Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

A Call to Arms

Discussion in 'USA Truck' started by bama_quake, Oct 15, 2008.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Oct 15, 2008 #1
    bama_quake

    bama_quake Bobtail Member

    19
    10
    Oct 11, 2008
    Birmingham, AL
    0
    Fellow USA Drivers,

    Though I've very happy working for USA, a few things have come to my attention. It would seem that USA is turning back the trucks of anyone whose idle time is 'too high'. It would seem that alot of the high idle times is being caused by a KNOWN problem with the ICON system.

    From what I've been told, the only trucks that aren't being 'set back' are those which have APU's installed (interesting, no ICON). International has already made USA aware of this problem, yet USA had rather blame the drivers for the high idle time.

    As some of you may, or may not, know HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) to insure the driver's comfort and ability to get a "refreshing night's sleep" is a DOT REQUIREMENT. One that USA seems to want to ignore. Instead, they want to PUNISH us for thier unwillingness to FIX the problem. By setting the trucks back, they are in turn causing us to be late for pickups and deliveries. And of course, if we're late, we start getting poor load assignments.

    Some of you may wonder what you can do to fight this. Well, quite simply, you can try any (or all) of the following suggestions:


    1. If you have such a truck that has been 'set back', talk to your fleet manager.
    2. Talk to the President of USA (He did say that his door was ALWAYS open to the drivers)
    3. BOMBARD DOT with letters stating this problem.
    4. Join OOIDA (A company designed to fight for the fair treatment of professional drivers -- no, it's not just for Owner/Ops -- if you wish to join, send me a message and I'll give you information on joining. Cost is only $25 for the first year if you mention just one thing which I'll tell you about when you contact me)
    USA is a great company, don't get me wrong. But, punishing the drivers simply because they don't want to see the REAL problem is NOT the fair way to address the problem.
     
    bama_quake, Oct 15, 2008
    bama_quake, Oct 15, 2008
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Oct 15, 2008 #2
    Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

    18,951
    8,981
    Apr 4, 2007
    0
    I believe the DOT only requires a rest period of 10 hours. I have never seen anything that states "a refreshing nights sleep as a DOT requirement."
     
    Roadmedic, Oct 15, 2008
    Roadmedic, Oct 15, 2008
    #2
  4. Oct 16, 2008 #3
    bama_quake

    bama_quake Bobtail Member

    19
    10
    Oct 11, 2008
    Birmingham, AL
    0
    Granted, the wording is not the same. HOWEVER, unless I'm mistaken, if the system designed for heating and AC are not functioning properly, that IS a DOT issue. The ICON's purpose is to control the climate in the truck.
     
    bama_quake, Oct 16, 2008
    bama_quake, Oct 16, 2008
    #3
  5. Oct 17, 2008 #4
    DBL_TIME

    DBL_TIME <strong>"Two Mints in One"</strong>

    391
    137
    Feb 9, 2008
    0
    I told you this the other day in another post but i guess i dont know what i'm talking about. ALL trucks are being turned down as they come in for service and they are already turned down if they are new. apu or not. as i stated i have a 09 prostar with apu 1.20% or less idle time always and a consistent mpg avg. of 6.73-6.81 guess what my truck is 60/pedal 63/cruise. The only difference that will be made is anyone with high idle/poor mileage will not have the 63/cruise it will be 60 straight across. With my quote turned down truck i still have averaged 2910mls PER WEEK not been late once. You just have to adjust. Now do i think it's right? Absolutely not!!! Am i still having 850-950 chks Absolutely! The quickest way to help yourself find a new job in my opinion is to start making suggestions about bombarding dot with anything. What does your fm have to do with truck speed he/she is not a mechanic and i'm sure they'll be looking forward to those calls about something in wich they have no control. When i was in my old truck same thing icon screwed up i went and bought a $14 fan. As i've said many times before this job with any company for the most part is gonna be what you make of it. Much like raising a teenager Pick and Choose your battles. It does no good to engage in everything that pisses you off. Right or Wrong you will end up looking like a whiner.
     
    DBL_TIME, Oct 17, 2008
    DBL_TIME, Oct 17, 2008
    #4
  7. Oct 17, 2008 #5
    coastie

    coastie Road Train Member

    1,245
    540
    Oct 20, 2006
    Cleveland, Ga But heart is in PI
    0
    Stated in Orientation today ALL TRUCKS are turned down to 60 pedal 63 on Curse.
     
    coastie, Oct 17, 2008
    coastie, Oct 17, 2008
    #5
  8. Oct 17, 2008 #6
    Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

    18,951
    8,981
    Apr 4, 2007
    0

    Still not in the rules. All of the trucks have heat and a/c in the bunks. Many of the companies have it set so the trucks do not idle more than 1/2 hour or 5 minutes unless the temperature outside is the right level. Some other companies actually do not like idling period.

    In many states you cannot idle as well.

    On the same line, it is not a violation of DOT to drive a truck without a/c for example.
     
    Roadmedic, Oct 17, 2008
    Roadmedic, Oct 17, 2008
    #6
  9. Oct 18, 2008 #7
    bigpapa7272

    bigpapa7272 Light Load Member

    224
    35
    Sep 9, 2007
    Baltimore
    0
    just a thought why does the air/heat have to be checked when doing a pretrip if its not required to be working????
     
    bigpapa7272, Oct 18, 2008
    bigpapa7272, Oct 18, 2008
    #7
    leannamarie Thanks this.
  10. Oct 18, 2008 #8
    Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

    18,951
    8,981
    Apr 4, 2007
    0
    Good question.
     
    Roadmedic, Oct 18, 2008
    Roadmedic, Oct 18, 2008
    #8
  11. Oct 18, 2008 #9
    coastie

    coastie Road Train Member

    1,245
    540
    Oct 20, 2006
    Cleveland, Ga But heart is in PI
    0
    I never seen it on a pretrip check list my self. Once I get my logs from USA I will see if they list it.
     
    coastie, Oct 18, 2008
    coastie, Oct 18, 2008
    #9
  12. Oct 18, 2008 #10
    Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

    18,951
    8,981
    Apr 4, 2007
    0
    I went to verify it and found this:

    link http://www.ra2.biz/tractortrailer_dot_pti.html




    Heater/defroster/ac work on high and low

    It is in the get in cab section
     
    Roadmedic, Oct 18, 2008
    Roadmedic, Oct 18, 2008
    #10
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 3