Showers

Ubu is correct. You can be On Duty as long as you want (can stand it), you just can't drive after 14 hours. You need to take a 10 to start a fresh clock. I regularly worked 16-24 hour days as a trainer. If a load required it and my trainee was not qualified to run team, then I drove a shift with the trainee in the sleeper berth and then stayed on duty in the passenger seat while they drove a shift.

Regarding showers, if you are running OTR you will likely fuel at least once a day. You earn a shower credit at that national chain. Make sure to get an awards card for Love's, Pilot/FJ, Ultracard (TA/Petro), and maybe an Ambest card. Usually a shower credit is good for one week.

Circumstances may mean you will take a 10 where you don't have a chance to take a shower. You can shower on your 30 minute break or get a pack of Assurance wipes in the adult diaper area of the pharmacy at Walmart. One wipe can get you smelling all purdy like in a jiffy.

 

It is correct. The FMCSA is only concerned with the hours you work when you are driving.

You can read the full hours of service rules for yourself at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/part/395

The 14 hour rule only limits you to driving within 14 hours of going on-duty and limits you to 11 hours within that time frame. The rules say nothing about not working more then 14 hours without a 10 hour brake, they say you have to take a 10 hour brake before you can drive again. You can work for 72 hours straight or more as far as the FMCSA is concerned as long as you are not driving and take a 10 hour brake before you drive again.

 

True, except once you go past 70 hours you need to take a 34 IF you want to drive. By the time a trainee had 50 hours behind the wheel, if I wanted to qualify them to run team I had to take a 34. I usually was at around 75-90 hours of drive and on duty time by the time they did 50 hours driving.

 

Interesting.... I read that and I can't believe anyone would want to be on duty that long.

I know our Elogs are set up to only go to he 14 hour mark and then We have to take a 10 hour break.

Never reach that limit with two of us. Not sure how you would feel rested running 11 hours then to be On duty 6+ hours with just 10 hours of sleep before you drive again.

 

Training can be grueling. It was a bit of a relief when I capped out my 70 during their solo phase, because then both the student and I held to a normal schedule.

Fairly frequently early in training they would throw a few super single loads at us. Meaning loads that were a little farther than a solo driver can complete, so the trainer runs the first part and leaves as much meat on the bone as the trainee can handle. A few super single loads will chew up a trainer's 70 in a hurry.

 

Make sure you get a frequent fueler card for the various chains, and swipe it every time you fuel, showers are free with either 50 or sometimes 100 gallons of fuel. It is a good plan to shower every single day, but truth is it is difficult to get done OTR. Every other day using wet wipes in between is reality. I wear sandals in the shower and wherever possible I do not touch the walls of the shower itself. I'm not Howard Hughes here but they don't always clean these showers good enough to suit me. I usually ask for extra towels and do not let my feet touch the floor. If there is a line for the shower they issue you a ticket (at the Love's) or you watch or listen for your shower number. I usually get something to eat if there are 2 or more ahead of me in line I usually have time. 1500 gallons per month you get unlimited showers at the Love's (as of August 2016), other chains will vary. Everything you always wanted to know but they didn't teach you in truck driving school! lol God bless.

 

The 14 hour clock only regulates your driving, not working. You can be working all 168 hours in a week, but you cannot drive, even with any of your 11 driving hours unused after working 14 hours or unless you recently had 10 hours off-duty/sleeper. Work is not limited, we're exempt from FLSA.

 

It's actually pretty easy to give yourself a sponge bath in your truck. All you need is a bar of soap, a container for water (like tupperware), a washcloth and a towel to stand on. It's not as good as a real shower but it's better than baby wipes.

 

Does the trainer get your back? lol

 

Eeew. I've never had a trainer I started with Watkins-Shepard. 10 day orientation and then you get your own truck.