Operation Elimate Stupid Idle Policies

Personally , this isn't a problem . I run tanker and need to idle to run the pump or compressor so they can't restrict idle time . The carrier also has a contract with IdleAire . They have never said a word to us about idling during our breaks .
APU's aren't being considered . With many of our runs local and most drivers home for restarts and home between dedicated runs the payback time for AOU's is too long . For that reason I'd reject the idea of making APU's mandatory .
I guess a start would be to make it illegal to place devices on trucks to limit idling time . I've read posts by drivers that suffered when their APU broke down . Carriers can set an idling policy to prohibit idling within certain temperature ranges .

 

The first step would be to invite your local representative to spend the night in a truck in New York when it's 20 degrees outside—without idling. Now perhaps they can bring enough sleeping bags and blankets to make it nice and toasty while they're sleeping... but crawling out in the morning SUCKS.

Then, invite them to spend the day at the Flying J in Dallas. Make sure they leave the windows down so the crack dealers and prostitutes have easy access to knock you in the head and clean out the truck for you.

 

Here's another........never mind.

 

It is not only the government regulations. Consider the many companies that require the driver to not idle and offer no APU. These are worse than the government rules.

 

Very simple. We should, at the least, have the same rights as pets. Neither a state, municipality or company should be legally able to subject the driver to conditions that would be unacceptable to put Fido in.

 

"oh good for you..." B/c you are fortunate enough to have such a great job, are you implying that the rest of us (who are barely considered a step above a migrant farm worker) should not attempt to change things to improve our quality of life or better our working conditions???

 

Amen, don't change laws... just aim to add laws that protect us. I can concur with not idling provided alternatives are considered.

Our company is working on adding APU's to solo trucks but those of us teams are stuck without since "teams are moving more than solo." I can think of 4 or 5 weeks recently we ran just as many miles as a solo... and sat just as much too and ended up idling because of muggy 90 degree days in N. Carolina around Memorial Weekend.

Again, fighting the system is futile.. but having those that are responsible consider amendments might raise a brow or two. Look at the marijuana debate.. its still illegal unless its for medicinal purposes

 

Did I not say this ?