For Those Who Went From Paper Logs to Electronic

So we're leased on with Dahlsten. Smaller company out of Clay Center, NE. Haul bulk...pneumatic. Overall, they're a real good company. Of course, some drivers complain up a storm but that's too be expected.

We run paper logs. That's all I've ever run. But they are starting to implement electronic logs by QualComm into some of the company driver trucks. It seems if a driver has had too many warning tickets from DOT or they volunteer, they are getting them.

A couple three months ago I was unloading in Lincoln at Cooks(Farmland) and a O/O from Foodliner was unloading beside me. Talking to me, he said he wished they'd have had e-logs 30 years ago. Said that he drives less tired, less stressed and makes more money over the past two years since he went to them. I was shocked to hear that.

So then I ran into one of the company guys for Dahlsten who was forced into e-logs a couple days ago and he said basically the same thing. Said he loves them. Said he's making more money and never has to sweat his hours. Said it's on dispatch now to pay attention to what he has and doesn't have.

It just is hard for me to believe that you can get more loads or more miles being on electronic logs. There's no lee way to jostle your numbers like you have to once in a while when the shipper/receiver has you setting on your #### for five hours and you needed to be somewhere else three hours ago. With e-logs, you loose the load. And before any one starts flaming me about jostling the numbers on my paper log....whatever. I know you're perfect....you never do anything wrong. Yadda yadda.....That's not what this thread is about.

I'm just wanting to hear from drivers who were on paper and went to e-logs. Are you making more money with less stress? Does your dispatch push you harder, to use every minute of your day? Personally, I won't be pushed. If I'm tired, I'm tired. I'll get where ever I need to be when I get there. I might push the pencil once in a while but I won't drive dangerous just because I have "hot" load or whatever.

Yet I am curious....driving an O/O truck, we won't be forced to take the e-logs until it's mandatory, if that day ever comes. Same with qualcomms...some O/Os refuse to use one now......

Is there really a benefit to e-logs or are they just another way for dispatch to control you're truck?

 

i was skeered when we went to elogs
it changed my driving habits but
hasn't hurt my miles
now i sleep at shippers and recievers without starting my clock instead of the TS 10 miles away
without starting my clock 5 min fuel stops and such add time back to your clock too
our trucks dont go into drive time until 15 mph

 

I wouldn't use them myself, If your an o/o who has the option your better off to stick with paper.

there's tons of steering wheel holders out there that don't even know how to fill out paper logs barely and they all LOVE E-logs too, there's plenty of them on here as well, me personally I like to have a little more freedom to do what I need to do to make a living and be comfortable. The choice is yours of course, I sure hope you make the right one.

 

elogs are a lot better then paper logs.most companies are going to elogs now

 

I talked at length w/a boyd driver last week at a T/A while getting my a/c repaired,a young and very professional(as in attitude and thought processes) driver which shocked the shesh out of me for some odd reason,and he espoused the complete opposite opinion of elogs.

He was telling me that w/a 62 mph truck,loaded as he was,that every slight rise he hits drops his speed to 45 mph,thus he loses time and sitting as he was now to get repaired,was putting intense pressure on him to make it to his destination on time as the elog clock was ticking.

he confirmed for me that elogs are not the savior they are made out to be,and that he would prefer to go back to a logbook simply to take the extra pressure off of him to get wherever on time as the elogs worked against him overall.

Elogs and qualcom ARE ALL ABOUT CONTROL from the company and big brother especially if you are an o/o. period.

 

that does not make elogs better than paper. that is simply your opinion which is derived from < less than a year.not being derogative toward you, but you simply have no idea what you are talking about with such a small amount of experience and that experience being nothing but elogs i am betting.

were you taught paper logs in truck driving school? or do they teach elogs? that could also generate the opinion that you have.

 

imagine that.sleeping at shipper/receiver as opposed to a truck stop 10 miles away because that elog will not allow you to drive that 10 miles.familiar reading post that i recall quite well!

 

I'm making better money too and I'm not stressed. The dispatchers and planners are now held accountable. No more of running 1000+ miles a day. And it's on you to use your time wisely. No more chilling at the casino for 6 hours then deciding you're gonna try to run 800 miles. I'm on e-logs. And I'll tell you what, I don't want to drive without them again. 715 miles a day isn't a big deal with them either. Keep your door closed and you'll do just fine.

 

I always had the option of a truck stop or shipper/receiver to spend the night. I always took the shipper/receiver/ It was always a better option for me.

 

the point was if i sleep at the shipper i dont start my day until i leave the dock for my 14 hours
compared to getting up starting my day at the TS and wasting 3 hours by the time i leave the shipper