2013 Cascadia

All true. But I have a hard time getting maintenance to work in small issues before the become big issues on the truck. Getting them to do stuff on the APU is even more of a challenge.

Not always the case but it gets frustrating sometimes

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Chemsoldier makes some great points. The APU is important enough to me that I do check it each day on my pre-trip and I check the oil each time I fuel. I want it working because it makes my life in the truck much more enjoyable.

 

I am in a truck with no apu or icon. Just an old school leave it running truck. My company would never say jack about idle percentages. Who ever said 1hr = 1gallon of fuel is nuts. I use about 2 to 3 gallons on my 10hr break.

 

Well i got selected. I'm in a 2013 with no apu and peoplenet. I get to be a test dummy. Got it the oil was 1.5 gallobs low. Showed 1/4 tank of fuel and ran out 60 miles from terminal. Seems some one left the passenger side fuel tank shut off. Haven't had to idle much yet. Think I'm at 11% drove 890 moles and averaging 6.2 mpg so far. Only 30000 lbs in box but hills tge first half of trip. Batteries he'd up to 10 minutes of microwave and some tv watching and did not load shed overnight. Started no issues. Drives good. Shifts smooth as silk. Quiet compared to my 2011 200000 mile last truck. Nice to not have rattles and squeeks.

Still not sure how I'm going to.like it but ill keep an open mind. I'm still waiting to see how they handle the no idle tickets from cali, penn, ny etc.. said the truck us CARB certified so they will fight it.

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Yea I don't care what companies say idle time is about 80% on the company and 20% on the driver. Don't call me when Idle time is is too high. Your the one who buys the system you buy I just use it. If you think it is safe for me to toss and turn all night cause I can't idle my truck to get a comfortable night sleep you kiss me...............If fuel econ wants to nod their head when I tell them that Ill nod right back and go right back to doing what I was doing. We truckers already sacrifice our whole lives for our companies is a few green backs worth more than our comfort on the road?

 

{now I'm just spit balling here....but} It seems to me there are lots of decent trucking companies that are hiring. If USIT is becoming an advocate of what amounts to "rolling sweat shops", maybe it's time to make a move to greener pastures?

I broke in with USA and I knew absolutely nothing about trucking (nor am I an expert today ) and like so many I bought into the hype....for 6 months. The next 6 months I recognized the reality and knew it was time to go....and I'm here to tell you, there's life out there, that PAYS!!!!

Screens in windows, non-compliant equipment and sub-standard maintenance are things that drivers should not be subjected to, especially by large carriers yet it happens all to often. But are the drivers are partially responsible because they participate by working for these types of companies? Would the companies change their operations if drivers simply wouldn't work for them if those conditions were the norm?

I know, I know...UTOPIA!!! It may be a pipe dream but it does exist, I work in a safety driven environment everyday, a place where they take care of the drivers and all employees.....BUT.....we are held accountable, "to whom much is given, much is required"!

It's easy to be frustrated and that turns to complacency, change takes effort, If the Company does not want to change, maybe the drivers should??

 

Here Here. I couldn't agree more. I changed.

 

Yes it does.

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Simple math indicates the savings of an APU. Initial cost 10k?? I highly doubt it with all the government tax breaks and incentives that has been offered. Apu uses a fraction of the fuel that idleing does. When they areset properly they do not run constantly except when the A/C is on. Apu is legal to run idleing is not in a lot of states. Do you really think USA is going to send one of their high priced lawyers to fight your little ticket? I highly doubt it? That would cost more than that APU.
What ever happened to their pledge to the drivers? That didn't even last as long as one of their maintainece cycles for the trucks.

I expect they will come around soon and see the errors in their ways. There are still many other companies that are just as confused or worse.