mercer transportation

No, if the truck was still running, it takes 5 minutes without moving an inch in order for it to stay on duty. Otherwise, if the truck never stopped running, the system assumes you were doing exactly what you were and puts you back on the drive line. The truck either has to be turned off (I usually give it 5 -10 seconds to be sure) or it has to be sitting still for at least 5 minutes.

 

That's good to know. I will try that sometime.

 

There is absolutely no way I will play that game. If you gotta use tricks to beat the system, it's past time to make changes.

 

I worried about it when I first got here, I was used to running as hard as possible to make money. I have since seen the light and I'm usually not running hard at all, taking 3 days a week off most of the time. I still drive out my 11 usually, but I love driving, and I rarely cut it that close, I just pull up earlier. All that being said, every system, no matter what it is and what it pertains to, has ways to beat it. I always try to learn those as quickly as possible and how to manipulate them to my advantage, not because I will or do use them constantly, but because on the rare occassion when I do need them, I want to know already.

 

The e log system is good and bad.
Doesn't help much at all when you're sitting at a shipper for 3 hours waiting to get loaded ...oh an you had an "appointment" as well but they are 3 hours behind so that's out the window!....
Most of the time it's the shippers & receivers who cause these guys to doctor on their log books. Or better yet, some lousy broker or dispatcher telling you that you only have one day to run 750 miles

 

Agreed,

 

Yeah, I don't mind the elogs for the most part, there are days from time to time when I miss having paper, but there has never been a day where I was happy to be on electronics over paper. I've been running elogs for going on 4 years, I'm used to them and they have their advantages, but I don't like the fact that they force me to drive when and only when the government says I can. I don't like someone else, who has never been in a truck, much less mine, telling me when I'm tired and when I'm not.

 

Have to turn truck off to lock in change or still for 5 minutes

 

Exactly!...I've used the Qualcomm an cadec system. It forces you to slow down.
It used to be a point where I wouldn't even start my log book until I was loaded an rolling, that way I take advantage of ALL of my 14... However, when it comes to the e log u can't do this anymore. Soon as you move that truck your 14 is counting. By the time you blow 2.5 hours at the shipper u don't even have time to stop an eat a decent lunch if you are planning on driving all day.
I don't know about any of you but I like to get started around 5-6am and be prepared to pull into a truck stop no later than 6pm to bed down for the night.
The e logs throws a wrench in that because it's gonna force you to drive when "it" says so

 

I still don't usually start my clock until I'm loaded/unloaded. Our elogs allow you up to 5 miles before they kick on, so I try to park within that range of a shipper/receiver or on their property. If I'm going to do that, I take a shower before I get there and otherwise, I keep food/water on the truck to accommodate me.