Do you run illegal on your logs?

Yes you can log in the sleeper while loading/unloading.

Here is my general rule:

You log all time "dealing" with the loading/unloading. Logging 15 minutes every time well to me it's a red flag when looking at your log. The issue is can I "PROVE" you was dealing with it longer than 15 minutes? Many times the answer is no. However some companies/customers may do things differently. If on the paper work they state you was on dock from 8:00 to 10:00 then DOT is going to read this and say you need to be on line 4 from 8:00 to 10:00. Get my point here. Read between the lines guys/ladies

Now if they don't want you on the dock then go to the sleeper. Make sure your body is in the sleeper. If you get 8 hours or more in the SLEEPER you can extend your 14 hour by that many hours. Remember any driving time prior to the 8 is subtracted from your 11 hours of driving.

Now if it's a load where you have to assist you must log the whole time on line 4!

There is a thread somewhere regarding loading/unloading in more depth.

What you should not do is log OFF DUTY while loading/unloading. HOwever many officers would not say anything you will run acrossed the one that knows the regulations and has some common sense.

 

To log off duty you have to be free to

h)(1) Off duty. Except for time spent resting in a sleeper berth, a continuous line shall be drawn between the appropriate time markers to record the period(s) of time when the driver is not on duty, is not required to be in readiness to work, or is not under any responsibility for performing work.

Read all of the questions & answers below. Each 1,2,3 & 4 is the answer to the question. Notice even if the company relieves you of duty you must be able to pursue your own activities. Well 90% of customers are not going to allow you to leave while they load/unload the trailer so that means you are not able to pursue your own activities. Thus meaning you would be on line 4 or sleeper. I would chose sleeper to save on the 60/70 hour rule.
Now many officers won't say anything but trust me I had drivers written up for logging line 1 at a customer. Now if the customer & company does allow you to leave to eat or walk the lot or whatever then sure log off duty.
If you are in the front seat waiting even though reading a book then DOT will say you wouldn't be in that front seat if you wasn't waiting to be loaded/unloaded wuld you? Your answer would be no! Therefore you was waiting to be loaded/unloaded which means line 4 time.
Does this make sense. Off duty means you are away from the truck free to do as you please pretty much.

Question 2: What conditions must be met for a CMV driver to record meal and other routine stops made during a tour of duty as off-duty time?

Guidance: 1. The driver must have been relieved of all duty and responsibility for the care and custody of the vehicle, its accessories, and any cargo or passengers it may be carrying.

2. The duration of the driver's relief from duty must be a finite period of time which is of sufficient duration to ensure that the accumulated fatigue resulting from operating a CMV will be significantly reduced.

3. If the driver has been relieved from duty, as noted in (1) above, the duration of the relief from duty must have been made known to the driver prior to the driver's departure in written instructions from the employer. There are no record retention requirements for these instructions on board a vehicle or at a motor carrier's principal place of business.

4. During the stop, and for the duration of the stop, the driver must be at liberty to pursue activities of his/her own choosing and to leave the premises where the vehicle is situated.

 

I have worked for 3 trucking companies and we all gave a card usually behind one of your required cards such as medical, qualification or road test(not required on the road test but most companies do them) that "allows" a driver to log line 1 for meal breaks, showers etc. If the company does not give you permission this time is supposed to be logged on line 4. Many officers do not ask for the card from what I am told by drivers that I ask. The company will hold you responsible within reason regardless.