E-Log Devices/Apps. You Would Recommend

Have you started using it? If so how is it going for u?

 

I got a question for the guys running Big Road app. Do you use that app for your inspection reports? Or do you do a separate daily inspection sheet to keep DOT happy?

 

If I remember correctly that the inspection report isn't required by dot anymore

 

We started using the Keeptruckin.com app. You can edit it, sign it, inspection reports, tied into GPS tracking if you desire, email, print, or fax logs from your phone. Our guys still carry paper logs in case there is a snafu with the DOT officer on the email, printer, or fax machine. The law just says you must be able to print and sign, well they can electronically, and physically as well. We had already ran into an ignorant officer that wanted them handwritten. So my guy got out his blank sheets and started printing them down by hand, handed them to the officer and told him that he could keep them as scap paper when he was done reviewing. LOL It was voluntary for our guys at first but after my old timers tried the keeptruckin app they now have said they would never go back to paper. I might suggest you invest in a tablet because it is a little harder to read on the smaller smart phone screen, (especially when your eyes start getting tired.)

 

Does it appear shippers and receivers actually give a rats behind about your time if you are on the electronic log? Have the overnight deliveries where you typically run out of hours while in the receiving door changed so you take your 10 hours off before arriving at receiver? So basicly from a 13-14 hour delivery to a 24 hour delivery?

 

Because the shippers and receivers have never given a rats bass about our time, we have a few rules.

On the shipper side: If our truck is not loaded within two hours then we request a modified rate sheet for $500.00 more or our truck leaves (providing it was not already in a dock getting loaded). Whatever time they take to load us is the amount of extra time we have to deliver.

On the receiver side: We submit for any detention (most likely not going to receive any), if we don't receive any from that load we just take the lost time and add it to that receivers price per mile for the next time we go in there.

Example: Load paid $2000.00 for 1000 miles, receiver took 5 hrs to unload $500.00 billed to receiver. Receiver did not pay detention.

Next load to that receiver: $2500.00 for 1000 miles

When we have had brokers argue about detention we just send them a copy of the electronic logs and tell them to either pay us now or they will pay us later. When the tell us we still have to get the load there when they want it after their screw up, we inform them that is coercion and maybe we need to send the information onto the local DOT, FMCSA, and our attorney's (to include OOIDA), I am sure they would like to have a heyday with that shipper/broker or receiver.

So I guess the answer is the electronic logs have indeed helped us with those issues. Our guys did not change the way they ran because of electronic logs they just made their life easier. The app I am talking about functions just like paper but does all the math for you, no way you can screw up (if you know what I mean).

 

It is legal as a logging app, it is not legal (or the same) as electronic logging.