ok your starting to make me wonder if you can keep up with a thread and the posts in it. So I'll help you.
YOU SAID:

AND I SAID:

SO NO I am not "stereotyping truckers now, while playing devil's advocate". I was simply saying the same thing as you. You could put priests, teachers, or anyone else in that sentence. Their are bad apples everywhere.

But here is something for you to ponder...why is it wrong in your mind when you "see cops speeding, tailgating, making illegal u-turns, using unnecessary force with suspects, using intimidation and fear to keep the people under their thumbs". Or when "a cop is found out to be a hypocrit, has hired prostitutes, has shaken down drug dealers, has demanded kick backs from pimps and pushers to let them "slide".
After all we all have our setbacks and mistakes right? Some cops probably even choose to bend the rules and laws as they "see fit". They perhaps are just "working the system to their benefit." RIGHT?!?!?!?!?

You are entitled to believe whatever you please. I learned alot from you about myself just from this conversation. I learned that while I don't pretend to know everything about trucking or what you go through, that bottom line it just doesn't matter. Principles are principles no matter if money, a company, or your mind convinces you that it is ok, and it really is not. You are either going to adhere to them or not. Simple as that.

I'll give you that. But why does it amuse you so when someone else presents another perspective?

You missed the point on this one. I wasn't asking for a history lesson on driving or trucking. I was commenting that here you are calling some cops hypocrits and bad apples for breaking their job laws and giving their industry a bad name and you are breaking trucking laws and doing the same thing. Now don't get me wrong on this or misquote me yet again:
I AM NOT saying that ALL truckers are wrong and giving the industry a bad name for breaking rules. NO, I'm simply saying THAT YOU are admittingly breaking the rules and therefore giving your industry a bad name.

Oh Really? So you "show them" by going over the HOS. Now that makes alot of sense. If all drivers had that minset then things would be...well as bad as they are now right? It's common sense(and so I'm suprised that you didn't think of this) but if all ran legal then the shippers/receivers would be forced to move their collective #$$es right?

Not if you are going to have to interupt your 10 it's not! If I have to park an hour away in order to take my 10 hour break and then fight said traffic for that 1 hr, in order to not break my 10 hr's and cost me valuable time...then I'm parking an hr away. Unless it is a live unload for say 7am...then I would have properly trip planned and probably taken the 8hr break instead. Even if (assuming it isnt a live unload)you were an hr away and made contact with said customer and told them your arrival time, would they get testy? Am I right to assume that most shippers wouldn't let you sit on their lot unmoved until 9am, when most receivers are there at 6 or 7?

Seen it and agree with it. I say this as a former United States Marine and someone that loves this country. I just hate where our leaders are taking it to.

 

Ok you went from knowing what you are talking about and making a little sense in my book. Attribute that to this 1 statement. You can pretend that you have a clue about the military, but don't even try to compare yourself to a military man. What a joke and perfect end to this "conversation"!

 

I know nothing of military life despite being surrounded by it on all sides? My grandfather, My father, My brothers, My brother in laws, even my Sister have served. I tried to enlist at the age of 19 but was ruled ineligible due to a bleeding ulcer.

I am fully aware of what a soldier goes through based on my converstaions with my relatives and their friends.

Allow me to draw some parrallels for you Coachmark1;

Military are deployed for long periods of time far away from their friends their families and their familiar territory.

Truckers spend as little as a couple of days to literally months at a time away from their friends and families and home territory.

You are trained in the art of murder and survival.

We are trained to navigate this nations highways and survive on a budget while avoiding getting hi-jacked, robbed, assaulted, crashed into by other travelers, and shot at by nutjobs consumed with road rage and watching overpasses for rocks and bricks being thrown at our rigs.

You wear a uniform to do your job. You have a weapon assigned to you for your protection at taxpayers expense.

We wear appropriate clothing to the job including slip resistant boots, heavy denim jeans, gloves, and heavy jackets to survive bitterly cold weather and freezer warehouses. Many of us also carry concealed weapons to protect ourselves and cargo in less than desirable neighborhoods.

You sleep in areas that have no air conditioning or heat in some cases.

We as truckers are forced due to idling restrictions to sleep in a metal box without idling and the temperatures may get over a hundred degrees inside in the blazing sun. Have the truck break down in the winter and you may be sleeping in sub zero temps until help arrives.

You do what you are told, when you are told, by superior officers.

We do what we are told by our dispatchers, fleet managers, operations managers, terminal managers, safety directors, and customers.

Disobey your masters in uniform and you will be brought up on insubordination charges, put in the stockade, or even given a dishonorable discharge.

If we disobey our masters (bosses) we get fired from our job and lose our livelihood. We violate the laws and we may as well be incarcerated.

Based on your first 2 posts and legitimate questions and naivate' in general I will not get offended at your choice of words in your latest post.

"Offense can never be given, it can only be taken."

Believe it or not trucking companies love ex military due to the fact they are used to being gone for a long time, know how to get a job done, are used to living in adverse conditions, and understand a chain of command. The skills you learned as a soldier will be directly portable to the lifestyle of a trucker. You will realize that sooner or later.

You have alot to learn my friend. Learn to listen more and speak less and you may actually learn something here if not from me then from some of my peers here.