How does the 70 hours of 8 days work out and 34 hour reset?

That from a person that is too lazy to be of any real help.

 

Did you go through truck driving school and complete the course successfully?

 

34 hour reset is your normal 10 hours off duty plus exactly one day. So as long as you end your day at the normal time that shouldn't be an issue.

If you end the day early then you take a little more than 34.

I know some people are OK with changing their sleep schedule constantly but I try to keep it as consistent as possible.

 

So do I.

But if you unload at 0900 and have to take a 34, that makes your return at 1900.
I don't start my day at 1900, I end it a bit before that.

We can't control when we will start the 34. It starts when that last load ends.
That is why WE need to control when we come back on duty.
In that situation I would extend it another 10 hours and come back on duty at 0500.

 

You would be very lucky if you found yourself at a company where you could choose your hours of operation. There are drivers that do, but they are most likely not newbies or they own their own truck.

As a newbie myself, I run whatever I am given, day or night. I would prefer an early morning 3 or 4am start, but I am in no position to expect that. There is also the issue of turning down loads and thus income because they don't suit your schedule.

 

Isn't one of the prerequisites in CDL school the ability to demonstrate a basic understanding of how HOS work?

That's a rhetorical question, of course...

 

Just go with a comany that has elogs and you won't have to think about it. Just keep driving until the computer says you can't drive any more, then you park for as long as it takes for the computer to say you can drive again.

Ain't technology great.

 

I was a newbie when I started at Swift, and I am still a company driver.

All it takes is an understanding of the system.
I learned it early on, and I have always controlled my hours of operation. (for the most part, like I said)


Any system can be beat and used to your own advantage.
Any! (Maybe, most - slight disclaimer)
Because systems are set up to control the masses, but much less so an individual.

Do you think I would still be here if I could not control things?
Please!

But I lucked out, as Swift gives options to control from my end.
Learn those options and all is good.
Don't learn them and you are totally hosed.

 

But make sure you stop at least 3 hrs before you run out of time. It won't matter because the mega trucking company will be giving you 3 days to run a 1,000 mile run. It's easy.

That way you'll be sure to find an easy pull through parking spot at the mega truck stop.